There’s no need to empty out your regular pantries. Take the easier route with a temporary setup with portable shelving like this.
I have Covid to thank for this change in my Pesach prep.
I have a nice walk-in pantry (yes, I know how lucky I am and I’m grateful for it every time I walk in.) Every year before Pesach, we dedicate a full day to emptying it out, washing every container and basket and then removing all actual chametz.
After that, I’d somehow manage to fit all the containers and bins onto one side of the pantry so I could use the other side for Pesach. It was a juggling act before Pesach – but it was really a drag after Pesach was over and we had to put it all back together after turning over the whole kitchen.
Then Covid happened. With my husband and teenage daughter sick in bed, and no cleaning help, it was me and one older son doing all the Pesach prep. The psak was made that we should not dispose of our chametz. So even though we normally don’t sell our chametz, that year we did. Which meant we didn’t even have to clean the pantry. We just closed the door and sold the whole thing. Not just that – when we turned over the kitchen, we loaded lots of the chametz utensils and appliances into the pantry instead of packing them up in boxes and schlepping them to the basement.
We brought up an extra set of plastic shelves we had in the basement, cleaned them, lined them and set them up just outside the kitchen. Instant pantry!
This was SO. MUCH. EASIER.
Since then, we clean the pantry, remove all the chametz, wash all the bins – and put them back where they belong. We load up the pantry with our chametz “stuff” and close the door. And we sell it.
The portable pantry gets set up and then taken down after Pesach in just minutes. And every Pesach since Covid I wonder again why it took me so long to make this change.
Some prefer using this metal version that doesn’t need to be disassembled but simply folds to be stored away and can be moved around.
Malky says
We’ve been doing this for many years. We have a 6’ wire rack. My husband cut white corrugated plastic countertop for each shelf (to prevent small items falling through) and another large one for a back , which he lashes on with zip ties (to prevent items getting knocked behind). This shelving unit is my “Pesach kitchen”. We mark with colored masking tape on the side pieces to know for following years the level for each shelf to go (because there’s nothing a husband likes hearing more than “this pot doesn’t fit — you have to move the shelf up! lol).
Wish this would let me post a picture to show you my “Pesach kitchen” in all its glory!
Baila says
I have been using a “portable” pantry for years now, I have no Pesach kitchen , and unpacking cabinets, lining them and using for Pesach, just wasn’t working for us anymore.
since we live in building with an elevator, we brought a rubbermaid 5 shelf storage cabinet, put it onto a heavy duty delivery dolly
and we now had a pantry on wheels!
no more unpacking cabinets, and when done on motzei pesach, we nicely put everything back into pantry, wrapped it with plastic and wheeled it down to the basement ready for the following years use!
pesach turning over and cooking has been so much easier for us since then
love to see all your great ideas on this website
good yom tov to all!
Chaya says
I ordered one last year. And another one again this year. They are great. Love how flat they fold and comes ready assembled. Thanks for sharing this
Rivkie says
My sister and sister in law both told me to do this last pesach when I was 9 months pregnant… And what a lifesaver it was! I will be using them again this year as we are in middle of packing up to move & every minute is precious. Thanks for sharing this hack.
Evelyn says
How does this work with kids who pull to stand? I don’t want to screw it to my wall…
Mother says
im also wondering that and how you avoid your toddlers from helping themselves to all the exciting things on it…
DR. Sherrie Orzel says
As a pediatrician, do not recommend having this around with young kids if you can’t anchor it to the wall this can fall and can be very dangerous.
Esther says
I’ve been using the foldup one. I keep it in my pesach kitchen behind the wall panels. I tie it to the cabinet pulls with zip ties when i close up my kitchen so it shouldn’t fall. I love that I don’t need anyone to drag it up from the basement. Its right there when i open up.
Bracha says
I use a plastic pantry with doors to prevent little kids from emptying out shelves. I have garage storage for it so I find this way better than the open shelves.
Gitty says
Bracha can you show a link to the pantry with the doors you use