Another day, another hack we wish we knew sooner. These TikTok-approved small storage tricks will make your kitchen look way more organised. 

1. Vertical plate storage 

Tired of plate pile-up? Removing your favourite dish from that uneven and too-high stack can often be dangerous, not to mention very noisy. Looking for a simple solution to store your plates? Use vertical bamboo plate holders. This sleek, space-saving hero will help you remove plates without the hassle (and will be much less noisy). Plus, your cupboard won’t look so cluttered. Now you don’t have to wake the entire household when trying to get a plate for your favourite late-night snack! 

@dclutter_home Price | K120 D’Clutter Multipurpose Bamboo Organizer Perfect for Plates, Lids, Trays etc … DM/WhatsApp +260979585535 East Park Mall Lusaka | Opposite Ocha Nyama #bambooorganizers | #plateorganizers | #lidorganizers | #pantryorganization | #kitchenorganization |#decluttering | #dclutter_zm ♬ original sound – dclutter_home

2. Magazine holder for foils and wraps   

How do you keep your rolls of foil, baking paper and clingwrap neat in your pantry? If you have any unused magazine holders lying around, then you have the perfect storage solution! Simply stand one upright in your pantry and neatly place the rolls inside. No more squished boxes or lost rolls hiding in the back of a cluttered drawer – everything stays organised and easy to grab. 

@resooma 4 ways to use magazine holders to organise your home! #cleanwithme #organizedhome #organisationtips #cleaninghacks #rentinghack ♬ Sleepmode – Official Sound Studio

3. Tension rod for cleaning spray bottles  

Need more space under your kitchen sink, but overwhelmed by a jumble of cleaning bottles? A tension rod might be the fix you’re looking for. Just measure the width of the cabinet, place the rod securely between the sides, and hang your spray bottles by their nozzles. Voilà – it’s an instant space-saver!  

@miseenplace_au Clear the clutter under your kitchen sink with this tension rod hack #organising #kitchenhacks #organizingtiktok #organisedhome #cleaning #fyp ♬ Sunny Day – Ted Fresco

Image: Pexels 

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Things didn’t go as planned in the kitchen? No worries! Check out these clever hacks to rescue your meal and turn your kitchen disasters into delicious cooking triumphs. 

Blunder #1: Too salty food 

Were you a little too loose with the saltshaker? No stress – the solution is simpler than you think. If you put too much salt in your dish, simply add more of the other ingredients. Add more liquids if you’re making a soup. Making a homely stew? Add more vegetables and meat to bulk it up. Your meal will be balanced in no time. 

Blunder #2: Under-seared meat 

Don’t fret if you didn’t get a good sear on your meat. It’s most likely that your cooking surface was not hot enough when putting on your meat-filled pan. Take your under-seared meat and put it in the refrigerator while you reheat your pan on a super-hot cooking surface. Once hot enough, pop on your meat again for a good sear. When is your pan hot enough? Test by adding a water droplet to your pan, if it’s not sizzling and evaporating immediately, it’s not hot enough. 

Blunder #3: Overcooked pasta  

We’ve all been guilty of getting lost in your favourite show (looking at you, Masterchef SA) and leaving the pasta on the stove for way too long resulting in a soft, soggy mess. Don’t fret, you can still save the day. Strain your overcooked pasta with cold water, drain it, then heat up your pan and fry the pasta with olive oil. It will crisp up, and your blunder will be turned around in a(delicious) success. 

Blunder #4: Lumpy gravy 

Oh no! Is your gravy full of lumps? The best defence against lumps is a simple whisk! Use a potholder and steady it with one hand. Then, break up those clumps when you whisk your gravy vigorously in a circular. Motion. Stop once all those pesky lumps are gone.  

 Image: Pexels

Also read: 3 Baking mistakes you may be making (and how to fix them) 

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Another day, another TikTok hack! These four hacks for cleaning appliances will make your kitchen sparkle without the hassle – and no fancy supplies needed! 

1. Add foil to dishwasher for shiny cutlery 

Want to make your cutlery shine again? Simply drop a balled-up sheet of aluminium foil into the cutlery basket of your dishwasher and run a full cycle like you normally would. Your knives, forks and spoons will come out noticeably shinier – and all because of a chemical reaction with the foil. 

