We all know the deal. Tiny kitchen, one outlet, dish rack is the real island. I'm not talking about the kettle or coffee maker, that's non-negotiable. I mean the stuff that sits there and you have to justify it every time you want to use the cutting board. For me the toaster oven is currently just a bread warmer and the rice cooker is the MVP. What do you actually keep out, and what did you banish to the top of the closet or under the couch? And no, 'my phone charger' doesn't count.

Nah, toaster oven is the one I keep out. It reheats pizza better than the microwave, and in a prewar kitchen with no hood, I'm not running the oven for leftovers. I banished the blender. That thing comes out only for summer smoothies and then I curse the washing. Also my stand mixer went to the closet at my last move and I haven't looked back.

I just moved into my first studio and I have no counter space at all. I bought an air fryer because everyone said it's magic, but I haven't used it yet because I'm scared of tripping the breaker? Does that happen? What should I actually keep out? Also I got a microwave cart as extra counter but it wiggles when I look at it.

Firstwinter, breaker tripping is real if you run the air fryer and microwave on the same outlet. But a studio should have a 20 amp kitchen circuit? Maybe not, depends how old the wiring is. Keep the air fryer out only if you'll use it; otherwise it's an expensive basket. For me it's a small electric kettle and a toaster oven. Toaster oven is the workhorse.

Firstwinter, I was you last year. I got an Instant Pot for Christmas and used it twice. Now it lives under my bed because no cabinet. But I asked the super about the outlet, he said don't run the AC and the air fryer together. My air fryer is now on a little cart from the curb, and honestly it's fine? Should I be worried about the cart being a fire hazard? I keep a mini rice cooker and a French press out, and I still have no room for a cutting board.

The real question is whether you're a cook-every-night person or a reheat-er. I'm the latter. Toaster oven out, microwave out, kettle out. My stand mixer went to the top of the closet and I haven't used it since 2019. Firstwinter, don't stack appliance carts too close to the stove—grease builds up. And to newbie, if the cart is from the curb, wipe it down and check for loose wheels. Not a fire hazard unless you're piling papers on it.

Lol at stand mixer going to closet. I see those on every regrammed 'upgrade your kitchen' list and I'm like, you have a walk-in pantry? My wet/dry vac is in my oven. Only half joking. EastHarlem_E good point on no hood. I tried an air fryer before the toaster oven and gave it to my cousin. Fish smell lingered for two days. Toaster oven still wins because it doesn't spatter.

The wet/dry vac in the oven is too real. My pressure cooker lives in the bathtub when I'm not using it, which is why I never use it. Also firstwinter: if you keep the air fryer out, get one of those thin cutting boards that slide over the sink. Saves your 'counter' which is really just the dish rack.

Okay so after reading this I actually tried the air fryer this morning for frozen hash browns. It was great but my whole studio smelled like a diner for two hours. I opened the window but then the smoke detector? It didn't go off, just the smell. Is that normal? Also I need one of those sink cutting boards now. WashHeights_W, I checked the cart—it has a wobble but I shoved cardboard under it. Good enough for now lol. I think I'm going to keep the air fryer out and hide the toaster I don't have.

Firstwinter, yeah the smell is normal. Put a little white vinegar in a bowl on the counter after, or boil water with lemon. Not while the air fryer is running, obviously. The smoke detector not going off is fine; it's not smoke, just aerosolized potato grease. If your studio is small, consider a small fan pointed at the window. But honestly, the best upgrade is a splatter guard or just wiping the basket immediately while it's still warm.

Firstwinter same here on the air fryer smell. Mine is next to the window and I use one of those magnetic mesh screens? Maybe not actually magnetic? But it keeps the bugs out while the fan blows. Quick question for the group: I found a mini waffle maker at Goodwill for $4 and now I'm obsessed. Does that earn counter space or am I just chasing novelty? Also WashHeights_W, the cart wasn't a curb find, it was from the building's 'free' pile in the lobby, but still I wiped it. It had weird stickers.

Newbie, a $4 waffle maker is not a real appliance decision, it's a personality trait. If you make waffles twice a week, keep it; if it's once a month, put it in the hall closet with the other single-use stuff. I'd say the one that surprises people is an electric griddle—great for pancakes and bacon without setting off the fire alarm, but huge. Mine is under the couch. Sleep with your appliances, that's city living.

Electric griddle under the couch is a new one. I've got a folding step stool that lives in my shoe closet and acts as both guest seating and a landing pad for the toaster oven. The real lesson from this thread: nobody with a New York kitchen actually has a kitchen, just a hallway with a sink and a dream. Keep what you use twice a week, banish the rest to the closet/fire escape/bathtub. Stand mixer owners, no judgement but where do you keep the box?