The kitchen is the beating heart of any home. Well, that’s true for some. Many Airbnb guests will treat your kitchen like a storage place for their leftovers from local restaurants. And some will use every square inch of your cooking space. After all, many guests choose Airbnb literally because they want their own kitchen.

For this second kind of guest, you want to make sure your space does not disappoint. Effectively using a kitchen is not about pleasantly interesting surprises; it’s about being in the middle of a homemade dish, and actually finding the next tool you need to finish cooking something. That’s why it’s better to have too many tools than not enough. There’s nothing worse than bringing home a beautiful fish from the market, only to realize there’s nothing to cook it in.

In this article, we’re going to assume you already have basic dishes, utensils, cups, pots, and pans. Below are eight kitchen essentials that might have slipped your mind.

1. Coffee and Tea

This is likely the first interaction most guests will have with your kitchen. Coffee is a morning staple for people from every corner of the world. It’s safe to say that somebody staying at your rental is going to be reaching for a cup of something hot, black, and bitter in the mornings.

2. Corkscrew and Bottle Opener

Most Airbnb guests want to wind down at the end of the day with something to relax them after a day of travels. Don’t make them buy their own wine opener. Don’t make them macgyver a beer bottle opener. Buy a two in one corkscrew / bottle opener.

3. Can Opener

Good things come in cans. Think beans, tomatoes, corn, beets, and more. Your guests will really be in a pickle if they can’t access their canned foods.

4. Chef’s Knife

Every home cook knows that good cooking starts with good cutting. And good cutting starts with a chef’s knife! If you have any one single knife that you splurge a little on, make it a big, wide chef’s knife. Your guests will definitely notice.

5. Olive Oil

No need to buy anything fancy here. Just make sure your guests have something to cook their foods in. Olive oil is healthy, great tasting, and it’s the gold standard for sauteing something nice and homemade.

6. Strainer

Let’s be honest, this is mostly a pasta thing. But, hey, pasta is one of the most popular dishes out there. A good metal or plastic strainer can also be used for rinsing beans and vegetables – like the ones your guests retrieved with that handy can opener you stocked.

7. Oven Mitts

We’re getting into “don’t burn yourself” territory here. Keep your oven mitts hanging over the oven or in a drawer near the oven, so that guests can find them in a pinch when it matters most.

8. Tupperware

Your guests will absolutely thank you for this one. You’re thinking ahead, so they don’t have to. It’s a good idea to provide containers that are small as well as big and at least one that’s pyrex (so it doesn’t stain from tomatoes.) Make sure you choose microwavable food storage containers as well.

Conclusion

To a motivated home cook, a well-stocked kitchen feels nicer than almost anything in the world. By remembering to include these must-have kitchen essentials, you’re well on your way to giving your guests the seamless Airbnb experiences they crave. And your reviews will start to show it.

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