Where better to start on your tool kit journey than a literal kitchen tool kit to help you reduce food waste! The list below is a collection of beloved kitchen items that our Open Sauce team cannot do without. We’ve attached links below based on the styles and variations the team have experience using, we do not make a profit from these recommendations.
Tools
BREAD BAGS
Bread bags aren’t a groundbreaking new invention but considering bread is one of the most wasted food items, let’s cover the basics. Many people use a simple cotton or linen sack to keep their loaves fresh and this will absolutely do the job. If you are in the market for a new bag or you’re a first time buyer I would recommend finding a lined or waxed bread as I find that the bread keeps for that little bit longer. Try this one by 4Myearth.
If by chance your loaf does become stale below is a tried-and-true method to bring it back to life.
- Wash the bread under some cold water or completely submerge it.
- Pop the loaf in the oven at 180 for around 10 minutes and voila, you’ll have a refreshed, soft loaf of bread in your hands!
VEGGIE SCRUBBER
If you are like me and try to use the whole vegetable or fruit in your cooking, stock-making, preserving and fermenting, then I wholeheartedly recommend buying a veggie scrubber. As soon as you start including the skins in your cooking it’s essential to ensure nothing nasty makes its way into your food and these sturdy scrubbers will go the distance and get the job done. I’ve tried a few different shapes but the short and round topped variety is my favourite. Really easy to manoeuvre. Try this one by Go Bamboo.
FOOD COVERS
I don’t know about you but I am done trying to keep those silicone food covers from slipping off anything I try to put them over! I also found that they silicone covers were annoying to store in the drawer and not simple to wash and dry.
I’ve bought these elasticated fabric versions over and over again as stocking fillers and house-warming gifts. I chuck them in the wash every so often and they’ve stood the test of time. I don’t wash every time I use them mind you, as a wet cloth does the job most times. Try this one by 4Myearth.
BOTTLE BRUSH
A bottle brush is absolutely brilliant for prepping used jars and passata bottles before sterilising.
They are great for reaching the nooks and crannies in your drink bottles, soda stream canisters and keep-cups and getting rid of any algae.
These types of brushes come in different lengths and widths of bristles but I would recommend getting the longest one you can find as a minimum because I often find the gunk build up is always at the bottom of the bottle!
PRODUCE BAGS
A no-brainer alternative to the plastic bags offered in greengrocers and supermarkets. I keep a few of these in my bag and my car to have on hand for those last minute trips.
If you’re someone who is handy with a sewing machine these are something you could easily whip up yourself! Try this set by Onya.
SHARE LIBRARIES
Community libraries aren’t just for books. Check out The Carlton Kitchen Library, delivered by the clever people at Cultivating Community. The library is filled with all sorts of useful kitchen appliances and pieces that are brilliant for when you might only something once or want to trial a tool before you go out and buy one! This allows you to trial items before you buy.
There is a yearly or one-off membership fee but all costs goes straight back into maintaining the library, purchasing kitchen equipment and are forwarded on to community workshops. Find out more on their Instagram page.
