First, carefully pack all items from your old kitchen, keeping aside the essentials listed below.

• Microwave & electric kettle.

• Minimal non-perishables like soup, condiments, cereal, tea, coffee, sugar, rice, pasta, etc.

• Microwave-safe cooking dishes.

• Bare minimum crockery, cutlery, cups & utensils (or disposable).

• Dishcloths, paper towels, & garbage bags.

• Plastic washing up basin.

• Fridge/freezer or Esky/cooler.

• BBQ outside for a little variation.

• Portable electric hotplate or induction hotplate.

Pack all other non-essential kitchen items away in carefully labelled boxes ready to transfer to your new kitchen.

A laundry room makes a great temporary kitchen. Separate food prep areas from dirty clothes & harmful detergents. Laundries are ideal because it is already a “wet” area, however, care must be taken due to the hazardous items that lurk within. Ensure you have enough storage space & access to running water.

Pack away laundry items that don’t require access for a short time – such as old towels, detergents that get intermittent use, etc.

Thoroughly clean & disinfect shelves & a bench area that will be used for food/utensil storage & prep – keep a strict separation of this area from detergents & dirty clothes during the period this area is to be used as a kitchen. Many germs can be spread by dirty laundry & laundry detergents & cleaning agents can be hazardous if ingested.

Set the microwave on a sturdy shelf or bench-top where it doesn’t wobble & will not fall.

If a laundry is not an option for a temporary kitchen, another great option is a bookshelf or drawer unit. If your old kitchen was a reasonable quality – keep a portion of bench & cabinetry after the strip out to use as your temporary kitchen in a suitable location.

Place your temporary kitchen away from thoroughfares & renovation work.

Plan to do the dishes in a plastic basin, another sink, or the bathtub. If you will have very limited access to running water, use disposable plates & cups.

Move your old refrigerator, small mini-fridge, or Esky to a convenient space close to a water source.

Small appliances such as microwaves, toasters or toaster ovens, portable hot plates, slow cookers, & small electric grills will be immensely helpful in preparing home-cooked meals.

Prior to the renovation, fill the freezer (providing you are keeping your fridge/freezer in the house during renovation) full of easily microwavable meals such as soups, stews, pasta sauces, and pies.

Learn how to microwave pasta, rice, and jacket potatoes for a simple but filling accompaniment to meals.