10 Ways to MacGyver Thanksgiving

These clever hacks will save you from Thanksgiving Day mishaps, like missing kitchen tools or a lack of fridge space.

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Problem: Not Enough Fridge Space

Hack: Fill a cooler with ice packs and your lesser-used condiments. Voila! You have a whole free shelf.

Problem: No Roasting Rack

Hack: Elevate the turkey on a layer of quartered onions, carrots and celery. Bonus: They will add flavor to your drippings.

Problem: No Roasting Pan

Hack: Slide a baking sheet under a disposable foil pan to bolster the bottom and make the flimsy pan easier to manipulate.

Problem: No Turkey Baster

Hack: Psych! This is the solution. There's no real point to basting turkey (all it really does is lower the oven temperature). 

Problem: No Cheesecloth

Hack: Typically you'd soak a cheesecloth in butter and lay it atop the turkey breasts to keep them moist. Instead, weave a lattice of bacon and lay it atop the breast as you roast the turkey.

Problem: No Fat Separator

Hack: Pour all your drippings into a heatproof cup or bowl and put it in the freezer for a few minutes. As it cools, the fat will solidify on top, and you can scoop it off with a spoon.

Problem: No Chafing Dishes

Hack: Keep dishes warm by stashing them in a slow cooker. Set the device on low to hold mashed potatoes, gravy or mulled cider until you're ready to serve them.

Problem: No Flour Sifter

Hack: Use a strainer (like most pastry chefs do), or just whisk to aerate the flour instead.

Problem: No Pie Weights

Hack: Dock (poke holes in) your pie crust well with a fork, lay a sheet of parchment down on top of it, and fill with pennies (or dried beans or uncooked rice, but you can't eat the beans or rice after).

Problem: No Pie Shield

Hack: Save crusts from burning by covering the delicate edges with a loose tent of foil; the rest of the pie will bake through.