Kitchen Tools for the Homestead Kitchen | Kitchen Series Episode 1

For a full list (with links) of my must-have kitchen items, visit the blog post here: rootsandrefuge.com/kitchen-to...
Here are some of the products listed (some of these are affiliate links but I do encourage you to look for some things second hand. And remember, make do and don't give up learning!)
All my Le Creuset items are from TJMaxx or Le Creuset outlets. They can be found full price on Amazon: amzn.to/3W1nzJM
Lodge Cast Iron 10 inch skillet: amzn.to/3UVB9wU
Lodge Cast Iron 12 Inch skillet: amzn.to/3FRdPvI
Lodge 15 Inch Skillet: amzn.to/3FPqaAO
All American Pressure Canner: amzn.to/3Bz2tdr
Breville Food Processor (without attachments) amzn.to/3YreiMK
Vitamin Blender (these often go on sale at Costco) amzn.to/3UZ2r5x
My KitchenAid mixer (5 qt pro) is from Costco (they are significantly cheaper there)
Check Out MTKnives Custom KnifeMaker, the maker of my favorite Knife: mtknives.net
Bosch Mixer Holiday Bundle Sale: shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=222399...
Pampered Chef Party:
www.pamperedchef.com/party/ro...
Spatchcock Chicken Recipe: rootsandrefuge.com/homestead-...
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Hey ya'll, I'm Jess from Roots & Refuge Farm
Welcome to a place that feels like home. A small farm with a big family. We hope you'll pull up a chair, grab some coffee and visit awhile.
There was a time that all I wanted in the world was a little farm where I could raise my family and grow our food. Now, that is exactly what exists outside my door. In watching it unfold, a new dream was formed in my heart - to share this beautiful life with others and teach them the lessons we've learned along the way. Welcome to our journey, friend. I am so glad you're here.
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WHERE TO FIND US (Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we'll receive a small commission but the price remains the same - OR BETTER - for you! Be sure to check for any mentioned discount codes.)
- Our Website: rootsandrefuge.com
- Sign up for our newsletter: rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup
- Abundance+ (Grab a FREE 7-day trial): rootsandrefuge.com/yt-wilder-...
- Shop our Stickers & Shirts: rootsandrefuge.com/yt-shop
- Order my book First Time Gardener: rootsandrefuge.com/yt-ftgbook
- Pre-order my newest book First Time Homesteader: rootsandrefuge.com/first-time...
- Growing Gardeners Course: rootsandrefuge.com/yt-ggcourse
- Instagram: roots_and_refuge
- Facebook: / rootsandrefugefarm
- Email Us: [e-mail]
- To drop us a line:
PO Box 4239
Leesville SC 29070
- To have a gift sent to our house from our Amazon wishlist: www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls...
- To support us through PayPal: www.paypal.com/paypalme/jessi...
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PRODUCTS WE LOVE - You've probably heard me talk about these things a million times, so here's where you can order them (and get a discount with my code!):
- Greenstalk Vertical Gardens (Use code "ROOTS10" for $10 off your order): rootsandrefuge.com/yt-greenstalk
- Squizito Tasting Room (Use code "ROOTS" for 10% off your order): rootsandrefuge.com/yt-squizito
- ButcherBox: rootsandrefuge.com/butcherbox
- Growers Solution: rootsandrefuge.com/growers-so...
#rootsandrefuge #homesteading #gardening

[@floyheidenreich7231]

When my husband's grandmother passed everyone wanted the China, silver, crystal and jewelry. I asked for a small turning fork and her cast iron skillets. I love that everytime I use them I remember her. She was a great cook and taught me a lot.

[@kkmiller63]

I am one of those cast iron surviving a house fire stories. But I found the pan my mother gave me when I moved out in my own at 18. She said every woman needs a good pan for cooking and defense.

[@kellybesse7116]

“Know your audience” made me giggle. A few years ago my husband gave me a kitchen aid stand mixer for Christmas. I hadn’t hinted that I wanted one. I wasn’t looking to get one. When I opened it, I cried! Happy tears were running down my face. My sweet husband thought he did something wrong until I told him how my grandmother made bread with hers and it was so sweet of him.

[@elizabethbazeley190]

My mum got a Kenwood chef mixer as a wedding gift in 1988 and it only just broke - 34 years. Best investment ever. I nearly cried the first time I used my Kenwood to make bread!

[@rachelrichards717]

I asked my husband for the Kitchenaid professional, he thought it was too much like buying a vacuum. I love cooking, so we argued and I ordered it and said "look what you got me for Christmas!" This year I found a clearance stainless steel waterbath canner, put it in the cart and said it could be my birthday present. He wrapped it up and gave it to me!

[@VirginiaRipple]

My husband got me a kitchenaid mixer for my birthday several years ago and I think it's the only time a I did a literal happy dance over a gift. It's not something my sister-in-law would want as a gift, but as a practical woman it was exactly the right thing. :)

[@lindamartin8614]

What is the thing holding those pots? The one holding the blue pot and others.

[@tdhawk167]

My kitchen aid was the (what my family calls) cry- ee present the year my Dad very generously gifted to me Christmas 2002💕. Yup it was the cry-ee present for that year😂

[@karenl7786]

"When you steward the small things you get the large things." Anyone who's ever planted a seed can attest to that! Thank you for the reminder, I needed it just at this time in my life 🙏🏽

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

I owe Jess so much! We are on the same path but on very different roads. I'm retired and suburban: I ripped out half my yard to build garden beds for veggies, fruit, and herbs. We both believe that the food system in this country is broken and the standard American diet leads to many health problems. Jess taught me to grow food and that led to cooking, canning, fermenting, dehydrating, and other Depression-era skills. I'm healthier than I've been in 20 years! And the satisfaction of this life is priceless. ❤❤❤

[@camicri4263]

Praise God!

