3 Ways the Amish COOK

What do the Amish use for cooking and baking? What don't they use? And do they ever eat at restaurants?
My name is Erik Wesner and I'm not Amish. Back in 2004, I met the Amish while selling books. Since then, I've visited 5,000+ Amish homes & dozens of Amish communities. My book on Amish business, Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive, was published in 2010. I run the Amish America website: amishamerica.com/
Image credits: Karen Johnson-Weiner; Don Burke (www.flickr.com/photos/ozarkin...)
Video: Michael Pilkinton (amishofethridge.com/); videvo.net

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

These are beautiful homes. Thank you and those who shared their homes for pictures. God bless you all.

[@davekiernan1]

We all could learn alot from the Amish. Good people.

[@jamesdt1980]

This library of growing videos on the Amish is so fascinating, thank you for continuing to bring us insight on the Amish lifestyle(s)!

[@AmishAmerica]

Thank you James! Glad you're here

[@RR98guy]

I am an American and now live in Hungary and there are quite a number of older Hungarians that have a wood burning cook stove/oven in their homes. Some of them even have a separate "summer kitchen" that they use during the warm weather months. These are usually found in parts of Hungary that previously had Danube-Swabian ethnic German populations before the end of WW2.. These stoves are still being made and offered for sale here.

[@notsosilentmajority1]

Hi RR98guy. How do you like living in Hungary? It is a country I have considered possibly moving to. I've checked out quite a few things but the language just seems way too difficult.

[@lukassvitek1432]

What’s the name of the stoves?

[@RR98guy]

@@lukassvitek1432 I have heard them called fából készült tűzhely or sparhelt. I think sparhelt is a brand name, ther are also some called hunor or warnex which are brand names as well.

[@overratedprogrammer]

Yes back in the day it was more common for dutch homes to have a separate summer kitchen

[@Lost_AtSea_]

So do Russians in rural villages

[@amberenyeart4833]

I've noticed that many Amish homes I've visited in South Whitley and Ft. Wayne Indiana actually keep their LP range in a separate room off from the kitchen so they can divert the heat away from the main part of the house. Probably more for when they can food as well. I only saw one wood burning cookstove in an older Amish home and the heat coming off of it was intense. The Amish around us have big flat propane grills and griddles that can cook so much food at one time; kinda makes me want to get one for my big family😁

[@elizabethmcglothlin5406]

When I lived on a fairly primitive farm in Southern OH, I found a remarkable stove. It was enameled iron and had two sides. One side was propane for use in the summer and the other was wood-fired. In winter you unhooked the propane--well, duh--and used the other side when warmth was a good thing.

[@RonnieGreher]

As an OTR bus driver I interact with Amish on a daily basis. They eat fast food, bring snacks on the bus, and aren’t much different from English in terms of eating. When people are hungry and choices are limited, they still eat. Some will have you make phone calls for them, some will talk into the phone on speaker, and others will use your cell phone to call a driver as needed. The handwritten address books are something to see though. These are generally very conservative and plain Amish, but variations will always exist.

[@RockinRavenVA]

My Amish friends will grill or cook on the campfire at the drop of a (straw) hat. Rare is the Amish back yard that doesn't have a fire pit.

[@AmishAmerica]

It's just a great family experience!

[@DaveSomething]

always amazed at how spotlessly clean the houses are

[@cindynielson4231]

My Great Aunt & Uncle had a large dairy farm when is was very young, I would go to stay with them and my Aunt cooked on a wood stove. I have such fond memories of them and the farm. TFS 👍

[@AmishAmerica]

The warmth and smell of a wood burning stove really can't be beat

[@WilliamWeicht]

About a month ago my wife and I ate at Red Lobster and there was a large group of Amish there also. I was surprised to see them at Red Lobster.

[@donhuber9131]

When I used to cycle thru the Amish area around Seymour, MO I would see the Amish men at the local convenience store. On really hot summer days, they would chug Gatorade like a high school football player!

[@karengunia5451]

I just love all your videos!

[@smittykins]

I live in a part of Upstate New York with a small population of Amish and “black bumper” Mennonites, and when I worked at Burger King from 1991-2000, I would occasionally have them as customers.

[@susiecox8413]

Hi Erik, Thanks for sharing another interesting video! There is quite a bit of difference in the kitchens, some being really plain and others being quite modern. I noticed how clean they keep their kitchens. It makes me tired to think how busy they are and the amount of work they do in just a day....

[@roseyc.5846]

Their food is AWESOME!! 🙂❤️

[@sharonholmes2470]

Very interesting 👌 videos! Amazing what I have learned from you. We thank 😊 you.

[@AmishAmerica]

Gladly!

[@vernonearl]

One resturant the Amish would frequent was the Shady Maple before it became a tourist attraction.

[@mq5276]

Shady Maple isn't nearly as good as it used to be. I used to think their food couldn't be beat, but now I'm so disappointed, except for their cream filled donuts...

[@juliahelland6488]

Thanks for sharing this! 💯

[@stantonmagid4126]

Thank you Erik always enjoy your videos they are so entertaining and informative

[@AmishAmerica]

Thank you, so nice to hear.

[@dennisbeers]

I love all your video's, Keep up the good work!

[@AmishAmerica]

Thank you!

[@dennisbeers]

@@AmishAmerica Your very welcome!!

