Whether you’re a master chef or just trying to avoid setting off the smoke alarm, the kitchen comes with a lot of “rules.” But let’s be honest—some of them are essential, while others? Well, let’s just say they’re more like suggestions. Here’s a breakdown of 10 common kitchen rules, and whether you should stick to them or toss them out with yesterday’s leftovers.
1. Always Read the Recipe Before You Start
✅ Follow: Unless you enjoy last-minute panic when you realize you’re out of eggs or the oven needed to preheat 20 minutes ago.
🚫 Ignore: If you believe cooking is all about improvisation (or you love ordering takeout when things go wrong).
2. Keep Your Knives Razor-Sharp
✅ Follow: A sharp knife is safer than a dull one—less slipping, more precision, and you look way cooler chopping onions.
🚫 Ignore: If you enjoy smashing tomatoes into pulp and sawing through chicken like it’s a tree trunk.
3. Clean As You Go
✅ Follow: This is how professionals do it. Keeping your workspace clean makes cooking more enjoyable and avoids a mountain of dishes later.
🚫 Ignore: If you prefer the thrill of working in a chaotic mess and discovering a butter-covered spoon stuck to your elbow.
4. Always Measure Ingredients Accurately
✅ Follow: Baking is a science, and too much (or too little) of something can lead to disaster.
🚫 Ignore: If you like to “eyeball it” and treat your cookies like an unpredictable chemistry experiment.
5. Wash Your Hands Constantly
✅ Follow: Avoid food poisoning, people. No one wants a side of E. coli with their salad.
🚫 Ignore: If you believe germs build character (or you enjoy playing Russian roulette with food safety).
6. Taste Everything Before Serving
✅ Follow: Seasoning matters! A quick taste can save you from bland or overly salty disasters.
🚫 Ignore: If you trust the culinary gods and prefer to discover how it tastes along with your guests.
7. Don’t Crowd the Pan
✅ Follow: Overcrowding means uneven cooking and sad, steamed food instead of crispy deliciousness.
🚫 Ignore: If you love a good game of how many things can I fit in one pan before chaos ensues?
8. Use the Right Cutting Board for the Job
✅ Follow: Raw meat on one board, veggies on another. Simple, safe, and no one gets sick.
🚫 Ignore: If you’re feeling adventurous and enjoy mixing bacteria for a surprise flavor experience.
9. Let Meat Rest After Cooking
✅ Follow: It keeps meat juicy and delicious. Patience, my friend.
🚫 Ignore: If you enjoy hacking into your steak the second it leaves the pan and watching all the juices escape in protest.
10. Have Fun in the Kitchen!
✅ Follow: Cooking should be enjoyable, not stressful! Experiment, laugh at your mistakes, and wear an apron that makes you smile.
🚫 Ignore: If you think the kitchen is a serious place where fun is forbidden (but really, who thinks that?).
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the best rule in the kitchen is to enjoy yourself. Some rules exist for a reason, while others? They’re meant to be broken. Just don’t completely ignore the food safety ones, okay?
Which kitchen rules do you follow, and which ones do you totally ignore? Let us know in the comments!