The landlord usually supplies a rudimentary set of mismatched plates, cups and cutlery, as well as a few cooking vessels and a tea pot. Stoves are either electric hot plates or gas burners, the latter requiring a full day s work to clean the caked grease off. Forget baking, tiny gas ovens are temperamental at best. Also plan to thaw your freezer once a month, as only newer apartments have frost-free refrigerators. For those who like a clean bathroom, Cairo is bad news.
Most landlords neglect the bathroom.
Pipes rattle, faucets leak and toilets dribble, but the most irksome thing may be the shataafa. This thin metal hook-shaped pipe inside the toilet bowl, a must for Egyptians, allows the potty to be used as a bidet. Barring water shortages, a hot shower can be had any time of day or night. Newer apartments will have electric water heaters, while older ones will have gas burners. Each one has its idiosyncrasies.