[@katherinebelk8398]

I too!

[@8thcelisabeth]

not retired but definitely suburban. I am almost done converting most of my backyard from lawn to garden. I am so proud of you and everyone who takes that leap and just DOES that garden thing. I'm zone 4b/5a so it's all snow and ice right now, but boy do I make use of those growing months. I got my love of gardening from my grandparents, who were born during the Depression and I love carrying on that legacy. I am going to like your comment just for the Arcimboldo avatar! Love his art. Can't decide which is my favorite.

[@Oururbanhomestead1966]

I am 56 and we are doing the exact same thing here in Perth Australia. I am documenting our journey to self sufficiency on my KZbin channel. I have started sourcing cookbooks from op shops/thrift stores and am building up an ingredients based pantry

[@UrbanWhiteBuffaloFarm]

Jeanna McGregor @ I am in the same boat. The day I bought this house I dug 2000 sq ft of grass up and put in garden. 15 years later soil amendments and composting raised beds containers I am still trying to do more in less space. Using the practice of vertical gardening, succession sowing and replacement sowing. Growing, harvesting and storing via canning dehydrating freezing ect. Reduce need to buy from stores, know what and how my food is grown. And all the other common reasons. I am 59 disabled and my garden is designed for me and my abilities because there is no crying in baseball or gardening. I love Jess and all of y'all here we are the answer!

[@beetee3272]

“REAL” is the basis for this series! Real…talk, Real…food, Real…life! I LOVE RECEIVING tools I can build my dreams 🥰

[@mera2876]

That feeling when a knife you sharpened slides through tomatoes is just pure bliss.

[@missthang4770]

Jess, I've said it before and I'm gonna say it again. You are an old soul full of wisdom for such a young woman. You could be my granny talking as you are right now. And she set the bar high for wisdom that I'm still deploying in my senior years. May the universe continue to reward your and Jeremiah's hard work and goodness. Selah!

[@harvestandhome]

I so related to the comment about giving your wife an appliance for Christmas 😂 a few years ago I told my husband that that phrase is garbage & kindly directed him to the fancy vacuum I’d been wanting. This year I am blessed to be getting an electric pressure canner. Some of us DO want appliances or homemaking gifts for holidays and birthdays lol ❤❤

[@Sky-Child]

Heck yes! Some of us love practical gifts (like when I asked for compost for Christmas one year)

[@bevdix]

We ordered a Freeze Dryer on layaway for Christmas.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

The point is it’s for the household; u deserve a personal gift, for u alone. A day off (or at least after breakfast with a pizza u bring home for dinner) A Starbucks gift card A massage Books Art supplies Dinner out alone with ur spouse Something that is for YOU

[@thatonedog819]

@@YeshuaKingMessiah depends on the person. I know I personally spend a lot of time in the kitchen and I greatly enjoy it. And almost no one else would eat what I cooked. Grandma had a very limited ability to eat, parents didn't want to eat with us, weren't home, ect... So for me, the appliance is for me. And me alone. But know your audience. Getting my mom a new mixer when she hasn't touched her's in a decade...maybe not a good choice.

[@bellesimmer6682]

I got a dehydrator, an air fryer, a vegetable spiraler, a bigger food processor, and a blender for the Christmas before last. I was so excited. 😂 This Mother’s Day I’m angling for an instant pot (we have 3 kids and I work full time and go to school full time).

[@BecomingErica]

Hi Jess. I’m hoping you can do a video in this series showing the maintenance of the tools. Especially oiling the kitchen aide and caring for cast iron. Thank you for all the great information!

[@bevdix]

I didn’t know my Kitchenaide mixer needed to be oiled.😮

[@Sara-dr6iu]

Ohh, yes that would be helpful. I didn't know my kitchen aid needed oiling either

[@anntaft7808]

Want info on Maintaining Kitchen aid mixers!

[@VirginiaRipple]

That would be wonderful! I've had my kitchenaid for almost 2 decades and it's beginning to fail me, which is terribly sad. I'm wondering if it just needs a good maintenance, but even if it doesn't and I need to get a new one it would be great to know how to maintain it for another 20 years.

[@bonnyoaksfarmstead]

I've been kneading dough for years with my hands....and mixing with a dollar store mixer. This Christmas, my husband bought me a stand mixer. I ugly cried! What a wonderful Christmas it was indeed!

[@beingcaitlin]

My first kitchen aid was from the dump, the original owner wrote on the box “leaks oil” and it turned out they tried to grease the motor improperly. Once it was cleaned up I used it for 5 years before I got a larger new one for my birthday 😊

[@RoottoJar]

I know this was 7 months ago that you wrote this, but I love this story! I got my kitchenaid last year through trade. I had an old Xbox I didn't use and my friend had the mixer that he didn't use. It was a good swap :)

[@emilybarnes5920]

My Grandpa recently passed away and while cleaning out his shop I found a lot of cast iron! I'm slowly working threw them getting them seasoned. They are a legacy purchase, but not for the pans themselves, for the memories and recipes that will be shared. ❤️

[@sandralafond3818]

I'm sorry for your loss. Your grandpa would be so pleased that you are using and loving his old cast iron ♡

[@sarahslovely08]

9 mins in and I see the Lords Blessings in the process. From when you only had the oven and no homestead. All the way up to a full fledged farm. The blessing has always been there, and He’s always made it possible to obtain, if we are willing to steward the small things and learn through the process. A grateful heart ❤🙏

[@marcelacecil3036]

Thanks for all your information. I’ll be 70 years old this year. I’ve been watching you since I caught one of your gardening KZbin videos on how to afford to grow your own lettuce in plastic containers and how to use cattle panels to increase small growing spaces. You have taught me so much and I am passing as much of that information to my grandchildren who are amazed every time they go to the garden and pick a ripe tomato or a juicy strawberry. So many thanks from them too. You are a treasure!

