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Kitchen Renovation Survival
Temporary Kitchens and Easy Meal Solutions By Maria Olia
It is a cruel irony that while remodeling to create your dream kitchen, you need to live through the stress and turmoil of not having a kitchen at all. A major kitchen renovation usually means you will be "kitchenless" for at least of few weeks or even months. "Creating a dream kitchen is an exciting time for the homeowner and will take some time but it is well worth the wait," says Linda Efstratoudakis of Stefco Builders in Needham, Mass.
Some thought to meal preparation before construction can mean the difference between bearable inconvenience or renovation disaster. Here are some ideas for organizing a temporary kitchen and some tips for mealtime options to help you and your family survive your own kitchen renovation.
A well-equipped temporary kitchen includes a microwave, coffee maker, toaster or toaster oven. Don't forget a manual can-opener, cutting board, knives, salt, pepper and your favorite spices. Also think about a hot plate that can be used for boiling tea water and cooking pasta, rice or vegetables.
Try to locate your temporary kitchen near a water source for cooking and cleaning. If that's not possible, buy lots of bottled water. It's easier to use water from a gallon jug than to walk to the basement laundry room or upstairs bathroom every time you want to make coffee.
Utilize your current refrigerator during construction. Appliances are among the last items to be installed in a kitchen renovation. Dispose of your old refrigerator when your new one is delivered.