What to Store in Cabinets Above Stove? – Storage Ideas & Tips!

Using all of your cabinet space in a smart way can keep your kitchen more organized and maximize your storage space!

Don’t let the tough-to-reach spot above your stove sit empty! Make the most of the storage space with the following tips.

While your cabinets above the stove are not a good spot for perishables, lots of small items, and your most frequently used kitchen supplies, it can be used in many other ways.

You can store a variety of items in your cabinets above the stove, including shelf stable foods and cooking oils. You can also use organizers and other storage solutions to keep pans, containers, or spices in order. It’s also a great place to keep objects that you don’t need to access often, like seasonal items, baking supplies, special tableware, or extra towels.

Lastly, you can also use it to display unopened alcohol!

What Not to Store in Cabinets Above the Stove

First let’s consider what objects are not well suited to being stored in the space above your stove.

Perishables

The cabinet above the stove is not the best place to keep perishables such as vegetables, fruits, and opened jars or bottles. The heat and moisture that often rises while cooking can cause these foods to spoil faster.

The saying “out of sight, out of mind” also applies in this case. For perishable food that will go bad relatively quickly, it is better to store them somewhere they can be more easily seen and consumed.

Keeping these products in the hard-to-reach cabinet above the stove could lead to more food waste and more money down the drain.

Frequently Used Utensils and Appliances

Anything that you use on a regular basis would be better stored in a lower cabinet in your kitchen or on the countertops. This way, you don’t need to reach up above the stove very frequently.

Small Objects Stored Loose

Many small items stored high up like this present the risk of things falling out while you reach up to the high shelves to get them out.

If you are going to keep smaller things in these cabinets, it is a good idea to keep them together in a box or basket. This way, you can easily take down the box and find what you need without having to blindly search through the clutter.

Food Products in Boxes or Paper Bags

When cooking on the stove lots of heat and moisture can rise up and enter the cabinet. Cardboard or paper boxes and bags can absorb this moisture and lead to spoiled food or mold. If you want to store food above the stove make sure it is in airtight plastic or glass containers.

What You Can Safely Store in Cabinets Above the Stove

Canned Goods and Products Bought in Bulk

Canned goods can be stored easily for long periods in the cabinets above your stove. They are stable and won’t be affected by any extra heat or moisture from cooking.

Especially when you buy lots of canned goods in bulk, the majority can be stored up on these shelves for long periods of time and taken down as needed.

For other food products that you buy in bulk, the extras can also be stored here. Just be sure that they are in airtight, moisture-proof containers

Cooking Oils, Vinegar, Alcohol

Cooking Oils, vinegar, and alcohol all come in glass bottles which will fare well in these cabinets. It is especially convenient to keep cooking oil here, where they will be ready to grab while cooking on the stove.

This is also a great space to keep unopened wine bottles or other alcohol. You can keep them in the cabinets as usual or remove the doors and insert a wine rack like this to display your collection.

Mixing Bowls / Baking Supplies

Keep mixing bowls and other baking supplies like cookie cutters, icing bags, bread pans, and mixers here. These objects are usually used less frequently and therefore are a great option to store in these higher cabinets.

For smaller objects like cookie cutters and other baking accessories, keep them tidy and organized in clear or labeled bins that make it easy to find whatever you are looking for.

Seasonal Tableware and Decor

The cabinet above your stove is a great place to keep seasonal tableware like christmas or thanksgiving dining sets. This also includes tablecloths, decorations, and napkins for special occasions.

Because you only need to use these items once every so often, they are great to store in higher shelves that are difficult to reach.

Extra Paper Towels, Napkins, and Hand Towels

Make use of the space in these cabinets to keep extra paper towels, napkins, and plates. This will save space in your lower cabinets or pantry for perishable items and more frequently used utensils.

Keep a stack of washed hand towels up in the cabinet as well. This way when your towels hanging in the kitchen become dirty and need to be washed, you have replacements ready to go.

Tupperware and Containers

This cabinet is a great place to store your collection of tupperware and other containers. Try using an adjustable container organizer to keep the cabinet from getting too cluttered and messy. This will make sure you never have trouble finding the right lid for your container again!

Remove Cabinet Doors and Add Microwave

If your microwave is taking up valuable countertop space, the space above your stove could be the perfect place to move it to! Remove the cabinet doors and shelves if needed to make space for the microwave.

Use Dividers to Store Sheet Pans Vertical

Using helpful dividers you can use the space in this cabinet to keep sheet pans, muffin tins, and cake pans organized. With this solution, they will be much easier to find than when stacked in a low cabinet or stuffed in the drawer under your oven.

Pull-Down Spice Rack or Lazy Susan

The space above the stove is a very convenient place to store your spices. This way when you are cooking you don’t need to go very far to get whatever spices and seasoning you need.

However, because the cabinet above the stove is high up it is hard to see the contents. Small jars of spices and herbs can easily be pushed to the back and become difficult to fetch.

Try installing a pull-down spice rack or a lazy susan in the cabinet to keep your spices and herbs organized and easy to sort through!

Final Thoughts

Make the most of the space in the cabinets above your stove with these storage ideas and tips. This will help keep your kitchen organized and make it a better place to cook and eat!