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Downsizer Forum Index -> Recipes, Preserving, Homebrewing

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Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 05 12:51 pm Post subject: Quality equipment

I've a feeling there's a thread in the mists of time already started by Jema about this, but can I find it???

Generally I'd like to buy good equipment that will last, so I thought I'd start a thread where anyone can recommend what they use or know to be good. We've done saucepans separately but I thought little bits would be good - whether a brand name or a generic description.

My ulterior motive is that we currently require a tin opener that will open tins, and a pepper grinder that will put up with being dropped and will last and doesn't require a second mortgage.

Apparently the Culinaire Magican is good, and Lakeland claims a lifetime guarantee

which is about all you can ask for from a tin opener. I'd prefer a common or garden metal one but the last two we bought broke.

Have recently bought a Screwpull corkscrew as it has a 5 year guarantee and allows me to get in to a bottle without waiting for OH to come home (very important for a happy home, that!).

So as well as finding me a nice grinder and can opener, have you anything else lurking that you think is worth investing in for a Downsizer's hardworking kitchen?

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45669
Location: Essex

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 05 12:54 pm Post subject:
For a pepper mill I'd go for one with a ceramic mechanism. Mine are Zassenhaus.

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28234
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 05 12:57 pm Post subject:
I have been farily happy with a ceramic from Le Crueset.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 05 12:57 pm Post subject:
This lot are quite good IMHO: www.cookware.co.uk We've got a cleaver and S&P mills from them, which I'm happy with. Their stuff isn't particularly cheap, but I think it's reasonable and they quite often have decent special offers on.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45669
Location: Essex

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 05 1:02 pm Post subject:
This lot are excellent for any German cutting tools (knives, scissors, nail clippers etc), Rosle utensils, Zassenhaus utensils and a couple of ranges of cutlery too. They're cheaper and quicker than any of the UK online merchants I've used. https://www.hainlin.de/

Sarah D

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 05 2:11 pm Post subject:

I tend to buy stuff as and when I need it, and go after no specific name. We have a pepper mill that is about 15 years old, beechwood, survives dropping, throwing (don;t ask), heat, etc. No idea of the make, though.
As for the rest of the equipment I use, I tend to go for the catering standard quality if I can get it - much better made and lasts better than that aimed at the ordinary domestic market. Can be picked up quite cheaply second hand too. Best things ar the things like slotted spoons and ladle, etc, and the saucepans, sieves, strainers, etc.
My own favourite is "nice" wooden spoons - I have "far too many" of them, apparently, but I love them, especially when they become old with a bit of character. It is also one of the things on the make myself list, being not too difficult and very forgiving for a slip with the gouger...........

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45669
Location: Essex

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 05 2:16 pm Post subject:

Sarah D wrote:

My own favourite is "nice" wooden spoons - I have "far too many" of them, apparently, but I love them, especially when they become old with a bit of character. It is also one of the things on the make myself list

Ditto, we always used to buy a wooden spoon wherever we went on holiday, got one left now, it's olive wood from Kenya.

Sarah D

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 05 2:18 pm Post subject:
I'll tell him iI'm not alone, then, when he starts................

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28234
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 05 2:40 pm Post subject:
Qaulity can be timeless, my best saucepan must be 40 years old or more

Jonnyboy

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 23956
Location: under some rain.

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 05 2:42 pm Post subject:
We have tons of wooden spoons, they seem to 'season' over time so I have particular ones which always get used for currys and chillis

Sarah D

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 05 2:44 pm Post subject:
Yellowed ones for curries, very long handled ones for getting into the brewing bucket, one with a corner for sauces, tiny wee ones for small pots of sauce, flat ones for stirring onions, big ones for big pots, the one with the bent handle for soap making................

Jonnyboy

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 23956
Location: under some rain.

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 05 2:48 pm Post subject:
The odd thing is that I don't use a wooden spoon for tasting, always a metal one so I get the full flavour of the food. Eating food off a wooden spoon just doesn't taste right for me.

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28234
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 05 2:53 pm Post subject:

Jonnyboy wrote:

The odd thing is that I don't use a wooden spoon for tasting, always a metal one so I get the full flavour of the food.

Eating food off a wooden spoon just doesn't taste right for me.

ditto

Sarah D

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 05 3:21 pm Post subject:
Usually all you can taste is wet wood. Like steaming veg in a bamboo steamer - yuk And a bit like only having one knife to reliably test the potatoes when cooking............. I always use the same one.

twoscoops

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 1924
Location: Warwickshire

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 05 3:46 pm Post subject:
[quote="tahir it's olive wood from Kenya.[/quote] Do they press olives for oil in Kenya? I find my Microplane grater very good. And my Bosch processor.

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