Miscellaneous Equipment

[Molly53]

that may not really be necessary, but might save some time and make your produce preserving a little easier:


The Amazing Mr. Pea Sheller™ does an excellent job shelling black eye, purple hulls, cream peas, butter beans, etc. When in the fresh ripe green stage. Mr. Pea Sheller is a small, efficient, inexpensive bean and pea sheller for the home. It is designed for long life, saving hours of tedious work. You'll be able to shell a bushel in about 30 minutes. Produce may be viewed when shelling to avoid getting foreign objects in peas. Very little splattering occurs as peas roll out of trough into your pan.
The sheller is equipped with a hand crank and an upper shaft that adapts to your portable hand mixer (not included). The small serrated roller design allows maximum torque from fractional horsepower motors such as your hand mixer. Any 100 watt hand mixer does great! When using your mixer, it should operate at medium or high speed for maximum torque. The shaft whether driven by the hand crank, or by your hand mixer, should always turn in a clockwise direction. Available for $39.95 at www.peasandcornco.com


Mandolins will cut your slicing time drastically. The blades are adjustable so you can cut anything from cabbage for slaw/sauerkraut or perfectly even sliced cucumbers for pickles. A tip...the blades are very sharp. Use a cut glove to protect your hand. From just under $30 on up.


Cut gloves are made of kevlar (police bullet-proof vest material) and are available in five sizes from XS to XL. Invaluable for preventing slicing injuries and busting your knuckles on the grater. FYI, they are sold singly, not pairs (you don't need one on the hand holding the utensil). Available at specialty and restaurant supply stores. Approximately $20.


Corn cutter/creamer cuts, shreds and scrapes grains of corn off ears 10 times faster at one-fourth the effort. Cuts smoothly, uniformly and evenly without mess or splatter. Parts are adjustable for different style cutting. Fits all size ears. From just under $10 on up.


A mechanical apple peeler peels, slices and cores apples, also peels potatoes. From $24 on up.


The Alligator dicer has a razor sharp grid that produces perfect dice cuts every time. Dices potatoes, celery, carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, apples, pears and other hard fruits and vegetables. Works in seconds no more onion tears are necessary. Made of sturdy plastic with a stainless steel dicing grid. Dish washer safe. About $20.


The OXO cherry pitter makes quick work of that luscious summertime fruit. From $10 on up


Pear coring tool. The stainless steel blade is rounded at one end to scoop out the seed cavity, and pointed at the other end for removing the stem with a single V-shaped cut. Cut pear in half and remove all unwanted seeds and core in one slick motion. Under $10


The bean frencher clamps securely to any surface up to 1.25 inches thick. To operate, feed fresh green beans into the hopper. As you turn the crank, beans will be sliced into slender, french cut slices. Great for canning green beans french-style. From $20 on up.


Grip-EZ Fruit Slicer/Wedge & Corer from Norpro - Make eight apple slices easily with a push of this classic kitchen gadget. Heavy duty Norpro quality with non-slip EZ-Grip handles. This apple slicer/corer is designed to last a lifetime. Under $10.


Please feel free to add suggestions of your own!

[**Tinkerbell**]

Great thread idea, Molly!
There really are some kitchen gadgets that I know aren't absolutely essential, but I couldn't or wouldn't want to live without.

On of them you've already mentioned. The apple peeler, corer, slicer! I use it maybe once or twice a year, but every time I've got it out over the last 18 or so years, I've said to myself, "I am SO happy I bought this!"
A few months ago I did a photo demo on it. We had a thread get started in Gadgets that focused on them & I was able to help a chef to enjoy hers after giving her instructions on making blade adjustments. I thought there might be more chefs having the same experience with the gadget and when the opportunity came up, I made the demo for any future readers. If anyone is interested in reading that, just click here:
Apple Peeler, Corer, Slicer Demo

The second item I can think of right off the top of my head is the FoodSaver vacuum sealing system. When I first saw the infomercial, 11 years ago, I ordered it immediately. Which was totally out of character for me (to buy off the tv like that) and when DH came home & I said, "Honey, I just spent $300 on an infomercial.... but just wait & see what we got!!"
He about fell over!
Since then he's surprised me with the upgraded version in 2005 (we gave the old one to a friend because it still worked great) & now we're talking about the newest one which practically preps & serves the meal for me! (Just kidding there, but it is WAY better than the older versions.)



I can't wait to see what everyone else calls a non-essential essential!
*Tink

[luvmybge]

I love this Leg / Wing rack for the grill. You just hang your chicken (I use toothpicks ) on the rack and let 'er rip. You don't have to worry about turning or burning.

[luvmybge]

I also like to stuff my jalapenos and grill them with this neat gadget. I also use toothpicks to hold them from falling through when they start to get done.

[**Tinkerbell**]

Oh yeah! I love the grill gadgets too! Especially the beer can chicken rack. We make BCC at least a couple times each summer.

[katie in the UP]

ok, have to admit....I hate the apple thing....it takes too much muscle for me to push it down thru the apples
DH loves it

My favorite canning 'equipment' is still in the making....
DH is building me a 'canning kitchen' in the basement.
So far......we have a 12 foot stainless steel sink and counter installed (we bought it from an old school kitchen). I have a large refrigerator....and lots of shelves......
When we get my new stove (sooooooon!) the old one is going downstairs YAH!!! I'm hoping it will be complete by the middle of Summer !!!!