[@crystalh1402]

Best unexpected gift ever was a saucier pan from in-laws, I squealed when I opened it. It’s been a baby step journey to where I am now in the kitchen and realized how far I’ve come yesterday and it made my heart so full to personally acknowledge that growth.

[@wendymarcum6382]

Lodge Cast Iron IS induction compatible and (excluding the current cast enamel items) is made sustainably with love in S. Pittsburg, TN. Their care for their community and employees is unmatched. You can absolutely feel good about buying Lodge!

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

It will not work on induction elements I bought one n had to return the burner

[@carimartinez3186]

I use cast iron (a regular Lodge pan & three Tramotina enameled Dutch ovens) on my induction stove. In fact, I had to get some new pans because of the induction and invested in the enameled Dutch ovens as a result!

[@jessicaeggleston8033]

Your channel has officially replaced my “trash tv”. When I need a break from my studies, I check your channel and you always give me motivation to stay focused and continue moving forward, one step at a time. Thank you!

[@connieparker8896]

I am a brand new follower of you, I just love this video, I am 69 about to be 70years young, you are so much like my family and very much informational, to new and older viewers, that I will watch you ever time your on!!! Congratulations and God Bless

[@marilynnorford7049]

I now have my mom’s 5 Qt. Kitchen aid Stand Mixer. I gave it to her in 1988 . . . She used it for bread baking twice weekly for years. May it continue to perform!

[@MyPeacefulPlace24]

My Kitchen Aide is 16 years old. It has had issues with a wobbly head and the speed control running on full blast all the time. I thought I’d have to replace the KA, but I checked KZbin and found instructional videos that allowed me to repair both problems. This saved me hundreds of dollars. Keep in mind, I’m a 63 year old female, so it’s doable with a screwdriver and needle nose pliers.

[@pink071602]

My stepmom gave me old kitchen aid that had once belonged to her mom. It’s over 20 years old. It still works great. I use it every week.

[@shannon.N]

Don’t forget to re-grease the gears. It’s really really messy to do, but the grease is inexpensive from Amazon. There are how to videos on KZbin.

[@kellybesse7116]

My grandmother, who passed away last year, gave me her #8 three notch lodge that her mother gave her for her wedding in 1950. I love it and use it almost everyday. When I mentioned it to my other grandmother, she told me how much of her mother’s cast iron she had. My paternal grandmother has given me so many gate marked cast iron pieces! I love the history there and that I can cook in the same cast iron that my great-grandmother and grandmothers cooked for their family. Food is my love language and my cast iron collection is a tactile connection to my past and future as I plan to pass them down to my children.

[@BrokenAnguissette]

I love this so much. I was lucky enough to get my great grandmother's dishes and my grandfather's tea pot, and every time I see them/use them I feel the same way. I love the tangible connection to the past and the daily reminders of the people we love 💚

[@pathoward5721]

I’ve got my grandmothers electric frying pan! She made smothered fried chicken 🐔 and I loved it 🥰 So I had the opportunity to have it! Ever time I use it I think 🤔 of her❤❤❤😊

[@kellybesse7116]

@@pathoward5721 ❤️ My grandmother used to make “sticky chicken” in hers.❤️

[@indianne9781]

I have several pieces given to me by my mother, and one piece belonged to my great grandmother. I just wish I could remember which one. Unfortunately mom is severely memory impaired, so she can’t remember either. Love them all so much!

[@Alexis_9339]

@@indianne9781 if they have any identifying info (usually on bottom) that is still legible you can usually find out the years they were manufactured on Google. My husband found an “old looking” cast iron while helping an elderly person clean out their basement, they gave it to him because he mentioned that his wife loved cast iron had no idea how long they had it. It was a griswold and by googling I know it’s at least 90 years old.

[@aura-leekistner1810]

I was thrilled beyond measure each time my husband bought me a garden tiller, food dehydrator, freeze dryer, manual food mill, all things to grow, harvest and preserve a variety of foods! I am most grounded and centered when my toes can feel the blessed earth beneath my feet, and my fingers can dig earth, my voice can talk to the plants I am growing...

[@8thcelisabeth]

I agree! I have Weck jars for my garden goodies and spendy condiments on my wishlist and people think those aren't really gift type things. Yes they are! I treasure a good balsamic and a solid jar. My son is getting me an assortment of dried chillis from other countries for cooking as a gift and I couldn't be more thrilled! Cooking and gardening really connects us to each other and Mother Earth.

[@Alexis_9339]

Yes! I’ve gotten seedling trays, a green stalk, seeds, garden tools, kitchen items, an old cast iron from someone’s basement, etc. love all of it! I asked my husband for a tool to help me make tomato sauce and jams easier this year. I will take that over jewelry any day.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

Yes these things make our jobs easier But they’re not for US, they’re for the household We deserve to have a ME part of ourselves too with gifts for US A massage A facial (I wear no make up, it’s still a great experience) Pretty ear rings The day off, after breakfast lol -and with take out pizza for dinner! A bouquet if u find joy in that Art supplies A good pretty winter coat (moms coat is always threadbare & ugly) Starbucks gift card (they have a drivethru so the babies can stay buckled in!)

