Whether baking a loaf of sourdough or perfecting your next batch of Marry-Me Chicken, the kitchen is a sanctuary for culinary masterpieces. But mistakes happen, ranging from slight flavor fails to downright safety concerns. To mitigate these risks, I asked Delish food editors to share their advice for stopping kitchen disasters before they happen.
Next time you set out to wow friends and family with a mouthwatering meal, keep these tricks of the trade in mind. While creativity is always allowed in the kitchen, there are some hard and fast rules to ensure not only personal safety but also quality results.
Let Falling Knives Go
It's not uncommon to drop things once in a while when preparing a multi-step dish. I am clumsier than most, so I'm no stranger to breaking a stray glass or dropping a bag of flour now and again. But when it comes to knives, don't attempt to catch one falling. If something sharp is falling, let it! Step out of the way and let that blade land safely on the ground, away from your hands (and feet!). Plus, there's always the 5-second rule (or a quick rinse) to get things back on track.
Keep Your Pot Handles In
When cooking on the stove with a pot, make sure you have the handles facing in. If your handle sticks out off of the stove, you or someone else could accidentally bump it, and things will go flying. Nothing's worse than stir fry in your hair (trust me, it gets sticky).
Don't Lick Your Fingers
This one should kinda be self-explanatory. Even if you get some brownie batter or sauce on your fingers while concocting the next great treat, rinse those babies off, or grab a towel to do the work for you. Licking off a bit of flavor might seem harmless, but it's super unsanitary. Just no.
Never Eat Straight Out Of A Container
No one likes a double dipper, but when you're the only one home, it's no big deal, right? Wrong! According to associate food editor Gabby Romero, scooping something up with a used utensil—and putting it back—will make your food go bad faster. "I hate washing dishes as much as the next person, but it's always worth moving leftovers and ingredients out of the container they come in before you eat them," she offers.
Say "Behind" With Others In The Kitchen
If there's more than one cook in the kitchen, you gotta make yourself known. Common in many professional kitchens, saying "behind" as you move around alerts everyone else of your location. This ensures that no one runs into another with a hot plate or sharp utensil.
Don't Put Your Knives In The Sink
You should never leave a dirty knife sitting in the sink. You might come back later, forget it's there, and begin rinsing your other dishes where it can get hidden by soapy water or under another dish. Next thing you know, you've cut your hand on the knife. Plus, if you live with other people, you never know who will notice the knife you left in the sink, and their inattention could cause a painful mistake. However, it is best to hand-wash all your sharp instruments instead of chucking them in the dishwasher. The dishwasher can dull your blade, cause rust, degrade the handle, and pose the risk of cutting yourself when unloading.
Never Leave A Hot Pan Unmarked
If you have a pan piping hot out of the oven and need to walk away to focus on other elements of your dish, place a potholder or dry dish towel on the corner to signify that it's still hot, recommends Delish digital food producer Camille Lowder. This is especially true for pots and pans that move from the stovetop to the oven, like a stainless steel skillet. If it's just sitting on your stove, it may not be apparent that the handle is sizzling—and no one wants to accidentally grab a scorching dish.
Stay Kitchen Safe
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