For many people, cooking can be therapeutic. Some enjoy the process, while others simply love to whip up delicious dishes for their loved ones. On the flip side, you’ve probably had your fair share of kitchen nightmares, too.
Do you remember how long it took for you to peel just a single clove of garlic? How about exhausting all your energy with prep every time you cook soup? When these happen, you’ll need your trusty list of kitchen hacks to make cooking just a bit easier.
For example, smashing a garlic clove using the wide part of a knife on your cutting board will make it slip away from the skin, saving you minutes. Working smarter and not harder by learning food hacks such as this has changed many people’s lives for the better.
You no longer dread cooking because you’ve got all the tricks up your sleeve to make the experience more enjoyable. Add more to your growing kitchen life hacks list and discover tips that unexpectedly do the job. From organization and storage to food prep and plating, in this article, you’ll find a hack that will work like a charm for your condo space.
Kitchen hacks to try for stress-free condo cooking
Cooking in limited spaces like condominium kitchens is always a challenge. However, for most people, this is their everyday reality. Fortunately, there are countless kitchen hacks that you can try to work around this issue. Here are some of the most creative ones that are guaranteed to help you save time and effort:
1. Easily wash a pan you’ve forgotten to clean
If you’re usually the designated dishwasher at home, you know how frustrating it can be to wash a pan that’s been left out for a while with the food particles still sticking onto it. When your usual techniques don’t work, here’s a hack you should try:
@sidneyraz it works wonders #inmy30s #kitchentips #dirtydishes ♬ original sound - sidneyraz
Video courtesy of sidneyraz via TikTok
First, put some water on the pan, heat it up on the stove, then throw away the dirty water. You’ll notice that the dirt on the pan will be a lot easier to scrub off. No more sweating and sore arms scrubbing off for hours if you didn’t do this trick.
2. Microwave garlic to peel it faster
Don’t want to smash garlic to peel it? Fortunately, there’s another trick you can try that does that same job–minus the arm strength. Simply cut the tip of a garlic clove before popping it into the microwave for 20-30 seconds. When it comes out, the skin just slides off and the clove remains intact!
@sidneyraz i didn’t know this was possible #inmy30s #garlic #tipsandtricks #learnontiktok #cookingtips ♬ original sound - sidneyraz
Video courtesy of sidneyraz via TikTok
3. Remove iceberg lettuce core in seconds
You don’t have to chop a whole head of iceberg lettuce just to take out its core. You can smash it core-side down on the countertop and the force itself will remove the core in seconds. Ensure the countertop is clear of any debris you might hit before smashing the lettuce on a flat, stable surface to avoid any accidents.
@stephgigliotti28 Kitchen tips you didn’t ask for 🤫😉 #kitchentips #tipsandtricks #lifehacks #stephgigliotti ♬ original sound - Steph Gigliotti
Video courtesy of stephgigliotti28 via TikTok
4. Dip battered chicken into water before frying
It might seem unbelievable knowing how hot oil reacts to water, but to get that perfect, crispy, fried chicken crust, try dipping your battered chicken into water before frying it. You’ll be surprised at how golden and crunchy that crust will be after. Try it out and judge the hack yourself.
@mmarilyn__442 Try them all! #tipsandtricks #viralhomehacks #homehacksthatwork #tiktokshacks ♬ Dance You Outta My Head - Cat Janice
Video courtesy of mmarilyn__442 via TikTok
5. Perfectly line your pans with parchment paper
If you also find it hard to fit the parchment paper perfectly into your baking pan, this hack is for you.
Place the parchment over the pan and measure at least one-and-a-half inches of excess paper on each side of the pan before cutting it. The thickness of the excess paper will depend on how deep your dish is. Then, cut slits up to the corners of the pan. Press the parchment paper into the pan and tuck the outer pieces behind the centerpiece of the paper. Finally, you have perfectly fitted your parchment to your baking dish.
