The Ultimate Airbnb Kitchen Essentials Checklist for Hosts

As Airbnb Superhosts, we know that part of what draws guests to rent with us over traditional hotels is that we provide a homey experience. We’ve developed our in-depth Airbnb kitchen essentials checklist for hosts. Here we go!

Airbnb Kitchen Essentials Checklist
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Airbnb Kitchen Essentials Checklist
Airbnb Kitchen Essentials Checklist

What are the Airbnb Kitchen Essentials that Every Host Should Have in their Vacation Rental?

Hosts should consider having Airbnb kitchen essentials such as a coffee maker/ coffee, quality pots and pans, utensils, mixing bowls, cooking oil, and everything necessary for guests to prepare a gourmet meal during their stay.

Coffee Maker & Coffee

Coffee makers are standard in hotel rooms these days, although they’re not typically recognized for their quality. We provide a good-quality Keurig in most of our vacation rentals. It uses coffee pods, so there’s no messy cleanup and is simple for guests to use.

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While not technically an appliance, a water filter pitcher is something your guests will certainly use and appreciate multiple times a day. Even if your local tap water is the highest quality, most guests just feel more comfortable knowing their water has been filtered. 

Coffee

We have run through a lot of different coffee pods in our vacation rentals. After a lot of testing, we have landed on these Starbucks coffee pods for guests. These pods received the most positive statements in guest reviews.

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Coffee Pod Organizer

A coffee pod organizer is a must-have if your Airbnb features a single-serve coffee maker. Rummaging through a drawer for the flavor you’re craving is not exactly ideal. The K-Cup Carousel takes up very little counter space but still holds 35 pods! I recommend stocking a variety of options: flavored, unflavored, decaf, and tea. 

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Coffee Syrups

Coffee syrups are a really special amenity to offer. They allow guests to have their own mini-barista experience without fancy equipment. However, you do get host bonus points if you offer more than one way to make coffee in your Airbnb! If you currently have a single-serve coffee maker, something else like a French press allows guests more control over their morning brew. 

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Coffee Grinder

If you’re offering ground coffee instead of coffee pods for your guests, you should highly consider providing a coffee grinder and whole beans. Some would find this as more of a luxury during their stay. You can’t argue with the aroma of freshly ground coffee!

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Electric Kettle

Electric kettles are starting to gain some traction here in the US after years of widespread use in other countries. They allow guests to easily enjoy a hot beverage, instant soup, and more, all at the touch of a button. This one by Cosori has an incredibly sleek look and features an LED light indicator and a safety shut-off. It also does not allow itself to be turned on without water inside, saving you and your guests from accidental mishaps.

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Sharp Knives & Cutting Board

Knives are arguably the most important cooking tool, and good ones can last a lifetime. For those reasons, it’s worth investing in a high-quality knife block. This block comes with 19 different knives that are all dishwasher safe. 

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Stove Mitts & Trivet Mats

No one likes scrambling to use a dishtowel in a hurry to grab something hot out of the oven. Some durable hot pads solve this problem. These are machine washable too, and the black color option won’t show any unfortunate stains that may occur. 

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You will also want some trivets for guests to set their hot dishes on, instead of using your gorgeous counter.

**Make sure to have a fire extinguisher close by and in a place where guests know it is available for use if the need arises.

Toaster

The toaster is where the “breakfast” part of your bed and breakfast can really shine through. Even if guests aren’t in the mood to cook a full-on meal, they can still have a quick early meal.  

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Electric Mixer

An electric mixer is what will really elevate your Airbnb kitchen experience to the next level. It will allow guests to do their own baking, which is a huge bonus that most don’t expect. Choose a bright red for a pop of color, or the classic stainless steel for a sleek, timeless look. 

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Pots, Pans & Cookware

You won’t get very far cooking without some nice pots and pans. This set makes cooking (and cleaning) a pleasure. All stainless steel, this set has everything your guests will need to cook the meal of their dreams. We like stainless steel as the surface on Teflon tends to wear off over time looking dated.

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Pans for the Oven

You will definitely want to provide some glass pans for baking. At a minimum, you should have a circular baking sheet for pizza night and a 9×13 pan so guests can cook a multitude of items including casseroles, veggies, or a cake.

Mixing Bowls

Mixing bowls are another must-have for any guest looking to cook or bake. OXO’s 3-piece set features grip handles and convenient pour spouts for mess-free use. They even have no-skid rubber on the bottom, so there won’t be any frustrating sliding around. Since they nest for convenient storage, space-saving doesn’t have to be a concern. 

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Measuring Cups and Spoons

If your guests decide to bake brownies or a cake, they will need a measuring cup and some measuring spoons.

