While most campuses have dining halls where you can get meals, it comes with some limitations. Sometimes you might fail to make it within the set hours. The food selection available might sometimes not be appealing. Other times you might not be feeling up to taking a walk to the dining hall. Being able to make some simple meals in your dorm gives you some independence. Additionally, having a chance to satisfy your late-night cravings gives you a homely feel.
However, most college dorms lack a full kitchen. You will need to work with the limited shared space and the lack of a real kitchen. Most importantly, you need the right tools to get the job done. Here are 7 kitchen essentials for your college life.
1. Mini fridge
A refrigerator is essential in any kitchen. However, you don’t have the luxury of space when staying in a college dorm room. A mini-fridge is your best choice as it doesn’t take too much space. A mini-fridge will come in handy in keeping your groceries fresh and preserving your drinks. You don’t have to throw away leftovers as you can store them and use them for the next meal. Considering the shoestring budget you have to survive within the college, this goes a long way in saving you money.
2. Storage containers
Storage containers are essential for carrying snacks to class, picnic, or school trips. You also need them when you need to carry your leftovers from the dining hall. Additionally, when cooking for one, having leftovers is highly likely to occur. You need these containers to stack away from the leftover food for later use. Besides, in the absence of a fridge, storage containers keep mice, cockroaches, and other critters away from your food. Ensure that you get yourself a set of different sizes with lids.
3. Aqua water filters
Not all college dorms have clean water for drinking. Buying bottled water isn’t always economical for college students either. Water Filters clean the water and allow you to have healthy drinking water for your enjoyment. The filters allow you to remove contaminants from tap water that is available in your dorm. Get yourself a water bottle to carry the filtered water so that you can have a clean drink of water whether in the dorm, class, library or wherever you are on campus.
4. Instant pot
With projects, exams, and classes to attend to, time isn’t always a luxury for college students. Long queues in the dining hall aren’t always appealing, and taking hours to make a meal might be impossible. Having an instant pot saves you the trouble. A good model can cook meals many times faster than an average oven. You can also cook any meal ranging from your favorite veggies to baking a cake. The convenience and versatility of owning one in your dorm are on another level.
5. Electric kettle
Hot beverages are what keep most college students going. You will need a hot cup of coffee when you need to stay up late studying for exams or catching up on your favorite series. Late-night conversations with friends will be extra enjoyable with hot tea or coffee to chase away the cold. When you are late for breakfast, a quick hot beverage is your savior, not forgetting when you need some hot water. Having an electric kettle makes this possible especially when you don’t have access to a stovetop.
6. Basic utensils
Making your own meals in the dorm won’t make sense if you don’t have the basic kitchen utensils. Get yourself a set of dishes that are durable. You can get a few melamine or plastic plates, cups, and bowls. Don’t forget a set of basic silverware as well. In addition, get some knives and plastic chopping boards for meal prepping.
7. Dish soap and sponges
Even with limited time in your hands to clean up, it isn’t good to pile up dirty dishes in your dorm room. It is not a good show, especially when sharing the space with someone else. Ensure that you have a pack of dish soap and sponges to clean your dishes.
Conclusion
Cooking in your dorm room is inevitable while in college. Ensure that you have kitchen essentials for this reason. You can start with basic utensils, an instant pot, an electric kettle, mini-fridge, and storage containers. However, be sure to check with the school the electronics that are allowed in the dorms. Additionally, get aqua water filters to clean your drinking water and cleaning products to clean your dishes.