10 Kitchen Hacks: DIY Tips and Tricks To Make Cooking Easier

23 comments

Friday June 29, 2012 by Alexandra C.

I love cooking, but it's also kind of a stressful task. With just a slip up here and a misread ingredient there, you can suddenly find yourself with a dish that not even the dog will eat.

That's where these nifty little 'kitchen hacks' come in handy. They're tips and tricks that can help save you time, money and generally make your life easier.

(clockwise from top left)

Hack #1: Not sure how to tell when your oil is hot enough? Drop a popcorn kernel in heating oil, when it pops, it's ready! (via women.com)

Hack #2: Pre-make pancake batter and put in a ketchup bottle. Pancake batter will keep for a few days and the squirt bottle gives you easy access and mess free cakes! (via crafterholic.blogspot.ca)

Hack #3: Wax paper placed on top of ice cream creates a crust-free top and keeps it fresher! (via simplebites.net)

Hack #4: Foam for a DIY latte without a machine? It's possible! All you need is a microwave oven and a mason jar. (instructions found via thekitchn.com)

(from left)

Hack #5: Went a bit salt-happy with your soup? Add a peeled potato to your soup. It will absorb the excess salt. (via lifehackery.com)

Hack #6: You're entertaining guests and offer them a glass of wine. Only...uh oh, no corkscrew is to be found. Well, go to your closet and dig out a shoe. Yup, that's right! Check out this video on how to open up a bottle of wine, with only your shoe!

(clockwise from top left)

Hack #7: Dry out fruits at home, dehydrator not necessary! Simply use your oven. (instructions found via lifehacker.com)

Hack #8: A deconstructed envelope makes for a handy DIY'd funnel. (via pinterest.com)

Hack #9: Create ready to go oil and herb combos by freezing them together in an ice cube tray. (via recipeswelove1.blogspot.ca)

Hack #10: Sounds so crazy but apparently this hack really works! For large meals, cook your meats in a beer cooler. (instructions found via seriouseats.com)

Have you heard of or tried of any of these hacks? Do you have any clever kitchen tips and tricks of your own?

If you liked this article, check out 10 Creative DIY Household Tips and Tricks!

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	on Aug 10, 2012 Becky 12,798 said: Wow I love these ideas!!! I've heard of a few of them (potato to cut salt) and use an alternate to the kernel trick (if I'm making curry, I drop a teeny tiny piece of onion into the oil, if it sizzles, the oil is ready), but most of them are totally new. I love the pancake batter idea! That is such a cool trick! :) Mmm.. now I want pancakes.
	on Jul 05, 2012 MissyLee 492 said: These are gr8. Am going to try the pancake batter one this weekend. How wonderfully not messy - at least once you get the goo into the bottle LOL.
	on Jul 04, 2012 bdeyell86 2,018 said: Love all the ideas!
	on Jul 04, 2012 sodarnsweet 1,503 said: Great idea for pancakes!!
	on Jul 04, 2012 lawlietjourney 380 said: The popcorn kernel one sounds like it would have saved me from the burn I got on my arm earlier this year from oil.. definitely doing that from now on!Same for the ketchup bottle pancake batter idea!I love it and it would definitely help considering I'm terrible at making pancakes xD
	on Jul 03, 2012 smiley_gen 3,036 said: I knew about the popcorn kernel but cooking meat in a beer cooler, hilarious! I love the pre-make pancake batter in a ketchup bottle!
	on Jul 03, 2012 JustUsGirls 2,244 said: I use the ketchup bottle for pancakes, awesome tips!
	on Jul 03, 2012 aileenc 419 said: The beer cooler meat thing scares me....lol....
	on Jul 03, 2012 Aliza 14,097 said: Wax paper on ice cream.. Genius!!
	on Jul 03, 2012 MizzRobin 12,858 said: These are some great tips! I am definitely going to try a few of them!