Airbnb Kitchen Essentials

Not all guests are interested in cooking when they stay in an Airbnb. Many want to enjoy the pleasures of eating out in local restaurants while they are away from home. However, it’s essential to provide a good selection of Airbnb kitchen essentials, so guests have the choice, even if they only make toast and coffee during their stay in your Airbnb.

A well-equipped kitchen allows guests to feel at home and enjoy cooking their own meals if they choose. For families, this is an important feature, as many families need to cook meals for their children. It’s also important to have plenty of kitchen essentials on hand for guests who want to save money during their stay. And for long-term Airbnb guests, cooking meals will be an important part of the experience.

This guide contains your Airbnb kitchen essentials list of items every host should provide to ensure guests have a comfortable and enjoyable stay with a well-stocked Airbnb kitchen.

Basic Cookware

Pots and Pans

• Medium-sized saucepan - A 2-3 quart saucepan with a lid is useful for cooking vegetables, pasta, rice, and sauces. Stainless steel or ceramic coated pans work well as they distribute heat evenly and are easy to clean.

• Large frying pan - A 10-12 inch non-stick frying pan is ideal for cooking meats and eggs. Choose one with an oven-safe handle so it can be used on the stovetop and in the oven.

• Small saucepan - A 1-2 quart saucepan is handy for heating milk or making small portions. Enameled cast iron or stainless steel pans retain heat well for even cooking.

  
  

Baking Essentials

• Baking tray - One or more standard size rimmed baking sheets made of aluminium or stainless steel allow guests to roast vegetables and bake cookies, pizza, etc. They're useful for multipurpose cooking. Check these regularly, as non-stick oven trays tend to lose their coating after a while. Enameled baking trays cost more but last longer.

• Oven-safe dish - An 8x8 or 9x13 inch glass or ceramic baking dish enables guests to bake casseroles and lasagne. Handles make it easy to transfer in and out of the oven. Look for one with a lid. Pyrex is a cheap and practical material for oven-safe dishes.

• Measuring cups and spoons - A basic set of measuring cups and spoons helps guests accurately prepare recipes. Choose a sturdy set with easy to read markings.

Utensils and Gadgets

Cooking Utensils

• Spatula - A rubber or silicone spatula is useful for folding batter, scraping bowls and pans, and more. Heat resistant to 500°F.

• Wooden spoon - A wooden spoon is one of those essential cooking utensils every kitchen needs. It is ideal for stirring sauces, soups, and other dishes. It's durable and won't scratch pans.

• Tongs - Stainless steel tongs with scalloped edges make flipping and serving food easy. Look for a locking mechanism for compact storage.

• A plastic serving spoon – Useful for dishing up things like pasta and sauces. More robust ones have wooden or metal handles.

• Colander - This is useful for draining pasta and veggies.

• Mixing bowls - Mixing bowls are essential for baking.

• A hanging rack for kitchen utensils can keep an Airbnb kitchen organised.

Cutting Tools

• Sharp knives - Provide at least one 8-10 inch chef's knife, a smaller paring knife and a serrated bread knife. High-carbon stainless steel blades stay sharp.

• Chopping board - A set of colour coded plastic or wood chopping boards prevents cross contamination. Have at least two sizes for prep work.

• Kitchen scissors - Multi-purpose stainless steel kitchen scissors allow guests to easily open packages, snip herbs, cut meat and more.

Dinnerware and Flatware

Plates and Bowls

• Dinner plates - Have at least 4 dinner plates around 10-11 inches for main meals, but preferably buy a set of 8. Durable porcelain or melamine are good choices. Buy a plain set of white plates, so they are easy to replace when inevitable breakages occur.

• Side plates - Small 6-7 inch plates are useful for bread, salad and side dishes. Match the dinner plates or opt for a contrasting style.

• Cereal bowls - Provide 4 bowls with a 20 ounce capacity for breakfast cereals, oatmeal, and soups. Durable stoneware or porcelain works well.

• Plate bowls - Large bowls with a raised lip are great for rice and pasta dishes.

Cutlery

• Forks - Include at least 4 dinner forks and 4 smaller salad forks. Stainless steel resists rust and provides balanced weight.

• Spoons - Stock 4 dinner spoons and 4 smaller teaspoons. Stainless steel has a nice feel and appearance. Buy extra teaspoons as these often get lost or go missing more frequently than other spoons.

• Knives - In addition to the cutting knives, provide 4-6 dinner knives for meals. Stainless steel knives are affordable and durable. Steak knives are a useful optional extra that guests will appreciate.

