One of the essential parts of an Airbnb home is the kitchen. Food prepping and cooking will be easier for your guests if your home is fully-equipped with Airbnb kitchen essentials. Whether you cater to small or big families, the kitchen must have all the necessary tools for convenience.
Airbnb Kitchen Essentials Checklist
Before you go online or to the store to buy everything you think you need for your kitchen, get some paper and pens and start listing down the items you need for your Airbnb. So this will make shopping easier and avoid overspending by picking up non-essential items.
Making the List
Start by listing down the basics. These are the things that you already know for sure that you need. They are usually what you see in every Airbnb kitchen.
Basic Kitchen Essentials for Airbnb
- Cookware
- Utensils
- Dishes
- Kitchen Gadgets and Appliances
- Pantry and cupboards
- Estimate how many of each item you need to be considered appropriate. If, for example, you are hosting a 1 room condo unit and would only allow 2 guests max, all you would need is 2 pairs of spoons and forks for your guests and at least 2 extra pairs for backup.
- Go online and check out shopping sites like Amazon to see the latest on kitchen stuff and make an Amazon essentials checklist. Also, this will enable you to compare the same items in-store or on other online sites.
Trimming your Airbnb Kitchen Essentials List
Once you have listed all the bare essentials and some add-ons, it is time to trim them to an acceptable level. You will not need 4 types of scissors if you only have one tiny kitchen. But you do need at least 3 kinds of knives for different uses. Here are some tips on trimming your list of kitchen essentials for Airbnb.
Cookware
Pots and Pans
How many pots and pans do you think your guests need to cook a delicious and hefty meal? It depends on the size of your kitchen. If you do have a big kitchen and a 4 burner stove, then you can have one big and one small stockpot that can double as saucepans, at least 3 non-stick frying pans in different sizes with lids, sheet pans for the oven, and some baking dishes for range and microwave use.
If you have a small kitchen, 2 pots and 2 pans will suffice. Make sure that the sizes you choose can be used and doubled for different types of cooking and baking.
Utensils
Knives are essential, but you don’t need like 10 of them. One all-around knife is suitable for a small kitchen, but you can have a chef’s knife and add 2 to 3 more, like a serrated and a pairing knife for a big one.
You will need at least a ladle, metal, and silicone spatula, whisk, kitchen shears, tongs, colander, peeler, and measuring spoons and cups. If you have a big space, you can add different types, but these will be enough for small kitchens.
Dinnerware
Consider the number of guests allowed on your property when buying plates and bowls. You can have the same number of dishes for bigger groups and add at least 4 more for backup. Buy bowls for soups and cereals that are microwave-friendly. If needed, flatware should be the same number as the plates and bowls with additional steak knives.
Add some serving spoons and dishes and some platters for your guests. Glasses easily shatter, so put extras, including coffee mugs and wine glasses. Choose pieces that are sturdy and pleasing to the eyes.
Other Tools and Gadgets
A good cutting board should also be on the list of kitchen essentials. One is enough. Two will be too much. A big kitchen can accommodate mixing bowls, salad spinners, rolling pins, different measuring spoons, and some fine mesh sieves.
Gadget essentials include an electric can opener, a hand mixer, a personal blender, or a vegetable slicer. For small kitchens, you can forget about these gadgets except for the can opener, which will be helpful to the guests.
Appliances
The most obvious will be a refrigerator. Whether you have a big or small space, this is a must. Other appliances that can also be essential to the kitchen, in order of importance, are:
- Gas Range
- Microwave Ovens
- Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker
- Electric Kettle
- Dishwasher
- Toaster or Sandwich Maker
- Blender
- Pressure Cooker
- Instant Pot
- Airfryer
Airbnb Kitchen Cleaning
Now that you have the basic kitchen essentials list for prepping and cooking, you need to think about how your guests will clean the kitchen after every use. Everyone is obsessed with cleanliness, especially after the Covid pandemic, so be sure to stock up on cleaning essentials in your Airbnb kitchen.
- Paper Towels
- Hand Towels
- Garbage Can
- Garbage Bags
- Dishwashing Liquid
- Scrubbing Pads
- All-purpose cleaner
Stocking Up an Airbnb Kitchen
If you want to ensure that your kitchen is suitable for your guests, you also need to stock up on other kitchen essentials that will give you an extra edge over your competitors. This might cost you a little more, but your guests will be grateful.
Essential Spices
Basic spices should include black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, salt, thyme, and rosemary.
Beverages
Coffee. Yes, coffee. Coffee. Whether you have a coffee machine in your kitchen, there should be free coffee for your guests. Teabags are good, too, as an option. Milk and sugar can be an addition if you are feeling generous.
Baking paper, foil, plastic wrap
These things are essential but not necessarily needed by your guests. However, it is a plus factor if you can provide them as a kitchen staple.
If you are unsure of what more to get for your Airbnb kitchen essentials, you can put up a sign and make a list of online grocery services like Amazon Fresh and others that they can use for additional supplies if they do not want to go out and buy.
You can check out CoCal Design Co.’s Airbnb Host Guide for more resources, kitchen inspirations, and tips, or its listing on VRBO.