[@09echols]

My grandmother gave me her cast iron set of 3 pans. They were a wedding gift 70 years ago and she never used or seasoned them. She kept them wrapped in papper towels and in a plastic bag to keep moisture off. Im thrilled to have this gift. They are seasoned and loved now.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

So incredibly sad she didn’t use them

[@mistygrider7825]

Love this video . My husband done some work for someone last month right before Thanksgiving & they didn't have money to pay him & told him he could have something for trade & he chose a cast iron Dutch oven that had been sitting outside for yrs & brought it home cleaned it up & seasoned it . We cooked our Thanksgiving Turkey in it & it was AMAZING !! 🍗😋

[@charlanpennington3989]

Misty, I just tried out bread in the Dutch oven in the woodstove, so very fun. Comment above.

[@MTknives]

❤ love it, thanks for the shout out. Glad to see that knife getting some love. I need to get out there and do a hands on sharpening class. :)

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

We would love to host you for some classes once the store is open and if you ever want to teach for a video, I’d happily have you for that too! It’s such an important skill!

[@patchurch1677]

@@RootsandRefugeFarm Jess, I really need a video of sharpening knives! It would be great to have MT Knives do one for a video. It would be nice to have it available to refer to as well. Thanks, from western Massachusetts USA :-)

[@lbrown6859]

"You can eat something that's a little dryer, than something that has a black bottom" I loved it. I enjoyed the whole long video! I could listen to you for hours Jess. It's obvious that you are a good mom, and wife and friend! You have a good heart that loves The Lord and people ❤️ I pray God continues to bless you and yours.

[@vonniemerriam974]

Another kitchen tool I use constantly is a Food Saver vacuum sealer. I was lucky enough to pick a very little if ever used one up at a thrift store for only $6 that even still had a whole roll of bag material. I have since purchased the jar lid sealer kit with both regular and wide mouth attachments. I use it all the time, not just for the obvious, ie, freezing meat and produce, but also vacuum sealing cheese, dehydrated foods, etc. After freezing flour and grains like rice to kill any cooties, I will then jar them up and vacuum seal in that freshness for long-term shelf stable storage. Outside of kitchen use, I will just heat seal odds and ends in less expensive baggies than using up my ziplocs. I love my Food Saver and would recommend a good vacuum sealer for any household.

[@dianamcanally5515]

so true. I cook for one these days, buy family size packages of meat and portion them out and seal to freeze. It's quick and easy to thaw by dropping the package into a bowl of lukewarm water for a few minutes. Also cheese - buy larger cuts and cut to size I'll use faster, sealing to store in the refrigerator - it lasts a long time without drying out or spoiling.

[@shelleys6826]

I love, love, LOVE my little hand held canning jar vacuum sealer! I bet I use it 8-10 times a week.

[@vonniemerriam974]

@@dianamcanally5515 exactly the same situation. But, I do food pantry pickups and grow, preserve so much that I seem to vacuum seal more for friends and family than just for myself now.

[@Shena_Nicole]

Love your videos and info! I didn't know the Kitchenaid needed to be taken apart and oiled either! I hope you do a video on that process soon! I just got mine last year as an anniversary gift and I TREASURE IT!

[@suddenlycaprice]

I’d like to see a video on this too. Had my Kitchenaid for about 20 yrs and I’ve done zero maintenance on it.

[@trainingolives3370]

1. Never apologize for a long video 2. Kitchen videos are ALWAYS welcome. We have to know how to handle the harvest and there is not enough of that out there, my friend. 3. Tell Bri that, too. She’s wonderful in the kitchen and this could help her. ♥️

[@mikkileon6380]

FYI when I saw how many minutes this video was at the beginning, I literally jumped for joy!!! The longer your videos are the happier I am. I save them for first thing in the morning to have with my morning beverage, and to start my day off happy. I really enjoyed this video because I could relate to so much of it and the kitchen is my favorite place. Thanks for starting my day off extra extra fabulous❣️♥️💃🏽

[@jaquelinestrickland2573]

I do the exact same thing. I am sad when the videos are shorter, and when they are long, it makes my day. I also typically watch in the morning because it is the best way to start any day. 🥰💛 JESS IS MY SPIRIT ANIMAL.

[@carriem7832]

I agree….no doom and gloom it’s hey get your Big Girl pants on and get errr done💃💃💃💃

[@dez440]

Thank you for this video!! I have also gotten a lot of my stuff second hand good quality stuff! I love your videos I have learned quite a bit for your family❤️

[@magsstewart5488]

I am heartened to see someone who also collects kitchen stuff over time. Someday my estate sale will be a ginormous bonanza for some lucky person! 😊

[@ettateel4979]

My Mom gifted me her 14" cast iron pan. I came from a family of 10 kids. My sisters wanted some of her jewelry, I wanted that pan. So many happy memories of our family around her cooking in that pan.

[@gendeb9666]

I had to laugh about where to get cast iron. When our family dismantled my parents farm following there demise, the cast iron skillet my parents got as a wedding present from Dad’s sister in 1955,was the only thing we argued about. Love you girl!!!

[@shelleys6826]

I’m absolutely blessed that my brother’s wife has a phobia about having things in her home “that were owned/used by a dead person” LOL As a result I have all sorts of useful treasured kitchen items my mom got at her wedding shower in 1950.

