Managing Your Vacation Rental

Vacation Rental Kitchen Essentials

white kitchen
Written by Susan Hutchins
5/5 - (6 votes)

A well-stocked kitchen can be essential to the success of a vacation rental. People often choose to rent vacation homes rather than stay in a hotel because it gives them access to a kitchen in which they can cook their own meals. A kitchen that is not properly equipped can be extremely frustrating for a renter and could be the difference between a guest booking your home again or not.

Below are some checklists of items that you may want to provide for your renters:

Appliances – Blender, toaster (wide enough slots for bagels), coffee maker (with automatic shut off), hand mixer or stand up mixer

Cooking Utensils – Cutting boards in different sizes (preferably plastic), rubber spatula, metal spatula, whisk, pizza cutter, rolling pin, kettle, tongs, kitchen scissors, measuring cups, measuring spoons, slotted spoon, corkscrew, bottle opener, can opener, ladle, vegetable peeler, meat thermometer, pitcher, ice cream scoop, potholders, trivets/hot pads

Dinnerware – Plates (dinner and salad), bowls, water glasses, wine glasses, coffee mugs, flatware (forks, knives, spoons), steak knives

Cooking and Baking – A 2 and 4-quart saucepan, a large frying pan, baking pans (9×13 and a 9×9), set of mixing bowls, strainer/colander, cookie sheets, a set of kitchen knives (preferably dishwasher safe), large roasting pan, pie plate, large serving platter, a variety of Pyrex dishes with lids, lobster pot, casserole dish, cake pan, muffin tin

Other – Dish soap, sponges, pot scrubbers, dishwasher soap, dish towels (can never have too many of these), aluminum foil, sandwich bags, plastic wrap, salt and pepper, basic spices, coffee filters

Suggestions:

• If you have a porch, deck or patio where people might be lounging or eating outside, consider providing plastic cups and wine glasses for your guests. A plastic pitcher is also a good idea.
• Make sure your dinnerware is microwave safe.
• Provide two times the amount of glasses, plates, and flatware that your rental sleeps.

Have a great kitchen but your bathroom could use some help? See From Drab to Fab: 5 Quick and Easy Bathroom Updates.

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About the author

Susan Hutchins

Susan H. - I am a recent addition to the WeNeedaVacation team, joining them in early 2012. I write website and blog content as well as promote WeNeedaVacation.com through social media. Having grown up spending summers on Nantucket, I have a strong connection to Cape Cod and the Islands. I now live in New Hampshire with my husband, two children, and golden retriever puppy, and we are frequent visitors to the Cape. I love running local road races, the Brewster in Bloom 5K being a favorite. My family enjoys biking on the Cape Cod Rail Trail, hiking in Nickerson State Park, and relaxing on the beautiful beaches (usually a dog friendly one!). Email Susan

1 Comment

  • It is always nice to have the idea of a home away from home especially the kitchen to have same ambiance with your real kitchen so that you’ll feel comfortable and will have the same result when it comes to cooking…