A pantry is essentially a space where food, beverages, cleaning products, food wrappers, or other supplies are stored. Usually food and beverage pantries also serve as ancillary support for the kitchen. In most homes, a pantry serves as a place where families store extra food and supplies for use in cooking and in the kitchen. Pantries are sometimes small or are part of a larger kitchen pantry. In some houses, all the groceries are kept in one big pantry while in others, small portions of groceries are kept in separate places such as the dining room.
The main threat to a pantry is usually ants and other food source insects. It can also be threatened by weather, water damage, fire, animals, cockroaches, rodents, and thieves. An experienced and knowledgeable homeowner can help identify the threats and take measures to protect it from them. Prevention is always better than cure.
In order to get rid of pests and other problems from a pantry, the first step should be identifying the problem area. This means finding out what are the likely food sources as well as the likely threats to the area. The next step would be to analyze the moisture content of the area. The moisture level can tell the homeowner if there are possible infestations in the area. In the case of cockroaches, this indicator can also help the homeowner know how to handle or contain an infestation problem.
In most cases, pantries are accessed by the homeowner through a cabinet usually located on the upper floor. The cabinet usually contains a few shelves as well as a couple of drawers. Some cabinets even have a top or side door. If the pantry has a door, it is important that it can easily be opened and closed. In some cases, the doors of the pantry are made of metal while others are made of wood.
In addition, most pantries are made of plastic. It is important that these are kept clean and dry at all times. Cleaning the plastic containers may be as easy as rinsing off with water. However, when storing bread, ceramic containers are preferred so that baked products do not rot.
For homeowners who do not use their pantry frequently, setting up a shelf system may be more practical. This allows a small shelf to store perishable goods such as canned goods, boxed foods, and frozen goods. Storing bottles of vinegar or other kitchen items on a shelf is also not advisable as the items will begin to lose their flavor very quickly. In many homes, cabinet spaces are already occupied by appliances, refrigerators, dishwashers, and other similar items. The best option for those who do not want to go through the process of re-organizing a kitchen is to purchase a by-sa cabinet.