Removing gluten from your kitchen means removing gluten from all surfaces, utensils and appliances. Not so easy, eh? While it may seem impossible (well, technically it is impossible to completely remove gluten), you can definitely get near complete non-contamination. See below for a list of items you should definitely replace asap, as well as items you may want to replace depending on your condition, reactions and symptoms.
FIRST THINGS FIRST!
When converting to a completely gluten-free kitchen and even if you’re living in a mixed GF household, you’ll want to make sure to get a second GF-designated version of the following items:
- Toaster – Crumb central!
- Toaster Oven – More crumbs!
- Cutting Boards – Whether wood or plastic, gluten gets packed into pours and grooves.
- Any Wooden Utensils – Porous materials like wood are very hard to clean gluten out of. Replace any wooden spoons, rolling pins and other utensils.
- Any Plastic Utensils or Plastic Tupperware – If you’re in a mixed GF household, buy a set of Tupperware in a unique color so that that can remain the GF-designated Tupperware.
- Nonstick Pans – If a nonstick pan was ever used to cook gluten-containing foods, gluten is guaranteed to have seeped into the scratches of a nonstick pan.
- All Baking Supplies – Buy a second set of baking utensils: Spatulas, mixing bowls, baking trays, etc. That way you can bake gluten goods and GF baked goods; just make sure to store separately and handwash the GF utensils.
- Strainers and any utensil with holes like sifters or colanders – These can be cleaned, but are difficult to completely clear away all traces of gluten given the teeny tiny holes.
- Sponges and Dish Towels – Buy a second set of each; Choose a different color to help others remember which sponges and dish towels are for GF-use only.
NEXT STEPS IF NEEDED
Typically, cutlery and dishes can be used by GF and non-GF members if washed thoroughly. However, sometimes thorough washing isn’t enough. If symptoms remain even after replacing or segregating the above items, look into replacing or purchasing a second set of the following:
- Dishes and Cutlery – If symptoms remain when sharing a dishwasher with gluten-touching dishes and cutlery, purchase a separate set and hand-wash only. Use separate towels and sponges.
- Drying Rack or Drying Mat – If the intolerance requires separated dishwashing, you’ll need a segregated place to dry your dishes.
- Oven Mitts – Simply touching a gluten-containing food like pizza crust while pulling it out of the oven, then touching a non-gluten food with that same mitt puts you at risk of cross-contamination.
Once you’ve replaced or removed appliances and utensils, it’s important to maintain a gluten-less or a properly-separate kitchen if you’re living in a gluten-free household. Check out these tips for living in a mixed gluten-free household and more tips on how to replace gluten in the kitchen.