Moving day and the few days following it are the most stressful. The last thing you want to do is go hunting through your kitchen boxes to find each thing you need to prepare a meal or at the very least comfortably eat the delicious food you just had delivered.
When you are packing up the kitchen, don’t pack everything up at once – put aside some essentials that you’ll want quick access to on moving day. That way, you’ll be able to enjoy your meals without any stress attached to the process. Label the box clearly and keep it with you in your own vehicle so it doesn’t end up inaccessible during the move.
Kitchen Essentials Box Tips
Food
All of your perishable food will need to be unpacked and put away in your new refrigerator as soon as you move in to make sure it stays fresh. If you plan to wait to unpack the dry foods, put a few key items in your kitchen essentials box so you’ll have them available to cook the first night and next day you’re in the new home. Some dry foods to consider including are:
- Pasta
- Rice
- Bread
- Peanut butter
- Canned food such as soup or veggies
- Coffee
- Beverages
- Spices such as salt, pepper, and oil
Cutlery and dishware
Even if you get takeout, you’ll need certain cutlery and dishware to eat with. Paper plates, plastic cutlery, and disposable cups are great to use when moving to avoid having to carry anything heavy or wash anything. Whether you decide to separate some pieces of your real items or opt for disposable versions, here’s what you’ll need (be sure to bring enough for each person):
- Cutlery (forks, spoons, knives)
- Plates
- Bowls
- Cups
Cooking essentials
If you plan on doing some cooking, separate the supplies you’ll need so they are handy as soon as you start getting hungry. We recommend keeping the recipes quick and easy since you’ll have a lot of other tasks on your plate when you are moving and settling in. Some things to consider packing in your essentials box are:
- A large pot
- Crockpot
- Saucepan
- Frying pan
- Cutting board
- Cooking utensils (knives, plastic spatula, tongs)
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic baggies or Tupperware for leftovers
- Heat-resistant oven mitts and mats
- Coffee pot
Backup options
If you decide that you don’t feel like cooking, have some backup options ready to go. Some ideas are:
- Frozen meals
- Takeout menus
- Meal delivery service
- Menu from a local deli
Cleaning supplies
Of course, after you eat you’ll want to be able to clean up quickly and easily so you can get back to settling in and enjoying your new place. Make sure you have these cleaning supplies at the ready:
- Paper towels
- Napkins
- Dish soap and sponge
- Kitchen towel
What other essentials should you pack separately for a move? Click here for a full list! >>