Comments on: How to downsize your kitchen http://earlyretirementextreme.com/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html Becoming debt-free is the first step to building a better world. Financial independence is the second. Doing what YOU want is the third. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:07:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: elizabeth http://earlyretirementextreme.com/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html/comment-page-1#comment-22522 elizabeth Fri, 10 Jun 2011 18:41:36 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/01/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html#comment-22522 i agree wholeheartedly with this post! poor planning leaves so many people with unnecessary, worthless items that they're unsatisfied with. i wish that more people would buy less, and buy things that they feel they can't live without, regardless of the price tag. that being said, quality always needs to be kept in mind, as well as environmental impact. great post. i agree wholeheartedly with this post!

poor planning leaves so many people with unnecessary, worthless items that they’re unsatisfied with. i wish that more people would buy less, and buy things that they feel they can’t live without, regardless of the price tag. that being said, quality always needs to be kept in mind, as well as environmental impact. great post.

]]> By: Steve in W MA http://earlyretirementextreme.com/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html/comment-page-1#comment-16613 Steve in W MA Sat, 25 Sep 2010 07:41:10 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/01/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html#comment-16613 I have absolute carloads of stuff primarily because I live in my family home and there are generations's worth of things here. My approach is: keep everythings and keep it organized, and eventually wear it all out. I figure everything will be worn out and have to be replaced in about 200 years. Basically, I don't go shopping except for food. Even clothes that I have will probably last the next 5 years without shopping. The other thing is, I fix things. When a handle breaks, I fix it. When my car breaks, I fix it ( myself, in my driveway up on stands. Incidentally, I am looking to acquire a welder soon for some bodywork, though I have a line on borrowing one too) I have a large tool collection but I view that as an investment in the preservation of stuff that already exists and so it is "ecological" to own them all. I prefer to tend to my possessions rather than simply use them and discard them. I have absolute carloads of stuff primarily because I live in my family home and there are generations’s worth of things here.

My approach is: keep everythings and keep it organized, and eventually wear it all out.

I figure everything will be worn out and have to be replaced in about 200 years.

Basically, I don’t go shopping except for food. Even clothes that I have will probably last the next 5 years without shopping.

The other thing is, I fix things. When a handle breaks, I fix it. When my car breaks, I fix it ( myself, in my driveway up on stands. Incidentally, I am looking to acquire a welder soon for some bodywork, though I have a line on borrowing one too)

I have a large tool collection but I view that as an investment in the preservation of stuff that already exists and so it is “ecological” to own them all. I prefer to tend to my possessions rather than simply use them and discard them.

]]> By: veganprimate http://earlyretirementextreme.com/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html/comment-page-1#comment-16574 veganprimate Thu, 23 Sep 2010 21:20:17 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/01/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html#comment-16574 Here's a tip: Make sure you tell people who come over to your house that you LIKE not having lots of kitchen gadgets and to please not buy you any for gifts. Otherwise, here's what happens: Your parents come over for dinner, you serve them wine in coffee cups b/c you don't give a shit about that kind of thing, and then for your birthday or xmas, you get a set of wine glasses along with the comment, "I knew you needed wine glasses." You need to nip that shit in the bud. Here’s a tip: Make sure you tell people who come over to your house that you LIKE not having lots of kitchen gadgets and to please not buy you any for gifts. Otherwise, here’s what happens: Your parents come over for dinner, you serve them wine in coffee cups b/c you don’t give a shit about that kind of thing, and then for your birthday or xmas, you get a set of wine glasses along with the comment, “I knew you needed wine glasses.” You need to nip that shit in the bud.

]]> By: Laura http://earlyretirementextreme.com/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html/comment-page-1#comment-16561 Laura Thu, 23 Sep 2010 09:31:47 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/01/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html#comment-16561 I have a long way to go in this area! I have a long way to go in this area!

