Kitchen Rules
Here are some common-sense kitchen rules you can use in your own kitchen and your own life to keep you safe, sane, and productive.
Kitchen Safety Rules
Kitchen Safety Rules – Be Safe and Productive
- Don’t be afraid of new food.
- Never hand someone the blade end of a knife, scissors or other sharp objects.
- Keep pot handles facing towards the stove, not facing out.
- To prevent cross-contamination, use different cutting boards for meats and vegetables. If you don’t have more than one cutting board, cut vegetables first, and meat last.
- Don’t put the glass you just used in the sink. Put a little water in it and leave it on the counter by the sink. Why? Glass breaks easily, and the sink is not a safe place with other dirty dishes sometimes sliding around on top of each other. There’s nothing like putting your hands in soapy dishwater and finding a broken glass.
- If you burn yourself, immediately plunge the affected area in cold water. This stops the cooking process. You can then apply Noxzema to cool down and help heal the burn. If you are badly burned, do not hesitate to call 911, and keep the area under cold water until help arrives.
- Wear a full apron, not just one around your waist. Wearing a full apron for one keeps your clothes clean, and it also prevents getting burned by drops of hot oil that may come out when you put something in hot fat, even a little butter for sauteing can sometimes surprise you and splatter.
- Never wash meat under running water. Dangerous bacteria that you can’t see will be in droplets that will go on your counter. It’s not worth it.
Kitchen Rules for Pets and People
Kitchen Rules for Pets and People
- An important rule in the kitchen, no pets are allowed. It’s easy for a person to trip over a pet, and if the person is holding something hot that spills, both you and your pet can be seriously injured.
- Unless you have a specific job in mind, don’t let guests help you. I know that seems counter productive, but you know your kitchen, and your guest does not. It takes more time to explain where something is and how to do it than if you did it yourself. If you have a prep station for your guest, and a set task, then have at it!
Life in General Rules
Life in General Rules
- If you have to go closely behind someone, it’s a good idea to say “Behind you”. That way, the person is not going to turn around suddenly with a pot of hot food and get it all over you.
- Never run with a sharp object in your hand. It doesn’t make any difference whether you are two or ninety-two, you can still injure yourself.
- If you are in a crowded situation, and you need to get through, only in an emergency, you can say “Hot Food!” and people will naturally move away from you. Yes, even on the bus.
Boring (but important) Copyright Stuff
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- If you want to use a photo, you must ask for permission. See above.
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Good cooking isn’t just about ingredients—it’s about how you move, think, and respect the space you’re in. These kitchen rules aren’t here to restrict you—they’re here to support you. Because when your kitchen runs safely and smoothly, creativity (and really good food) can thrive.
Stick to these simple rules, and your kitchen won’t just be cleaner or safer—it’ll feel like yours. Now grab that knife (the right way, please) and get cooking.
We don’t have a tip jar, but we wouldn’t sneeze if you got something on the Kitchen Wishes and Cooking Dreams list on Amazon.