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A Convenient List of Useful Equipment for the New Homesteader

(continued)

By Mark S. Chenail       

COOKING EQUIPMENT 

At the very least you are going to need a tripod and grill for an open fire, but eventually you will need to have a cook-stove of some sort; wood, gas or electric, as the case maybe.  The Hopewells are going the traditional route and have managed to get their hands on a small but serviceable cook-stove that will use both wood or coal and do double duty as the primary source of heat.  Once it is properly installed, they will need the following equipment for the stove: 

Poker, shovel, and brush

Coal hod and log basket

Ash bucket

Wall mounted match holder and lots of matches 

Every cook will of course have their own list of absolutely necessary kitchen equipment.  I think this one covers the basics, but also includes a few items that will add greatly to the ease of cooking and the quality and variety of Homestead meals.  I’m not going to make any suggestions as to brand name or materials.  I started out on my Homestead with plain old agateware pots and pans I bought at the Dollar Store and an assortment of utensils bought new or at yard sales secondhand.  You make your own choices. 

3 skillets - A big deep one for frying, a smaller one for sauté and a little one for delicate work or small dishes

3 graduated saucepans with lids

Tea kettle and a trivet

Coffee pot or stovetop percolator - Don’t bother bringing Mr.  Coffee, unless you have power right away.  You can always buy one when the house is ready for small appliances and you may discover you don’t   really want one after all.  Ditto on the toaster, electric can opener etc.

Stock pot - A big one is best as it has a multitude of uses, including  use as a hot water heater.

2 soup kettles with lids

Covered roaster - If I could only have one pan it would be my over-sized Agate roaster.  It will cook anything.

2 round cake tins, 2 square cake tins, 2 cookie sheets, 2 pie pans, 2  loaf pans, and a muffin tin.

Casseroles - A deep one and a  shallower gratin dish.

Bean Pot with cover

Colander - The biggest you can find

Sifter, sieve, rolling pin, and a cheese grater

Cooking spoons, spatulas, slotted spoons, and ladles

Measuring cups and spoons

Can opener, bottle opener, and a corkscrew

Kitchen knifes, a sharpener, and a good block for storage

Cutting board - A wooden one.  God made maple for a reason.

Masher, whisks, and an egg beater

Carving knife and fork

Pastry brush and a bulb-baster

Salt and pepper shakers for the stove side

Canisters, storage tins and assorted Tupperware

Covered basket - You need this for the covered dish social.

Garden basket for collecting veggies etc.

TABLEWARE 

Our homesteaders, are a family of four, but they are friendly folks and want to be hospitable, so let’s make this service for six.  The dog of course will need a food dish and water bowl of his own. No plate licking at the Hopewells.  Naturally if your family is larger or smaller, you can choose appropriate quantities.  Again, it’s your choice.

Far be it from me to argue china patterns, but you can’t go wrong with plain old white restaurant ware.   It wears like iron, is easy to clean and replacing broken items is a cinch.  I started out with plain white ironstone, but will admit that as soon as the first section of my house was finished, I bought some good china for Sundays, holidays and special occasions.  Again, it’s your choice.  Here’s my basic list: 

6 Soup bowls - I prefer the old fashioned rimmed soup plate model as they can do double duty for pasta or stews.

6 Tea cups

6 Dinner plates - Big ones

6 Dessert plates

6 Coffee mugs

6 Water tumblers - The thick restaurant kind with a solid base

3 Big bowls for mixing, serving, and salads

2 Smaller bowls

2 Serving bowls with lids

2 Platters - Big ones

Soup tureen

Tea pot, sugar bowl, and creamer

3 Pitchers, 2 ceramic, 1 glass

3 Serving trays, 2 big ones, and a small one

A vinaigrette

Salt and pepper shakers for the table

Forks, knifes, teaspoons, and soup spoons - You can’t have too many, and make sure they are solid and heavy.  Cheap tableware is a lousy investment.  It doesn’t have to be grandma’s sterling, but you are better off with old secondhand tableware than the stamped tin that passes muster nowadays.   

Silverware tray - A plain wooden one  that can be carried to the table.

Serving spoons, serving forks, a cake knife, and a pie slice

A bread dish or basket

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