[@Hebrews_3]

Very nice kitchens Thank you for the inspiration

[@madelinechriston8970]

I just found your channel for the first time today. Thank you for your informative videos, which I'm finding very interesting. I'm looking forward to your future material!

[@jerriscollins-ruth9019]

Thanks Eric

[@AmishAmerica]

Gladly!

[@Holly-ro3yq]

Tyvm for your videos. I truly enjoy them.

[@KiltedDaddyBear]

Doing another (s) videos on how these are built and used would be good. Just a suggestion. 😌

[@kimkrebs451]

Thanks for sharing

[@zalkona5051]

I was wondering if they would cook outside of the main building in summer, like in an out building, so as not to heat up the house. I had a relative who would cook sometimes with kerosene and I couldn’t eat the food. You could taste the kerosene and it was awful! But if you’re using it all the time I guess you would get used to it.

[@rodneyleon3645]

Maybe do a video on the everyday common Amish conversation. Give us an interview, concealing their identity. Would you feel like you were corrupting them? Would the community say something to you if they found out you were leading some astray? What would they do if you flirted with an Amish woman? No need to reply. Just some random commentary content.

[@fordtruxdad5155]

1:40 That kitchen also has a gas refrigerator.

[@drdianneLc]

My Amish friends call the oven a baker.

[@cliffontheroad]

Natural gas means a city pipeline, and I thought they did not want to be dependent upon .... which is why no electricity. Yet they get their tool & wagon battery recharged somehow. How do they heat the bath water? I suspect a shower is out - no water pressure.

[@richardcox3406]

The Amish have such delicious food also bread cakes pies main course meal

[@raethibodeau9604]

I imagine most Amish women do the cooking inside. Are they also the ones that cook outside on the grill? I know a lot of "English" men are the grill masters. Is that the case with the Amish?

[@ronaldyeater3322]

My ancestors are amish, dutch, Pennsylvania dutch.. the Yodas still live in Lancaster pa, my daughter is diving deep into our heritage, and goes back to Amish to 1500's, and some even defending land in famous battles, I'm not a history buff, but visited Lancaster area my whole life and met family when was a kid, we actually stayed many times for a week in the community. Some of the best comfort foods ever ate..

[@beachy9920]

Is the last name Yoder or Yoda? Or is it just pronounced with a silent “R” at the end 🤔??

[@ronaldyeater3322]

@@beachy9920 name of ancestors was Yoda, my daughter has whole history, wondered why everytime father took us to Lancaster pa we were welcome among the Amish. Daughter did family history. Was lot information lol, eli Yoder was one, think was famous battle in 1700's?

[@ronaldyeater3322]

@@beachy9920 I'm sry, texted daughter, it's yoder, father told her before died about it, she went and found it. Has the names of them. Ty

[@beachy9920]

@@ronaldyeater3322 thanks for clarifying bc I wasn’t sure if I was mispronouncing it or if this family had dropped the ER at the end. I love reading about the Amish although I have no ties to them. I find their way of living fascinating 🥰 .. thanks for taking the time for my comment

[@ronaldyeater3322]

@@beachy9920 np, we love the lifestyle, history is fascinating, tyvm

[@MONSTERKILL2013]

Hello. Can you you please do a video on the stereotype of the amish cousin marriages, and how prevalent it is? Is it common, or common in the conservative amish? Is it decreasing, are they being open towards the ideas of decreasing inbreeding in their communities and using tools like genetic testing in order to avoid it?

[@jeanholley5820]

Super interesting summary and pics. Question, when it’s super hot in the summer do the Amish women where lighter or summer clothes when cooking and staying inside? Also do they have “work clothes” similar to how men characterize outdoor work clothes?

[@AmishAmerica]

Well they will definitely have clothing that's nicer (eg for church or other occasions) and things that are less nice for work/everyday etc. And yes lighter in the summer, layering in winter for warmth. As far as actual cloths and fabrics used, I have to admit I'm not well-versed on which are favored for warmth or comfort and so on. But they have a wide selection of fabrics in the shops presumably some lighter and some heavier

[@susanschuck8124]

Your videos are always so interesting. This certainly sounds yucky but do Amish bury their deceased animals such as horses, dogs etc? Or do Amish have viewings for their family members? Do they believe in cremation? Thank you Erik for your time and sharing.

[@AmishAmerica]

They do have heavily-attended viewings. They don't do cremation. As far as large animals and livestock that die, I believe there is usually someone who takes those animals away for disposal (another topic you may understand I haven't really been as keen to dig into as far as the details :)). Beloved family pets would likely be buried as we do though

[@susanschuck8124]

@@AmishAmerica Thank you for answering. I totally appreciate your time and videos always!

[@DUHOVED_FOR_RELAX]

*꧁ Divino 🌞 Gracias 👌 Todo super 👍 ꧂*

[@stevenfetzer4911]

Romans 10:13 Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

[@mikeambrosio520]

Wow hipsters somehow find a way into everything..even as pure as amish.. no such thing as progressive Amish.

[@tomrobards7753]

This is nothing new

[@benbond37]

Because Amish are known for lots of "New" things. 🤨

[@s.k.2829]

maybe if you didn't Whisper so LOUDLY Id've watched the rest of your videos and would've gave a thumbs up ! 😉