Best Kitchen Items You Don’t Have to Buy New

Shopping at the thrift store is a power trip. It allows you to bargain hunt and engage in sustainable recycling. One bargain leap for you, one small step for the planet.

Amazing Pre-owned Finds

Here, I will share items which, in my own experience, have provided satisfaction and surprised me with their versatility. I hope it will inspire you to go on your own self sufficient journey.

All the items have to do with food preparation. These are heady times, we have all noticed the increase in food prices. The excuses from large grocery chains – fuel, war, fires, flooding, transportation costs, which still seem to make large profits for them, but are not shared with farmers

The consumer has a to responsibility to take care of their business, and change the things they can change. Enter the best kitchen items which have allowed me the following benefits:

• Convenience
  
• Time Saving
  
• Economical
  
• Versatility

While perusing items in a thrift store, you may notice the sudden availability of certain items. This happened some time ago when I noticed that every store I went to had bread machines available. Nice ones too, as most seemed hardly used.

I guessed these bread machines had been pandemic purchases, because during that time flour and yeast were flying off the shelves like it was 1999. Now people were tired of them. They take up counter space, you actually do have to use them to make it worthwhile, in addition some people do like the soggy, commercial bread, that is nearly $4 per loaf in Canada, and rising.

Cuisinart 2lb Convection Bread Maker CBK-200 (Discontinued)

I ignored the call of the bread machine for as long as I could, but there seemed to be an influx at the thrift stores with many different brands appearing. Then, at a local weekend garage sale fundraiser, the price was right, $20.00, for a discontinued model Cuisinart Bread machine in good working order. Most bread machines are in the $100-$200 range new for the smaller versions. My Cuisinart bread maker has multiple options for style, size and bread. Bargain.

I thought I was just going through a faze, but I make bread every week now. I have even made the dough for hamburger buns. It can also do many of the artisanal style loaves as well as pizza dough.

The purchase solved some of my former bread making issues: The dough would never rise properly as I keep my environment cool, this resulted in bread like a brick. which would be good if I were building a house. Now my bread is perfect every time. You do need to adjust the recipes for your particular bread maker and find out what the optimal amounts of dry to wet ingredients work best for the brand you purchased. I now make a great Country style bread.

Philips Viva Collection SoupMaker (Discontinued)

I have to admit, for this next one, I didn’t even know what I had picked up. I thought is was a kind of food blender but it did look different.

The cashier was kind enough to identify it as a soup maker, it was in great condition, and I was in a hurry, so it came home with me for $9.00. After going online for its specs. I found that it makes more than just soups and smoothies, this 6-in-1 appliance makes baby food, nut milks, frappés, hot chocolate, compote, sauces and jams, in addition to creamed or chunky soups. Bargain.

So far I have made some wonderful Thai, and Indian soups as I find the ability to throw everything in, and as long as you use boiling water or stock, you have heart warming soup ready in as little as 18 mins. This is fabulous when you want something nutritious and delicious in short order. You can also use it as a normal blender.

One can get 4 small bowls or 2 huge bowls of soup. Instead of a can of soup, you can quickly prepare a quick nutritious soup.

Enamel Canning Pot and Preserving Kettle

If you want to dip your jar into the world of canning, used equipment if the way to go. If you are a gardener who has too much fruit and veg. or you don’t want to see your expensive quick spoil grocery produce go to waste – try preserving.

The latest thrift store purchase was the biggest water bath enamel canning pot and bucket I have seen. They were sold separately, but I could tell they had been dropped off together. $15 each. ( Some thrift stores in Canada think they are in competition with Winners). It did include the stand for jars in the pot which I discarded as it was damaged and ordered a new one.

I knew I was serious about canning. When you set your intention the universe opens a way. I was not ready to spend the money on a full canning set and just want to try a few items first. At this price. Bargain.

So far I have canned cabbage, and am looking forward to canning farm fresh produce to expand my repertoire.

Final thoughts…

Secure your food preparation options and make the best of nature’s bounty.

Tips

Here are some tips when you purchase used kitchen items:

Check item for damage. ( Sometimes things are missed).

• Go online for the instruction manual and read before using and appliance.
  
• Only buy electrical items that have been tested by the store.
  
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect the items with appropriate cleaners.
  
• Be creative, and experiment with recipes as you will find out what works best with your equipment.