How to Pack Kitchen Items Safely for Moving

How to pack kitchen items safely for moving – the room that breaks hearts and budgets.

Your kitchen has more fragile, heavy, and oddly-shaped items than every other room combined. I’ve seen people lose AED 1,000 worth of dishes because they packed them like books.

Here’s exactly how professionals do it. No shortcuts, no “it’ll be fine” thinking.

The Kitchen Reality Check

Your kitchen wants to destroy your moving budget.

• Everything is either heavy or fragile (often both)
• Weird shapes don’t fit in standard boxes
• Liquids can leak and ruin everything
• Small items disappear into packing chaos

Professional movers charge extra for kitchens. There’s a reason for that.

The Strategic Packing Order

Most people pack randomly. That’s how things get broken.

Pack in this order:

1. Non-essential appliances (bread maker, fancy gadgets)
2. Canned and dry goods (heaviest items)
3. Everyday dishes (you’ll use these until last day)
4. Cookware and utensils
5. Fragile/valuable items (save for when you’re fresh)
6. Liquids and perishables (final day only)

The Small Box Rule (Non-Negotiable)

Kitchen items go in small boxes. Period.

I don’t care if you have to use 15 small boxes instead of 5 large ones. Heavy items in large boxes = injured backs and broken dishes.

Small box limits:

• Maximum 20kg (44lbs) per box
• If you can’t lift it easily, it’s too heavy
• Better to have 10 manageable boxes than 3 back-breaking ones

Dish Packing: The Professional Method

Plates (the spine method):

• Stand plates vertically like records in a record collection
• Wrap each plate individually in packing paper
• Place paper between each plate for extra protection
• Fill gaps with crumpled paper

Why vertical works: Plates are stronger on their edges than flat. This is how china shops ship dishes.

Bowls (the nesting method):

• Wrap each bowl separately
• Nest similar sizes with paper between
• Fill the nested stack with crumpled paper
• Pack nested stacks snugly in boxes

Glassware: The Stuff-and-Wrap Technique

For drinking glasses:

• Stuff glass with packing paper first
• Wrap entire glass in paper
• Add bubble wrap layer for valuable glasses
• Pack in small boxes with dividers

Wine glasses (the professional secret):

• Pack stems separately from bowls if possible
• Use cell dividers or make your own
• Never pack more than 12 wine glasses per box

Cookware: The Weight Distribution Game

Pots and pans:

• Nest similar sizes with paper between
• Pack handles down to save space
• Use pans as containers for small utensils
• Distribute weight across multiple boxes

Heavy appliances:

• Use original boxes if you have them
• Pad well if using regular boxes
• Keep boxes small – one appliance per box maximum
• Label clearly with contents and “HEAVY”

The Knife and Sharp Objects Protocol

Kitchen knives:

• Individual blade guards or wrap in cardboard
• Bundle together and tape securely
• Label box “SHARP OBJECTS” clearly
• Pack in accessible location for unpacking safety

Other sharp items:

• Can openers, graters, food processors blades
• Same principle – protect the sharp edges
• Group together for easier unpacking

Liquid and Chemical Safety

What can be moved:

• Sealed, unopened bottles under 500ml
• Cooking oils in original containers
• Vinegar and cooking wine

What cannot be moved by professionals:

• Cleaning chemicals (most moving companies refuse these)
• Propane tanks (gas cookers)
• Opened perishables
• Homemade preserves (might explode under pressure)

Pack liquids separately. If they leak, they won’t ruin your dishes.

Small Kitchen Items: The Chaos Controllers

Utensils and gadgets:

• Group by function (baking tools, cooking utensils)
• Use small containers or bags within boxes
• Fill empty spaces in appliance boxes
• Label clearly – small items are easy to lose

Spice organization:

• Check expiry dates (don’t move expired spices)
• Secure lids with tape
• Pack in rigid containers
• Consider this your chance to organize your spice collection

The Dubai Kitchen Considerations

Heat sensitivity:

• Chocolate and candy will melt in hot trucks
• Candles will warp or melt
• Plastic containers can warp in extreme heat
• Pack these items in insulated containers or car transport

Humidity issues:

• Dry goods can absorb moisture
• Salt and sugar can clump
• Use airtight containers for important pantry items

The First Day Kitchen Box

Pack one box of kitchen essentials for immediate use:

• Kettle and mugs
• Basic cutlery
• One pot and one pan
• Can opener
• Coffee/tea supplies
• Paper plates and cups (temporary solution)
• Basic cleaning supplies

This box travels with you, not on the truck.

Appliance Preparation

Refrigerator:

• Defrost completely 48 hours before
• Clean thoroughly and dry
• Secure or remove shelves and drawers
• Tape doors closed with moving tape

Dishwasher:

• Run empty cycle to clear water
• Secure dish racks
• Check for loose hoses

Oven and hob:

• Clean thoroughly (movers can refuse dirty appliances)
• Remove racks and pack separately
• Disconnect gas safely (professional job)

Common Kitchen Packing Disasters

Disaster 1: Packing dishes flat in large boxes Result: Broken plates and injured backs

Disaster 2: Not securing liquid containers Result: Everything sticky and potentially ruined

Disaster 3: Mixing heavy and fragile items Result: Crushed delicate items

Disaster 4: Forgetting to label fragile boxes Result: Movers treat them like books

The Professional Time Investment

Average kitchen packing times:

• Small kitchen (galley): 4-6 hours
• Medium kitchen: 6-8 hours
• Large kitchen: 8-12 hours

Don’t rush this room. Mistakes cost more than extra time.

Money-Saving Kitchen Tips

Before you pack:

• Use up perishables in the weeks before moving
• Donate unused appliances instead of moving them
• Sell valuable items you don’t actually use
• Check expiry dates on everything

Pack smartly:

• Use towels as padding for non-fragile items
• Fill empty spaces in appliance boxes with utensils
• Repurpose food containers as packing containers

FAQs

Q: Should I pack dishes in towels instead of paper? A: Towels work for non-valuable everyday dishes. Use proper packing materials for good china.

Q: Can I pack cleaning supplies with dishes? A: Never. Chemicals can leak and contaminate food items. Pack separately.

Q: How do I pack my expensive knife set? A: Individual blade guards, then in a rigid container. Consider carrying valuable knives yourself.

Q: What’s the maximum weight for a kitchen box? A: 20kg maximum. If you can’t lift it easily, it’s too heavy.

Q: Should I disassemble my food processor? A: Yes, remove blades and pack separately. Secure any loose parts.

How to pack kitchen items safely for moving is about respecting the fact that this room contains your most breakable and expensive items, then treating them accordingly.