This page updated August 2, 2007
I don't have much shiny new cookware in my kitchen (pictured at right and below)-- I have a conglomeration of stuff I've collected over the years (one of my woks is over 30 years old!) and feel comfortable with. But I have some gadgets I'd hate to be without, and a few on my personal wish list!
Finding these items in your area;
Check your local kitchenware, gourmet, health food store or whatever first. There are some stores that specialize in grain mills, juicers, sprouters, etc-- they have lots of interesting equipment. Even catalogs like Sears have some of the items below (like hand blenders and grills).
If that fails, try the Internet. On this page, some of the items have a link to amazon.com, and I get a small commission if you buy the product from that particular link. Others have links to US and Canadian websites that sell that particular item. I get no commission from these links-- I'm just trying to help you find the items that I have faith in and use myself.
International buyers, check out amazon.ca and UK buyers amazon.co.uk, or do a search for "Bosch Universal Mixer" (or whatever the actual name of the product in question might be)--in quotation marks-- AND (use capital letters [upper case]) whatever country you live in. Example: Wondermill AND Denmark
************************************************************
(The items are not listed in any particular kind of order, just as I think of them.)
Here's #1 on my list. I've had a Bosch for over 20 years and my husband makes 24-30 loaves of bread a week in ours. It is a great machine and I love the blender! It has a low design, so it easily fits under cupboards. PS: I DON'T SELL THIS MACHINE!
The Bosch Universal Mixer :
"The world's finest kitchen machine is ideal for those who prepare foods with quality as well a quantity in mind. Renowned for quality craftsmanship and performance, Bosch provides the latest state-of-the-art design advances for the Universal. Your kitchen will be complete with this multi-function mixer and wide assortment of optional accessories and attachments. Superbly engineered to provide you with many years of service and cooking enjoyment.
Features:
- Standard equipment: heavy duty bowl, stainless steel dough hook, bowl cover, french whisks, and heavy duty blender.
- Three controlled speeds plus a switch for pulse operation.
- Built in circuit breaker protects the powerful 700 watt motor.
- Easy to clean, convenient to use and store.
Specifications:
- Weight:12 pounds 9 ounces.
- Output 700 watts.
- Dimensions: Height 7.5", Width 13.75", Depth 9.25".
- UL and CSA Listed.
- Three Year Motor Warranty 12 Pound Mixing Bowl Capacity, 6 Cup Blender Capacity."
THERE IS ALSO A VERSION WITHOUT THE BLENDER THAT IS CHEAPER!!
Canadian sources:
US sources:
Everthing Kitchens (based in Missouri-- free shipping on most items; 1% of every sale goes to World Vision)
MixerPro ( free shipping; sells parts, too)
You can often find this machine on websites and in stores that sell grain and grain mills, too, so look in your area. US customers will have no trouble finding online dealers that sell this machine-- just do a search for "Bosch Universal Mixer" and maybe you can find one near you. It's a little harder to find dealers in Canada, so the urls above may be useful.
YOU MAY BE ABLE TO FIND ONE SECOND HAND ON ONLINE AUCTIONS SITES, OR FROM A BOSCH DEALER. If you have a second hand Bosch, but no owner's manual, click here for an online version! No pictures, but it may help.
Also, I made PDF files out of my owner's manual for the machine, blender, slicer-shredder, and small whisk attachments, plus tips. I can email you the files if you need them.bryannasveganfeast@yahoo.com
(PS: I have no affiliation with the above websites and get no commission from them. BCG)
#1-A) The Vita-Mix Blender
NOTE: I like this machine so much that, despite vowing never to do this, I have decided to become a Vita-Mix Affiliate, so if you decide to try one out and you wouldn't mind me making a small percentage, click the logo to The Vita-Mix Blender Page or the Vita-Mix Canadian Page links. You'll also get free shipping this way!
The Vita-Mix Blender Page
The Vita-Mix Canadian Page (Canadian orders are shipped from the Toronto warehouse, so there are no customs problems!)
It took me along time-- many years-- to aquire a Vita-Mix, but I have been really thrilled with it! It's noisy, but not as annoyingly-noisy as the Oster blender I had, and, because it works so fast, you don't have to have it on as long as a regular blender. Tofu-nut mixtures are silky smooth, and puddings and pie fillings are more aerated and fluffy than those made in a food processor regular blender. My homemade low-fat vegan mayonnaise seems lighter, as well. The Vita-Mix can handle lots of ice, so making soy nogs and shakes and smoothies is super-easy. I like the "tamper", which helps push down thick mixtures and stir, if necessary, without ever hitting the blades!
Serious vegan cooks really need good machines. I keep mine out on my counter so that I can use them whenever necessary. The Vita-Mix is in a convenient place on my counter and always plugged in. It adds greatly to the diversity of your cooking, and I also like the fact that it blends so well that you can use the whole food, without peeling away any of the nutritional goodness.
#2) If you are interested in milling your own flour:
I have owned the Magic Mill III Plus Home Flour Mill, which you may be able to find on an online auction site, or secondhand, but is no longer being manufactured. However, if you have one of these machines and need parts for it, this Texas-based website still has parts! http://www.nutritionlifestyles.com/magic.htm
I made PDF files out of my owner's manual, etc., so I can email the files to you if you you get your hands on a Magic Mill III Plus without a manual. bryannasveganfeast@yahoo.com
I NOW OWN A WONDERMILL:
Find a dealer (in five countries-- USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand)
NOTE: Grain mills are often sold in stores and on websites that sell sprouting and juicing equipment.
(PS: I have no affiliation with the above websites and get no commission from them. BCG)
#3) Home Soymilk Maker:
RECOMMENDED SOYMILK MAKER:
The"SoyQuick"-- formerly the "Soylife" (the packaging is now updated and made from recycled materials)
I have a SoyQuick. soymilk maker (it used to be called Soylife) It's a Canadian company, but they ship to the US with free shipping and no duty!
US customers: To order straight from the company, or to find out more about US retailers, call customer service at 1-888-769-5433 Mon. - Fri. 8:30 to 4:30 PT.
Canadian customers: find a long list of Canadian retailers here.
I love this machine! I make 4-6 batches of great soymilk a week in it, and have had no problems! Read a review of soymilk makers from the Vancouver Island Vegetarian Association (VIVA) here.
The SoyQuick (formerly Soylife) has been tested and certified by Underwriters Laboratory Inc. This means that it meets the highest operational and safety standards in both Canada and the United States.
(PS: I have no affiliation with the above websites and get no commission from them. BCG)
#4) INDOOR GRILL
Hamilton Beach 25325 MealMaker Express Contact Grill
This is the grill I have in my kitchen, and I use it not only for veggie burgers and marinated tofu, but also for veggie kebabs, grilled vegetables, grilled sandwiches, panini, and French toast! When I grill veggie burgers, I also grill some thick slices of onion and mushrooms along side them. This grill is large, easy to clean and dishwasher-safe. It can be used open or closed.
Friends and fellow cooks highly recommend the Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler-- more expensive, but it gets to a higher temperature than mine, its hinges make it easier to grill thick items, and it can be used as a pancake griddle, since it has detachable flat plates.
#5) Braun MR430HC/AC Multiquick Deluxe Hand Blender & Chopper
If you want a more powerful version, this one gets rave reviews:
Braun MR5550MBC-HC Multiquick Professional Hand Blender