]]> By: anne bentham @ mobile condo http://earlyretirementextreme.com/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html/comment-page-1#comment-16559 anne bentham @ mobile condo Thu, 23 Sep 2010 02:22:46 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/01/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html#comment-16559 I just finished my list of needed kitchen/dining items and am in the process of frecycling the rest. I know I could shrink it down a bit still, but I can fit it all in fairly small space. 1. Multipot/stock pot with steamer inserts 2. 6.5 quart cast iron French oven (stored outside with solar oven) 3. 3-1/2 quart cast iron covered braiser 4. 5 piece utensil set 5. Silicon spatula 6. Small food processor 7. Forks and spoons (4 each) 8. Cutlery: 7" Santoku, two 3" paring knives, 6" cleaver, 7" fillet 9. Plates and bowls(4 each) 10. Two travel tea mugs 11. Two water bottles 12. Flexible cutting mat 13. 38-cup, 8-cup, two 3-3/5-cup, four 1-2/7-cup food storage containers with lids 14. Stainless steel measuring cups and spoons 15. Egg timer 16. 4-cup measuring cup (maybe) 17. Poach pods 18. Sprout garden I just finished my list of needed kitchen/dining items and am in the process of frecycling the rest. I know I could shrink it down a bit still, but I can fit it all in fairly small space.

1. Multipot/stock pot with steamer inserts
2. 6.5 quart cast iron French oven (stored outside with solar oven)
3. 3-1/2 quart cast iron covered braiser
4. 5 piece utensil set
5. Silicon spatula
6. Small food processor
7. Forks and spoons (4 each)
8. Cutlery: 7″ Santoku, two 3″ paring knives, 6″ cleaver, 7″ fillet
9. Plates and bowls(4 each)
10. Two travel tea mugs
11. Two water bottles
12. Flexible cutting mat
13. 38-cup, 8-cup, two 3-3/5-cup, four 1-2/7-cup food storage containers with lids
14. Stainless steel measuring cups and spoons
15. Egg timer
16. 4-cup measuring cup (maybe)
17. Poach pods
18. Sprout garden

]]> By: Jacob http://earlyretirementextreme.com/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html/comment-page-1#comment-16548 Jacob Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:14:40 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/01/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html#comment-16548 @frugalscholar - I think this similar to whether newspapers can be composted. I'd say as long as it doesn't have color prints, you're good. I think nowadays even color print may be okay due to soy based inks. @frugalscholar – I think this similar to whether newspapers can be composted. I’d say as long as it doesn’t have color prints, you’re good. I think nowadays even color print may be okay due to soy based inks.

]]> By: frugalscholar http://earlyretirementextreme.com/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html/comment-page-1#comment-16547 frugalscholar Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:43:06 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/01/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html#comment-16547 I'm starting to downsize my kitchen by passing things on to my children, both starting to set up their kitchens. I remember people chopping vegetables on newspaper...is that OK to do? Love the cardboard idea also. I’m starting to downsize my kitchen by passing things on to my children, both starting to set up their kitchens.

I remember people chopping vegetables on newspaper…is that OK to do? Love the cardboard idea also.

]]> By: Bankruptcy Ben http://earlyretirementextreme.com/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html/comment-page-1#comment-12829 Bankruptcy Ben Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:48:11 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/01/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html#comment-12829 You didn't say how I can convince my girlfriend to get rid of the bunch of pretty show crockery we have that we don't use? You didn’t say how I can convince my girlfriend to get rid of the bunch of pretty show crockery we have that we don’t use?

]]> By: George http://earlyretirementextreme.com/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html/comment-page-1#comment-11130 George Sat, 01 May 2010 14:55:07 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/01/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html#comment-11130 Ha! Wood spoons recycle instantly in the wood stove! That is so cool and practical. Wish I had a wood stove to recycle all the wood that I find in my house that I don't need... Ha! Wood spoons recycle instantly in the wood stove! That is so cool and practical. Wish I had a wood stove to recycle all the wood that I find in my house that I don’t need…

]]> By: Jacob http://earlyretirementextreme.com/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html/comment-page-1#comment-3260 Jacob Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:22:34 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/01/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html#comment-3260 With a (cheap) serrated knife you can cut directly into your (dinner) plate, if you don't mind sacrificing the point. With a (cheap) serrated knife you can cut directly into your (dinner) plate, if you don’t mind sacrificing the point.

