Clean As You Cook Vs After: Settling The Big Debate

It's a debate that's been dividing folks forever: Should you clean up while you're cooking or save all the cleaning for when the cooking is done? We're here to set the record straight. Of course, it's unreasonable to think that you won't have any tidying up to do after preparing a whole meal, but for the most part, the answer is: Yes, you should do the bulk of the cleaning while you're cooking, then you only need to do a final wipe down and cleaning of any last few cooking tools at the very end.

Not only is it more hygienic, but it also makes your life easier and the cooking experience a lot less stressful, especially if you have a smaller kitchen that clutters easily. It also turns out that in the professional cooking world, this isn't even up for debate; cleaning up as you cook is a key tenet of running a good kitchen. Even world-famous chef Anthony Bourdain said (via Facebook) that he always cleaned and tidied up after himself as he cooked. However, you don't have be running your own Michelin star restaurant for this method to make sense as the better one. 

There's a whole host of reasons why cleaning up as you cook is the best strategy, even if it can be hard to do. Too much mess and chaos is bad for our brains; it makes it harder to focus (meaning you're more inclined to mess up that new recipe), and it contributes to more stress and anxiety for what could otherwise be an enjoyable task. So keeping your kitchen decluttered as you cook by putting away ingredients and tools when you're done with them can help you feel calmer — and might even make the meal turn out better!

From a hygiene perspective, it's also a lot safer to clean as you cook. Cross-contamination can happen when bacteria-laden ingredients such as raw meats are prepared on the same surfaces as other foods, so it's important to wipe down counters and cutting boards in between cooking tasks. It's a good idea to use a natural cleaning tool such as vinegar so that harmful cleaning chemicals aren't contaminating your food, too.

And finally, who wants to tackle a huge mess after preparing a whole meal? When the cooking is done, we'd much rather throw in the apron, walk out of a clean kitchen, and be able to relax for the night and enjoy the meal we've just made without a pile of dirty dishes looming over us.

If cleaning as you cook sounds easier said than done, try incorporating some of these tips. Before you even start cooking, begin by running and emptying the dishwasher; running a load is also the essential habit people with a clean kitchen do every night. That way, you won't need to worry about running out of space in the dishwasher while cooking and have to pile things up in the sink. You can simply deposit dirty stuff in the dishwasher as you go. 

Then, follow the French principle of mise en place, or everything in its place, to organize your workspace before getting started. That means only keeping the ingredients and tools on your kitchen counter that you need for that particular dish. If you don't need it or are finished using it, put it away. Cooking doesn't need to be a huge production that involves every instrument in your kitchen. Instead of using five different bowls, try using the same one or two, and just rinse or wash them out in between tasks.

While you're cooking, take advantage of those little in-between moments to squeeze in some cleaning. If you're waiting for the water to boil or the burgers to be ready to flip over, rather than scrolling on your phone, clean any used pans or utensils you have lying around or start loading the dishwasher. You can also have a towel on hand to give the counter and work surfaces a quick wipe down in between cooking. And don't forget that the best-run kitchens operate with a team, not just one person. Don't be afraid to grab a buddy, your spouse, or your kid, and delegate them to cleaning duty while you cook.