How to Pack a Kitchen So Nothing Breaks

Almost every broken item we see came out of a kitchen box. Not because kitchens are cursed, but because people pack them the way they load a dishwasher. Different job, different rules.

Rule one: small boxes for heavy things

Plates, cookware, canned goods, and small appliances go in small boxes. Large boxes are for light bulky items like plastic containers and linens. A large box full of dishes will either break your back or break its own bottom, and it usually picks the second one.

Plates stand on edge

Wrap each plate in paper, then stack them vertically like records in a crate, not flat like a pile. Flat plates crack when the box takes a bump from above. On edge, they hold. Crumple paper at the bottom, the top, and any gap along the sides.

Glassware

• Wrap each glass individually, and stuff paper inside the glass first so the walls do not flex.
• Stems get extra paper around the neck, which is where they always snap.
• Use a cell divider if you have one. It is a few dollars and it is worth it for a set you care about.
• Heaviest at the bottom of the box, lightest on top, no exceptions.

Knives, pots, and small appliances

• Knives: wrap the blade in a folded towel or cardboard sleeve, tape it, and write KNIVES on the outside.
• Pots and pans: nest them with paper between each one. Lids get wrapped separately and stood on edge.
• Small appliances: original box if you kept it. If not, tape the cord to the body and wrap the whole thing.
• Blender and food processor blades come out and get wrapped separately.

The pantry

Open liquids get sealed in a zip bag or thrown out. Oils and vinegars go upright in a lined box. Spices go in one small box together, and half of them are probably expired, so this is a good moment to check.

Pack the open-first box last

One box with a kettle or coffee maker, two mugs, a pan, a knife, a cutting board, dish soap, and a sponge. Label it OPEN FIRST and put it in your car. The first morning in a new place is much better with coffee.