What To Know Before Cooking In A Holiday Rental

Are you staying at an Airbnb for the holidays this year? Whether you’re in a vacation rental or someone else’s home, it’s important to remember that their kitchen may function a little differently than yours at home. From minimal appliances to dull knives, you need to know what you’re working with before you commit to cooking a homemade holiday meal anywhere but in your house.

These are the things to check prior to cooking in an unfamiliar kitchen:

• Experiment with the oven - You’ll want to test the oven out so you don’t risk ruining the turkey and the toast test is an easy way to do that. Preheat the oven, spread slices of white bread on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes. The varying levels of doneness on the bread will show you the oven’s hot and cold spots.
• Don’t trust the knives - Depending on the holiday feast you plan to cook, your rental may not have the tools you need to get the job done. Handling a dull knife is dangerous, so you may want to pack a knife or two in your luggage. Wrap it in a couple of dishtowels, which you may find you need as well.
• Run those taps - Check the water in the kitchen sink when you arrive. If the taps haven’t been running recently, the water could taste stale, have a brown color, or “spit” water erratically. You may also want to check to see if the area has a boil water advisory before you drink it.
• Parchment and aluminum foil will save the day - Don’t be surprised if the baking pans look like they’re ready to be replaced. While some folks swear by a “seasoned” look, you can always line the pans with parchment paper or foil to avoid taking any chances with iffy bakeware.
• Take stock of the dishes - Your rental home may not have all the plates, bowls or cups you need, so don’t want until you’re ready to serve dinner to find out. If you’re missing something essential, run to a nearby Goodwill or thrift store to buy some on the cheap. And you can leave them behind so the next tenant doesn’t have to go bargain hunting for their own.
• Remember, it’s about being together - When you feel like griping about the kitchen not being up to your standards, keep in mind it’s only temporary. You can learn a lot by improvising in an unfamiliar kitchen and becoming more flexible is good for you anyway. Plus, the holidays are about being together, so do the best you can with the kitchen you’re in and enjoy the company.

Source: The Takeout

Talk Back:

• Nothing like going to serve soup and discovering your Airbnb doesn’t have bowls!
• I have stayed in cabins where they promised pots, pans and other wares and they had no skillets!
• No worries for me. "I'll Be Home For Christmas. You Can Count On Me!" However, you can keep the snow. LOL.