How to Pack Your Kitchen Before Shifting

10 June 2024

The kitchen is the most demanding room to pack. It has fragile crockery, heavy utensils, liquids and small items that are easy to lose. With a little order, it can also be the most satisfying room to unpack - because everything arrives organised.

Start with a clean-out

Empty the fridge and pantry a few days before the move. Use up or give away what you will not carry. Defrost the refrigerator at least a day in advance so it is dry and ready to move. Set aside daily-use items - a plate or two, one pan and the kettle - in a first-night box.

Pack heavy things in small cartons

Utensils and stacked plates are heavy, so use small cartons for them and keep the weight manageable for the crew. Fill empty space with towels or packing paper so nothing rattles. Wrap glass and ceramic items individually in bubble wrap or packing paper before they go in.

Handle liquids and jars carefully

Seal bottles and jars with tape over the caps, wrap them individually and stand them upright in a cushioned carton. Label that carton clearly, and never place liquids above electronics or documents in the same box. Oils and pickles travel well when the opening is taped twice and the jar sits in a plastic bag as a second layer of protection.

The order that saves time

Kitchens unpack best in a simple order. First the daily essentials - kettle, two plates, a pan and the first-night box - so the first evening does not depend on a full unpack. Then the labelled cartons by drawer and shelf, and finally the appliances and pantry. Doing it in this order means the kitchen is usable within hours, even if a few cartons sit unpacked for a day.

Large appliances need the professionals

Refrigerators travel with the doors taped shut, the shelves secured and the condenser coil protected. Washing machines need the drum fixed and the water lines disconnected by someone who knows the machine. This is not a DIY job - the moving crew handles large appliances with the right technique so nothing gets dented or damaged on the road.

What should not go in the boxes

Gas cylinders, kerosene and any flammable liquids are not moved by professional packers and movers - they are a safety risk for the crew and the truck. Perishables should be used up or given away before the move. Check the gas regulator and connections with the new home before you arrive, so cooking can restart without waiting for a technician.

Label by drawer and shelf

Label each carton with the kitchen items inside - "utensils", "crockery", "masala jars" - so the crew places them in the right part of the new kitchen. It saves an hour of searching on the first evening.

Appliances last

Small appliances like the mixer, toaster and pressure cooker are packed near the end of the packing day. Their cords are coiled and taped, and they travel in padded cartons. Large appliances like refrigerators and washing machines are handled by the moving crew with the right equipment.

If you would rather leave the kitchen to the professionals, our packing team handles it as part of every full-service move in Lucknow. Call +91 94159 23776 for a free quotation.

Photos from our moves

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