When packing the kitchen I recommend having a great labeling system. Don't just write kitchen on the box or you will be pulling your hair out when you get to your new home. I like to list the important items in the box so I will know what to open and I make sure I have open first on the most important boxes. These are the things I know I will need to same day I'm in my new home. Things like a pot or two, paper plates, silverware...
Packing plates: Plates are so so so easy to pack! Here's my secret: Paper plates. When packing the plates I put a little bubble wrap or a towel in the bottom of the box then place in the first plate. Then alternate between paper plates and glass plates using the paper plates as padding. Then after moving you can still use the paper plates because your dishes were clean (I hope so anyway). These can also be used to pack you saucers.
Packing Bowls: This one is also easy and little or no paper is needed. Instead I use my dish rags and towels. Once again bubble wrap or towel in the bottom of the box. Then unfold the towels and drape them around the bowl making sure to go over the top. Then place in the next bowl and double the towel back over the top of that one also. You were going to have to move the towels anyway so why not put them to use? You can also use pot holders between them. It's all about not letting them clank together during the move.
Time for glasses and mugs: Now you can get out the paper or if you still have some dish rags, dish towels, or wash rags those can be used also. Using these will have you throwing away less after the move and believe me all that paper is a pain in the hiney. Make sure when packing these to put you Mugs on bottle but don't lay them on their side. This can lead to their handle being broke off. Just make sure to place the heaviest items first on so on. Because glasses brake so easy I like to top the box off with a bathroom towel on top (folded) so the there is cushion for whatever is set on top of it in the truck.
Packing Spices: I like to pack my spices away inside of other items, such as my crockpot. I will put my crock pot in a box and then load the spices inside it. Make sure to wrap and glass ones. Also on the crockpot lid I recommend wrapping it in a towel if it's glass. I've had to replace one of these lids and they aren't cheap. You can also store spices inside your microwave and toaster ovens. However if placing them inside those makes sure they can't move around on the inside.
Silverware drawer: This one is EASY! Just wrap the entire silverware holder in plastic wrap with the silverware still inside. Then place it into a box along with you cooking utensils and knives.
Knives: For these I like to bundle them in plastic wrap before putting them into the box. That way no ones hand reaches inside and gets cut. For really sharp knives I take a piece of cardboard and fold it in half and tape it around the blade.
Microwave/ Toaster oven and other large counter items: These are items that can't go in a box so make sure you protect them also. For these items I like to use masking tape to bundle their cords and tape them to the back of the item. Then I like to cover the entire thing with plastic wrap. If you have instruction manuals for these items it's not a bad idea to place those under the plastic wrap also so that they stay together.
Fridge: This has to wait until the day of the move but make sure to clean it well before that day! You don't want to take a mess with you! I don't recommend moving with items inside because it can mess up hinges and things can break. I like to use coolers. If you are moving a long way I'm sure you've tried to use up these items before now but you don't always get the chance.
During one move I had a lot of frozen meat so a few days before then move I placed these frozen items in a large freezer bag and then filled that bag with water and put in back in the freezer. This stops things from partially thawing and refreezing. In the coolers I used ice and blue ice cubes. I'm not a fan of dry ice because there is a chance of freezer burn plus it dangerous if touched.
After you get everything into coolers I like to take four or five strips of cardboard and tape them together. Then I tape these to the lip of the fridge door. This stops the fridge from shutting all the way and save you from having a mold problem. Now if you are moving across town this isn't a problem but it's another story when moving cross country. After putting the cardboard in the door make sure to put plastic wrap around the whole fridge so that it doesn't flop open and closed in the move. And as always bundle the cord with masking tape and tape it to the back of the fridge.
Canned and boxed food: There's not a lot of advice here. Just don't overload the boxes with canned items and if boxes are open I recommend taping them closed or even wrapping the box in plastic wrap
I think I've covered all there is in the kitchen. Let me know if I missed anything.
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