Top 13 Items to Store in The Cabinet Above Your Stove
The cabinet above your stove is often an underutilized gem in your kitchen. Its small size and inconvenient height usually leave you wondering what to put there. To help you make the most of this often-overlooked space, we've curated a list of the best items to store in it.
Whether they’re infrequently used kitchen gadgets, seasonal serving platters, birthday party supplies, or your home emergency kit, we've got you covered with innovative and practical storage solutions.
1. Items You Want to Keep Away from the Kids
This cabinet can be a great hiding spot thanks to its hard-to-reach area for any items that are dangerous for your kids to handle or don't want your kids to know you have them. Extra sharp knives, blade attachments to blenders, delicate kitchenware, or even your favorite midnight snack can be kept in this cabinet. Expert tip: Keep your chocolate stash away from this cabinet to avoid a melted mess.
Do you need to keep a spare key out of the way but within reach? The cabinet above the stove is the ideal place, away from curious little hands but still within reach.
2. Emergency/First Aid Kit
Band-aids, first aid, batteries, matches, flashlights, light bulbs, ice packs (the kind that gets cold once you shake them), and other emergency care can be stored in the cabinet above your stove. Chopping and prepping can sometimes result in minor scrapes and cuts, and having first aid on hand can help you return to cooking as soon as possible.
Flashlights, matches, and other items needed in case of a blackout should also be stored in this cabinet, where they can be easily reached but still out of the way.
3. Infrequently Used Items
If your drawers and lower cabinets are crammed with gadgets like tortilla warmers, ice cream makers, and other items you rarely use, consider storing them above your stove. To save on valuable space, relegate those items to the cabinet above your stove and take them down only when needed.
4. Seasonal and Holiday Items
The cabinet above your stove is perfect for storing turkey platters, serving pieces, candlesticks, and holiday décor like those charming reindeer-shaped salt and pepper shakers. Reserve the more accessible cabinets for everyday items and larger pots and pans while tucking away seasonal items in the higher cabinets until needed. This way, you keep your kitchen functional and clutter-free throughout the year.
5. Oven-Related Items
Extra dish towels, oven mitts, oven cleaners, aprons, recipe cards, and cooking timers are all cooking items you would need for your oven that should be stored above the stove. You can take out those hot pans without scrounging around for an oven mitt or put on the apron as soon as needed.
Consider keeping your Tupperware here so you can easily store leftovers straight from your pots.
6. Extra Serving Ware and Tableware
Tableware reserved for guests or fancy nights, such as napkin rings, cloth napkins, and dishware, should be stored in the cabinet above the stove instead of taking up room in a pantry or cabinet. Storing them up high will also keep them neat and clean, away from kitchen spills while cooking or curious little fingers.
7. Crystal and Glassware
Don’t have a stemware rack and need somewhere to store your wine glasses? Consider using the cabinet above the stove. This space is also perfect for storing delicate crystal and other rarely used glassware. By placing these items in a high, out-of-the-way cabinet, you can ensure they stay safe and intact, free from the risk of accidental breakage in more frequently accessed areas. Plus, this keeps your countertops and lower cabinets clear for everyday essentials.
8. Birthday Party Supplies
If you have a collection of birthday napkins, candles, cake toppers, confetti, streamers, and paper goods, consider storing them in this cabinet. Before a friend or family member’s birthday, take down your collection and take note of your inventory and what you need to refill. Having a dedicated spot for these supplies keeps everything neat and organized, making party planning a breeze.
9. Surplus Paper Goods
While you may want everyday paper goods within easier reach, the cabinet above your stove is perfect for storing surplus items. Tuck away extra tablecloths, napkins, plates, cups, and paper towels in this cabinet, and retrieve them when it's time to restock your main supply. This way, you keep your kitchen counters and lower cabinets free for daily essentials while ensuring that your backup supplies are organized and easily accessible when needed.
10. Surplus Dry Goods
Items like tea bags in a sealed container and other dry goods in airtight containers can be stored in the cabinet above the stove. This will keep any moisture from coming in contact with the food, keeping it fresh until needed.
11. Baking Supplies Like Pans and Trays
If the cabinet is large enough, consider adding dividers to store your baking trays, muffin tins, and Bundt pans neatly. As soon as you’re done mixing your favorite coffee cake, you simply need to reach up to take down your desired pan. Add baking cups and other small necessities to this cabinet so all your baking needs are in one place.
12. Miscellaneous Items
Appliance manuals or extra parts, spare cookbooks, rarely used kitchen décor you don’t want to get rid of (like your great aunt’s butter dish you inherited), thermoses and extra pitchers are all items you can store above your stove. This cabinet can become the catch-all for items you want out of the way and have no other space for.
13. Use as a Decorative Space
If you have nothing you need to store above the stove, you can always remove the cabinet doors, paint the inside of the cabinets, or line them with wallpaper and use it as a purely decorative space. Use it to store your cookbooks in an artful display, knickknacks, and other small items. Expert tip: Keep this space consistent with the rest of your kitchen décor!
What Not to Store in the Cabinet Above Your Stove
While you’re busy organizing this space, keep in mind the items you should keep away from this cabinet due to its proximity to the stove:
- Perishable foods- exposure to heat will cause them to spoil.
- Canned goods- according to the USDA, canned goods should be stored in cool, dry places.
- Spices- heat and humidity can speed up the aging process, causing spices to lose their flavor.
- Alcohol- wine and liquor are sensitive to temperature changes, which will impact the flavor.
These items should be stored in cool, dry places away from the stove, like in a dedicated pantry or cabinet.
By strategically organizing the cabinet above your stove, you can keep your kitchen functional, clutter-free, and ready for any occasion. Store infrequently used items, such as paper goods, surplus pantry items, baking needs, and an emergency kit. Avoid storing perishable foods, canned goods, spices, and alcohol above the stove due to heat exposure. Use the cabinet wisely; it will become a valuable asset in your kitchen organization.
FAQS
- Is storing oils and vinegar above a stove a bad idea?
- Yes. Oils and vinegar will go bad quickly if stored near high heat- keep them in a cool and dry cabinet away from the stove instead.
- Can I store food in the cabinet above the stove?
- Keep perishable and even some non-perishable items away from this cabinet. Dry goods in sealed, airtight containers can be kept in this cabinet for short periods of time.
- What do I store in the cabinet above the stove if there is a vent there?
- Having a vent in this cabinet only limits the space and not the types of items you can store there. You can keep all the same items in the cabinet that you would keep there otherwise, like dishware, rarely used items, and emergency supplies.