@thekitchn Now you know how to line your baking pans with parchment paper perfectly✨ #parchmentpaper #parchmentpaperhack #bakingtips ♬ Swear By It - Chris Alan Lee
Video courtesy of thekitchn via TikTok
6. Level up your ice cubes
Get into the habit of infused waters by creating refreshing ice cubes with citrus fruits!
First, slice your lemons or limes into rounds then place them on the bottom of a muffin tin. If you don’t have one, cut the fruits into smaller pieces and place them in your ice cube trays. Then, fill each spot with water and pop them in the freezer until they’re set. These special ice cubes are perfect to drink during hot summer days.
@kroger Enhance your Summer drinks this summer with this ice cube hack. 🍋 #kroger #icecubes #icecubehack #lifehacks #summerdrinks #refreshing @makena.yee ♬ original sound - Kroger
Video courtesy of kroger via TikTok
7. Portioning your butter
Save time in the morning by portioning your butter stick beforehand. Cut parchment paper into four to five-inch rectangles. Then, place one symmetrically so it covers a portion of the blade of your knife.
Cut into the butter stick and make sure you leave the paper into the stick. Repeat the process until you reach the end of the butter stick. You now have perfectly portioned butter that you can use for cooking or toasting bread. Not only is it convenient, you may even consider it hygienic.
@cookfoodchannel Use this #kitchenhack from now, it will save you lots of time #lifehack ♬ Pope Is a Rockstar - SALES
Video courtesy of cookfoodchannel via TikTok
8. Peeling potato skin without effort
Peeling an uncooked potato has to be one of the most tedious tasks. You spend so much time and effort peeling it perfectly only to be left with dirty hands and a patchy potato.
Here’s what you can do: Take the potato you’re ready to boil and make a shallow cut around it horizontally with a knife. Then, boil it in the water until it’s cooked. You can literally take apart its skin with your fingers without effort after!
@itsnicolejaques Did you know this one? SAVE IT RIGHT NOW to use during holiday meal prep time. 🤯 #thanksgiving #potato #peelinghack #holidaymeal ♬ original sound - Nicole Jaques
Video courtesy of itsnicolejaques via TikTok
9. Make an egg frittata in your air fryer
Using several pots to cook one dish is a nightmare when you have a small kitchen space like condos. Good news, you can make an easy and healthy egg frittata with just an air fryer!
Aside from a quality air fryer, you’ll need olive oil, eggs, bell peppers, spinach, salt, pepper, and cheese. Place parchment paper into your air fryer before combining all the ingredients. Cook it at 350 °F for 12 minutes and there you go! You have a delicious egg frittata minus the mountains of dishes that you need to wash.
@asseenontok View Bio to get this. #airfryer #airfryerhack #airfryeromelette #quickmeals ♬ original sound - As Seen On Tok
Video courtesy of asseenontok via TikTok
10. Prep minced garlic ahead of time
Garlic is a staple ingredient in most Filipino dishes. Whether you use it in your fried rice, sauteing, or for topping, you don’t want to keep peeling and chopping every single time. Besides, if not used immediately, garlic has a tendency to go bad.
To preserve it longer and also cut precious cooking time, prepare your minced garlic in advance! Chop manually or use an electric chopper to mince it. Take an airtight container and put the garlic there before adding cooking oil and storing it in the refrigerator. This technique will lengthen the garlic’s shelf life and save you time and effort.
@foodiefred Where my Garlic-loving peeps! 🤩🧄 #FOODIEPH #foodiefred #myfoodie #foodietokph #tiktokfoodieph #fyp #foryoupage #GARLIC #garlichack #kitchentips #cookingtips #tiktokph #tiktokphilippines ♬ Fresh - Official Sound Studio
Video courtesy of foodiefred via TikTok
11. Use coffee grounds to eliminate odors while cooking
One of the most challenging things that condo dwellers face is the odor that cooking leaves. Since you’re in a more compact space, the smell of food clings easier to certain parts of your home.