[@jeremymaccarthy1180]

Love this series! Would really love a once a week cooking show. Just showing us what and how you make meals for the day. How you utilize your garden goodies and which tools you use.

[@patparsons218]

Yes please!!

[@nicolelydecker3125]

This warms my heart! My husband regularly gives me kitchen "things" for holidays and birthdays! He bought me a pressure canner for my last birthday. 🥰 know your audience is the best advice possible. 🤣

[@amywert8088]

My son found an old rusty cast iron pan in the bushes at a campground, he hasn't cleaned it up yet but he was happy to find it!

[@deborahcarter4408]

I'm becoming a senior this year and single for the first time, you and Jill have inspired me so much, Love it and thank-you.

[@pennywv8636]

A few years ago I was thinking about getting a Kitchenaid mixer, a friend had one in her basement that belonged to her late mother who had kept it for years, it’s 30+ years old, she gave it to me. I took it apart, cleaned it good. It works perfectly. Nice thing about Kitchenaid is that they are easy to take apart and maintain yourself.

[@8thcelisabeth]

My husband just bought me a new one (I wanted the Pistachio color and updated attachments) and my daughter is getting my original. I *love* that it is staying with the family. So charming that you received such a meaningful and lasting gift from your friend!

[@eileenbartnick7202]

Hello! Could you tell me how/where you learned how to take it apart, clean and oil it, as Jess mentioned?? I'm sure it's time I do that for mine. Thank you for your help!!

[@karenholsopple6388]

@@eileenbartnick7202 Yes, my question, too! When she said that my husband and I both looked at each other and said "We're supposed to take it apart??"

[@eileenbartnick7202]

@@karenholsopple6388 Exactly!! 😂 I hope we hear back on our question!! I definitely want to keep mine in good working condition!!

[@carlynsykes6053]

Yes! I inherited my grandfather’s kitchen aid and my mother’s and took both in for servicing and I’m so disappointed! Both leak oil now and sound worse than ever!

[@cortneynichols8537]

I could not agree more about having good knives (even one). It really is a life changing tool because you won't hate cooking as much. ☺

[@patriotmama]

Jess you are so right. Do not let lack of tools hinder you. I have been married for almost 55 years and when I started out, we had very little money. I was taught to cook from my Mom and Grandma. So I did a lot of stuff by hand. As money became available I bought used and then later upgraded to new. Think of how your ancestors fed their families and just do it. Upgrades will come. Happy cooking!

[@Oururbanhomestead1966]

Awesome video Jess and great advice. I am 56 yrs old and have just started cooking and baking more from scratch and have just started buying cookbooks from op shops/thrift stores. Am also building up an ingredient based pantry and we are in the process of turning our typical Aussie urban backyard into our dream urban homestead and I am documenting our journey to self sufficiency on my KZbin channel

[@jordinscobee7942]

The only item not mentioned in the video that I use nearly daily is the instant pot! I also realized watching this that most of my kitchen tools have been Christmas presents over the years! My blender, food processor, nespresso,pressure canner, instant pot! My Dutch oven! Love your channel. And also wanna say I love the way you speak of ‘sweet miah’ it really inspires me and reminds me to treat my hubby with the same love and gratitude❤

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

IP forever! We moved into an RV n my IP came along. Crockpot & food processor had to stay behind.

[@mishelle9101]

I started watching u w ur gardening videos. But I want you to know I truly enjoy the health videos as well. Your an amazing woman!!! May the Lord continue to Bless you with all your life.!

[@robinwillis7203]

Thanks Jess for being Real. I love the way you do all your videos. Your real life experience ! Thanks for sharing your love of taking care of yourself and your family and teaching us as you do it. God bless you

[@MaryBornforHealth]

I think a stick blender is very useful for a new homesteader. You can make mayonnaise with it, and blend smoothies; I've even smoothed out sauces and gravies, made my own dressing etc. They are quite inexpensive and can be a workhorse if used properly. another inexpensive tool is a nut/seed/coffee grinder. I love mine for making powders like my own seasonings from homegrown herbs. This tool can save you a ton of money. By The Way...I've owned a Bosch Mixer for over 50 years and still love it for making bread and the attachments for slicing, dicing, and blending as well as Food Processing. I just recently had to retire the blender as it had cracked. I never put any of these tools in a dishwasher. I think putting tools like these in a dishwasher where it is subjected to hot water for sometimes an hour is too hard on them. My Bosch has two ports (one for mixing and one for blending). I love the openness of it and the fact that it is belt driven rather than gear-driven makes it a much sturdier machine.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

Yes Stick blender Coffee mill Very very needed

[@anntaft7808]

I just recently started to use a stick blender and I love it. Much easier clean up! It is great for cream soups and many sauces . Enables making those without pouring hot liquids into a blender.

[@sastuntgirl]

Yes! I have a small coffee grinder that I use for making small batches of powders of all sorts of things! It even got used to break down chic food that was too coarse and being wasted by my baby chicks a few months ago (I just ground down enough for one feed at a time 😂) And stick blenders are great for soups - I use mine straight in the pot I cooked in once slightly cooled and then put it back on the stove to reheat. Also great for fixing lumpy pancake batter (crepes). Even smoothing out baby food or mashed potatoes

[@litaknowes7294]

My sister gifted me a Stick blendér for Christmas Even has a dicer/chopper 3cp container attachment.... I'm ecstatic about it

[@c.jourdan3040]

Love Cast Iron. I have a six inch cast iron skillet that I found buried in my back yard (along with some car parts and broken glass) and totally rusted. After a lot of scouring and re-seasoning, it has become a favorite in my collection. I've been using it now for 15 years.