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Baking Supplies

After staying at several Airbnbs that provided baking supplies for their guests, we decided to offer the same amenities at our vacation rentals. This doesn’t take much extra effort to offer these items, and guests really appreciate having flour, baking powder, sugar, a rolling pin, an electric beater, a sifter, a loaf pan/cake pan, aluminum foil, and vanilla ready for guests to use if the mood strikes.

Basic Utensils

A good set of cookware will go a long way in impressing your guests, even those used to fancy kitchens at their own homes. This 23-piece set even includes measuring cups and a can opener!

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**Looking for even more ways to impress your guests? Check out our Extra Airbnb Amenities list for great ideas…>>

Silverware

It goes without saying that Airbnb hosts are expected to provide some silverware. This set has service for 4, which is usually more than enough. Depending on the size of your Airbnb, you may choose to purchase a few sets so your guests will never run out. 

You should also provide a silverware organizer so everything is in it’s proper place. Make sure that your cleaner wipes out this area between guests, as crumbs in the drawer can be a major downer.

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Cups and Dishes

As a host, you don’t want to be spending time and money constantly replacing broken dishes. Get yourself a set of heavy-duty dishes like these to avoid the hassle. This matching set features plates of two different sizes, mugs, and bowls. It comes in 4 different color-striped options to add a pop of interest to your Airbnb kitchen essentials. I personally love the red, as it reminds me of a diner set. 

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Coffee Mugs

Your Airbnb should be a unique experience for your guests. After all, if they wanted to stay at a boring hotel, they would have. Having some fun mugs in your cabinet can give them an unexpected laugh in the morning. Mix and match until you have an eclectic set. It’s great when each guest can find something fun that matches their personality!

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Wine Glasses

Wine glasses are another fun way to make your vacation rental stand out from the rest. Having a classic set is always a good idea, but I also like to have some that are a little more unique. Stemless glasses are very trendy at the moment, and there are a plethora of shops that offer customized etching so that you can really make an impression on your guests. 

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Cooking Oils- Olive Oil & Vinegar

Even when guests come expecting to cook, they rarely are able to bring their own supplies. Fresh food can easily be purchased locally, but few guests are going to want to spend money on supplies they won’t use up during their stay. Having a cooking oil set on hand alleviates this issue. Simply fill with oil and vinegar and your guests can do the rest. 

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Napkins & Paper Towels

Messes are inevitable, so napkins and paper towels are a must. We put one paper towel roll on a nice paper towel dispenser like this one and provide at least one extra roll in the cupboard. Provide some cleaning spray of your choice for guests to clean up those larger messes. Napkins should be provided as well. We typically have a nice napkin holder like this one.

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Salt, Pepper & Spice Rack

Another ingredient that can be prohibitively expensive for guests to buy on their own is spices. Most will only use a few teaspoons at a time (if that), so having a well-stocked spice rack at their disposal is easy and convenient. Of course, as a baseline, Airbnb hosts should provide salt and pepper for their guests. But typically, hosts provide the following spices:

  • Curcumin
  • Basil
  • Oregano
  • Thyme
  • Paprika
  • Garlic Powder
  • Red Pepper Flakes
  • Ginger
  • Curry Powder
  • Chili Powder
  • Cayenne Pepper

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Colander/ Strainer

Pasta is always a popular meal to cook amongst Airbnb guests. It only takes a few ingredients and a few dishes to throw together a fantastic meal. I always like to have a few basic options such as spaghetti and macaroni on hand for guests to use. Be sure to provide a colander for a hassle-free dinner. 

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Grater

The grater is the unsung hero of your Airbnb kitchen essentials. You might try a microplane style that gives off delicate, fine shavings of everything from cheese to nutmeg. It has the added bonus of being a lot less bulky than the traditional box graters. 

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Pizza Cutter

A simple pizza cutter is easy to forget when providing your Airbnb’s kitchen essentials, but your guests will certainly notice its omission when they find themselves in need of one!

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Wine Opener & Stopper

Few things are more frustrating than trying to finagle your way into a bottle of wine after you find yourself without a corkscrew. Save your guests the headache with a wine opener. Restaurant quality, it will stand up to daily use.  A bottle stopper is also a great “extra.”

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Meat Thermometer

A meat thermometer is something a lot of us like to imagine we’ll never use. The reality is that this little tool is indispensable, especially if your vacation rental has a grill. Give your guests the peace of mind that comes with knowing that their meat is cooked to perfection. This very affordable option reads in just 3-5 seconds and even comes with a 3-year warranty. 

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Salad Spinner

A salad spinner is a very handy tool that allows guests to quickly and easily pull together a meal. Plus, it can be used for much more than just salads: washing produce, storing veggies, and so much more.

