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Gluten Free Kitchen Essentials

by Elyse the Gluten-Free Foodee

Setting up a gluten free kitchen? You may be overwhelmed, and trying to determine what items you need to replace or look out for. That is why today we’re sharing a list of gluten free kitchen essentials.

The entire point of the gluten free kitchen essentials list. is to prevent gluten cross-contamination. So let’s go over some basics.

Gluten Free Kitchen Essentials Basic Information:

First, everyone in the household should understand the basics of living gluten-free -even if they themselves, aren’t going gluten free. Everyone needs to be aware of various sources of gluten, and how to identify them. It is also helpful to know what contains-versus -might contain, means on labels. We’ve packaged the key information you need to know in our Ultimate Guide for Living Gluten-Free for Beginners.

Second, before you start making changes, be sure to read our Tips To Prevent Gluten Free Cross Contamination at home.  Once you understand the basics of preventing cross-contamination/cross-contact of gluten free and gluten foods- you might want to purchase separate items.

Now, not everyone needs everything on this list of gluten free kitchen essentials; however, these items are great ideas for helping avoid cross-contamination/cross-contact. These would make great gift ideas for the Gluten-Free Foodee in your life.

Gluten Free Kitchen Essentials Tips:

  • Colour coding is a great way for everyone to know which items are which.
  • Wooden, silicone, and plastic utensils are porous and difficult to thoroughly clean. As such, they can hold onto gluten. It is best to avoid utensils made of these materials and stick with those made of glass or metal.  Unless you have dedicated gluten-free utensils.
  • If you are replacing quality, working items that aren’t damaged, give them away or donate them to those who don’t have to worry about gluten, so they can still be put to use.

Gluten Free Kitchen Essentials:

Pots and Pans

I like this particular set because the handles have a colour that can help differentiate your sets if you don’t have space to store them separately.


Metal Strainer:

Straining pasta is one of the things that can contaminate a strainer. Having a dedicated metal strainer is for the best. This is also an inexpensive change that you can make.


Plates:

Some need to go as far as having a separate set of plates. You can purchase individual plates, bowls, etc.. or buy a set for 4 so you have extra plates, and bowls to use as serving vessels as well. They can be radially different or complement your regular plates, as long as they look different enough that they can easily be distinguished.


Cutlery in a Cutlery Holder:

Choose cutlery that is either a different colour or pattern from your other cutlery. You can get inexpensive but good sets that even include steak knives, for as few as 4 people. Even if you are only one person, who’s gluten free, you always need extra spoons and forks for cooking. If you don’t have a separate area to house them, then consider a cutlery caddy to prevent the sets from being combined.


Toaster:

A toaster is one of the major changes you should make, as it holds onto crumbs and is a high risk of cross-contact. A toaster that can toast bagels/buns or toast is best. Toasters don’t have to be expensive or large. A two-slice toaster is easily stored if you need to keep the regular family toaster on the counter.


Air Fryer:

Due to the popularity of air fryers, you may want to replace them completely if the household is gluten free, or get a smaller one if only 1 person is gluten free.


Bread Maker:

If you love making bread or just trying your hand at perfecting gluten free bread, a bread maker might be on your gluten free kitchen essentials list. Getting a bread maker with a gluten free setting is a must.  Many people from our Gluten-Free Foodees Facebook Group have recommended this feature.


Pasta Maker:


There are many kinds of pasta makers, from electric, and hand-crank, to Pasta attachments for your KitchenAid. No matter what kind of pasta maker, getting one that is only used for your gluten-free endeavours is important.


Sponges:

No matter how you decide to organize a gluten, and gluten free household separately- sponges are a must. Colour coding is an easy way to keep your sponges straight.


Bakeware:

Bakeware is important, and choosing a set with coloured handles like these, again makes it easier to identify gluten free items. This is especially true if you don’t have the space to store them separately.


Storage Containers:


Having containers that will only ever have gluten free food in them, is important. Glass is easier to clean and a good way to differentiate sets.


Cutting Boards:

Since cutting boards are mostly made of porous materials, you do need to have two separate sets. Again, this is another inexpensive change that you can make.


Pizza Stone:

If you love making pizza on a pizza stone- you need a dedicated one for gluten free pizza. Check out our gluten free pizza recipe and these tips for ordering/ making reheated or frozen gluten free pizza better.


Serving Bowls:

Much like with plates, you may want to have separate serving bowls.


Measuring Cups and Spoons:

Having a colour-coded metal set of measuring cups and spoons is important, especially if you love baking and cooking.


Serving Platters:

As with serving bowls and plates, you may want to have a separate set.


Silicone Baking Mats:

To keep things clean and safe, another affordable change you can make, is to invest in a set of silicone baking sheets. Silicon baking mats are reusable and also a way to make your kitchen greener. If you don’t like to use reusable baking mats, you can always use parchment paper.


Metal Utensils:

Having separate cooking utensils is also important. 


Silicone Utensils with Holder:

If you have silicone utensils, again colour code them by buying a set that is one colour. Having a set that comes with its own holder, will also help you keep them together.


With the help of these gluten free kitchen essentials, you should be able to make the changes that can help you prevent cross-contact in your kitchen.

Do you have any other gluten free kitchen essentials that should be added to this list?

Let us know in the comments below.

Remember that by sharing information, we will all be able to live our best gluten free lives.

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PLEASE NOTE: If your question/comment pertains to your health, please understand we are not qualified to provide that advice. If you are feeling unwell, we recommend you seek medical assistance ASAP. If your question/comment is related to a post or living your best gluten-free life (recipe, tips, reviews, etc), we got you covered :)

2 comments

Mimi May 4, 2023 - 9:59 pm

I think it’s important for newly diagnosed to understand the modes of getting glutened. I think your own set of dishes, pans and silverware is a little over the top. Properly cleaning your kitchen utensils is sufficient, with the exception of strainers and toasters.

Reply
Elyse the Gluten-Free Foodee May 5, 2023 - 10:20 am

Hi Mimi,
While I do agree with you, there are people who do need these items to be safe. I believe the article explains that these items are not necessary for everyone. Hope that clears that up. Thank you so much for commenting.
Cheers,
Elyse

Reply

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