-- Please discuss your kitchen hardware/tools/cooking utensils etc...

[Simply Red]

Hi Guys.

So in this thread I'd be interested in the following:

- newer tools that you use that are not as common

- common utensils that you have in the kitchen that are staples for your cooking.

- Old family treasure passed down to you - such as a special knife or something useful like that.

- A few more items you may consider discussing - Cutting-boards, knives (again), presses, spatula's, maybe pancake turners/spatula's.

- I'm okay with even going as far as spices in your spice-rack.



Lately I don't have a bunch to brag about - I did recently drop about $350 at Burlington Coat Factory (of all places) on cookware (I had nothing decent since the divorce) - they had a lot of unique things, one of my sautee skillets is ceramics and has the best handle for flipping pasta's (or whatever) - another thing I had discovered there was a really nice bacon press. I will get the brand-name a little later on this weekend.

I will add photo's over the weekend, hopefully.


I wanted the thread to drop tonight though, so please share anything that's cool, special or especially 'useful' for your throwing down in the kitchen.


Thanks guys.

Look forward to hearing about and/or seeing your gear.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

My family spends a lot of time at flea markets, outlet stores, unclaimed freight, closeout aisles in big box stores, etc. Just have to be prepared for what you find.

Cuisinart processor - MSRP $250, paid $35

Hoyl Crap! Mine was a gift but I know it sold for $250.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by Fried Meat Ball!

Old models could if they don't have a good pressure release, but newer models have that built in and are pretty fool proof (as far as safety is concerned).

Especially for stock making, I can't imaging using anything else. I'll put 4-6 quarts of homemade chicken jelly (stock with lots of collagen) in the freezer for any time I want to bump something up. I use boxed broth most of the time, but whenever I do something where the stock will really shine, like soup or risotto, I'll pull the homemade stuff out.

This wasn't as old as hers. It was newer so maybe she didn't know. It was also aluminum and I won't cook using any aluminum. I think I gave it away a few years back. If I could get over the fear of using it, I know it's a great kitchen tool.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

My family spends a lot of time at flea markets, outlet stores, unclaimed freight, closeout aisles in big box stores, etc. Just have to be prepared for what you find.

Cuisinart processor - MSRP $250, paid $35
Kenmore Combi-oven - MSRP $350, paid $90
B&D can opener - MSRP $350, paid $1, yes $1.
Cuisipro utensils - MSRP $15-20, paid $3-5
same for various KitchenAid and Cuisinart utensils
Breville Rice Cooker - MSRP $100, paid $40
KitchenAid cookware - MSRP $40-50, paid $10-15
Even major appliances like my dishwasher and refrigerator/freezer were bought as displays or returns at significant savings.

etc. etc.

I do the same with appliances. My stand mixer is a factory refurb, my dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, and range are all displays or returns. Plus, with the range, we got a nice $300 rebate for switching from electric to gas.

I just don't generally have the patience for smaller stuff. And I hate going to big box stores.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

This wasn't as old as hers. It was also aluminum and I won't cook using any aluminum.

Aluminum is only good for canning, if you ask me. Mine are stainless.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by Fried Meat Ball!

I do the same with appliances. My stand mixer is a factory refurb, my dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, and range are all displays or returns. Plus, with the range, we got a nice $300 rebate for switching from electric to gas.

I just don't generally have the patience for smaller stuff. And I hate going to big box stores.

I'd like to know how you pulled that one off. I would love to switch to gas.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by Fried Meat Ball!

Aluminum is only good for canning, if you ask me. Mine are stainless.

Why is it good for canning? ( Canning is something I am interested in learning about next.)

I don't use it because it's not healthy and gets into the body.
My cooking sheets are, but I use parchment paper on top of those.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by Fried Meat Ball!

I do the same with appliances. My stand mixer is a factory refurb, my dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, and range are all displays or returns. Plus, with the range, we got a nice $300 rebate for switching from electric to gas.

I just don't generally have the patience for smaller stuff. And I hate going to big box stores.

I also got the Cuisinart stainless steel burr grind coffee maker for $50



And my two Cuisinart Waffle Makers for next to nothing.





This is a place where quality makes a difference, only waffle makes I ever had that NEVER stick.

[BucEyedPea]

Also, how to get a factory refurbished stand mixer.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

Why is it good for canning? ( Canning is something I am interested in learning about next.)

I don't use it because it's not healthy and gets into the body.
My cooking sheets are, but I use parchment paper on top of those.

Because the food is inside the jars, the cooker only provides pressure to seal the jars.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

I'd like to know how you pulled that one off. I would love to switch to gas.

It was a rebate from the gas company for the switch. Most gas companies also offer similar rebates for switching other appliances from electric to gas.

We had to have a certified gas plumber come take our line from one side of the house up the side, into our attic, and down an inside wall. It wasn't cheap, but wasn't as expensive as I'd anticipated.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

I also got the Cuisinart stainless steel burr grind coffee maker for $50

How do the beans grind in that? Does it turn on separately or is it all turn-key?

I use a auto hand grinder but it only does small batches.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Because the food is inside the jars, the cooker only provides pressure to seal the jars.

This. The water and aluminum never make contact with the food.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Because the food is inside the jars, the cooker only provides pressure to seal the jars.

Oh. That should be fine then.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

Also, how to get a factory refurbished stand mixer.

Just search on eBay or Amazon. I got mine on eBay. Couldn't tell you how much I paid, but I remember it being significantly cheaper than new. I bought it probably 6-7 years ago, and it still runs like it's new.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

How do the beans grind in that? Does it turn on separately or is it all turn-key?

I use a auto hand grinder but it only does small batches.

It's turnkey. You have the option to grind or not, depending on if you're using beans from the hopper or putting grinds directly into the filter. Either can be programmed to start on it's own at a set time, ie wake up to the smell of coffee.

The grinder is like the grain mill design

One wheel is grooved and the other flat, and when they rotate across each other, the ground coffee is expelled to the outside with uniform grounds.

This pic is a stone grain wheel set, imagine a smaller carbon steel set inside the maker.



There is a cheaper type that has like a food processor blade at the bottom and a grate on one side where the grounds are expelled to the filter.