The Gluten Free Kitchen

One of the first things that you have to do when you find out that you have to remove gluten (and GFCF) from your diet is make your kitchen gluten free. This can feel very overwhelming. Below are a few quick steps to get you started.

Throw away or give away all products that contain gluten, or, segregate them if you still have gluten eaters in your home. Read labels. All of them. All items that have gluten containing ingredients that are open, throw away or segregate. You can donate products that are still in date to a church or soup kitchen if you wish or give to friends.

Buy a new Toaster.  You can keep your current one for those that are eating gluten containing breads, label them however so mistakes are not made. There are companies that make reusable bags that allow you to toast your gluten free bread safely in a toaster when you travel, but for home, get a new one.

Purchase new condiments. Mustard, ketchup, jelly, peanut butter… may have already become contaminated with bread crumbs from double dipping knives. I like the squeeze bottle when they are available, however my husband has been known to still take off the lid and use a knife. In home where gluten will still be consumed by a household member, buy 2 and label one for gluten free.

Replace plastic utensils and non stick pans. Non stick pans must be replaced when they become scratched anyway, and gluten can stay in the scratches. Plastic is a problem for the same reason. For the utensils, you can keep the plastic for those that are still eating gluten, but not for non gluten foods. I like to buy in different colors, the red for example are non gluten and green is for gluten eaters. You can continue to use stainless pans and bowls for both, but be careful to wash in a dishwasher between uses. Replace colanders, pastry cutters, and other tools also. Again, you can keep them for use with gluten, but you will need a set for non gluten that is not used with gluten products.

Banish all gluten containing ingredients to either the lower shelves in the pantry or to another cupboard all together.

Clean your cupboards. Wash the inside with cleaner to remove gluten residue.

Clean your oven.

Move all non gluten items to the top shelf in the refrigerator and all gluten products and condiments for gluten containing foods to the lower shelves. That helps to prevent crumbs from falling on gluten free foods. I do keep chicken and meats on the lowest shelves for food safety reasons, but put them in a zipper bag so they do not become contaminated.

Buy new sponges and dish cloths for the sink. Yes you have to keep sponges and dish clothes separate also.

Educate yourself and family. It will help you stay on track and help your household members to understand if they know that even a small amount of gluten will make you very sick.