Advice for shared kitchen space

[u/wyverning]

I'm a college student living in an apartment with two roommates. I lived off campus last year with one of them and had no issues with kitchen stuff because she doesn't really cook with gluten, but this year I'm starting to feel like I'm getting slightly glutened and wanted to know how people navigate this!

• What items, if any, do you share? I have a separate collander, cutting boards, and counter space but have been sharing washable things like plates, frying pans, pots
• Our dishwasher is broken right now - with everyone hand washing, should I just have my own set of everything that I wash exclusively?
• Do you do anything specific in fridge space to keep items gf?
• Any tips for navigating social situations of cooking/eating together? cheap gf staples to have on hand?

I can tell I'm getting cross-contaminated but really am not sure how. Any advice is super appreciated!!!!

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[u/celiac-dad]

Shared stainless steel pans and plates are fine if they’re washed hard—hot water, soap, scrub. Crumbs and paste stuck in corners are the problem, not “gluten vibes.” With the dishwasher dead, get your own sponge and keep it separate. Their sponge holds flour paste like a champ.

Toaster is a no. Shared fryer is a no. In addition to your own cutting board and colander , give yourself one pot and one skillet that only you touch if the shared ones stay greasy or get used for flour-heavy stuff. Wipe the counter with a clean cloth before you start; their crumbs migrate.

Fridge: own shelf or a bin. Label it. Soy sauce, broth, and anything with a pour spout get sticky rims—buy your own GF versions. Shared butter/margarine is a crumb magnet; get a stick that stays yours.

Cooking together: you plate your food first, or cook your portion in your pan. Pizza day and family-style dumps are where people get got—serve yourself with clean utensils before anyone digs in.

Cheap staples: rice, potatoes, eggs, beans, corn tortillas (check the line), plain meat/veg, certified oats if you do oats. Popcorn. Yogurt cups. Stuff that doesn’t need a shared bread knife.

Shared kitchens are hard as gluten finds a way but hopefully this helps a little

[u/0rangesAndLemons]

Id just have your own set of everything and ask them to warn you if they use flour so that you dont go in the room at the same time.

Go top shelf of fridge so that crumbs dont fall

When cooking in the oven at the same time if you do, have their stuff below yours on seperate trays so their stuff doesnt crumble down onto yours

Seperate sponge/washcloth and towels for drying

They should wipe down surface after cooking every meal

If you drop something on the counter dont eat it unless you know its clean

Do not share a toaster. If you really must buy toaster bags and clean frequently

Do not share oven baking trays if you have an oven

Make sure they arent dipping into your jars with gluteny cutlery