Does anyone have a good source for old fashion kitchen tools? I have found a source for a hand operated butter churn. Would like to find a mixer, potato masher-that is flat w/ small holes in the plate! Anything that our grandparents and great-grandparents may have used. I have some old ones but I am afraid to use them!!!

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), July 12, 2000

Answers

Two sources are Cumberland General Store (800-334-4640) and Lehman Hardware (216-857-5441). Both will charge you for their catalog. Lehman's is a lot cheaper, but doesn't have the more extensive line of Cumberland. Go on day trips through flea markets and antique malls. Old kitchen tools often show up there. I think the potato masher you are looking for may be called a ricer (for making dumplings). Has a basket which slips in a frame and a press which forces the potato strings out of holes in the sides and bottom. Us kids would just about fight over who got to do it for momma. If you can't find one I have a used on in a consignment shop. Also check on eBay for the items you are looking for.

We are currently having a nice little thunderstorm. Apparently will only get about 1/2" of rain out of it, but it sure is welcome. I tell people I'm a grass farmer. I grow grass and grass needs moisture to grow. I just happen to harvest it through cattle.

-- Ken Scharabok (scharabo@aol.com), July 12, 2000.

For a mixer, if you are talking about the small hand cranked type, I bought my daughter one for her hope chest this past year - I got it at either Wal-Mart or K-Mart. I have also seen a better quality (heavier) one at a Kitchen outlet store.

As for the potato masher, I don't have a ricer type one, but I do have a couple that the business end looks like hardware cloth (rabbit wire) on a circular frame. I use them mostly for mashing strawberries. I have another that looks like heavy gauge wire going back and forth in a wave pattern that I use for potatoes. I got them at auction in a box of other miscelllaneous junk. They are both pretty old, but I go ahead and use them - they are made sturdy. Try the Salvation Army or Goodwill, or any other generic type thrift store near you. Would you like me to keep an eye out 'round here?

-- Polly (tigger@moultrie.com), July 12, 2000.

I use Lehmans general catalog for non-electric tools. Try out their "good" clothes hand washer (a white "buckett" with a crank) for making butter. You can make A WHOLE LOT AT ONCE, in about 10 minutes! Not kidding. I see the number is allready listed, I'd call, they have great stuff and good pri

-- Marty (Mrs.Puck@excite.com), July 12, 2000.

A lot of those tools are still popular with "gourmet" cooks so you can get them at high end kitchen shops (I'm blanking on the name right now). Personally I prefer to haunt flea markets and antique shops. You can get them used cheaper. Don't be afraid to use them - they're sturdy as can be.

Related question - what did our grandparents use instead of a blender? When a recipe says "blend until smooth," what's the answer? Wire whisk?

-- Deborah (ActuaryMom@hotmail.com), July 13, 2000.

Thanks for the great suggestions! We have lots of antique shoppes around. Will start my hunt tomorrow, as the rain has set in and can't get in the garden(we have red clay)!

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), July 13, 2000.

If you are near Indiana anytime soon, there is a Hardware store in Shipshewana that is amazing; can't remember the name, but it is huge, and has material and lots of household goodies and clothing, as well as hardware. You can get tredle sewing machines and wringer washers there too. It is right on the main drag, and beatifully landscaped with loads of flowers. There is parking for cars in front, and Amish buggies in the back, and a clue to their pretty flowers....a tree sided box, mad of landscape timbers, that butted up to the blacktop parking lot, for the neatly scooped up "horse apples!"

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), July 18, 2000.

I think that store in Shipshewana you are talking about is called Yoders. There is also a neat hardware store across the road and I can't remember it's name but it is next to the Spector fabric store. We get down there about once a year and really love to shop for non- electric items there. There is another store that is our favorite called E&S Sales. One building is entirely a bulk food store and a short walk away is their hardware store which is full of a lot of goodies. :-) E & S is just outside of Shipshewana a little ways on Highway 5.

-- Kathleen Kruger (dkruger@torchlake.com), July 19, 2000.

Kathleen, maybe she could get a catalog from Yoder's or E&S. Do they put one out? I'd be interested in one also. Kathy kbaker@duo- county.com

-- kathy baker (kbaker@duo-county.com), August 15, 2000.

As of this time neither Yoders or E&S offer a catalog. E&S use to send out sales flyers once a month but they have discontinued it I believe. I receive the Budget which is an Amish/Mennonite newpaper and they have ran ads in there but I haven't seen any lately. We usually get down in that area about once or twice a year so just pick up what I need then. I will look around and see if I can come up with and address for them just in case they still do send out the newsletter. Kathleen

-- Kathleen Kruger (dkruger@torchlake.com), August 17, 2000.