DEHYDRATOR
Excaliber makes the gold standard line of food dehydrators. Here is the model I will consider in the future: Excalibur 3926TB Food Dehydrator, Black
.
Excalibur was out of my budget when I decided to start drying food and I also wasn't sure how much I would use it, so I purchased this solid middle-ground dehydrator: Nesco Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator FD-75A
. Now that I know what to do with it, I use my dehydrator weekly.
. Excalibur was out of my budget when I decided to start drying food and I also wasn't sure how much I would use it, so I purchased this solid middle-ground dehydrator: Nesco Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator FD-75A
. Now that I know what to do with it, I use my dehydrator weekly.I also use these three accessories:
- Extra trays Nesco LT-2SG Add-A-Tray for FD-61/FD-61WHC/FD-75A and FD-75PR Dehydrators, Set of 2
- Sheets for fruit leather Nesco LSS-2-6 Fruit Roll Sheets for FD-28JX/FD-37/FD-60/FD-61/FD-61WHC/FD75A and FD-75PR, Set of 2
- Screens for small items Nesco LM-2-6 Clean-A-Screen Tray for FD-28JX/FD-37/FD-60/FD-61/FD-61WHC/FD-75A and FD-75PR, Set of 2.
FOOD PROCESSOR
I use my old, sturdy Cuisinart food processor at least once or twice a week, especially for big slicing and grating projects. I am not including a link for this tool because I have no experience with newer models and only recommend products I actually use.
IMMERSION BLENDER
I use this handy tool quite often for blending soups and making pureed vegetables, but there are also many other uses: Cuisinart CSB-75 Smart Stick 2-Speed 200-Watt Immersion Hand Blender
. My immersion blender came with a mini food chopper that I use a lot for onions, marinades, etc., but I do not have experience with the newer models.
JERKY GUN
If you want to make jerky using ground meat, this tool is a good choice: LEM Products Jerky Cannon
.
I got another brand's cheaper plastic gun initially and it broke the second time I used it. This LEM version is very sturdy and the meat glides out so easily that it takes little effort after the meat is put into the cannon. Potential buyers should know that the jerky gun is not small. It's about 20" long. The advantage of having a big cannon, though, is that it can fit 1.5 lbs of meat so it's easy to make a bunch at once and then freeze. The trick is to roll the meat into long rolls that fit right into the cannon.
. My immersion blender came with a mini food chopper that I use a lot for onions, marinades, etc., but I do not have experience with the newer models.JERKY GUN
If you want to make jerky using ground meat, this tool is a good choice: LEM Products Jerky Cannon
.
I got another brand's cheaper plastic gun initially and it broke the second time I used it. This LEM version is very sturdy and the meat glides out so easily that it takes little effort after the meat is put into the cannon. Potential buyers should know that the jerky gun is not small. It's about 20" long. The advantage of having a big cannon, though, is that it can fit 1.5 lbs of meat so it's easy to make a bunch at once and then freeze. The trick is to roll the meat into long rolls that fit right into the cannon. KNIVES
It only took me a couple of decades in the kitchen to realize the importance of good knives! Investing in three different sizes of high-quality knives over time has allowed me to get rid of the dull odds and ends I had accumulated and to experience the ease of using excellent knives in my food preparation. Here's what I use:
Wusthof Classic 3-1/2-Inch Paring KnifeWusthof Classic Hollow-Ground Santoku
Wusthof Classic Chef's Knife.
SLOW COOKERS
My sister says my slow cookers and I are "attached at the hip" and she's not far off. I would be lost without mine in the kitchen. It is the same situation for my slow cookers as for my food processor. I use three different sizes (small, medium, large) and I've had them for years, so I don't have new products to recommend.
If I were ordering replacements, I would consider these models:
Small: Protor Silex 1.5 Qt
Medium: Crock Pot 3-Qt
Extra large: Hamilton Beach 8 Qt (Not Programmable)
TOASTER OVEN
I rarely use a microwave because of what I believe it does to the quality of food. It took me awhile to find a good quality, affordable, non-nonstick toaster oven and I'm glad I took the time to research. Here's what I use: Waring Pro TCO650 Digital Convection Oven
VITAMIX
My favorite tool of all is my Vitamix. I've been known to use it several times in one day. It is very very expensive, but money well spent when I consider how many of the cheaper blenders I burned through before receiving a Vitamix. Vitamix 5200s Black : Featuring Variable Speed Control and Large Capacity 64oz Container - Also includes Getting Started Plus Recipe Book, Instructional DVD, and 7 Year Warranty!
YOGURT MAKER
I use my yogurt maker to make SCD yogurt: Yogourmet Electric Yogurt Maker
It makes delicious, creamy yogurt that we eat with honey and fruit and use in baking and smoothies. I avoid cooking in plastic, so I ordered this glass jar from Lucy's Kitchen Shop (an excellent resource for SCD): Glass Yogurt Container. You can also order the yogurt maker and yogurt starter from Lucy through the same link.
It makes delicious, creamy yogurt that we eat with honey and fruit and use in baking and smoothies. I avoid cooking in plastic, so I ordered this glass jar from Lucy's Kitchen Shop (an excellent resource for SCD): Glass Yogurt Container. You can also order the yogurt maker and yogurt starter from Lucy through the same link.PLEASE NOTE:
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate
advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and
linking to amazon.com. There is no extra cost to
you when buying via my links. I have researched these products, use them myself and believe them to be
of value.
