SUPPLYING A VACATION KITCHEN 2020 STYLE

Economists say one of the best ways to aid the recovery effort is to help the travel-hospitality sector and are happily reporting that people are, indeed, making summer vacation plans. However, there is a difference from past years. Planes, trains, large hotels and hostels or other group accommodations, are out. Due to social distancing precautions, the majority are traveling by car and reserving places with kitchen facilities such as motel efficiencies, cabins and campgrounds. People want assurance that their aquarters have been commercially cleaned and sanitized.

This presents a dilemma especially for those who always put K.P. duty on hold during vacation. Fortunately, cars leave more leeway for luggage and dollar stores are everywhere, but there’s still the question of what, and in what quantities, actually needs to be packed.

Of course each person’s, or family’s, needs will differ according to their ages, number and destination but there are some general guidelines. As a veteran of decades facing this problem annually for accommodations which changed, as the family did over the years, from owning a house, to renting one to motel efficiencies for long weekends,  I’ve had experience dealing with it. (Posts June 21,2018 & July 18,2019)

However, before I get into my outline for stocking a vacation kitchen, there are a few new facts for consideration due to this year’s special circumstances. Unprepared tourists can cause shortages in vacation towns and right now, there are items you definitely will need in stock. So it’s best to be well supplied.  The underlined things you will want to take, the others buy as soon as you arrive.

• Hand sanitizers and wipes –and if longer than 3-4 days a bottle of alcohol and one of Clorox
•  2  bath-sized bars of soap-one for kitchen, one for bath –to wash hands
• 1 bottle of dish detergent and a dish cloth in place of a sponge for dishes
• Large roll of towels and a pack of paper napkins which, with Clorox or alcohol, work as wipes for surfaces
• Disposable hot-cold cups-if longer than 3-4 days think disposable plastic glasses
• Plastic place mats-easy to wipe down-skip tablecloths
• Disposable plastic utensils

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The lists below may seem long and excessive, but they are complete, designed to cover stays from 3 days to 3 months. Use them as a general guide and check off the items, noting what you need for this trip. As for food staples, flour sugar etc. you may want to take small supplies you think you’ll need for a few days, but dollar stores do sell 1lb.packages of most and, though it’s more expensive per unit than the supermarket, it is a convenience.

Of course a prime concern in a DIY vacation situation is to have a breakfast plan for the first day! It does set a tone. Nothing fancy, a jar of instant coffee, plain envelopes of tea bags and sugar packets, a jar or envelope of non-dairy creamer or dry milk, even a can of evaporated milk, dried fruit or a can of pineapple rings and a shelf-stable pastry such as honey buns will do and gets the motor running. If only a short car trip is involved, fresh fruit is an option.

As stated, the other staple items, in quantity for a long stay or simply replacement ingredients for a short one, should be determined by individual need and use. The one I NEVER skimp on is salt. It’s the best extinguisher for a grease fire. In any rental situation, one place that may not have been totally cleaned is the oven, and who knows what a previous tenant cooked? Salt also inhibits mold and in a pinch can clean a greasy sink and drain.

Actually, I found the short stays harder than longer ones, especially with children. Efficiency kitchens in motel or hotel units are tiny with no storage space for food or cleaning supplies. Daily marketing was a must, and there was no room to prepare for contingencies like rain. To cope, I put a box in the trunk of the car holding a pot, paper plates, hot and cold cups, plastic utensils, knives, and a plastic cutting board—the bare essentials– so I could always heat soup or boil an egg. Of course, choice of utensils is determined by the length of the stay.

Regarding electrical appliances: Rule one is- never take anything valuable or irreplaceable. Coffee lovers can learn to accept old-fashioned percolator or for short term, instant. The only other things I found I really needed for a long stay were a hand beater and a mini-chopper. Before packing any electrical appliances, check the type of current at your destination. I always ask the rental agent what is included and if the major appliances are electric or gas.

Optional appliance choices– determined by your personal cooking habits.

