Airbnb Kitchen Essentials Checklist

The promise of a ‘Home away from home’ experience is one of the reasons people are booking Airbnb over traditional hotels. What is more homey for guests than preparing meals anytime during their stay? With a well-stocked kitchen, you have guaranteed a top-class experience for your guest. 

Our basic Airbnb kitchen essentials include a cooking device, sink, drying rack, washcloth, sponge, soap, pot, pan, sharp knife, cutting board, measuring cup, cups, dishes, utensils, and a fridge with a freezer.

In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive Airbnb kitchen checklist for hosts.

What Are Your Airbnb Kitchen Essential Basics?

The first step in creating a well-stocked kitchen is to provide basic kitchen essentials. Some of the must-have items to consider include:

Cooking Device

It must have a cooking device as long as it is a kitchen, which can be an entire oven, stovetop, hotplate, toaster oven or any other form. 

A hot plate is excellent if you want to prevent fire hazards. If you choose a hot plate, pick one 1500W or greater. This way, your guests will have enough power to heat the whole cooking pot. Remember to remind your guests to unplug or turn off all devices after

Cookware 

Pots, pans, and baking sheets are essential for any kitchen. Make sure to include a variety of sizes to accommodate different types of dishes that will be suitable for a stovetop and an oven.

For pots, our rule is to stock a pot large enough to cook a whole box of pasta. We stock all our Airbnb listings with a 3-Quart Non-stick Saucepan that is extra deep.

Regarding pans, we found a deep 12” cooking pan and a 10” cast iron skillet that is perfect for any guest’s cooking needs. One of the great things about cast iron skillets is that they are naturally non-stick = non-greasy pans. Also, they can go safely from the stovetop into the oven.

We recommend getting one of each to ensure a well-rounded cooking experience for your guests.

Utensils/Wine Opener

Spatulas, ladles, whisks, and other utensils will aid your guest in blending their ingredients. Provide a set of utensils that includes everything from wooden spoons to tongs.

We supply all our Airbnb listings with a basic 6-piece utensil set that gives our guests the means to cook whatever they need. Remember the wine/bottle opener your guests need to open cans and bottles.

Knives and cutting boards

A sharp knife and a sturdy cutting board are essential for chopping vegetables, slicing meat, and other food prep tasks.

Cutting boards 

A cutting board is a necessary accessory that will save you a lot of damage on your countertops. Trust us; we have learned the hard way.

A medium 10” * 15” cutting board works perfectly for most Airbnb listings. And to save space, we use an upright organizer for cutting boards and pans. 

Knives

You can take our cue if you are just starting and have a tight budget. We started with a basic setup of a large chef’s knife and a paring knife. With time you can upgrade to an entire block set with scissors and a sharpener. 

To save space in your kitchen, you can add a magnetic strip along a cupboard wall or backsplash. 

Tip: Add sheaths to your knives if you place them in a drawer to prevent them from bouncing around and becoming dull.

Mixing bowls And Measuring cups/spoons

Measuring is often unavoidable when cooking or baking, so your Airbnb kitchen needs one. We recommend getting stackable measuring cups to cover all the measuring units and save you space.
Don’t forget that mixing bowls are handy for everything from mixing cake batter to tossing a salad. Having them in different sizes will be ideal for your guests.

Colander/strainer 

A colander or strainer is essential for draining pasta or washing fruits and vegetables.

Airbnb Kitchen Appliances

While not strictly necessary, small appliances can make a big difference in your guests’ experience. Consider providing the following devices:

Fridge & Freezer

Airbnb guests love seeing a clean and cold fridge on arrival. We recommend supplying one no bigger than a 3.2 cu ft refrigerator unless your Airbnb listing has frequent one-month stays (location dependant). Furthermore, buy a fridge with a separate built-in freezer for frozen goods.

Our favourite tip is pre-stocking your fridge with either one water bottle per guest or a Brita water filter. If your Airbnb guests have had a long flight or didn’t have time to stop by a grocery store, they will surely appreciate water in the fridge. If you want to get creative, leave a locally-produced beer.

Coffee maker

Most guests will appreciate having a coffee maker to make fresh coffee in the morning.

We supply a single-serve Keurig coffee maker with various K-cups in a carousel for variety, size, and convenience.

Toaster or toaster oven 

A toaster is optional, but add it to your Airbnb kitchen for extra guest convenience.  

Blender

A blender should be part of the basic Airbnb kitchen essentials. A blender is perfect for making smoothies, soups, and sauces.

