What's your favorite kitchen/garden gadget?

I'm hoping by bumping this thread, Yolos will post about her pea peeler. Will it also work on blanched soy beans?

sanderson wrote:I'm hoping by bumping this thread, Yolos will post about her pea peeler.  Will it also work on blanched soy beans?

Pea peeler? Really? Maybe you could hire an out-of-work mouse for that job.

We have an old pea sheller, I think it is named the Wizard or something like that....  It makes quick work of shelling peas for canning or freezing.  It is supposed to also work on dry beans, but we don't raise dried beans so haven't tried that.

sanderson wrote:I'm hoping by bumping this thread, Yolos will post about her pea peeler.  Will it also work on blanched soy beans?

I said it was a pea peeler but I was wrong.  It is a pea sheller.  The reviews were not great but it works for me.  

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BTATUG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Some said it works better if the peas are wet, some say it works best if the peas are dry.  I harvest the peas, then wash them, then let the shells dry out somewhat, and then shell them.  It does squish some of the peas (about 10%) but it sure saves a lot of time.  This one is manual or you can hook up a drill to it (or spend a lot more and get an electric one).

As far as I can tell, it would not work for tender garden peas.  Must be somewhat harder shell which is what happens when Cowpeas sit on the counter for a number of hours.  Sanderson, I do not think it would work on blanched soy beans because the shell would be too soft.  It might work if the exterior of the soy bean was a little dry.  I shell my cowpeas first and then blanch the peas.

Pea sheller!! No wonder I got some interesting results. Thank you, Yolos.

I can only dream of having a harvest big enough to need one of these.

My newest fave non-kitchen (actually outdoor kitchen!) gadget is this lovely camp stove!  Less than $100 from Dick’s Sporting goods, 2 high powered BTU burners, I have been using it to can and just generally cook, which I didn’t do because of my ancient central A/C unit which just can’t keep up!  I love love love it!

https://i.servimg.com/u/f62/19/25/77/83/4f288c10.jpg

Shown with a big batch of stir-fried eggplant, garlic, EVOO, and some onion with a smattering of parmy!

One of Katie's friends is moving out of state and gave this to her. It's the coolest garden scooter I've ever seen -- complete with pink tractor seat -- doesn't get any better than this. LOL!

What does it do in addition to giving you a ride? Does it go any better because it is pink?

Kelejan wrote:What does it do in addition to giving you a ride? Does it go any better because it is pink?

I'll check it out, tomorrow, and report back. I just saw it in passing, today.

Grandkids would be scooting all over the yard.

countrynaturals wrote:

Kelejan wrote:What does it do in addition to giving you a ride? Does it go any better because it is pink?

I'll check it out, tomorrow, and report back. I just saw it in passing, today.

It has a nice rope and handle -- like for towing water skiis -- and a nice, deep tray under the seat -- would hold weeds, seeds, tools, etc., so it could be used as a scooter or a small wagon. The overall size is much bigger than the little plastic scooters (which I love). I couldn't find a name on it, so it might be custom, but it looks manufactured, rather than homemade. Anyway, it's cute, fun, and functional.

Looks a lot like one that the local garden center sells.

Garden Scooter

OhioGardener wrote:Looks a lot like one that the local garden center sells.

Garden Scooter

THAT'S IT (except for the rope handle)! This one doesn't have that kewl basket on the back, so I'll have to figure out how to rig something up for that. Thanks for sharing, Ohio.  

A few weeks ago, we bought the Farberware Toaster-Air fryer oven at Wal-Mart for $69.00. WOW... what a machine.
It is all stainless steel and has a glass door. We have kept it on the back porch and have cooked steak, fries, chicken wings and leg quarters in it.

  My friend bought one and he bakes biscuits, cookies and cakes in it. Some of the other manufacture's air fryers costs about $200.00. This model is $60.00. I'm pretty sure Wal-Mart is the only one who sells this model.

 Think of it. Some of the best fried chicken anywhere and without any grease or oil. It comes with a great recipe book with times and temps.

Here's the link.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Farberware-Air-Fryer-Toaster-Oven-No-Oil-No-Splatter-No-Mess/718543483

Sounds great, MrBooker!  That looks very much like our Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven, which we have had for about 1 1/2 year.  We use it almost daily, and love cooking the fat-free foods.  One of my favorites is Sweet Potato Fries (or Winter Squash Fries).

Enjoy!

OhioGardener wrote:Sounds great, MrBooker!  That looks very much like our Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven, which we have had for about 1 1/2 year.  We use it almost daily, and love cooking the fat-free foods.  One of my favorites is Sweet Potato Fries (or Winter Squash Fries).

Enjoy!

We looked at the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven. Big price difference.

MrBooker wrote:We looked at the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven. Big price difference.

That is correct,  we paid $90 for ours. But, the Farberware one wasn't on the market yet at the time we bought ours.  The only functions we use on ours are the Air Fryer and Convection Oven settings, so we don't max it out.

I rarely buy expensive gadgets for myself, but I'm splurging on this puppy. It lets you load up on weeds or harvest, then dump the load wherever you want it. I am in love.    

https://seedsforgenerations.com/product/roo-apron-purple/

I spurged this Feb on an indoor seed starting set-up from Gardeners: https://www.gardeners.com/buy/stack-n-grow-led-light-system/8595769RS.html#start=1

The lights and stuff that I was using didn't help with seed germination

Later my plastic sit -on cart was replaced because it kept dumping me on the ground with this:
https://www.gardeners.com/buy/deluxe-tractor-garden-scoot/40-131.html

This unit is much like what a couple of you have and I think it will really help in the 
garden.

Judy, Does the grow stand store easily?

It is brand new and just put into use - so no collapsing yet. But it should break down into  about 25" long,12" deep, and  12" tall (about egg carton box size)(I'm hoping!)

Did you buy the double decker?

The basic unit and an add-on.  Like:
https://www.gardeners.com/buy/stack-n-grow-led-light-system/8595769RS.html#start=1

Judy McConnell wrote:The basic unit and an add-on.  Like:
https://www.gardeners.com/buy/stack-n-grow-led-light-system/8595769RS.html#start=1

You can also get it at Walmart with free shipping.