Rachael Ray has taught us many lessons in the kitchen. During her two decades of hosting food shows, the self-taught cook has not only shared lots of recipes, but also tips to build cooking confidence. While her relaxed lessons highlighted tasty food, they also had culinary wisdom and practical tips sprinkled throughout.

One thing that Ray always encouraged was time-saving efforts. Her shows taught us how to prep our ingredients, substitute as needed, and juggle multiple dishes while ensuring everything hits the table hot and fresh. The cook frequently shared tips she learned in her personal cooking journey, many of which she still uses today. One piece of advice has become a fan favorite when it comes to saving time in the kitchen and all it takes is a bowl.

What Is a Garbage Bowl and Why Every Home Cook Needs One

Ray claims that a garbage bowl is one of the most helpful kitchen tools. In an episode of the “Rachael Ray Show” from 2008, the cook shared the store behind this useful accessory. “When we used to work on a line in a restaurant, there’d be a hole in the cutting board and underneath it, you’d stick a bain-marie, or a pot or a bowl, and you’d put your garbage in there. Then you didn’t have to run back and forth to the garbage can,” Ray told the audience.

The idea is simple: Keep a large, deep bowl on your counter so that whenever you’re preparing your ingredients, the scraps go into the bowl rather than making separate trips to the trash can. Cracking 12 eggs? Toss in the shells. Chopping veggies? Scrape the board clean into the bowl to deal with later when you clean the kitchen. Using a garbage bowl will keep your space tidy as you prepare ingredients and ultimately save time because everything you need will be right in front of you. When you’re all done, simply sort the bowl as needed and dispose of your scraps.

In a TikTok video featuring the hack, many commenters shared how impactful the tip has been for them. “She taught me this 20 years ago and I’m still doing it,” said one commenter.  “You taught me this yearssss ago! And it was literally the best advice ever! I tell everyone about it,” replied another.  A few users even shared their own advice, such as using old ice cream buckets for a garbage bowl and utilizing store bags for easier cleanup. “I line my bowl with a small plastic shopping bag, tie it up, and throw it away!” shared one fan.

So the next time you find yourself chopping a mountain of ingredients for vegetable soup or whipping up a big chopped salad for lunch, grab a bowl and toss in all your scraps to save yourself a few trips across the kitchen. You’ll quickly realize it’s a simple, yet game-changing tip.