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We\u2019re teaming up with our friends at Finish<\/a>, the #1 recommended detergent in America by dishwasher brands<\/em>*, to share some of our Test Kitchen’s best tips for reducing mess while hosting this holiday season.<\/em><\/p>\n So, you\u2019ve decided to host this holiday season. After carefully curating your menu<\/a>, picking out the perfect playlist, and finalizing (and re-finalizing) the guest list, there\u2019s little to no time to think about the dreaded aftermath: the cleanup. Though thinking of the inevitable pile of dishes may make you want to scrap the holidays entirely, don\u2019t let it faze you. We at the Food52 Test Kitchen have compiled some of our favorite tricks, tips, and methods for cutting down\u2014and simply navigating through\u2014the holiday hosting mess.<\/p>\n If possible, try to avoid cooking, setting up, and cleaning everything all in one day. (If you can pull this off, you\u2019re a superhero, and we bow to you.) When planning out your menu<\/a>, pick things that can be made in stages, or cooked, frozen, and reheated day-of. That way, a good chunk of the dishwashing will already be out of the way, and you\u2019ll only have the final cook- and bakeware to worry about.<\/p>\n To get prepped, it\u2019s smart to start thinking about clearing freezer space in mid-October. Make some stews with that frozen meat you\u2019ve been holding on to, or designate some frozen fruit to be used in your holiday pies.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re playing host (and cook) you don\u2019t also want to play bartender. Lucky for you, there are so many cocktails beyond your run-of-the-mill punch bowl mixes that shine in large batches<\/a>. Plus, batch cocktails<\/a> are a great excuse to break out the really pretty crystal decanter or heirloom pitcher you love. Alternatively, you can set up a DIY spritz bar, and let your guests choose their own cocktail adventure. At the end of the night, just throw your dishwasher-safe glassware into the dishwasher along with Finish Ultimate Detergent, and you\u2019re golden.<\/p>\n This might sound counterintuitive\u2014we hear you. But a trial run, done a few weeks before the event, will not only give you the confidence you need to execute your holiday menu, but it will also give you a better sense of how much your dishwasher can handle, how many things can fit in the sink at once, and whether or not you need to invest in a few more serving plates or wine glasses. Even better, this test run will help you come up with a cleanup strategy to implement day-of.<\/p>\n Should that heirloom china go in the dishwasher? Probably not. But wine glasses, ceramic baking dishes, all non-wood cooking utensils (except your knives!), and plastic cutting boards can all make their way to the dishwasher. (For even more info, check out our comprehensive guide<\/a> that breaks down everything and anything that can and can\u2019t go into the dishwasher.)<\/p>\n To make clean-up even more efficient, try this hot tip: Remove the silverware caddy, and open up a bit more space for larger items, like a roasting rack (as long as the top doesn\u2019t hit the mechanical parts of the appliance that need to spin and move).<\/p>\n Of course, the best way to clean up after a big holiday hosting event is with Finish\u2019s all-new Ultimate Detergent<\/strong>. It\u2019s designed to clean even the toughest of food messes, like burnt on stains\u2014even when you skip the rinse\u2014so you can feel confident that every dishwashing cycle will leave your holiday plates and cookware sparkling.<\/p>\n
\nMake Ahead<\/h2>\n
Batch Your Cocktails<\/h2>\n
Do a Test Run<\/h2>\n
Figure Out What Can Be Hand-Washed vs. Dishwashed<\/h2>\n
Use Finish Detergent<\/h2>\n
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