kitchen gadgets what to keep what to pass along

[bornthrifty]

I have found for example that the tiny yogurt maker is a waste of my time and that I can make much larger batches in the oven, with a crock

along the lines of this thinking, I am tempted to get rid of a few things would love your opinion if you have experience with these items below

pasta maker...will I ever really make pasta? would I rather get the attatchment for my kithchen aid that would take less space

ice cream maker, the cost of cream is so high I don't think I want to store this any more, however if I do get a goat or cow someday...tempted to keep

pressure canner, just don't think I want to do it , ever, if I did need to store meat I think I would go for an alternative method of putting up, like smoking or larding the meat instead

electric dehdrator, the size of a bread maker, I liked the stuff I dehydrated in the oven, seems like if I really wanted to dehydrate I could use the oven or even learn how to use the sun instead of storing this bulky machine for the next several years

Ice tea maker...seems to me like the sun does a good enough job, and in the winter I want hot tea, so even though I loved this machine at one time, I think it's time has come

extra bread maker, dented taking up space needs a new pan

black speckeled enamal spagetti pot, with colandar insert (8 quart? have other really big pots for other stuff)

black enamal small roaster with lid, (keeping the one that is turkey sized)

warming try, never use it

fondu pot, never use it

wok, loved it, but find I can make pretty good stir fry in my great big grizzwald pan

I am keeping all my hand crank tools (meat grinder, veg processor, cherry pitter, cabbage shredder, coffee mill...for jus tin case )

so I like to be prepared, but am not sure these are worth the space they take up, I would keep them if someone could tell me why even an alternative use like maybe the warmer could help somewhere else in the house hold in a pinch iykwim?

thanks for your thoughts

 

[Wannabefree]

I'd toss the extra breadmaker, the fondu pot, the iced tea maker, warming tray and probably the wok. I agree those things are replaceable with just simpler better options. I do like my dehydrator, but will be getting rid of it when I build my smokehouse. Pasta maker? eh....what's that? LOL! we could NOT live without our ice cream maker though...if we tossed it I'd be afraid the sun wouldn't rise the next day!! They'd likely kill me in my sleep...it's as important as the bread maker around here!! I much prefer the hand crank tools as well. I need to clean out my kitchen too....adding it to my "to do" list now

 

[ORChick]

I have found for example that the tiny yogurt maker is a waste of my time and that I can make much larger batches in the oven, with a crock

I agree, got rid of my single serving yogurt maker years ago, and make it now in quart jars in a picnic cooler

along the lines of this thinking, I am tempted to get rid of a few things would love your opinion if you have experience with these items below

pasta maker...will I ever really make pasta? would I rather get the attatchment for my kithchen aid that would take less space

Home made pasta is delicious! I don't make it often, because of the time involved, but we both love the results when I do. If I had to roll it out and cut it without my little Atlas I wouldn't ever make it, though it is a perfectly valid way of doing it - I just never would. My Atlas is a handcrank. If (like you) I had one machine that I don't use often, I would not spend money on another just because it takes less space. I might exchange electric for manual, or the other way 'round though

ice cream maker, the cost of cream is so high I don't think I want to store this any more, however if I do get a goat or cow someday...tempted to keep

I have a little one (pint, I think). Don't use it often, but it doesn't take up much room. If yours is taking up needed room I would get rid of it. Sounds like the dairy animal is not a sure thing? You could get a new one if/when that time comes.

pressure canner, just don't think I want to do it , ever, if I did need to store meat I think I would go for an alternative method of putting up, like smoking or larding the meat instead

Sounds like you don't need to keep this. I don't have one, and won't be getting one. There are other ways to preserve foods.

electric dehdrator, the size of a bread maker, I liked the stuff I dehydrated in the oven, seems like if I really wanted to dehydrate I could use the oven or even learn how to use the sun instead of storing this bulky machine for the next several years

Now this I use all the time; I have it on a table in the corner of the kitchen, always available. I don't like dehydrating in the oven - it uses more electricity, and is more awkward (in and out every time something else - like dinner - needs to go in). Sun drying isn't an option for me most of the time in the damp NW, though I did do that when I lived in Calif.

