When going through your kitchen pantry, it is pretty amazing just how much money you have invested. Items like flour, sugar, spices, sauces, and other ingredients may only cost a few bucks each, but that quickly adds up to a few hundred dollars (if not more). Tossing all of these kitchen pantry items is costly, and while some of the spices might be past prime use-by dates, other items may keep for years. Instead of moving to your home and starting new with your entire kitchen pantry, here are a few tips and tricks for packing everything like a pro.
Consider the Distance
If you’re moving to a different home in the local area, or even a few hours away, you can pack most of what is in your fridge and freezer. You’ll just need a cooler and plenty of ice. However, if you’re moving across state lines, or if the drive will take more than a few hours, your best bet is to toss the items in your fridge.
If at all possible, stop buying food for your home at least a week ahead of moving day. This will reduce the amount of inevitable waste. Other items, such as sauces that require refrigeration, maybe packed along with other pantry items, as most sauces can remain out of the refrigerator for extended periods due to their composition. However, if such sauces have dairy ingredients, you’ll want to keep them in a cooler during your trip.
Check the Dates
Many of your items will have expiration dates. Check labels on sauces and condiments – you might be surprised as to how long that jar of mayonnaise has been sitting on the shelf. Additionally, you might want to pitch flour if you’ve had it for more than a few months. Small mealworms often appear in flour when more than a few months old.
Pack Your Pantry
Another pantry packing pointer would include checking the lids on everything. You don’t want that bottle of olive oil leaking during transit.
If you have any bagged seasonings, place them into a larger zip-top bag. As for the seasonings you’ll want to wrap these in film or tape the lids shut. Should the containers pop open, all kinds of spices could be mixed up and stuck to your box.
After you have finished packing the spices, make sure to mark the box as “perishable.” This way you’ll know you need to remove it out of the heat of your moving truck sooner.
Consider Donating Canned Goods
Canned goods take up space and are heavy to move. A box of canned tomatoes and tuna is hefty. If you’re short on space one of the packing pointers experts recommend is donating canned goods to your local food pantry.
Contact the Pros For Moving Help
Though replacing some items is advisable for the very best flavor, there are several items you don’t need to toss. Attempting to replace everything not only may leave you missing essential ingredients during your first big meal in your new kitchen, but it is also costly. Precisely why you need to follow these packing pointers to avoid costly spice investments you don’t necessarily need to make. And remember, if you need help with your packing, loading, or driving, make sure to give the team at Winter Moving & Storage a call.
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