10 Kitchen Hacks: DIY Tips and Tricks To Make Cooking Easier (page 2)

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

Posted by Alexandra C. | Friday June 29, 2012

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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23 Comments

	on July 03, 2012 lawrencesharon 1,325 said: These are really great coking tips.
	on July 01, 2012 farouknabela 3,469 said: These are great! My brother is a total fan of pancakes so I will definitely be prepping beforehand. Thanks!!
	on June 30, 2012 Cassie_ 2,311 said: These are cool!
	on June 30, 2012 midnightsun2288 6,053 said: I'm pretty new to cooking and I am terrible at telling when oil is ready (because I am terribly impatient) so I am going to try that popcorn tip!
	on June 29, 2012 bubbles77 28,057 said: Love the ketchup bottle pancake batter, very practical and a neat idea.
	on June 29, 2012 KatelynRose1984 20,704 said: Cooking meat in a beer cooler? Genius. That's awesome! I'm going to have to check out the video on how to open a wine bottle with your shoe.. I bet that would entertain a lot of guests! haha.
	on June 29, 2012 GoneBatty 3,196 said: Great tips! The wine bottle being opened with a shoe is awesome!
	on June 29, 2012 Mannie573 748 said: Great tips!
	on June 29, 2012 fredamans 12,209 said: Some really useful tips!
	on June 29, 2012 Bren 26,031 said: Great tips!I know two: Dehydrating in the oven I do that all the time with my herbs...Also freezing chopped fresh herbs.I have cute shaped trays from Dollarama that I just use to freeze my fresh herbs then I pop them into a freezer bag and there ready to go. -I like to also freeze in ice cube trays any leftover wine I have and then put it in a freezer bag its great for throwing in pasta sauce or soups/sauces. -My new favorite(got the idea from one of Alexs articles.)Is to soak my citrus peels in vinegar for a few weeks then I strain it into a spray bottle and do all my household cleaning/windows/wiping down the counters/spraying in the drains.Its perfect and the vinegar gets such a nice citrus smell. -I also like to take softened butter and mix through herbs and freeze those in ice cube trays and again then put them into a freezer bag.Perfect for veggies/garlic bread etc. -I keep all my eggs shells and dry them and crush them they are a perfect fertilizer for plants. -I keep homemade flavored oil in my fridge perfect for cooking with..You can add anything really but I like sliced garlic/peppercorns/chili pods.Its nice to use in cooking or as a dip with balsamic vinegar.