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Trash Can & Recycling

A trash can in an Airbnb kitchen is a no-brainer, but what about recycling? A combo trash and recycling bin give an attractive, all-in-one solution to your guests. This one comes in a variety of sizes and finishes, so there is one for every kitchen space. 

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Utility Scissors

Utility scissors will make short work of herbs, veggies, meat and more. They even have a built-in bottle opener. I like to keep mine on the counter where they’re easily accessible to anyone who might need them. A lot of knife blocks even have a built-in spot for them. Another option is a small hook on the side of the fridge or cabinet, alongside other useful tools. 

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Food Storage

Food storage is less glamorous, but still an absolute necessity. This enormous set has more than enough pieces to store your guests’ leftovers. They stack very nicely in the fridge and cabinets for easy storage. 

Attractive countertop food storage serves the two-fold purpose of function and style. I love these containers by OXO. The lid forms an airtight seal with a single, satisfying click. They are also very modular and can be arranged so that they’re very visually appealing. This allows you to store commonly used ingredients like pasta, flour, sugar or coffee in plain sight on the counter. In a way, it almost functions as an art piece itself. 

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Airbnb Kitchen Supplies Essentials

Wall Art

Speaking of art, no Airbnb kitchen is complete without a few stylized pieces on the wall. These botanical herb prints are unobtrusive yet very appropriately themed. They would work well in any kitchen space, and it’s possible to display just two or three at a time instead of the full set of six if your kitchen is short on space. 

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Towels

Hand towels should always be included in your Airbnb kitchen, ideally in a few different locations. I like to keep one by the sink, a few on the oven door, and some extras stored away. This set of 4 is enough to get you started and is extremely affordable. Consider purchasing a few so you’ll always have clean ones ready. 

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Decorative towels are another way to make your Airbnb kitchen pop. Try one with a strong motif, and the rest with a subtle pattern. Hanging these on the oven door (especially layered on top of more functional hand towels) helps make your kitchen a focal point. 

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Dish Drying Rack, Washcloths, Sponge, & Dish Soap

Doing the dishes is nobody’s favorite chore, but having the right tools on hand can make it a little more tolerable. Make sure you have washcloths/ sponge, and ample amounts of dish soap.

A soap dispensing brush makes washing dishes much easier. You can refill it with the dish soap of your choice, and then dispense small amounts by pressing a button.

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Using a dish drying rack is so much faster and easier than towel drying all your dishes, pots, and pans. Who wouldn’t want more free time to go out and explore a new city? This one has a relatively small footprint of just over one square foot and features a compartment for silverware as well. 

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Sandwich Bags

Having some sandwich bags on hand allows your guests the flexibility to take a light snack with them on the go. They can also be used for storing certain leftovers, or even personal items if necessary.

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Plastic Bag Dispenser

A plastic bag dispenser is a much better option than the classic “bag full of bags” that most of us have under our sinks. Guests can use these for tons of different purposes: dirty laundry, souvenir bags, extra shopping bags, and more. Just be sure to let them know where it is!

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Matches

Matches can be very easily overlooked—that is, until you really need them. Whether you have a candle in your vacation rental (which you definitely should), or a pesky gas stove that needs help lighting, don’t forget to always have a box of matches on hand. 

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Garbage Disposal

Its pretty surprising how much food can make it down the drain in your kitchen sink. If you don’t have a garbage disposal, you have probably dealt with clogged drains during a guest stay. We recommend medium-duty garbage disposal to help alleviate those problems.

Snack Board

If you personally check in your guests (or if you have a good idea of when they’ll be arriving) setting up a snack board for them is an amazing touch. Walking in to some meats and cheeses is always a welcome surprise. This board has spots to hold crackers, nuts, and more. It’s also antimicrobial.

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**Looking for more than just kitchen essentials? Check out our comprehensive list of Airbnb essentials for your entire home here…>>


Related Questions:

Am I Allowed to Supply Alcohol for my Guests?

In short, it varies. The main factor to consider is your insurance. Some policies do allow Airbnb hosts to provide alcohol to guests, while some explicitly forbid it. In these cases, if you did provide the guests with alcohol and an incident occurred, your insurance may not cover it. Always check to be sure. 

If your insurance does allow it, providing a local wine or craft beer is an awesome touch. If not, a guide to local vineyards or breweries shows guests that you care about them having a great time. 

Should I Stock Food for My Guests?

It is typically not expected, but some basic supplies will surely be welcome. Things like cooking oil and spices can be used over many different bookings, whereas something basic but perishable like eggs or milk would obviously need to be replenished more frequently. You can always ask your guests in advance if there is any particular thing they would like you to have on hand.  Baking staples may be a nice offering to your guests for cakes, brownies, etc.

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