In by Ed Buchanan
Kitchen
the
PML Features Editor
Living in a total of 400 square feet makes you really consider what to do to maximize that area to get the most out of it. With that in mind, where do you start? As in our previous article on space saving ideas, we at PML Magazine are always looking for ways to help you get better acquainted with your home away (and sometimes instead of) home. We will now look at the kitchen of a Park Model and consider the best way to use one drawer to hold all of that stuff that you need to make most meals. The drawer that I am using measures 18” by 20”, which is a fairly normal sized space. There are a few things to note to the reader regarding the choices made for this article. First, the spending limit for everything is $125. Second, silverware is not included. Finally, this is not all-inclusive. Since everyone has different tastes and traditions, you can use this as a platform to start with and build toward your own culinary collection depending on what you like to eat. The groundwork of our project is the mesh divider bins manufactured by the company Copco. They come in a variety of sizes, and for our drawer we used one 6”x15” bin, two 6”x12” bins, and one 3”x12” bin. I opted to use these separate bins over a larger more permanent storage tray because it gives me more options and I can always change the configuration or use them in a different combination for Park Model Living Magazine
another drawer. Total cost: $23.46. With the dividers in place, I began the hunt to fill them. The basic sketch of utensils looks like this: slotted spoon, serving spoon, ladle, pasta spoon, tongs, wire whisk, nylon turner, measuring cups, measuring spoons, spatula, pizza cutter, potato peeler, meat thermometer, ice-cream scoop, can opener, and masher. Calphalon offers a set of nylon spoons and turner for $19.99. At roughly $5 an item, this is a good choice, as they will not damage non-stick cookware, are dishwasher safe, and fit nicely into our drawer. Total cost: $43.45. The wire whisk is next. Coming in at $5.99, this is actually a little more than I want to spend but for the sake of argument we add it to the drawer. The same goes for the potato masher ($9.99) and the pizza cutter ($7.99). Other than the pizza cutter that can be used to cut baking dough, the other utensils in this round are limited use items, which makes the cost seem high for them. Total cost: $67.42. Still on our list are the measuring spoons and cups, spatula, peeler, thermometer, ice cream scoop, can opener, tongs, and ladle. With just over $55 left to play with, I am starting to get a little worried that we won’t make it under our goal. I find the measuring cups for $2.99, which seems perfect because I thought that I would be paying closer to $5 for
Photos by Ed Buchanan
them. The spoons are next to the cups, and I opt to go for the two “Adjust-ASpoons” by KitchenArt ($11.99) for space and function reasons. Total cost: $82.40. The spatula is next, and I fortunately find one for $3.49. Next comes the ice-cream scoop by KitchenAid ($7.99) and then the Calphalon vegetable peeler ($7.99). The cheapest set of tongs (which actually looks like they will work) is $9.99 from OXO so I pick them as well. Total cost: $111.86. Rounding out our drawer is the ladle, thermometer and can opener. OXO has a ladle that matches our other set for $5.99. We add a Pyrex meat thermometer for $7.99 bringing our total to $125.84. Since we did not want to spend more than $125, I skip the can opener (we do have an electric one, don’t we?) and put the drawer together with what we have. I hope I can get those eighty-four cents back from my editor! With the mesh bins, the organization is a snap. Not only will the objects stay where I want them, but I do not have to weed through everything to find my measuring spoons when I want them. This is a fairly strong step in the correct direction for anyone looking to get the most out of their space and have things that will stand up to some constant use. Remember, if you find this useful, send me an invite to dinner at your Park Model and I will happily evaluate your kitchen utensil drawer!
Ed Buchanan can be reached at: Ed@parkmodelliving.com
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