Glassware and Cups

Drinking Vessels

• Wine glasses - Have at least 4 glasses with a traditional tapered shape and stem for red and white wine. Lead-free crystal is elegant but fragile.

• Water glasses - Stock 6-8 all-purpose glasses with a 12-16 ounce capacity. Durable glass or acrylic glasses are suitable for any beverage.

• Coffee cups/mugs - Provide 6-8 mugs with handles in the 10-12 ounce range. Choose durable ceramic mugs with thick walls to retain heat.

Small Appliances

Essential Appliances

• Kettle - An electric kettle with automatic shut-off allows guests to quickly boil water for coffee, tea, oatmeal, etc. 1.5-2 litre capacity.

• Toaster - A 2-4 slice toaster with a removable crumb tray lets guests toast bread, waffles, and more. Look for multiple settings.

• Microwave - A 0.7-1.0 cubic feet microwave is essential for quickly reheating leftovers. Make sure it's easy to operate.

• Coffee maker - Guests these days often look for small appliances like coffee machines in their Airbnb. A coffee pod machine or French press is an inexpensive alternative to a high-end espresso maker if counter space is at a premium.

Cleaning Supplies

Basic Cleaning Items

• Dish soap - Airbnb kitchen cleaning supplies should always include dish soap. Stock liquid dish soap and a brush for washing dishes. Environmentally friendly formulas work well.

• Sponges or dishcloths - Provide new scrubbies, sponges, and dishcloths so guests can wash up. Have a few extras on hand.

• Bin bags - Plastic rubbish bags that fit the bin prevent leaks and messes. Provide extras under the sink. Include smaller bin bags for bathroom bins and other bins in the property.

Additional Cleaning Tools

• Kitchen towels/tea towels - Supply several absorbent cotton dish towels for drying dishes, hands, and surfaces. Launder and replace at the end of a guest’s stay, or weekly for longer bookings.

• Surface cleaner - An all-purpose cleaner and paper towels allow guests to wipe up spills and clean surfaces. Stock refills under the sink.

• Broom and dustpan - A small broom, dustpan, and brush allow guests to easily sweep up kitchen messes and debris. Hang or store nearby.

Pantry Staples

Basic Ingredients

• Salt and pepper - Keep salt and pepper shakers stocked rather than single-use packets. Refill as needed between guests.

• Cooking oil - An all-purpose vegetable or canola oil gives guests options for sautéing, frying, and baking. Stock in a spray bottle.

• Sugar - Provide white granulated sugar in a sealed container or dispenser. Useful for baking and sweetening drinks.

Optional Extras

• Tea and coffee - Having some coffee, tea bags, creamer, and sweetener provides an extra touch of hospitality. Restock after each guest.

• Spices - Consider keeping a selection of dried herbs, spices, and spice blends on hand. Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, mixed herbs, and Italian seasoning are versatile.

• Condiments - Small bottles of ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise allow guests to flavour and dress their meals. Check the expiration dates.

Safety and Convenience

Safety Items

• First aid kit - A basic kit with bandages, gauze, and antiseptic allows guests to treat minor cuts in the kitchen. Check contents regularly.

• Fire extinguisher - Provide an easy-to-use fire extinguisher in case of grease or electrical fires, ideally near the cooking area. A fire blanket is a must-have in kitchens.

• Smoke/CO detector - Test the smoke/CO detectors in the kitchen and elsewhere regularly. Make sure they are in working order.

Convenience Items

• Food storage containers - Lidded plastic or glass containers in small and medium sizes keep leftovers fresh in the fridge. Matching sets save space.

• Baking paper - Wax paper sheets make baking and food prep easier. Provide a box in a kitchen drawer.

• Aluminium foil - A box of foil allows guests to cover dishes, make foil packets, and assist cooking. Heavy duty is recommended.

Conclusion

Investing in items from this Airbnb kitchen essentials checklist can greatly enhance the guest experience, making your Airbnb property a preferred choice.

Airbnb kitchen essentials like cookware, basic appliances, serving utensils, and conveniences like oven mitts, and a can opener demonstrate an Airbnb host's commitment to guest satisfaction. Fully equipping your Airbnb kitchen enhances the stay, encourages home-cooked meals, and reduces guest questions. Providing for basic cooking needs also promotes safety in the kitchen. Following this guide helps Airbnb hosts offer a welcoming and well-appointed kitchen space.

FAQs

Do I need to provide sharp knives for safety reasons?

Yes, it's recommended to provide at least one sharp chef's knife, paring knife, and serrated bread knife. Sharp knives are safer to use than dull knives which can slip. Provide a knife block or sheath for safety.

What small appliances do most Airbnb guests expect?

How often should I replace cleaning supplies like sponges?