[Molly53]

katie in the UP wrote:
ok, have to admit....I hate the apple thing....it takes too much muscle for me to push it down thru the apples
DH loves it

My favorite canning 'equipment' is still in the making....
DH is building me a 'canning kitchen' in the basement.
So far......we have a 12 foot stainless steel sink and counter installed (we bought it from an old school kitchen). I have a large refrigerator....and lots of shelves......
When we get my new stove (sooooooon!) the old one is going downstairs YAH!!! I'm hoping it will be complete by the middle of Summer !!!!

You'll have to post a picture when he gets it done, you lucky duck!

[Sage]

What an interesting post.I have so many gadgets, I woudn't know where to start. Hope I can include appliances here.
Sorry I haven't done this in a long time; need to get my brain back in Zaar

My 2 favourite appliances are
My Food Saver; I'm on my second machine


My latest find is a new toaster oven.I use this all the time; it is so convenient when I am cooking for 2(most of the time.
I wanted something a liitle better that the B& D. I know it is expensive, but well worth it.



I have had only 3 days and it is WOW! worth the price.
http://besttoasterovens.wordpress.com/2009/05/29/breville-bov800xl-smart-toaster-oven-review/

[**Tinkerbell**]

katie in the UP wrote:
ok, have to admit....I hate the apple thing....it takes too much muscle for me to push it down thru the apples
DH loves it

My favorite canning 'equipment' is still in the making....
DH is building me a 'canning kitchen' in the basement.
So far......we have a 12 foot stainless steel sink and counter installed (we bought it from an old school kitchen). I have a large refrigerator....and lots of shelves......
When we get my new stove (sooooooon!) the old one is going downstairs YAH!!! I'm hoping it will be complete by the middle of Summer !!!!

Oh! I'm so envious! How exciting, Katie! I've so wanted to learn how to do major canning. My mom's side of the family does it a lot but my mom never did when I was growing up. Now that my aunt (mom's sis) has moved to my town and near her daughter (my cousin) I'll have more opportunity to learn from them. They've canned with me before, but whereas I was expecting a lesson, I guess they thought I just wanted the recipe made.
So next time I'll pay much more attention! LOL

I would absolutely love your canning kitchen & in my mind's eye it looks a lot like my gramma & grampa's basement, on my dad's side. Gramma canned & grampa made wine. It always fascinated me & whenever we would come here to visit for holidays I would sleep down there in the spare bedroom. It was cold, but it was cool! LOL

[**Tinkerbell**]

Sage - I'm so glad you're loving the toaster oven! I bookmarked that link in case I need it for the toaster oven threads in Gadgets.

[Molly53]

**Tinkerbell** wrote:

katie in the UP wrote:
ok, have to admit....I hate the apple thing....it takes too much muscle for me to push it down thru the apples
DH loves it

My favorite canning 'equipment' is still in the making....
DH is building me a 'canning kitchen' in the basement.
So far......we have a 12 foot stainless steel sink and counter installed (we bought it from an old school kitchen). I have a large refrigerator....and lots of shelves......
When we get my new stove (sooooooon!) the old one is going downstairs YAH!!! I'm hoping it will be complete by the middle of Summer !!!!

Oh! I'm so envious! How exciting, Katie! I've so wanted to learn how to do major canning. My mom's side of the family does it a lot but my mom never did when I was growing up. Now that my aunt (mom's sis) has moved to my town and near her daughter (my cousin) I'll have more opportunity to learn from them. They've canned with me before, but whereas I was expecting a lesson, I guess they thought I just wanted the recipe made.
So next time I'll pay much more attention! LOL

I would absolutely love your canning kitchen & in my mind's eye it looks a lot like my gramma & grampa's basement, on my dad's side. Gramma canned & grampa made wine. It always fascinated me & whenever we would come here to visit for holidays I would sleep down there in the spare bedroom. It was cold, but it was cool! LOL

Tink, if you want to learn how to can, we can help you. Take a look at this thread: http://www.recipezaar.com/bb/viewtopic.zsp?t=332723

[**Tinkerbell**]

Thanks for the link, Molly. I did read the thread & it had lots of info. I've read all about canning & where to start & I've done a bit with my family & once now by myself.
I guess it's getting down to business & buying the pressure cooker, which I'm totally afraid of.

[Molly53]

**Tinkerbell** wrote:
Thanks for the link, Molly. I did read the thread & it had lots of info. I've read all about canning & where to start & I've done a bit with my family & once now by myself.
I guess it's getting down to business & buying the pressure cooker, which I'm totally afraid of.

You may find it easier to start with jams/jellies...you just need a big pot for a boiling water bath.

FYI, modern pressure canners have safety features that prevent explosions. No need to be afraid at all.

[katie in the UP]

I've always dabbled in canning but we are still learning. Last summer my arm was in a cast Mike decided to help...we had sooo much fun....now he's building us a canning kitchen

[katie in the UP]

Sage wrote:
What an interesting post.I have so many gadgets, I woudn't know where to start. Hope I can include appliances here.
Sorry I haven't done this in a long time; need to get my brain back in Zaar

My 2 favourite appliances are
My Food Saver; I'm on my second machine


My latest find is a new toaster oven.I use this all the time; it is so convenient when I am cooking for 2(most of the time.
I wanted something a liitle better that the B& D. I know it is expensive, but well worth it.



I have had only 3 days and it is WOW! worth the price.
http://besttoasterovens.wordpress.com/2009/05/29/breville-bov800xl-smart-toaster-oven-review/

My DH has a food saver....I call it his...because he loves playing with it One nice thing...you should see my freezers....everything so organized and neat
Do you have the marinator (I can't find spell check on this new computer ) also? It connects to the food saver...