On the weekend, our team members and their significant others gathered for a cooking class at 1909 Culinary Academy in Ayr. What did we learn about ergonomics? Virtually nothing! Instead, we enjoyed time together in a non-work setting. However, the holiday season is the perfect time to consider how small ergonomic adjustments can make a big difference in the kitchen.
While preparing for the holidays, we often find ourselves in the kitchen for hours on end, and this can lead to fatigue and pain. No one wants to start the holidays with a neck or back ache! If you’re in charge of your family’s holiday baking or feast-prep, keep these suggestions in mind.
Stay sharp!
Sharp knives require much less force to use, and as a result, they are less likely to slip and cut you. You can send your knives away for professional sharpening, or sharpen them yourself with a knife sharpening tool that you can purchase in any kitchen supply store.
Use the right tool for the job.
This is true for knives, but also spoons! For example, a dough whisk—a tool with a stiff, looped wire at the end—does a better job mixing bread dough than a spoon and requires less effort. A garlic press will be more efficient than chopping. A spider strainer—a flat, wire-mesh tool—is far more efficient for pretzel-bathing than the slotted spoon I used to rely on.
Power up!
An electric knife will get the turkey carved while it’s still hot! A food processor makes light work of mixing or kneading. And you can multitask!
Choose the best height.
While tools can make a big difference, don’t forget about working height. Heavier tasks, like mixing thick batter by hand, rolling dough, or scrubbing a pot, are easier at a lower height. Work in the sink or at kitchen table for these tasks. More detailed work, like decorating a gingerbread house measuring out your ingredients, should be done at a higher height – use a bar-height table, or sit at the dining room table for these tasks.
Start with supportive footwear.
Most of us only spend hours in the kitchen during the holidays, so we’re unaccustomed to prolonged standing on the kitchen floor. Wear supportive shoes – you’ll be shocked at how much more comfortable you are. Consider using cushioned mats at the sink and other areas where you stand still for long stretches of time.
Don’t get burned.
Choose oven mitts that protect your hands properly, while handling your pots and pans. If you use cloth mitts, retire them to the laundry if they get wet, to avoid a burn. Pull the rack out of the oven before lifting a heavy pot – you’ll avoid burning your hands, and you’ll bring the load closer, saving your back.
Light it up!
Eating by candlelight is fun, but cooking, or at least cutting and measuring, require higher light levels for accuracy. Better light also helps to avoid leaning or slouching to get a better view.
It’s not a marathon
Well, it might be a marathon, if you left all your peeling and baking to the last minute! Holidays can be hectic, but trudging through your tasks without breaks increases the risk of fatigue and injury. Try to take breaks from repetitive or prolonged work. Ask someone to monitor the oven while you take a walk, stretch your back, or sit for a few minutes. And remember to hydrate!
Make this holiday season one to remember—for all the right reasons! No sore backs, no cut fingers, just good times and great food.
Have a favorite kitchen tip or holiday hack? Share it with us in the comments or pass this article along to your favorite holiday chef!
Our team wishes you a safe and restful holiday!