Tips for Packing a Kitchen

/in , , /by

INTRODUCTION

The most challenging part of a move is attempting to Pack a Kitchen. When preparing to pack the kitchen, many people think its quite easy.

A non-professional may just think you can stack similar size dishes in a box. Throw some bubble wrap in and some newspaper and voila! A box is packed.Packing the Kitchen

Sadly, it’s not that easy. (Although some of my friends would disagree) That packing strategy is a one-way ticket to broken dishes, leaving your service for twelve into a service for nine and a half.

Packing a kitchen is the same in any apartment or house in New York or New Jersey. The only thing that changes is the quantity.

Most apartments in New York have a limited amount of cabinet space. A typical 1 Bedroom may have 12 cabinets total (including the food pantry). Whereas a typical home will have double the amount of space.

KITCHEN ITEMS

A basic list of Kitchen Contents to consider packing is as follows:

  • Dishes, set for 6-8 (small plates, large plates and bowl)
  • Pots and Pans (4-10 pieces)
  • Silverware, set for 6-8 (but probably more)
  • Drinkware (regular glassware, pint glasses, wine glasses, coffee mugs)
  • Miscellaneous (mixing bowls, tupperware, cooking utensils, etc)
  • Small Appliances (coffee maker, toaster)
  • Spices & non-perishable food

Keep in mind that the larger your kitchen, the more items you can fit in it.

You can easily multiply the above quantities and see a larger amount of items in any kitchen.

Your more extensive fragile collection to consider packing is as follows:

  • Grandma’s China
  • Your own set of China
  • Champagne Flutes
  • A huge amount of extra of all the above

Okay, we can go on and on, as if we’re walking through the aisles Bed Bath & Beyond. But the reality of packing up your kitchen is that it may be more than you think. And it will probably take longer than you expect.

Dishes On Counter Packing the Kitchen

As for any packing during a move, it’s better to start sooner than later.

In order to prepare to pack your kitchen, first thing you should do is go through each cabinet and take a mental inventory of your items. As you go through each cabinet, start making decisions on what you will or will not take.

This is KEY in figuring out how much packing equipment and material you’ll need.

THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT

The best boxes to use are called Dish Packs. Most regular stores that sell boxes might call them dish boxes or large boxes with an indicator that they’re for dishes.

Dish Pack

Don’t be fooled.

These boxes may be low grade cardboard, that when packed like a Dish Pack could lack the proper protection needed.

Dish Packs are the highest grade quality of cardboard (or at least the ones that Flatbush Moving uses).

We recommend using only Dish Packs when packing the kitchen, along with a pack of white paper for every 5-8 dish packs.

In each box, the largest/heaviest items should be packed on the bottom. Then, as you fill the box in, gradually decrease the size and weight of the items.

Keep in mind that weight is important here. If you fill a box up with all the largest and heaviest items in your kitchen, that box may collapse or break in on itself.

HOW TO PACK

It is easiest to start with the basics. A dish set of eight, including the small plates, larger plates and bowls should fit in one dish pack when packed properly. Top it off with lighter utensils or anything non fragile to complete the first box.

PRO TIP: Wrap each individual dish in paper so it is protected. Slot each dish into the box and be sure to properly cushion the surrounding areas.

Your Pots & Pans can be mixed intermittently within multiple boxes. Extra appliances, especially the heavy ones should also be mixed intermittently, with the heaviest on the bottom.

Silverware and utensils can be used to top any box.

Spices could be placed in plastic baggies (in case a lid pops open to avoid spillage in box) and be used to top any box.

Glassware is the top concern for packing. It is very easy to break a wine glass, as it usually has a step and is a hollow piece of glass.

PRO TIP: The piece of paper you use to pack a wine glass should first wrap around the stem. Then cover the base and come up to wrap around the top and finishing by stuffing part of the paper inside the glass (acting as a cushion inside for support).

This tactic should be used with every kind of glassware with a void inside. And these should also be packed together with nothing topping them.