• Hand beater– Don’t forget these can be used with one head or two
• Mini chopper-.These are also great to puree small amounts for dips or toppings or to whip up baby food
• Coffee maker– Obvious choice and many places do provide one so check first
• Toaster oven-Very useful for small meals and sandwiches, but check on available counter space first.
• Small microwave- Actually an either/or with the above. Again check on spac
• Blender- an option to the chopper, but the better choice if you’re into smoothies

Note: A grill is always an asset. For longer stays, if there isn’t a grill, I bring a hibachi. If there is, I may still buy one once there, depending on the state of the grill. I’d rather start with a new hibachi than clean a dirty grill.

Hand Held Utensils: Several of these are handy for even the shortest of stays. The ones marked with * are easily found in dollar stores, if you don’t want to pack them.

• Pot holders*- A necessity for any stay away from home. These are never provided in any rental kitchen and it can be hard handling hot coffee or warmed-up take-out with a bath towel.
• Towels, both paper and dish*-A roll of paper ones can be used as napkins and are great for spills, but the micro-paper ones in 2 pack which are reusable and washable are good for dishes and can be tossed. Regular dish towels are plentiful in dollar stores.
• Spoons-or at least 1-that stands heat.*-A few plastic ones are fine for a weekend, but metal ones, especially a regular and a slotted serving spoon are needed for longer.
• Whisk, spatula, carving fork, tongs, salad set and other serving pieces*- Available in dollar stores and perhaps better to buy as/if needed and leave favorites at home.
• Measuring cup- A large 1 qt.one can replace a nest of small ones and double as a mixing bowl.
• Measuring spoons*- Dollar store
• Sieve*- Dollar store, unless you need a fine tea strainer, then bring one. Get one large enough to strain pasta, even if in 2 batches.
• Manual can opener– Always a good companion as is an old-fashioned Church Key opener, so pack them
• Knives– A short paring knife to be used for small jobs and for longer stays another with a blade long enough to trim meat, slice bread or fillet fish is needed. For an extended stay there should be a carving knife as well.  Dollar Stores carry packs of 4 steel knives which can multi-task for short stays.*
• Hand held knife sharpener-Because no knife is worthwhile if it can’t cut
• Scissors-Not shears, but a pair with enough strength to do some kitchen work, yet pointed enough to be useful with mending.
• Plastic chopping board-Protects counter tops and provides a clean surface for your food. Light and flat fits in the bottom of a suitcase.
• Packets of plastic containers with lids*– found in supermarkets in 3paks- most can be microwaved. Often  packs are also sold in dollar stores.
• Small pan with lid-able to boil a couple of eggs, make a sauce or heat a can of soup–when traveling with children a must. For longer stays,2 are needed-a 2 qt. and a saucepan
• 2 Skillets- One large, one small, both non-stick
• Pans for the oven*- Roasting, baking, cookie sheets are all available in disposable.
• Corkscrew*- Obviously useful
• Mixing bowls*- Plastic ones can be used as molds, but ceramic or glass ones are oven-proof
• Table ‘linins’*- Dollar store available
• Table settings*-Check what’s provided, and fill in from a dollar store.
• Seasonings*- Dollar stores carry a surprising variety of herbs and spices
• Cleaning supplies and wraps*- Definitely depend on a dollar store

No matter the cost or how well equipped the rental kitchen, chances are it will have none of the above items, yet all are useful in providing meals for a family. You don’t have to buy them all at once either. Wait until you need a utensil and then head for a dollar store. You may be surprised at the quality too. I had 2 expensive corkscrews which broke soon after I got them. Disgusted, I bought one of the same type from The Dollar Tree. 8 years later, it’s still working.

It may seem like a long list, but remember we’re talking dollar stores here. Compared to the cost of the rental, the labor and the vacation time saved, buying them is a small investment. Many can be packed up, ready for the next year, or if you like your accommodations, you can offer to leave them. Our landlord was so pleased, he insisted we come back the next year and even re-arranged his rentals when we opted for just one month and all those items were there waiting for us.

For a more relaxed vacation, just follow these tips and listen to your better judgment. Above all take time to stop, evaluate and plan before you go. You’ll be glad you did!!