which appliances are best?

[lovethesea]

Can any one tell me which appliances and or tools are the best to have for one on a raw food diet? I already have a vitamix which I love and use daily, but should I get a mandoline or one of those spiral cutters? which one of those are best?? I have good sharp knives. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[rawhippie]

other than the vitamix:
excalibur dehydrator
champion juicer
cuisinart blender
cuisinart coffee mill
good brands, all be them expensive, are worth every penny, believe me as these appliance will not only make your life easier with food prep, but they all do a magnificent job.
i find that i can funtion properly with these appliances in particular.
hope that helps
peace

[rawhippie]

sorry, meant cuisinart food processor, i'm really tired.

[vitamixlover]

Of course, Vitamix 5000 is the best blender. It was rated #1 by Aug. 2007 Consumer Report Magazine.

[pony500]

Hi everyone!

I get a little confused with the different Vita Mix models. Can someone tell me what the difference is? I have read that they are all basically the same, except some have different things that just allow you to do more, but I don't know if what they would do is something I want to do raw, like make bread dough. So, what would the 5000 do that the 4500 can't? Since it is a really expensive machine, I don't want to spend more money on a model where I won't utilize all of its functions.

Thanks!

[Kristen's Raw]

There is a whole thread in detail about the best kitchen tools for a Raw kitchen...if you search under "tools to use" or Kitchen tools you'll get a couple of them. I think this link will take you to one of them...

http://www.rawfoodchat.com/forums/ra...=kitchen+tools

When Green Bunny mentioned some people liking other blenders, she was probably referring to me. I'm a huge fan of the Blendtec. I have both the Blendtec and Vitamix and I always go for the Blendtec because it's easier to use, clean and less waste in my opinon (you'll see detailed reasons posted in those other threads somewhere). I make my nut butters in my food processor.

[bvigorda]

One fun, new and award-winning kitchen gadget is the AeroLatte frother. It's great for frothing cacao powder drinks, for one.

[nothinkingbehind]

I've heard of the frother... they are supposed to be great, and not to expensive....

I also love my spiraler, it's been a good investment for me for the price....

Melissa

[bvigorda]

Hello Melissa,

Could you please tell me what a spiraler is?

Tks,
Gail

[Double Helix]

lovethesea, no appliance is worthwhile unless it is being used. So the question is, what kind of food person are you? Do you eat simple foods like fresh fruits, vegetables and salads, or do you plan on making a lot of gourmet recipes?

So...


If you are planning on eating fresh fruits & salads:

~Good knife (I love Santolu and ceramic knives)

~Bamboo cutting board - 1 extra for garlic, onions and ginger

~Salad scissors

~Microplane or ginger grater

~Garlic press, I like Zyliss

~Magic Bullet, Tribest or other personal sized blender for dressings


If you are planning on making smoothies, soups & puddings:

~Good quality high speed blender, such as a Blendtec or Vitamix


If you are planning to make all kind of gourmet recipes:

~ 11 or more cup food processor. High end would be a KitchenAid, more affordable would be a Black and Decker or Hamilton Beach

~Food dehydrator, high end and dependable would be Excalibur, also it is best for breads and no 'hole' in the middle, more affordable round with hole in the middle brands could be found at Walmart, make sure there is a thermostat or it's no good.

~Veggie spiralizer for making zuchinni pasta - Joyce Chen Saladacco for angel hair size noodles, Spirooli for spaghetti size noodles

For Nut Milks

~ Blender and nut bags or paint strainer bags from a home improvement store

-or-

~ A soy milk maker that has the option to make raw nut milks without heat

For opening young cocounts

~ Large, heavy wide butcher's type knife with a strong corner - for whacking out the shell

~ strong paring knife - to help with prying the shell off

~ metal slotted serving spoon - for spooning out meat

~ I use a dead head mallot sometimes if the paring knife can't get through the shell - took out from hubby's toolbox and is now in my kitchen drawer, he's not thrilled, but I use it much more than he!


For soaking & sprouting seeds/nuts/grains

~Large bowls or mason or quart jars

~Cloth and rubberbands for covering jars

~Mesh strainer


For making nut yogurts and cheeses

~cheesecloth & string for straining and hanging

~ glass jars or containers