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On Today’s Podcast Episode, Rachel Talks About The Kitchen Power Tools She Has and Recommends.

The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 251 – August 11, 2024

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Mixer

Kitchenaid: https://amzn.to/3YuHqF7 This is what I currently have and love, though I have taken to doing most of my recipes by hand. I just enjoy that now. This mixer is excellent for the homestead. This is my second as we burned up by first using a meat grinder attachment, however it was the smaller model.   I never use mine for anything else but mixing and am not a fan of the attachments. I am happy they updated the metal blades to stainless.  I love how easy this is to clean and use. 

Bosch: https://amzn.to/4d9hK5k

 I do not own this but many of my friends have them.  They are very well loved if you make a lot of bread.  As you know my bread is gluten free so the doughs are not kneaded and mixed the same. I hear this is an amazing mixer if you are a big traditional bread maker.

Food Processor/Grinder/Mixer: Ninja https://amzn.to/46Nq0WB

I love this, it is my second one.  My first was the small one and I upgraded to the larger one. I use it daily for smoothies, iced coffee or crushed ice.   I also chop food up like onions, garlic etc, blend, mix, you can also mix dough with it. It really is my daily go to. My biggest complaint is there is no uniformal chopping like slicing or cubes you would get with a food processor.

Grain Grinder: Wondermill https://amzn.to/3AjZebR

I currently have a Wondermill and it works great.  I really love this thing. I grind rice, sorghum, millet, buckwheat, teff, & beans. It has an option to grind more or less fine, though with rice it doesn’t get as fine as I’d like and I sprout mine to do this. The down side is the noise, dust,and  it’s metal grinding blades. 

What I am eventually upgrading to:

Nutramill Stone: https://amzn.to/3Wxph6Z

Stones don’t heat up the grain as much and you aren’t going to get metal shavings in your flour.  

Instant Pot: https://amzn.to/3WNcJto

I have this older version of the 7 in 1.  If I ever upgrade I want the one with the sous vide option. 

Airfryer: Ninja  https://amzn.to/3AlaeFS

This is a 5 quart I really enjoy this thing for meat when you’re in a hurry.  We have done homemade fries in it as well. 

Not in love with the nonstick teflon as usual.

Toaster/oven/Airfryer: Cuisinart  https://amzn.to/4fwG17e

I love that this is stainless, it does for some reason seem to be slower than the small versions.  We often bake potatoes and smaller things in this little oven as well.  I really like it’s dual purpose. These are a pain to clean though. 

Digital Scale: Kitchenaid https://amzn.to/3WNmCaD I love that the dial is not digital and the easy to clean glass surface.  It does liquid, grams and ounces. It is cordless and battery operated. 

Vacuum Sealer: Foodsaver  https://amzn.to/4dsh1fl

This is the closest I could find to the model we have  which is now out of production. We have used the heck out of this thing for herbs, meat, dehydrated vegetables etc..   

Dehydrators: Excalibur https://amzn.to/4dv4BDI

I have two of the nine tray, analog ones like in this link.  I live the simplicity so that I am not fixing things. I use this for jerky, herbs, fruit, raw yogurt, rising bread etc.  It is why I like the box that has removable trays.  

Immersion Blender: Kitchenaid https://amzn.to/3yrwm0W

I use this for blending soups, stews, mayo, dressings and I have an extra for making soap. I love them. 

Frother: https://amzn.to/3Sw1B1C

Cordless battery operated. I use this for making coffee and tea lattes which I often froth in a raw egg yolk or two too.  Maybe not a need but I sure enjoy my hot coffee or tea in the morning. 

Coffee grinder/Spice Grinder: Kitchenaid, of course https://amzn.to/3LSmgcI

I love that this comes with two stainless steel bowls. I use it for things like coffee, peppercorns, cloves, and harder dried roots since the stainless bowls don’t get damaged like the plastic on the Ninja.

Ice Cream Maker: Cuisinart https://amzn.to/4d7weCL 

We love this little one but it is small.  It holds 1.5 quarts and is the freezer bowl kind, which means you can only make one batch (probably best, LOL). It is a pain to have to freeze the bowl.

The more traditional kind but with power is this 4 quart ice cream maker that uses ice and salt: https://amzn.to/3MbkZxz  The pros to this is you can make multiple batches and more. The cons are you need to have ice and salt.

Waffle Maker: Cuisinart  https://amzn.to/4cYNZnP

We use this to make Gluten Free Sourdough waffles and chaffle keto waffles for bread or pizza.  We love freezing these for quick meals.  I wish it was not non-stick but it is what it is.

Popcorn Popper: West Bend Stir Crazy https://amzn.to/3yfBOEa 

This is a family chosen snack.  We make it often and we love being able to control the ingredients with the fats, salts, flavorings and kind of popcorn. Again it’s downfall is the non-stick coating and plastic getting heated up.

Meat Grinder:LEM Big Bite 1.0 HP https://amzn.to/3yldvEN 

This thing is a beast.  It’s heavy and hard to store but it does the job fast and well.  We run whole chicken legs and thighs through it for the dogs food, we process animals with it and we grind our own burger and sausages. You will not have to give this thing a rest and it will not lack power.  It has paid for itself many times over. It is an investment though and like I said, very heavy. 

Meat Slicer:LEM  https://amzn.to/3YBQmbE

We have a very expensive brand that we got for pennies on the dollar at an auction but I do recommend LEM products.  We make lunchmeat, cured meats, and hope to make cheese but I do buy cheese logs at the Amish and slice those.  It is really handy for doing these things if you are avoiding buying processed meats at the store. Not a need but surely a helpful thing to have to for multiple families to share. 

Chamber Vac: Vevor Brand https://amzn.to/3AazxKY

This is on my wish list for many reasons, I know many who have this brand and like it.  I can do meat, veg, jars and even retort pouches with this. It seals better than a vacuum sealer and with retort pouches I can have shelf stable bagged food (no worry about freezing or breaking) for travel that lasts longer than canned food in a jar. The downside to this is expense and storage but again you could share this with friends or family.

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