]]> By: steve http://earlyretirementextreme.com/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html/comment-page-1#comment-3259 steve Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:19:44 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/01/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html#comment-3259 A piece of cardboard makes an excellent cutting surface if you don't have a wood board. For most tasks you can brush it off and reuse it for weeks. I discovered this at my job because we have a lot of cardboard boxes and I needed to cut some veggies in the break room, but I thought I'd mention it for those who are interested. You could go quite a while without a wooden cutting board if you just had a bunch of cardboard boxes around that you could cut pieces from. A piece of cardboard makes an excellent cutting surface if you don’t have a wood board. For most tasks you can brush it off and reuse it for weeks.

I discovered this at my job because we have a lot of cardboard boxes and I needed to cut some veggies in the break room, but I thought I’d mention it for those who are interested. You could go quite a while without a wooden cutting board if you just had a bunch of cardboard boxes around that you could cut pieces from.

]]> By: steve http://earlyretirementextreme.com/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html/comment-page-1#comment-3257 steve Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:16:52 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/01/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html#comment-3257 RE: having the best quality for your mainstay items, I finally dropped $400 for a VitaMix blender and am loving it.( I had been considering doing this for the last 2 years and finally did it) I can make my green shakes so much better, and it has become a nearly daily mainstay in my other cooking too. There is no comparison to a consumer blender, it is a quantum level beyond. RE: having the best quality for your mainstay items, I finally dropped $400 for a VitaMix blender and am loving it.( I had been considering doing this for the last 2 years and finally did it) I can make my green shakes so much better, and it has become a nearly daily mainstay in my other cooking too.

There is no comparison to a consumer blender, it is a quantum level beyond.

]]> By: FIRE Finance http://earlyretirementextreme.com/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html/comment-page-1#comment-376 FIRE Finance Sun, 10 Feb 2008 22:24:12 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/01/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html#comment-376 This is a great post and we've cited it in our Sunday Review Favorites. Keep up the great blogging! Cheers, FIRE Finance This is a great post and we’ve cited it in our Sunday Review Favorites.
Keep up the great blogging!
Cheers,
FIRE Finance

]]> By: Jacob http://earlyretirementextreme.com/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html/comment-page-1#comment-293 Jacob Fri, 01 Feb 2008 03:35:04 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/01/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html#comment-293 Ah yes, but you already know those special cases, so can you just add them to the rest. Here I wanted to figure out what we use on a regular basis without being too draconic about it. I plan to post a list next week about our findings. So far it's working quite wel. Ah yes, but you already know those special cases, so can you just add them to the rest. Here I wanted to figure out what we use on a regular basis without being too draconic about it. I plan to post a list next week about our findings. So far it’s working quite wel.

]]> By: mjmcinto http://earlyretirementextreme.com/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html/comment-page-1#comment-290 mjmcinto Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:01:57 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/01/how-to-downsize-your-kitchen.html#comment-290 I do have one issue. There are some items which don't get used in a month, but are needed. For example: 1) My wife and I don't have people over every month, but we do so on occasion (a few times a year - an average of once every 3 months or s), so we would typically only use 2 plates in a month. However, when we do have people over, we need plates for them to eat on, so we should probably keep these (or are you advocating spending money for plates each time someone comes over?) ;) 2) we have 2 cutting boards. One small, and one large. We use the small cutting board ~95% of the time, and may go a month w/out using it. However, when i cook a large item (like a turkey), I use the large cutting board. I could get rid of the smaller cutting board, but then I would be spending more money by using the large cutting board daily, as it takes more water and soap to clean the large board. I know it's not much, but it does add up over time. I do have one issue. There are some items which don’t get used in a month, but are needed. For example:

1) My wife and I don’t have people over every month, but we do so on occasion (a few times a year – an average of once every 3 months or s), so we would typically only use 2 plates in a month. However, when we do have people over, we need plates for them to eat on, so we should probably keep these (or are you advocating spending money for plates each time someone comes over?) ;)
2) we have 2 cutting boards. One small, and one large. We use the small cutting board ~95% of the time, and may go a month w/out using it. However, when i cook a large item (like a turkey), I use the large cutting board. I could get rid of the smaller cutting board, but then I would be spending more money by using the large cutting board daily, as it takes more water and soap to clean the large board. I know it’s not much, but it does add up over time.

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