Particularly for goods you use frequently while cooking, the space surrounding your stove can be a great place to store kitchen essentials.
Remember that your stovetop may reach temperatures of over 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which means that objects put near or above your stove may reach temperatures much exceeding 100 degrees. That can lead to two distinct problems: either it damages the objects and shortens their lifespan, or it could result in a fire hazard.
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Things You Should Never Store Next to Your Stove
Oil for Cooking
Any respectable chef will tell you that cooking oils, especially seed and olive oils, are quite sensitive to high temperatures, which can cause them to grow rancid more quickly and lose quality.
Spices
It seems sensible to keep your spices next to your stove so you’re always prepared with a dash of chili powder or an additional pinch of dried oregano. However, because the heat dries up the essential oils that give your spices their flavor and perfume, you could discover that your spices kept close to the stove lose their flavor more quickly.
And yet another possible problem? The resulting humidity can also make it difficult to get the appropriate amount of spices because they might clump in their containers, especially if you frequently boil water or simmer stews and soups.
Paper towels
Yes, you should definitely keep paper towels on hand in case there are any accidents in the kitchen. However, you should keep your paper towels as far away from the stovetop as you can because they are extremely flammable.
Electronic devices
If it gets hot enough, high heat can damage or even melt electrical components. Think about keeping your laptop or smartphone far from the stove’s heat source, as well as any counter appliances.
Perishable Food
Produce and other perishables may soften and spoil more quickly due to the extra heat from your cooktop. It’s for a reason that cool, dark, low-humidity areas are recommended for the storage of even potatoes, onions, and other room-temperature veggies!
Cleaning Supplies
Cleaning supplies can also be flammable, and the chemicals they produce when they burn could be harmful to your health.
Canned Goods
One of the most shelf-stable items you can stock in your cupboard is canned goods. You may assume that keeping them above the stove would also work, but the USDA advises choosing a different location for your favorite soups and canned beans. Since temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit can increase the likelihood that they will spoil, they should be kept at room temperature.
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