How to Pack Pots and Pans When Moving Within Chicago
Although it might seem unimportant at first, learning how to pack pots and pans will allow you to move your kitchen much more efficiently no matter where you live in Chicago. If you’re not sure how to handle kitchenware properly, this quick guide will take you through all the necessary steps, ensuring that every single pot and pan gets safely transported to your new home.
Securing kitchenware might not be that difficult, but it’s only one of many tasks you’ll have to deal with during your relocation. Considering the amount of work you’ll have to do to prepare everything, it’s much easier to hire one of the best Chicago moving companies and not worry about a thing.
Decluttering the Kitchen Should Be Your First Step
Before you wrap up even a single pot or pan, it’s important to go through your entire kitchen inventory and choose which items you want to keep or throw away. Not having to box up everything will allow you to move efficiently and save you a ton of money on supplies. This won’t be easy, though, as many are hesitant to give up old kitchenware even if they haven’t used it for a very long time. This results in some kitchens having an inventory the size of a large restaurant, which becomes a huge problem when preparing them for relocation.
To make things easier for yourself, get rid of anything you haven’t used in the last year. Considering these objects usually last very long, you can give them to your friends and family, sell them in a yard sale, or donate them to a local charity. The same goes for your leftover food supplies, as perishables are one of the more common items movers won’t move. Most groceries are easily replaceable, so you should donate them or use them to make some snacks for your going-away party.
Get All the Necessary Supplies Before You Start Packing Pots and Pans for Moving
Now that you’ve reduced the size of your inventory, the next task on your to-do list should be getting all the necessary supplies. Considering kitchenware is generally sturdy, paper, bubble wrap, and boxes are often the only materials you’ll need to protect them. Most of the local moving companies in Chicago, IL, will have these supplies, but you can also find them in any better-equipped supply store in the city.
It’s important to note that most of these items won’t fit inside a standard container, meaning you will have to buy some extra-large boxes. Measuring a particularly large pan or pot before going out will save you from having to go on another supply run later, which is particularly welcomed when relocating in a hurry. Last but not least, you should also get plenty of tape, a pair of scissors, and a permanent marker.
Use Some Packing Alternatives You Have at Home
While these materials might not cost much on their own, the relocation expenses will quickly pile up for anyone with a lot of kitchenware. Fortunately, you won’t have to spend a fortune on supplies, as many everyday household objects can provide the necessary protection just as well as standard materials, if not better. Towels are the perfect alternative, as they are generally suitable for wrapping dishes and all sorts of fragile items. However, if you’re going to reuse some old newsprint for cushioning, remember to add dishwashing to the list of things to do after relocating.
Make Sure the Kitchenware Is Clean Before Packing It
Although cleaning your kitchenware is one of the more critical things to do before relocating them to a new home, many tend to skip this step altogether. Additionally, these objects tend to get dirty even when not being used, requiring you to clean them once again before using them. Unless you’re planning on cleaning them as soon as you start unpacking, it’s better to finish this task before you begin wrapping even a single pan. Dishwashing can also be calming, relieving some of the pent-up relocation stress you’ve been carrying for weeks. Once you’ve washed the last dish, make sure they are completely dried up before you start wrapping them.
How to Pack Pots and Pans for Moving Correctly?
“Do you need to wrap pots and pans when moving?” is one of the more commonly asked questions about these objects. While kitchenware might be sturdy, you should still do everything you can to secure each item from any potential damage that may occur during transportation. Wrapping an object with several layers of paper will ensure there’s not a single scratch on it, even if you hit a few bumps on the road.
The process is significantly easier than packing a computer, as you only need to place several sheets beneath the pan and fold them over. Although it’s not always necessary, taping the fold in a few strategic spots will keep it from unwrapping. A pot is secured almost in the same way, but you’ll also have to fold the excess paper around the handles. If done correctly, the item should be wrapped on all sides with no visible parts sticking out.
How Do You Wrap the Lids?