[@emilygardner]

You posted this when i was in the depths of first trimester nausea. I couldnt watch anything cooking related. I found this video on my "watch later" playlist and am thrilled to have a long R+R video to watch. 🎉 My baby is 2.5 months old now and is asleep snugly in her crib. Cant wait for all of our cooking memories ahead. ❤

[@arlenedaugherty9442]

My kitchen aid is 35 years old. Love it and have never had a problem.

[@sn232]

Your kitchen LOOKS like a set, it is beautiful and uncluttered, absolutely gorgeous :)

[@carenmcfarland7034]

I would love to learn more about how you sharpen your knives, what the tools look like and how you use them 😊

[@sheilaholmquist6648]

We purchased 2, 18 qt roasters from a rental place that was going out of business for $15 each! I already had one, though couldn't resist as my family uses them all the time. On spaghetti sauce making weekends, (yes, full weekends) we can crank out 40 qts of sauce. Bone broth is amazing and so healthy, we can get so much done in a weekend as well. Living and raising our grown children on a farm, they've learned the value of cooking from scratch and preserving their food. Thank you for sharing your time, talents and joy in life through all the seasons we are blessed to have. ❤️

[@jeannerolig6042]

Wow, Jess. Just WOW! So many people, both young and older, needed this information! Thank you for sharing!

[@AngelGoodwitch]

Jess, you've created a monster! I had to pause your vlog to pick up an enameled cast iron pot from Marketplace! That's on top of my massive cast iron pan score that you inspired last week. I love you so much! Thank you for sharing all the seasons of your life with us. You bless me every day!

[@susanturner9023]

Yep Jess has been an amazing wealth but an expensive one for me too! 😂😂✌🏻🙏🏼❤️

[@carriem7832]

I looked at one of those enameled cast iron pots tonight. $83 ……ohhh my

[@homesteadrevivals]

As I've gotten older, I've had to pass my cast iron down to my children. My wrists just don't like the heavy pans, anymore. My pans were passed down from my mother and grandmother, so it was very special to be able to pass them on to my children.

[@mlee7037]

When we were first married, I told my husband to never give me gifts that involved the kitchen. That was 22 years ago. Well, last year I had to suck it up and asked for a real dehydrator from him and my son. I have loved it!!! Well, this year I have asked for an electric pressure canner. I pray they get it because I have many, many gallon-sized bags of tomatoes in my freezer that need prepping. My freezer is exploding so I need to process them to be stored on the shelf. Hopefully, mama will get her canner!! ❤️❤️❤️ Love you Jess. You so make my day!!!

[@OrganicMommaGA]

Hi Jess, I believe the saying is something like, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." So I feel this is true in many aspects of our lives. When we start deeply and truly wanting to do something, we find ways to learn more about it and equip ourselves as appropriately as possible. Thrift stores and yard sales are a great non-technology-based way to begin a wide-range of homesteading/kitchen equipment. Thank you so much for showing the kitchen items you consider essential. 😁

[@tatianka30006]

I also love my juicer! I use it primarily to help make jelly. I juice blueberries, apples, lemons, etc. and then use the juice to make jelly. It is sooooo much easier and faster than some of the traditional ways when you have to simmer the fruit and then wait for it to strain through cheesecloth for hours!

[@charlanpennington3989]

Thankyou for that advice

[@CourageousJoy]

Great post! I am 59 years old and my favorite pans were my grandmother 's cast iron set. Love them.

[@artteachermissmarie3155]

Thank you for making a kitchen series! Not a great cook here, but on a real food journey trying to learn all I can. It's the only way I see to better health for me and my family. 💜

[@Pepper5655]

Jess, we visited our oldest son's home and I found a large cast iron skillet outside rusted up and he was going to throw it away. I was appalled at the thought and insisted I could help. I took it in the kitchen scrubbed it, cleaned oiled it and made some cornbread in it. I like to put a lil oil in the bottom and sprinkle cornmeal and stick it in the oven to brown while I make the cornbread batter then pour it ontop. Our son told me several days later they were still using it for most everything. I also taught their son who washed the dishes how to care for it. He was just telling me he remembers me teaching him how to care for cast iron and has several skillets now that they keep seasoned. You are correct, I found several of my cast iron from an estate sale. A Dutch Oven is one of them. I love it and use my skillets often. thnx for sharing I BLESS you my lady.

[@sarahsmith7020]

Thank you for this great information! I literally went to the Goodwill today and found a water bath canner identical to the one you have! I appreciate you and all the content you create. You are inspiring to me. And I totally love the comment about appliances for gifts. I'll take them all day long!

[@allonesame6467]

When I was a kid on the farm, my maw refused to use a pressure canner since she was not a stay-at home mom--had a career and just did not have time involved with the pressure canner. Consequently, we kids never learned. I'm 65 and determined to learn it, so bought the 921 from All American and bought chicken on sale and I am sold on pressure canning. It opened up a whole new horizon for me in putting food by. I taught myself a new skill! a step towards self-dependence, and I used my waiting room to learn something. I'm so ready for a small place in the country, I can taste it!

[@karincope3019]

I have been so very fortunate to have been gifted 2 All American pressure canners, I have a small and the 921 .

[@susiemeade6404]

Oh I am so excited! This is exactly what I've been looking for! Thank You Jessica. I am at the stage were I have an acre of land. My husband isn't completely into homesteading, so I am learning as much as I can.

[@justmare111]

Cutco knives are definitely an investment, but they do last a lifetime! I bought mine when I was 17 (44 years ago) and have added a few to the collection over the years. I use my vegetable knife and trimmer more than any others, but I couldn't live without any one of them! Lots of great info in this video, Jess. Thank you!