Watch the explanation in the video below: 

@distilledscience #answer to @theshinyfirefly who’s tried it? #science #edutok #dishwasherhack@Carolina Mccauley – Home Hacks ♬ The Magic School Bus Theme – Stuart Petty

2. Coffee machine 

Deep-cleaning a coffee machine is a daunting task at best. This quick and easy TikTok tip for cleaning your coffee machine is the hack coffee lovers never knew they needed. Fill the basin of the machine with a one part vinegar and one part water solution, put in a coffee filter and brew just like you would a pot of coffee. Drain the jug, then run the coffee machine twice more with clean water. And voilà! Your machine is ready to serve you a fresh (and clean) cup of joe again. 

@eldredgecleaning #eldredgecleaning #asmr #oddlysatisfying #satisfying #coffee #cleaning #cleantok #cleaningtiktok #momsoftiktok #parentsoftiktok #fyp #xyzbca ♬ original sound – Eldredge Cleaning

3. Steam-clean your microwave 

Gunk build-up in your microwave can happen before you know it. Want a foolproof way to clean your microwave without any fuss? Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and heat in the microwave for three to five minutes. It will create enough steam to soften the dirt, allowing you to simply wipe clean with a microfibre cloth. If your microwave is particularly grimy, add vinegar and dishwashing liquid to the water and it will quickly loosen the tough dirt.If your microwave is particularly grimy, add vinegar and dishwashing liquid to the water – this will quickly loosen the tough dirt. 

@carolina.mccauley Easy hack to clean your microwave #cleaninghacks #homehackswithcarolina ♬ SUN GOES DOWN – Andreas Roehrig

4. Remove burn marks from the outside of a frying pan  

We’re all guilty of leaving our food on the stove for too long now and then, and our pots and pans have the evidence to prove it. In true TikTok style, there is a brilliant hack to clean the burn marks off your frying pan. The bonus? You’ll use staples you already have in your pantry! Simply flip the pan over, sprinkle the bottom with salt and bicarbonate of soda, then add dishwashing liquid. Cover with paper towels and pour a cup of white vinegar over. Let it sit for a while, then use the soaked paper towels to wipe off the dirt.   

@ramdeep.osahan Easy home trick #foryou #foryoupage #diy #ramdeeposahan ♬ 1, 2, 3, 4 (One, Two, Three, Four) – Fun Elektro Mix – Funbeat

Image: Shutterstock

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TikTok strikes again! Unleash your inner fruit ninja when you check out these game-changing fruit hacks – from juicing your lemon without a citrus juicer to making a candle using your orange peel. You’ll want to try these great TikTok tricks with your fruit. 

Turn your orange into a candle. 

What do you do with your leftover orange peels? Who knew you could turn them into natural orange candles? And you only need one orange, some olive oil and a lighter. A quick and simple craft, and the result a zesty and fresh citrus scent filling your home.   

Watch this video and learn how you can make this natural orange candle at home:  

@cybernation_sg Did you know you can use the skin of an orange to make a natural citrus candle? Its smells amazing, is non-toxic, and even keeps bugs away! Just cut an orange in half and remove the center, but keep the white stem inside intact- this will be your wick. Pour olive oil into the orange just below the top of the stem, and light it. When lighting it, make sure the top is coated in oil. It may take a few minutes for the lighter to dry the stem out enough for it to light. #candle #nontoxic #healthhack #healthtips #health #foodhacks #oranges ♬ original sound – CYBERNATION

Peel a mango with a glass. 

Although this sweet, juicy fruit is delicious, it can be a real pain to peel without making a sticky mess. TikTok came through with a creative solution to your peeling problem. Simply slice off the sides and cheeks of your ripe mango. Slide the rim of a glass between the skin and flesh of one mango cheek. The flesh of the mango drops into the glass, leaving the scooped-out skin behind, plus a mess-free area of course. Repeat with the other cheek and the sides.  

@thereselum MANGO HACK The mango hack that you never knew you needed to quicky peel away the skin in a matter of seconds. Using a regular drinking glass/canister, work the edge of the glass in between the skin and the fruit. Apply downward pressure on your mango and allow the lip of the glass to slide along the inside of the skin, and voila your mango cheek is peeled. Tip: it’s preferable to use a glass/canister with a thin sturdy edge so that when you apply downward pressure you dont bruise the mango #fruithack #foodhack #foodhacks #mangoes #foodhacks ♬ original sound – kardashianicon

Juice a lemon without cutting it. 