A standard pot usually comes with a lid that can either be made from the same materials or, more often, out of glass. This makes it particularly susceptible to breakage, so you’ll have to be incredibly careful when dealing with them. Once secured with bubble wrap or a towel, the lid should be turned upside down and wrapped with its pot. Doing this will ensure no mix-ups occur, which can be particularly useful for anyone with several different-sized pots.
Is It Ok to Stack Pots and Pans When Moving Them?
No matter how large the box might be, an adequately wrapped pot with a long one-sided handle will take up most of its space, often leaving barely enough room to fit another similar item. If you have more than one pot, try placing up to three or four pieces together with their handles aligned should leave plenty of room for other kitchenware. According to professional movers in Chicago, stacking these objects is one of the better relocation hacks, as it allows you to utilize the storage space much more efficiently.
Start stacking the dishes from largest to smallest, but remember to add a layer of cushioning between each item. Unlike doing each object separately, you will leave all the lids on top of the stack or place them vertically next to the pots themselves to avoid breakage. If there’s still a lot of room left in the container, feel free to add other dishes in the box as well. Just be careful not to overstuff it, as these things can become pretty heavy, causing them to fall out from the bottom. If you want to learn a few more tips about preparing your kitchen for relocation, take a look at the video below.
Remember to Pack a Few Essential Kitchen Items Separately
Unless you want to unpack your entire kitchen right away, remember to prepare a separate box with some essential kitchenware. Despite all the benefits it provides, this is still one of the more commonly forgotten things to pack. Even if you’re planning on ordering some take-out, you shouldn’t eat with plastic utensils or drink the water directly from the tap. Packing plates, glasses, cutlery, and a small pot and pan is all that you need for the first day or two before you unpack entirely. Remember to bring a sponge and some dish soap as well, as you could be left without a clean dish after only a single meal. The best of all is that they can easily fit inside a single container.
Placing Plenty of Padding in Each Box Will Secure the Kitchenware for Transport
Securing a pot or a pan doesn’t stop once you’ve wrapped the items, as the boxes will also have to be padded. Doing this ensures all the objects stay intact even in an accident, making it particularly important for those relocating from a small Chicago suburb to one of the city’s best neighborhoods.
If you’re not sure how to do it, local movers in Chicago suggest you pad each box with a layer of crumpled-up paper sheets or towels, repeating the process every time you add an item. Once the container is full, fill out the remaining spaces before taping the lids. Check if you’ve done a good job by gently shaking the boxes, listening for any movement. If you can’t hear a thing, they’re good to go.
Labeling the Boxes With Kitchenware Correctly Will Ensure It Doesn’t Get Mishandled
Remember to label each container as soon as you finish packing it, as you’ll quickly forget where you placed which item. While you won’t have to go into detail about the box’s contents, it’s important to note that it holds kitchenware, as this will ensure nothing gets mishandled by you or the Chicago movers you’ve hired. Considering these boxes can become pretty heavy, avoid placing them on top of other more delicate belongings, as they could easily end up crushing them. If you’re not sure how to load the truck properly, it’s better to get our labor moving services in Chicago than risk breaking something by accident.
Hiring Our Moving Company in Chicago Will Make Your Entire Relocation Easier
These were some of the essential bits of information you should know about securing your kitchenware when relocating to a new neighborhood in Chicago. Although the process might seem easy at first, remember that it’s only a tiny part of the overall preparations. Besides all the packing, you still have to organize important documents, transfer utilities, and learn how to change your address. Considering you’ll have your work cut out for you, it would be much easier to hire Legit Movers to assist you.
Contact Us and Get a Free Quote
As one of the best movers in Chicago, we can provide you with any services you might need during your relocation. Our residential moving service will allow you to move your home from one neighborhood to another without having to plan everything for months. On the other hand, commercial relocations are excellent for those who want to move their business to a new location. Although both these services are excellent, booking our movers and packers in Chicago will ensure you won’t have to worry about any packing whatsoever. It covers everything from shoes to large items, meaning all your belongings will be appropriately packed. To learn more about the services we just mentioned, please contact our mover in Chicago, IL, and request a free quote.