The Paper Plate Trick That Keeps Your Pans In Perfect Condition

For a kitchen that flows and functions at its best, keeping your cooking utensils tidy and out of the way is key. One of the most efficient ways to store and organize pots and pans for a clutter-free kitchen is to stack your cookware on top of itself. Unfortunately, this storage method can lead to scratches, small dents, and other damage, which is the last thing anyone wants, especially if you've invested in high-quality pieces. Of course, there are a range of different products you could purchase to help prevent that damage, but if you're looking for a budget-friendly solution, paper plates may be the way to go.

By sliding disposable paper plates in between each skillet, you provide a soft but sturdy barrier that helps prevent the pan-on-pan contact that often leads to scratches. These scratches are particularly important to avoid when it comes to non-stick cookware, as abraded non-stick material can flake off into your food. That said, other materials also benefit from this paper plate trick, such as stainless steel and cast iron pans, which need protection in storage to prevent the seasoning layers from becoming scratched or chipped away.

To utilize this trick in your own kitchen, start by emptying all of your cookware from the cupboards. Then, find the largest pan, and place a paper plate in the bottom of it. If you're working with something especially large, like a wok, you may want to use more than one plate to cover more surface area. Then, continue stacking your pans in order of largest to smallest, placing at least one paper plate in between each dish as you go.

While this trick is great at protecting pans from little scratches and dings, it doesn't take the pan lids into account. Don't worry, though — there are a few genius pot and pan lid storage ideas using Dollar Tree products that you can try to keep everything in tip-top shape. Once your dishes are stacked with protective paper plates, go ahead and place them back in the cupboard. As a bonus, this cheap paper plate hack is a game-changer for moving, as it will help protect your cookware and other dishes during the journey from one house to the next.