Now you don’t need a citrus juicer! Roll your whole lemon back and forth on a hard surface to soften the flesh inside. Then, pierce one end of the lemon with a skewer, hold it over a cup and squeeze out the juice. What’s that saying again? Easy-peasy lemon squeezy!  

@jacquibaihn I can’t believe this happened! Did you guys see it? #lemontrick #lemonhack #lemonjuice #nutritionist #dailymail #learnontiktok #nutritionist ♬ Buttercup – Jack Stauber

Image: Shutterstock

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September shouts ‘braai’ for South Africans, and we’ve collected some must-try hacks, recipes and tricks to make sure your next cookout is a smoke-show!  

Fire cooking hacks  

Hack 1: Make a grid non-stick! Cut open lemons or potatoes and rub over your braai grid just before adding meat.  

Hack 2: To make your own firelighters, place dried, used tea bags into holes of an egg carton. Melt down old candles and pour liquid wax over each teabag. Once set, cut carton into single squares. Place between wood and light in the centre of each fire starter to use.  

Hack 3: Just lit the fire and drowning in smoke? Place water in a fire-safe foil container next to the coals. The heat will create steam, which will break down some of the smoke.  

Clean slate  

To mark the braai season, nothing says ‘fresh’ start like a clean grill:  

For a quick scrub down:

• Heat the braai using charcoal or wood. Once hot, crumple up a few tinfoil sheets into balls, clasp between tongs and use as a brush to loosen big bits. 
• Create a thick paste using bicarbonate of soda and water then work this around the wires of the grid. Let the solution sit for 15 minutes. 
• If possible, submerge your grid in a bucket of hot, soapy water for another 15 minutes to let the bicarb activate, then use a brush to scrub. 
• Remember: If you do use strong cleaning agents, then make sure to heat the grid up thoroughly again before adding any meat to ensure that the chemicals are cooked off. 

For a quick wipe down:  

You don’t need to restore your grid to its former shiny, glory each time. Opt for a quick fix instead.  

• Secure the prongs of a fork into the back of half an onion or lemon and use this as a natural cleaning agent. Scrub it back and forth over the hot braai grid to remove any lightly caked-on dirt.

Words by: Sjaan Van Der Ploeg
Photographs: Fresh Living Magazine 

The post Must-try braai hacks, recipes and tricks appeared first on MyKitchen.

Cooking is a fun and rewarding experience, but it can also be time-consuming and stressful when you’re in a rush. With these 5 clever hacks, you can simplify your kitchen routine and make meal prep more efficient.   

Prep ingredients ahead of time 

Preparing your ingredients in advance is one of the best ways to streamline your cooking. Wash, chop, and store vegetables, fruits, and herbs in airtight containers in the fridge. This not only saves time during cooking but also keeps your kitchen organised and clean. 

Use a garbage bowl

Keep a large bowl or container on the counter to collect all your kitchen scraps and trash while you prep and cook. This eliminates the need to walk back and forth to the trash can, saving time and keeping your workspace tidy. At the end of your cooking session, simply empty the bowl into the trash or compost bin. 

Multitask with your appliances 

Make the most of your kitchen appliances by using them simultaneously. For example, while your oven is baking, use your stovetop to boil pasta or steam vegetables. A slow cooker or pressure cooker can handle one part of your meal while you focus on another. This helps you cook multiple components of your meal at the same time, reducing overall cooking time.  

Sharpen your knives 

A sharp knife makes chopping and slicing faster and safer: it requires less effort and reduces the risk of slipping and cutting yourself. Invest in a good knife sharpener and regularly hone your knives to keep them in top condition.  

Organise your pantry  

An organised pantry makes it easier to find ingredients and keep track of what you have on hand. Use clear containers for grains, pasta, and baking supplies, or label them for easy identification. Arrange items by category and store frequently used ingredients at eye level for quick access. 

Make these steps part of your daily cooking routine for a more efficient and enjoyable cooking experience. Happy cooking! 

Also read: How to spring clean your pantry

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