My Gluten-Free Kitchen Setup

Why I’m Sharing This

Everyone’s kitchen looks a little different, especially when gluten-free living enters the picture. What is comfortable for one person might feel unnecessary or overwhelming for someone else.

This post is here for anyone who finds it helpful to see how someone else actually does this in real life.

This is just one way of doing things. It’s what works for me.

I didn’t start out with a system like this. Over time, my kitchen slowly became more structured as I paid attention to what made cooking feel easier and what added stress.

If you’re someone who likes concrete examples, this may give you ideas. If not, that’s perfectly okay too. Think of this as a lived-in example, not a set of rules to follow.

How I think About Separation in My Kitchen

For me, separation isn’t about being strict or perfect. It’s about reducing the number of decisions I have to make while I’m cooking.

I’ve learned that when things are visually and physically predictable, I feel more relaxed in my kitchen. I don’t have to pause and second-guess every step, and that makes everyday cooking feel calmer and more enjoyable.

This approach is a bit more structured than what some people need, and that’s okay. Many people successfully share spaces and tools without issue. I chose more separation because it helps me feel settled and confident in my own space.

What matters most to me isn’t perfection. It’s knowing that when I step into my kitchen, I can focus on cooking and nourishing myself, rather than staying alert or making constant judgment calls.

Utensils: What’s Mine and What’s Shared

I keep my gluten-free utensils in a separate drawer on the side of the kitchen where I do most of my cooking. Most of the utensils in that drawer have red handles, which makes them easier for me to spot at a glance, though that isn’t always possible.

Utensils tend to be a sticking point for me because they come into direct contact with food and often have grooves or joints that are harder to clean thoroughly. Having a small, clearly defined set means I don’t have to pause mid-cooking to check what I’m grabbing or wonder how something was used before.

I know many people are comfortable sharing utensils after washing, and that works well for them. For me, keeping a few utensils that are always gluten-free removes uncertainty and lets me focus on cooking instead of staying alert.

Cookware: What Stays Gluten-Free

All of my pots and pans are stainless steel and are completely gluten-free. These pieces have never been used with gluten, and they’re what I reach for for most everyday cooking and for meals I plan to store or freeze. I choose stainless steel because it’s durable and easy to clean thoroughly, which gives me confidence when I’m cooking.

I also use glass and ceramic bakeware, and those pieces are shared in my kitchen. Because they have smooth surfaces and clean well, I’m comfortable using them without lining or extra protection after they’ve been thoroughly washed.

I keep items like cooling racks and rolling pins gluten-free, since they come into direct contact with dough and are harder to clean thoroughly once gluten is involved.

Some of the baking cookware, like baking sheets and muffin pans, has been used with gluten. When I use those items, I protect my food by lining baking sheets with parchment paper or using muffin cups so the food never touches the pan itself. This makes those pieces easy for me to use without hesitation.

My cake pans and loaf pans, on the other hand, are completely gluten-free. I chose to keep those pieces separate because they’re harder to fully line or shield during baking, and having them dedicated removes extra steps and uncertainty.

Counters, Cabinets, and the Fridge

My kitchen is set up with two general sides: one where I prepare gluten-free food and one where gluten-containing food is handled. This isn’t about strict boundaries as much as it is about consistency. I tend to work on the same side when I’m cooking gluten-free, which helps everything feel more intuitive and reduces mix-ups.

When it comes to counters, I’m mindful about the order in which I clean. I always wipe down the gluten-free side first, then the gluten side, and then I toss the sponge or cloth and grab a fresh one. Doing it in that order feels simple and logical to me, and it keeps cleanup from becoming something I have to overthink.

In the cabinets, gluten-free items have designated spots that are easy for me to reach. When gluten-free and gluten-containing foods share the same cabinet, gluten items are always stored on the top shelves and never on the same shelf as gluten-free food. That setup works well for me and helps prevent crumbs from dropping down onto items I rely on being gluten-free.

I use a similar approach in the fridge, since it’s easy to forget that spills and crumbs can fall from above. With a double-door fridge, one side is gluten-free and the other holds gluten-containing items. If I were working with a single-door fridge, I’d keep gluten-free foods on the top shelves and give them their own drawer. The exact layout matters less than having a consistent system that fits the space.

Why I Chose This Setup

I chose this setup because it gives me a sense of steadiness in the kitchen.

When things live in predictable places, I can concentrate on cooking instead of managing the space around me. That mental shift makes everyday cooking feel more approachable and less draining.

I also notice that I cook more often and with more enjoyment if I trust my environment. When the kitchen feels calm and familiar, cooking feels supportive instead of tiring.

This didn’t happen all at once. It evolved slowly as I paid attention to what made cooking easier and what quietly added stress. Over time, those small choices added up to a kitchen that feels aligned with how I actually live.

A Gentle Note Before You Go

This setup isn’t meant to be copied or followed step by step. It’s simply a snapshot of what has worked for me, in my kitchen, over time.

If you’re figuring out your own rhythm, feel free to borrow what’s helpful and leave the rest. Even small adjustments can make a difference, and your kitchen doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s to feel supportive.

If you’re new to gluten-free living or still finding your footing, you may want to start with Getting Started: What to Know First—Especially in Your Own Kitchen, which walks through the basics in a more foundational way.

If freezer-friendly meals are part of your routine, I share exactly how I freeze gluten-free dishes without losing texture here.

Originally published: January 3, 2026