What Is The Difference Between Pantry And Larder?

Many of us confuse the difference between pantry vs. larder, whereas both are used for storage. This article will look at the similarities and differences between a pantry and larder. 

What is a pantry?

A pantry is where nonperishable items are preserved or stored for later use. A pantry is a room in the kitchen or between the kitchen and dining area where dishes, nonperishable food, provisions, and linens are stored to conserve space. 

What is a larder?

A larder is where perishable foodstuff is stored and is usually found on the rooftop or in smaller spaces or rooms. A larder pantry is usually a cool area used for storing food with a low life span like onions, eggs, milk, and Meat. Meat is hung in the larder. 

The similarity between the two is storage. Although both pantry and larder are used for storage, they are in a room next to the kitchen or a cupboard. You can also find a walk-in pantry or larder.  

What’s the difference between pantry and larder?

A pantry is where nonperishable items are preserved or stored for later use, while a larder is where perishable foodstuff is stored and is usually found on the rooftop or in smaller spaces or rooms. Some of the things you can store in a larder include; onions, eggs, milk, and meat. Things found in the pantry include; dishes, nonperishable food, provisions, kitchenware, and linens.

Wet larder and dry larder

A wet larder is used for storing uncooked Meat, larded Meat, vegetables, and game. While dry larder is used to store grain chests, some types of cheeses, and dry fruits. Before refrigerators, larders were used to store raw Meat; a cool area is either a cupboard or a room. 

Larders are usually larger; they are bigger than the pantry, while pantries are small rooms or ample cupboards.  

The name pantry is commonly used in the US to describe a room, closet, or cupboard in the kitchen where food and other kitchenware are stored. 

The name larder is used in the UK to describe an area in the house where food items and kitchenware are stored. 

Benefits of larder

Larders are usually found or located close to the kitchen, where it is easy to access what is stored there. Below are a few benefits of the larder cabinet.

1. Larder helps increase storage and organization.

The primary purpose of a larder is to increase storage space in the kitchen and to help keep things in order where they are easy to find. With a larder in the kitchen, you can increase storage by up to 50%. 

2. Add value and stress-free

Having a larder adds value to your kitchen; a cluster of items makes the whole area look unkempt. So adding a larder will appeal to you and visitors, especially if your house is in the market. Also, keeping things in the right place reduces the stress of finding something in the kitchen.

3. Easy access

Ever been to a house where the owner struggles to find things or moves around the house quickly? Installing a larder helps create more space for items, giving you enough room to move around your home. 

Different types of a larder

Aside from wet and dry larder, there are other types of kitchen larder to know about; they include:

Freestanding kitchen larder: A freestanding kitchen larder is different from a cabinet; it is a purpose-built cabinet for storing food and other items. The freestanding larder pantry is ideal if it doesn’t have a built-in larder. It helps complement the kitchen, thereby creating a character sense for the kitchen,

Built-in kitchen larder: For contemporary modern design, a built-in larder is purpose-built and helps give more style and room. With a built-in larder, you could add things like lighting, doors, and techniques to match your kitchen design. 

What do you put in a larder?

Before the invention of refrigerators, larders were commonly used to store food that would otherwise be stored in fridges today. Some everyday things that can go in a larder include Meat, milk, fish, soft cheeses, potatoes, onions, bread, and fruits like bananas and pineapple. 

What is the leading equipment used in the larder section?

Below are the possible main types of equipment used in the larder section:

Food processors and mincing machine

Mincing machines are used for mincing raw meats for hamburgers, sausages, fats, and meatloaves. While food processors make breadcrumbs, mixing both raw and cooked farces, pates, and mousses. Both machines can easily be dismantled and washed regularly and also lubricated. 

Slicing machine

Slicing machines are for slicing Meat, cutting slices of bacon, and gammon rashers. The slicing machine can either be automatic, semi-automating, or manual machines. They can easily be dismantled, washed, and lubricated. The slicing machines can also be fitted with scales for measurements. 

Scales and weighing machines

Scales and weighing machines are other types of equipment used in the larder section for weighing large meat joints. The parts, like measuring pans, can be washed. 

Electric grinding machine

When preparing any food like Meat in the larder, an electric grinding machine is necessary to help sharpen the edges of knives. 

Boiling plate and gas rings

These are used for larder preparation to heat or cook things like vegetables, pickles, sauces, rendering fats, and jelly.

Toaster and grill

Toasters and grills are used for toasting and grilling foodstuffs like sausages. 

Butcher’s block

A butcher’s block is used in butchery, cutting Meat, and jointing, and they are reversible. 

More equipment used in the larder section