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

I only use my 6” knife It stays in the drainer I have a longer one to easily cut melon n squash (so .2% of the time lol) I cook constantly and have for the last 4 decades (started cooking at 8 but I did go to school lol)

[@deborahcoble2102]

You help me so much, in every way! Garden, cooking and your vulnerability, you’re real! Thank you 🙏🏻 Deborah Coble

[@southerngardengigi]

Those huge roasters are amazing! I picked up 100lbs of whole chickens at a community surplus food supply for a steal and my roaster came in clutch! I was able to roast about 6 birds, shred and freeze them in vacuum seal bags for quick meals later. Then I used the scraps to make chicken broth. My birds were frozen too. All I did was rinse and put them in the roaster on warm all day. Best use of a roaster ever!

[@elainemiller6765]

I have a dehydrator but in the summer I put the trays on the dash and seats of my truck. Works great!

[@SharonLaMotte]

Jess, I live in Greenville SC and am an abundance plus member because of you. I enjoy watching you ever day. I enjoyed meeting you and I love this new series! ❤ I have expanded my garden and recently I grew my first ginger . I love the just try it attitude you have instilled in me.I thank you so much for blessing me!

[@pineymom213]

How do I grow ginger from some that I have?

[@missmollycollie911]

I got my first Kitchenaid when I got married in 1974 and just retired it this year. I now have a new one.

[@treeclimber2]

I wish I could like this vlog 50 times!

[@hawksfaith]

Yesss. We recently upgraded my stand mixer. I have wanted this mixer for YEARS. I can’t tell you what a dream come true this mixer is. We have so many appliances now and have upgraded as we could. This is such a great encouraging video ❤️❤️❤️

[@hawksfaith]

I have also been on the cast iron journey for the past 3 years my collection has just continued to grow and it’s amazing ❤️ everything is getting gifted cast for Christmas this year 😂

[@barbaramix1683]

I love Cutco and Pampered Chef. I have also collected most of my kitchen tools from the thrift store with the exception of my Kitchen Aid mixer and an old glass blender. I cook in Lodge cast iron almost every day. It helps my husband not to be anemic because he gets some iron from it. I have yet to be able to purchase a good food dehydrator or a Vitamix, but maybe someday I will. It would be nice to see you demonstate the use of things like a citrus zester, garlic press, rolling pin, etcetra, for those who are younger and do not know what to do with them. A pastry blender is a handy gadget if you know how to use it. There are so many people who are just now getting in to cooking that have no idea what these are for. They do not know how to properly set a table or open a can with a manual can-opener. If the internet goes down, how will they survive. I am so glad you teach people to grow food. I bless you and your family.

[@freelovedragon1417]

I bought a 6 knife Cutco set from a yard sale for $12! My best find ever!!!!

[@Farmgrownmama]

This vlog ROCKS!!!!!!! NEXT: PANTRY TOUR/ESSENTIALS

[@2Peachcobler]

Jess, when I saw your pegboard wall with your cast iron hanging on it made me think of Julia Child. There was a scene from her movie where she had all utensils hanging on the pegboard and outline around each showing where they belong so you knew where to return the item once it was used. Apparently her husband created it for her. Honestly I had never thought about servicing my pro KitchenAid mixer! It has run beautifully since the day I bought it in 1971. So after watching your video I thought it probably is past due😅 for maintenance! So I just watched a couple videos on how to properly maintain my mixer. Which is currently sitting on my kitchen table with the peeler attachment on it, I’m getting ready to dehydrate apples slices, very cheap dehydrator. Apple slices are my favorite things to dehydrate. They’re my candy. As far as Pampered Chef I only have the small very small bar tray now, gave away my Dutch oven. I cook everything in my toaster oven because I’m the only one and they don’t have a pizza pan that will fit my toaster oven. I don’t know what happened to all the cast iron my parents had all I just know it all disappeared when they died. I do have one pan that I used to make scones in. Love my stainless steel. But if you have any recommendations on a good food thermometer I would be interested mine has seen better days. Ever since I had food poisoning and ended up in the hospital I test everything I cook. Even though the food poisoning came from a restaurant.

[@lindasuerussell4398]

I just received a Wheat berry grinder for my birthday and I love it. My husband researched everyone he could find online and we are very happy with the Sana-Mill grinder for so many reasons. Its easy to use in a moments notice and just like grinding our own coffee beans that make all the difference in our morning coffee, I find that the flour milled fresh from berries on the spot, makes all the difference in the taste of any and all our bread foods. It's beautiful too.

[@marieschieler1914]

Over the years we have added to our Cutco collection. By far, my favorite is the bread knife. So much easier to slice bread thin to make a homemade loaf go further.

[@kathiewoll3908]

I couldn't be happier than to receive a broad fork and a hand truck for Christmas.

[@CeciMami]

Love love love. Girl I think you’ve just inspired me to start a KZbin channel of my own…to document my starting on this homesteading path! I’ve done some learning in my waiting room so far…time to up my game! ❤

[@sharonhaas8503]

49d years in my own kitchen and love your video. Always buy the best you can at the price you can afford. One day you just may be able to afford the top of the line but in the meantime, you will learn to adjust and cook delicious meals with what you have. It will make your upgrade all that much sweeter and appreciated! The only downside to everything is when you face downsizing. So far, I have been able to keep my kitchen intact, but I know that day is coming. I need a video for that! In the meantime, I cook when I am able to and give directions the rest of the time. 🙃 Looking forward to watching you and your family on your journey. Take care! Stay safe! 🎄

[@mariadimarco8308]

Why not create a book with all this information and recipes included for each pan. Great gift to include for wedding gift with a pan. Enjoying your KZbin for years.

