Rules exist for a reason: they create order and improve our lives, helping narrow down our options and keep us from getting overwhelmed. This is especially true in the kitchen. From meticulous recipes to guidelines for operating equipment, rules set the foundation for our entire cooking experience. This mentality even applies to our kitchen sinks. To streamline the cooking process even more, sink rules are essential: Reserve one sink for food prep and the other for dirty dishes.
Kitchens come with two sinks because they’re meant for different things. If your home is outfitted with two, it’s not due to flair but practical use. One sink is, of course, for dishes; choose the sink you’ll use as your dishwasher’s waiting room to be the one furthest from where you are making food. The other sink should be an extension of your prep station. Here is where you can neatly peel veggies, wash produce, rinse rice, fill pots with water, or whatever else you need to do for a recipe without risking contaminating your food with messy utensils and plates.
All the other benefits of designated sinks
Setting some ground rules with your kitchen sinks helps the cooking process go smoothly. There’s no need to stop food prep to wash and store old dishes. Now, prep has its own designated place.
This separation has more benefits than one, too. If your dirty dish space is cut in half, you’re more likely to hold yourself accountable and wash dishes sooner. Gone are the days when you need to fish spoons and forks out of the dishwasher when the utensil drawer goes dry. Designating sink space also helps your kitchen stay kosher-friendly, as meat can be fully kept separate from other ingredients.
Restaurants use this food prep hack for food safety reasons. It only makes sense that the same rules would apply at home. Skip the guessing games and let each sink have its role. Just ensure you are using the prep sink properly; not everyone has two kitchen sinks, so don’t take this simple luxury for granted.
