Tools of the new homestead.
3 min read
Hopefully you have thought it out and brought your assortment of shovels, rakes, hoes and riding mower and rototiller etc. I am thinking of the indoors right now. A crockpot will be very important. During lambing time, spring chick time, calving time etc. That kitchen tool would be able to have dinner for you or even lunch and dinner without having to be there to add and stir things in. If you choose to homestead off grid, then a solar cooker can achieve the same thing. Of course that might be something a little more difficult depending on where you are homesteading. Solar cookers are awesome things and work in many more places than most would give them credit for.
Also, if you are off grid, you might want a wood stove. This could also function as a slow cooker if you become familiar with how the top surface heats. There is normally a coolest and hottest spot on any stove. I used trivets to regulate the temps while using my cook stove a few years back. Sure do miss that big wonderful black beauty of a stove.
A good set of pots and pans are also great. Cast Iron is the original no-stick surface once seasoned correctly. A cast iron pot will cost you a bit. However as with most tools, when you spend a little more it is bound to last you longer. A good investment for sure. A cast iron pan is what I use the most, even though I am not on a large homestead. I know of some folks that run two cast iron pans at once. That is amazing to me.
A sewing machine is something to get to know also. Mending and even creating things will be of great value. Even guys can sew. Most sewing probably will be done in the winter. Life is slower sometimes when you are not fixing hand tools, plowing snow, fixing a leak, winterizing etc. Knitting and crocheting are two crafty things to learn also. A number of gloves, hats, scarves and such will be of good use when tending to chores in the winter. Yes there are chores in the winter. You will find sewing is even useful for when you have animals. Occasionally they need a little help and that quilt, wool covering, or feed sack for the sick or ailing animal can be made by you. Your farm dog would love a nice quilty bed to curl up into, next to the wood stove or just by some heater. As your farm dog ages that will become even more important for him/her to have. Your farm cats even can benefit from your sewing some kitty toys for Christmas presents. Hahaha. I know my cat ‘Normal’ who happens to be a Main Coon especially likes the catnip mice that are sewn for him.
Another kitchen tool, I thought of was a Vita Mix. It is an industrial type blender that can make quick work of making soups, used for canning, especially tomatoes I think. Making shakes, if you have cows you will have milk, and powdering your herbs for cooking with. Assuming you have an herb garden. That brings me to a dehydrator. Mine is now an Excalibur. I did use others before this one, In my experience, I would say to just go for an Excalibur if you can. I got mine as a reconditioned model and right from the Excalibur site. Best purchase I have made. With the Excalibur, it can rise bread, help you make yogurt, and dry your herbs and most any other item you can think of. It is awesome.
I am sure that there are a few more tools you can think of.
maybe you could share with us the proper way to season an iron skillet or dutch oven. i hear that this is key
Ok, an article was written on just that, thank you so much for reading my post.
Study the past folks, all you need to know has aready been done
We are able to discuss things and renew our learning and update our thoughts through this process. Study is good, sharing is even better, thanks for reading.
this will only work if u have power…
Yes normally that is true, if you don’t have a sun oven that would work in a pinch as well. Then ask a friend, I am sure they would have an oven able to season your pan so you could use it in the sun oven or over a fire or on a grill. So not ‘only’ my reader.