Ice tea maker...seems to me like the sun does a good enough job, and in the winter I want hot tea, so even though I loved this machine at one time, I think it's time has come

This is something I have never seen the point of - though I drink a lot of tea

extra bread maker, dented taking up space needs a new pan

black speckeled enamal spagetti pot, with colandar insert (8 quart? have other really big pots for other stuff)

black enamal small roaster with lid, (keeping the one that is turkey sized)

These 3 appear to have good substitutes in your house - out with them!

warming try, never use it

fondu pot, never use it

If you never use them, then Away with them!

wok, loved it, but find I can make pretty good stir fry in my great big grizzwald pan

I really like my wok, and find that I pull it out sometimes even for things Not-Asian. Though the cast iron also gets its fair share of work time

I am keeping all my hand crank tools (meat grinder, veg processor, cherry pitter, cabbage shredder, coffee mill...for jus tin case )

I am also building up a supply of non electric tools - mostly because I don't like the noise . But I won't give up my blender

so I like to be prepared, but am not sure these are worth the space they take up, I would keep them if someone could tell me why even an alternative use like maybe the warmer could help somewhere else in the house hold in a pinch iykwim?

thanks for your thoughts

 

[murphysranch]

Hmmm...

Warming tray: got one in my first marriage in 82. Still have it. Maybe its time to donate...
Pasta maker: never used it and its of the same vintage. Ditto..
Ice cream maker: used it once. not worth the effort, I think...
Pressure cooker: I have mine and my Mother's from the 60's. Using it right now for apple sauce and canned apples.
Iced Tea Maker: do't have one, and sun tea is just fine
Elec Dehydrator: got one from Freecycle, and it just went into the donate pile. My car dash board works better.
Wok: Huge one from Chinatown in San Francisco. It went away last year. My frying pan works fine.
Fondu Pot: have two of them. I'm great at scorching the cheese sauce in it. They and the cookbook should go.
Manual tools: only one I can think of is a can opener.

I'm sorely lacking in manual tools, if we lose electricity.

 

[Wifezilla]

Pasta isn't good for you anyway.

 

[urban dreamer]

pasta maker- I make pasta from scratch alot now. All I ever need is my rolling pin, so I would ditch that. WZ, I like my pasta!

ice cream maker- fun to play with but not nessesary unless you really like ice cream.

pressure canner- Oh this one I would keep. If for nothing eles than to have a rediculously big pot.

electric dehdrator- I have a dehydrator and I love it. As far as the SHTF (i.e no electricity) it's usless.

Ice tea maker- I would toss this.

Extra bread maker- this too. I make mine by hand.

black speckeled enamal spagetti pot, with colandar insert- This one is up to you. If you wanted to make soap, the enamal pot would bee perfect.

black enamal small roaster with lid- This one is also up to you.

warming tay- Ditch it.

fondu pot- No use to me.

wok- I love mine! If you already have something to make your stir-frys in then it is up to you.

The stuff you don't want you could sell in a yard sale. Just my opinion. Hope it helps!

 

[dragonlaurel]

pressure canner- If you don't use it - Sell it. Make a little extra money and give a new SS person a good deal.

Donate to a charity thrift shop and get a receipt for tax deduction:
Fondue pot, yogurt maker, warming tray, pasta maker, bread maker, and Iced tea maker,
Electric dehydrators are good when it's rainy, humid, cloudy or night- somebody will love it. Get plans online for a solar one and use the oven for a backup plan.
Ice cream maker - Could you get a cow or goat share or raise one where you are? If not- donate it.

On second thought, how hot does the warmer get? Maybe rig up something for use in starting seeds or . . .

I would keep:
A good iron or steel wok is one of my favorite kitchen tools. I'd make soup or one pot meals in it too. If it's teflon- get rid of it.
Small roasting pan can store in the big one and good for baking one pot meals, pot luck dishes, etc.
spaghetti pot - Wish I'd kept my old one when I moved. I miss it now.

 

[bornthrifty]

that was very helpful,
thanks you!

 

[patandchickens]

pasta maker...will I ever really make pasta?