@chuckandjoe Amoy ulam ba bahay mo? #tiktokskwela #lifehacksph #ChuckAndJoe ♬ original sound - Chuck and Joe
Video courtesy of chuckandjoe via TikTok
After making sure you’ve ventilated your condo by slightly opening your doors and windows, take your used coffee grounds and put them in small containers. Place these containers all over your home to help absorb and eliminate the odors from cooking.
12. Slice several cherry tomatoes in half in seconds
Tiny cherry tomatoes can be a hassle to chop one by one. To help you save time, find two flat lids or two small plates. Place your tomatoes in one of the lids, and sandwich them using the other lid. Now you can cut all the tomatoes in half evenly without slicing them individually.
@inkd_owl Two deli lids help alot. #kitchenhacks #chef #linecooktiktok #kitchen #restaurant #cook #cheftiktok #helpful ♬ PRETTY BOY FLOW - Sturdyyoungin
Video courtesy of inkd_owl via TikTok
13. Dispose of your oil the right way
Not many people know that dumping oil into the sink is not a great idea. It could end up clogging the drains and result in an expensive call with the plumbers. To avoid that, you can try this trick.
@tipsandtrickswithq #lifehack #tipsandtricks #lifetips #lifehacks #kitchen #kitchenhacks #foodtok #food #cleantok #clean #ideas ♬ Spongebob Tomfoolery - Dante9k Remix - David Snell
Video courtesy of tipsandtrickswithq via TikTok
After deep frying something or cooking with a lot of grease, get a piece of tin foil and place it over the drain part of the sink. Then, dump the oil into it. Wait for the grease to set and harden before balling the foil up and throwing it into the trash can.
14. Sharpen your kitchen knife with a mug
When you don’t have a sharpening steel or a whetstone to sharpen a dull knife, look for a ceramic mug. If you don’t have one, a ceramic plate will do the trick.
@home_reimagined 5 kitchen hacks YOU NEED!!! 🔪#lifehacks #kitchenhacks #homehacks #cleaninghacks ♬ original sound - Home Reimagined
Video courtesy of home_reimagined via TikTok
Flip your mug or plate upside down. You can use the bottom edges to sharpen your knife every time.
15. Store grocery bags in an empty potato chip can
A bunch of plastic bags lying around your condo will ruin its decor and make your place look cluttered. However, you don’t want to throw them away to reuse them next time. If you have an empty potato chip can, you’re in luck.
@mrdiy.philippinesDIY Kitchen Hack: Transform trash to treasure! 😍 DIY plastic bag dispenser for an organized kitchen! 🛠️🏠 Easy-to-make and easy-to-use, try out this hack today and see the difference! ♻️ #MRDIY #AlwaysLowPrices #AlwaysTheSmarterChoice #Lifehacks #PlasticBagDispenser♬ original sound - MRDIY Philippines
Video courtesy of mrdiy.philippines via TikTok
First, carefully use a cutter to cut an X shape on the plastic lid of the can. Then, fold your plastic bags twice vertically and into an L shape. From there, connect the other plastic bags into the horizontal flap of the L shape and roll it to tie everything together. Insert that into the potato chip can but make sure the vertical flap can be pulled from the x-shaped slit on the lid.
Key takeaways
Although cooking is an enjoyable experience for many, a limited space can create a different story. You want to make sure you’re being strategic enough in making the most out of your space without sacrificing your time and effort in the kitchen. For condo dwellers, make sure to take note of these things:
- Work smarter, not harder. People share hacks for a reason. Save a lot of time and sweat by trying proven and tested kitchen tips that will make your cooking sessions simple and fun.
- Maximize your space. Integrate kitchen life hacks that serve your compact kitchen space. Learning what works for your condo kitchen will help reduce stress on your end.
- Don’t be afraid to try something new. Whether you’re cooking for fun or out of necessity, keep an open mind on all the tricks you can do to keep the experience enjoyable.
If you have any other questions, talk to us in our blog’s comments section or via Facebook.
To gain full access to DMCI Communities, don’t forget to download our app on Google Play or App Store.