Tiny Kitchen Essentials: Maximizing Functionality in Limited Spaces

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 don’t generally like to complain out loud, and I don’t want to sound hyperbolic, but I think it’s possible that I have the smallest kitchen on the planet. For real. My entire kitchen measures about 7 feet by 4 feet. Yes, FEET! It’s so small there is actually no room for a fridge. My fridge and all my food storage shelves are in my office. My house is a very old, Chinese-style village house with many design features that I simply can’t reconcile, the kitchen being one of them.

Most of the time I love my house, it’s super cute. But when it’s time to cook it gets a bit annoying. I have found ways around it and gotten used to my multi-room food prep process, but it’s definitely not ideal. Having lots of appliances is simply not an option, and single-use utensils have become a huge pet peeve (no one needs an avocado slicer- get a knife). There are several things that I use in my kitchen that I could not do without. They make it so that I can still do lots of experimenting and create all kinds of delicious plant-based meals in a very small space.

If you’re a renter in a small space, if you’re in a shared space, or if you just don’t like a lot of clutter, there are certain tools that are essential. I’d love to know what other tiny kitchen chefs deem necessary for their success (and sanity). Please let me know in the comments what you can’t do without. I’ll list my favourites here!

A good quality hand blender

I say it in so many of my recipes, a hand blender really does make simple work of so many jobs. It’s not bulky so it doesn’t take up your already limited counter space, and it doesn’t have a massive jug that might be hard to clean in a small sink. I use my Cuisinart Hand Blender almost everyday for everything from soups, smoothies, to homemade butter!

Cast Iron Dutch Oven

My Lodge 5 quart cast iron dutch oven is one of my most prized possessions. I use it for my weekend meal prep as a casserole dish for my current favourite veggie pot pie, and it has become my bread maker as well! Every weekend I bake a simple loaf of bread in my dutch oven to slice up and freeze for the week. Saves me so much time and space!

CrockPot Slowcooker

I grew up on slow cooker meals, so I have long been an advocate for its versatility (check out my ever-growing slow cooker collection here). However, when I moved to Asia it was impossible to find and I regularly have to explain to people what it is (and they inevitably go, “wow, that’s so handy!”) I ordered mine online because I couldn’t imagine not having one. I use my Crockpot slow cooker for everything from rice dishes, soups, chilli, rehydrating beans, to hot drinks for Christmas parties. Lots of the time I will throw my ingredients in before I leave the house in the morning, set the timer and come home to a fully cooked meal at the end of a long day.

Tiered cooling rack

As you can probably imagine, I don’t have a lot of counter space. When I bake, I need to clean as I go and even then I don’t have a lot of room to let things cool. A tiered cooling rack makes it way easier to make sure your entire batch of cookies is fully cooled before you pack them up or freeze them.

Nesting bowls and measuring cups

Counter space is limited, but so is storage space. Anything that can fit inside something else is a huge space saver. I love my nesting bowls and measuring cups to save shelf space and keep things looking tidy.

Sliding measuring spoon

I got one of these for Christmas years ago from my mom and thought it was absolutely genius. One spoon, all the measurements- need I say more?

In sink drying rack

Doing dishes is annoying for many reasons, but in a tiny kitchen the drying rack can take up a significant chunk of counter space while you’re just waiting for stuff to dry. I found these that fit in my sink, which allows the water to drip in the sink and frees up my counters- win win!

Trolley

I don’t have any cabinets or drawers in my kitchen, and most of the food is stored on shelves in my office, but I do like to keep my spices and seasonings nearby. I have a tiered trolley that slides under the counter so it’s out of the way, yet accessible.

Countertop Dishwasher

This one might seem like a big item, and one that takes counter space rather than saves it, but for me it’s totally worth it! My countertop dishwasher allows me to toss everything in and start on the cleanup while I’m still working and cooking. I have mine on a little shelf so that I can put pots and pans out of the way underneath (plus having it elevated helps with drainage). It uses less water than washing by hand and it saves me from my least favourite household task, so in my mind it’s a no brainer!

Let me know if there’s anything I missed or anything you think I need to have in my tiny kitchen!