FINISHING UP

As you go through the kitchen and start packing, it may seem like a lot. But it can be accomplished in a few hours if planned properly.

For a visual check out this guide used by the second generation of Flatbush Moving. It may be dated, but it still applies today. Heaviest items on the bottom and work your way up.

This guide has been copied and transmitted so many times, the only copies we have left are a bit faded. But, they’re an amazing way to show just how long Flatbush Moving has been in business as well as a way to pack a Dish Barrel.

(Fun fact: in the old days, cardboard was scarce and movers used actual wooden barrels to pack the most fragile of items).

At Flatbush Moving, we know what it takes to pack a kitchen properly. Call Today to find out more information about your move.

 

Top Five Moving Box or Container Options

/in , , /by

When packing up your home or office for an upcoming move, you must decide on what kind of moving boxes to use for your personal belongings.

Here is a list of the kinds of boxes, cartons, containers, or whatever you call them to use for your upcoming moving project.

Top 5 Options:

  1. Traditional Cardboard Boxes

Traditional Moving Boxes Stacked Neatly

Purchase moving boxes from your mover, local home goods store or from an online vendor.

These moving boxes are made specifically for moving, but they may vary in quality and cost. Naturally, you’ll want the cheapest boxes; but cheap boxes could be low quality and could damage easily.

Home Depot offers a ton of options for your packing supply needs. But before you go out and spend all kinds of money on equipment you may (or may not) need, I suggest an in-home estimate from a professional to figure out what kind of moving boxes you need and how many you need.

Pro Tip: Ask your mover if they have any used moving boxes for free.

  1. Plastic Moving Bins

Seven Multi Colored Moving Plastic Bins

These are a great, environmentally friendly option; the best alternative to traditional moving boxes.

They can be rented from your moving company of choice. Flatbush Moving rents moving bins by the day, by the week or by the month. All dependent upon what you need.

You can even buy them from mover supply companies, like  U Line “Round Trip” Totes

But before you do anything, I suggest an in-home estimate from a professional to figure out the number of bins your move will require.

  1. Plastic Tote Containers

Six Clear Plastic Containers

Plastic Tote Containers are great reusable options. These are more expensive, but once they are used for the move, you can keep them for your own home storage needs.

If you don’t have a lot of space in your new apartment or home, this might not be the best option.

You can buy them from Home Depot Plastic Storage Containers; but, as you can see they can be quite expensive.

  1. Used Boxes

Pile of Used Boxes

You can get these basically anywhere. As Jerry Seinfeld said in one of his interludes on Seinfeld, moving makes a person obsess about boxes. Going up and down the block and in and out of stores asking for boxes.

You can do that, or simply go to your local grocery store, local liquor and wine store and ask if they have any boxes they are getting rid of.

Even if you have an Amazon addiction, you can re-use those boxes for packing. Most of these boxes, however, are very small and will not fit much. Instead of having 40 regular sized boxes you could find yourself with 100 of these smaller boxes, making the moving process more difficult and time consuming.

Or you can just ask your mover if they have any?

  1. Garbage Bags

Black Garbage Bags

You should almost never use garbage bags for moving purposes.

The main reason being that these bags can be confused for ACTUAL garbage at some point and that could lead to the loss of important contents.

It seems easier to throw clothing, towels, sheets and other linens into a garbage bag for a quick and easy transport; but the time you save “packing” these items in garbage bags, you’ll spend re-folding or re-washing.

One good thing about them, they are kind of cheap. Check out some Garbage Bags on Amazon.

There are so many options when choosing the kind of container to pack belongings in.

Check with your mover about their used box inventory, they might have some they can give you for free.

Also, if your move is a big move, most movers will give you bundles of free boxes in advance. This will give you the best equipment, the same equipment that the professionals use.

Check out Flatbush Moving’s Box Store Catalog to see what options you have when purchasing boxes. We are not a big online store, but if you’d like to buy any equipment, simply give us a call at our warehouse, 908-925-8500 or come on by to learn more.