[@heatherconrad5308]

Also, the younger you start even if it is the tiniest of steps will help you. I’m 50. I did a lot but if I were 30, I would do so much more! Listen to her. She is absolutely on point! And Get The Appliances for Gifts. Ask them. Build intentionally. The tears will slip by quickly as you get older. Do it Now. Much Love!!!

[@nancyplank1651]

Would love to see you give a demonstration on setup and using your Breville to chop,... all the functions that you use. Heard that they can even peel potatoes! Thank you so much for all your good teaching and sharing over the years, what a blessing you are to all of us!!

[@meganestep910]

I love how much you expressed “not all at once”. People comment on my kitchen gadgetry all the time and I try to tell them that I have been building this kitchen for over a decade, nearly two! I didn’t go buy everything at once and like you I didn’t even buy it all new. Slow and steady and well source and upgrade as things break or burn out. Great vid Jess!

[@SuperMamaLeer]

49mins!? OH HECK YES! I haven't even pressed play yet and I'm excited.

[@valcourisland1776]

Not only was this a great video, the comments are also very enlightening!

[@TracyCotterman]

Thanks so much, Jess. Our kitchens are almost mirror images, lol. Most of my kitchen gadgets, cast iron, and baking supplies came from my grandmothers and estate sales. I would love some information on dehydrating your harvest and how to use it in everyday cooking. Thanks for everything you do for this community.

[@marilynnergord7993]

Great post Jess! I’m a retired chef and have a well stocked kitchen now, but I didn’t start out that way! I could not agree more about many things you said, but especially the Vitamix. I wanted one for years and years. In that time I probably spent eight to nine hundred dollars on a long series of cheaper blenders . I finally broke down and bought the Vitamix and we are living happily ever after. I’ve had it for 11 years and use it constantly.

[@amyharris7337]

Thank you so much, Jess! We RV traveled for a year and I have away or sold the majority of my kitchen tools and gadgets. Now we are in a house and I am trying to build back up my supplies of tools. I appreciate your reviews on performance and sizes of pans, etc, especially the knives and mixers/blenders.

[@kiarakeeper2154]

My husband and I want our own farm, and it's so intimidating. He's from a big city. I'm from a med sized town but neither of us have farming experience. I recently took a big leap that I've been putting off, I cooked a whole chicken. It was bought at my local grocery store. But I had never done that. And I was so proud of myself. And it was delicious.

[@Finnswife3]

Hubs gave me a Kitchenaid for my bday last week. I’ve never been so Gaga over a piece of hardware in my life! I can’t wait to get the food processor attachment. Next up: a proper garden and a pressure canner! Th ask Jess! And when can we talk about your hypoallergenic wardrobe?! 😍

[@wendycash54]

Jess, this is a very important lesson for people to learn that are struggling to make ends meet and make the most of their food purchases. My married grandchildren are learning to cook as much from scratch as they can. I have canned jam and stuff for years, but only in the last 2 years have gotten way more involved in food preservation, gardening and buying in bulk only to freeze, or can primarily so that I can make smaller meals for my husband and I. I can a pork shoulder in pints and we can have a full meal with one, instead of cooking a full pork shoulder and trying to figure out what else to make with it for days. I LOVE my kitchen gadgets. Each one plays an important role. I also have an instant pot, and an air fryer. Each tool is successful with certain tasks and its taken me many years to get to this point (I'm 68) But I started making bread and pasta by hand, no machines at all. Thank you so much for this education.

[@Naneve1970]

“For this segment welcome to the floor “ 😂😂😂😂 Good one Jess!

[@jennivanhart3016]

We have a 16" cast iron pan that we use at least once a week, we can cook a pound of bacon in it without crowding, we can cook many pancakes without crowding, we can cook multiple eggs. We also roast meats in it. We love it! We've had it for over 6 years. Thank you for your suggestions, they are appreciated.

[@tracygarns9611]

Thank you, Jess! I need these! I grew up an outdoors girl and started working on local farms. I avoided the kitchen and the house. Now I'm learning to come back. My husband does most of the cooking and dairy product making, but I need to do more.

[@AHomesteadingHustle]

Such a great message to preface this video Jess! I hand knead all my dough and rarely bust out even the electric mixer. I do this not out of lack of the product but out of choice. I want to know how to do all of this without equipment. I want to go back to our roots a bit and learn the skills! When we do it with joy and love, you can taste it! ❤️❤️

[@AHomesteadingHustle]

I also loooove my pampered chef pizza stone!! I use it all the time! I really love this black apron you have on, if you happen to see this I would love to know where I could get one like that!

[@marcidevries5515]

We built our forever house when I was just 23. I didn't anticipate future kitchen use and have just a microwave exhaust fan about my stove. A real exhaust hood and fan would make my kitchen tool wish list!

[@jessicamcneely2197]

I felt like you were talking directly to me. Taking my first steps on this journey and so grateful for the mentor ship!

[@intentionallymade]

Sent my hubby to pick up some pampered chef stoneware that I found on fb marketplace and he picked up a 22qt roaster for me that I found at Walmart for $50 (I think it was a return) but it happened to only be available by my hubby’s work 😂 My husband got a bundle many years ago for hunting that had a dehydrator and meat grinder that I now use for gardening. I am so happy you’re doing these videos. It’s much needed!!