Surely, if your guest is going to cook, they would need one.

Microwave And Electric kettle 

A microwave is handy for heating leftovers or making popcorn. Sometimes, all a guest wants is to be able to heat their cold food orders which is why we recommend providing one.

An electric kettle is optional but perfect for making tea, hot chocolate, or other beverages.

Airbnb Kitchen Tableware

Tableware is integral to the dining experience and can make guests feel at home. When it comes to tableware, there are a few essentials you should provide for your guests.

Plates, Bowls, and Cups

How many guests does your Airbnb sleep? At the bare minimum, you should provide at least two sets of plates, bowls, cups, and mugs for each guest staying with you.

For a visually appealing look, keep all dinnerware matching, and typically, we avoid light-coloured sets since damage and stains are more noticeable to your guests.

Ensure the plates, bowls, and cups are of good quality and in good condition. You don’t want your guests to eat off chipped or stained dishes.

Flatware

Flatware includes forks, knives, and spoons. You should provide enough flatware for all guests; having extra sets on hand is always a good idea. Ensure they are clean and polished, and consider providing a utensil organizer so guests can easily find what they need.

Glassware

Glassware is essential for serving water, wine, and other beverages. Ensure you have enough glasses for all guests and provide a variety of sizes and types, such as wine glasses, water glasses, and tumblers. Again, make sure the glasses are clean and in good condition.

Serving Utensils

Serving utensils are essential for guests who want to host a dinner party or a family-style meal. Provide a variety of serving utensils, such as serving spoons, tongs, and ladles. 

Napkins and Placemats

Napkins and placemats can add a nice touch to the dining experience. Consider providing cloth napkins and placemats for guests who want to host a more formal dinner. If you prefer to provide disposable options, make sure they are high-quality and eco-friendly.

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Pantry Staples

Guests will appreciate having a few pantry staples on hand, such as:

Cooking oils

Cooking oil, such as olive or vegetable oil, is essential for cooking many dishes. Provide a small bottle for guests to use during their stay.

Salt and pepper

Salt and pepper are basic seasonings that are essential for any kitchen. Provide both salt and pepper grinders for guests to use.

Spices and herbs

Various spices and herbs, such as garlic powder, paprika, and oregano, can add flavour to any dish.

Sugar and sweeteners 

Sugar and sweeteners are essential ingredients used in many baking recipes and for sweetening coffee or tea. Provide a small container of granulated sugar for guests to use.

Coffee and tea

Provide a small supply of coffee and tea bags. Try to have four different types of coffee/tea and go one step further by setting out sugar, cream, and honey.

Basic condiments

Provide a selection of basic condiments, such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and hot sauce.

Airbnb Kitchen Cleaning Supplies

Even if your Airbnb guest only stays for a few nights, they will want to live in a well-maintained environment. 

We learned this the hard way after our guest dropped a bad review about not having cleaning supplies in our Airbnb kitchen. But that was in our early hosting days; we have long learned from it. 

Here are some essential cleaning supplies that you should have on hand:

Dish Soap and Dishwasher Detergent

Provide dish soap and dishwasher detergent for guests to use when cleaning their dishes. Make sure to refill the supply as needed.

Sponges and Scrubbers

Make sure you provide a few fresh sponges and scrubbers for each new guest to ensure a hygienic kitchen environment.

Trash Bags

Provide enough trash bags for guests to use during their stay, and ensure it’s the correct size for your kitchen trash can. Also, provide instructions on how to dispose of them properly.

Cleaning Spray and Wipes

Be sure to provide a multi-purpose cleaning spray and enough wipes for guests to use during their stay.

Broom and Dustpan

A broom and dustpan are necessary for every Airbnb kitchen. Also, consider having a vacuum available for guests who prefer a deeper clean.

Special Surprise

Finally, while providing essential kitchen items for your Airbnb guests is important, going above and beyond can make their experience even more memorable. 

We can never forget our first Airbnb experience in Bali. The host had prepared a fresh fruit welcome basket with a complimentary beer in the fridge for us, a memory that will always remain with us.

Hence, consider leaving a special surprise package for guests to show your appreciation and make them feel welcome. We purchase local fruits and leave a fruit basket which is cheap – you can consider providing local snacks, a cookbook, and a welcome note.

Final Thoughts

Kitchens are one of the more crucial parts of your Airbnb listing. It can make and break a review. In this Airbnb kitchen essentials article, we hope to help you give your guests the best experience possible and great reviews for you.