And it is not like you can't make pasta with a rolling pin or by hand, if necessary, anyhow. I agree, if you don't use it, get rid of it.

ice cream maker, the cost of cream is so high I don't think I want to store this any more, however if I do get a goat or cow someday...tempted to keep

But they are so easy and cheap to replace, or just whip up a DIY version, is it really worth the storage space? If you HAVE storage space for a larger item, you might want to think about instead using it for:

pressure canner, just don't think I want to do it , ever, if I did need to store meat I think I would go for an alternative method of putting up, like smoking or larding the meat instead

If it is a crappy pressure-canner or in poor repair, then sure get rid of it. But if it is a GOOD one in good shape, honestly I'd be real real tempted to keep it because they are *not* as easy or cheap to replace as icecream makers and it is definitely not something you can make yourself (unlike icecream makers). You may not want to use it now, but canning really is a lot easier and longer-term way of preserving meat, so, who knows.

electric dehdrator, the size of a bread maker, I liked the stuff I dehydrated in the oven, seems like if I really wanted to dehydrate I could use the oven or even learn how to use the sun instead of storing this bulky machine for the next several years

Or just make your own electric one. (Oven is a very energy-inefficient way to dehydrate things btw and with poor control). I agree this is a good candidate for getting rid of, because again, it could easily be reconstructed so to speak if you change your mind.

Ice tea maker...seems to me like the sun does a good enough job, and in the winter I want hot tea, so even though I loved this machine at one time, I think it's time has come

I don't even know what an ice tea maker *is*, the thought boggles my mind, but clearly you know you don't need it so it should go

extra bread maker, dented taking up space needs a new pan

Go

black speckeled enamal spagetti pot, with colandar insert (8 quart? have other really big pots for other stuff)

Go, unless you have storage space (they're useful for other things too, not just cooking)

black enamal small roaster with lid, (keeping the one that is turkey sized)

Go, unless you are considering experimenting with solar cooking (solar oven) in which case you may well want that.

warming try, fondu pot, wok,

Go - you can already do all that stuff without 'em.

JMHO, good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[freemotion]

What are your self sufficiency goals? Will you ever have a dairy animal, a big garden, do you want to produce most of your own food one day? If so, you need to keep most of this stuff. You will use it. If not, sell, donate, and buy again if and when you need it. I'll highlight what I use...most of it I stored for years until I suddenly found myself ready to dive in. Some things I use now and then and when I need them, I need them! That is the nature of harvest...it comes once a year, so the tools are stored for almost a year before being needed again.

I have found for example that the tiny yogurt maker is a waste of my time and that I can make much larger batches in the oven, with a crock

along the lines of this thinking, I am tempted to get rid of a few things would love your opinion if you have experience with these items below

pasta maker (there is nothing like homemade pasta from freshly ground flour and your own hen's eggs! Nothing!)...will I ever really make pasta? would I rather get the attatchment for my kithchen aid that would take less space

ice cream maker (if you think you will ever, ever have a dairy animal, you WILL want this! YUMMM!), the cost of cream is so high I don't think I want to store this any more, however if I do get a goat or cow someday...tempted to keep

pressure canner, just don't think I want to do it , ever, if I did need to store meat I think I would go for an alternative method of putting up, like smoking or larding the meat instead

electric dehdrator, (when the herbs are coming in, it goes full-time) the size of a bread maker, I liked the stuff I dehydrated in the oven, seems like if I really wanted to dehydrate I could use the oven or even learn how to use the sun instead of storing this bulky machine for the next several years

Ice tea maker...seems to me like the sun does a good enough job, and in the winter I want hot tea, so even though I loved this machine at one time, I think it's time has come

extra bread maker, dented taking up space needs a new pan

black speckeled enamal spagetti pot, with colandar insert (great for blanching veggies or for washing batches of small veggies) (8 quart? have other really big pots for other stuff)

black enamal small roaster with lid (perfect for use in a solar oven made from a cardboard box and foil), (keeping the one that is turkey sized)

warming try, never use it

fondu pot, never use it

wok, loved it, but find I can make pretty good stir fry in my great big grizzwald pan

I am keeping all my hand crank tools (meat grinder, veg processor, cherry pitter, cabbage shredder, coffee mill...for jus tin case )

so I like to be prepared, but am not sure these are worth the space they take up, I would keep them if someone could tell me why even an alternative use like maybe the warmer could help somewhere else in the house hold in a pinch iykwim?

thanks for your thoughts