A disorganized spice cabinet equals a stressful cooking time. To start enjoying cooking and experimenting with many spices, you need to keep your spices organized and easy to reach to smooth the cooking process and to make it more enjoyable. And besides, how many times did you have to run to the store to get the spice you need while it was right in your kitchen hidden behind your spices? Thankfully, the process to organizing your spice cabinet/drawer is easy enough. With all the spice organizers on the market, this might be just your easiest organizing project yet.
Step 1: Choose the right spice organizer
Note: You can purchase any of the spice organizer below from Amazon by clicking on the name in Bold.
A tiered spice organizer:This is the one that I currently use. They are inexpensive and keep the spices together. I keep the spices that I use the most in the front with duplicates in the second tier and the third tier holds all the occasionally-used spices.
Compact Spice Organizer:
This one is by far my most favorite and may end up right in my cabinet in the near future. It has drawers that fold down making it easier to retrieve the spices you need.
Spice Organizer Rack:This one is very convenient with easy access and a good view to the spices. It can be mounted to the cabinet door or pantry or on the wall. You can keep the cabinet door open for an easy reach while you are cooking.
Expand-a-drawer spice organizerIf you prefer to store your spices in a drawer then the expand-a-drawer organizer might be just what you need to get them organized. You can easily view the spices when you open the drawer.
Note: You need to take measurement of your drawer before you buy this product to ensure that it doesn't slide back and forth.
Other options:
You can also use a two tier lazy susan to store the pieces or the rotating spice organizer. A pull out spice rack cabinet is also great if you have space in the kitchen. Or you can make your own magnetic board and buy some small spice jars. Kristie, at addicted 2 decorating, has a great DIY magnetic spice board.
Step 2: Declutter and organize
Once you decide on the new (or old) home for your spices and get a spice organizer that would fit best, you need to clear out your current spice cabinet and start decluttering.
- Toss anything that's too old. No need to keep a spice that will not add any flavor to your cooking.
- Decide on how you would like to arrange them. I sort mine by how many uses, duplicates, occasionally-used. You can also sort them by baking spices and cooking spices or go the super-organizer-way and alphabetize them.
- Store them
Personally, I like to have the spices at hand's reach when I am cooking so I keep my spices in the kitchen cabinet on the upper right of the stove. I am currently using an inexpensive three-tiered organizer but I am thinking about another alternative to storing spices in the near future as I am trying out more spices in my new world tour adventure. Whatever method you decide to organize your spices is more personal than a one way method. What matters is that your spices are easier to reach from your usual point of use and are easier to find. An organized spice cabinet might just be what you need to become a foodie and a culinary expert :)
Do you have any other way or storage method that you use to keep your spices organized? I would love if you can share it in the comment area.
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