Hardware tools for the kitchen?

In article <[email hidden]>,

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

Thought this might be a fun thread idea. :-)
What tools do you have in the kitchen for food prep that you bought from
a hardware store and adapted to cooking?

(snipped)
I've got a 6" wide Red Devil "bench knife" -- I think it's supposed to
be for spreading the stuff you use when you're taping sheetrock.
--
http://www.jamlady.eboard.com, updated 10-20-05 with a note from Niece Jo.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Melba's Jammin said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

Thought this might be a fun thread idea. :-)
What tools do you have in the kitchen for food prep that you bought from
a hardware store and adapted to cooking?

(snipped)
I've got a 6" wide Red Devil "bench knife" -- I think it's supposed to
be for spreading the stuff you use when you're taping sheetrock.

Frosting spreader? :-)
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

On Sat 29 Oct 2005 04:15:25a, Melba's Jammin' wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

Thought this might be a fun thread idea. :-)
What tools do you have in the kitchen for food prep that you bought from
a hardware store and adapted to cooking?

(snipped)
I've got a 6" wide Red Devil "bench knife" -- I think it's supposed to
be for spreading the stuff you use when you're taping sheetrock.

Geez, I have the same thing, 'cept I don't think it's Red Devil brand.
Work's great.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
_____________________________

http://tinypic.com/eikz78.jpg

Meet Mr. Bailey

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thought this might be a fun thread idea. :-)
What tools do you have in the kitchen for food prep that you bought from
a hardware store and adapted to cooking?

Does a toy store count? I still have a 3" x 12" wooden block from a pricey
kids' block set that I've used for years to pound chicken and veal. It gives
a good solid smack, so it does.

Felice

On Sat 29 Oct 2005 01:56:07a, OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

Thought this might be a fun thread idea. :-)
What tools do you have in the kitchen for food prep that you bought from
a hardware store and adapted to cooking?

I've got two sizes of rubber-headed mallets (look like small sledge-hammers)
that I use for pounding things chicken breasts, veal scallops, etc. I think
I only paid ~$5.00 for both. Also have a very heavy plastic "tool tote" that
I keep all my BBQ implements in for trudging back and forth to the grill.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
_____________________________

http://tinypic.com/eikz78.jpg

Meet Mr. Bailey

OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote on 29 Oct 2005 in rec.food.cooking

Quoted message said:

Thought this might be a fun thread idea. :-)
What tools do you have in the kitchen for food prep that you bought from
a hardware store and adapted to cooking?

Hacksaw
Blow torch

and Pastorio suggested microplaners which I'm going to have to
investigate.

Hacksaws are used for cutting bones primarily, and a blow torch is used
for crisping custards etc. and for singing hair feathers when I'm
processing my own poultry.

Anyone else?

Blow torches also can be used to remove skins on red bell peppers.

I have a largish rubber mallet in the kitchen as well. I use it to flaten
chicken breasts and to help drive the cleaver thru hard to cut things like
butternut squashes and chicken bones. Using the mallet gives me a more
precise cut than if I just wailed away with the cleaver.

As we speak, I just used the mallet (5 minutes ago) to help split 2
butternut squashes for Jill's roated butternut soup.

--
The eyes are the mirrors....
But the ears...Ah the ears.
The ears keep the hat up.

On Sat 29 Oct 2005 07:14:03a, Mr Libido Incognito wrote in
rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote on 29 Oct 2005 in rec.food.cooking

Quoted message said:

Thought this might be a fun thread idea. :-)
What tools do you have in the kitchen for food prep that you bought
from a hardware store and adapted to cooking?

Hacksaw
Blow torch

and Pastorio suggested microplaners which I'm going to have to
investigate.

Hacksaws are used for cutting bones primarily, and a blow torch is used
for crisping custards etc. and for singing hair feathers when I'm
processing my own poultry.

Anyone else?

Blow torches also can be used to remove skins on red bell peppers.

I have a largish rubber mallet in the kitchen as well. I use it to
flaten chicken breasts and to help drive the cleaver thru hard to cut
things like butternut squashes and chicken bones. Using the mallet gives
me a more precise cut than if I just wailed away with the cleaver.

As we speak, I just used the mallet (5 minutes ago) to help split 2
butternut squashes for Jill's roated butternut soup.

I've had these large rubber mallets for years and it never occurred to me
to use them for anything other than pounding something flat. Thanks, Alan!

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
_____________________________

http://tinypic.com/eikz78.jpg

Meet Mr. Bailey

In article <[email hidden]>,

Wayne Boatwright said:

On Sat 29 Oct 2005 01:56:07a, OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

Thought this might be a fun thread idea. :-)
What tools do you have in the kitchen for food prep that you bought from
a hardware store and adapted to cooking?

I've got two sizes of rubber-headed mallets (look like small sledge-hammers)
that I use for pounding things chicken breasts, veal scallops, etc. I think
I only paid ~$5.00 for both. Also have a very heavy plastic "tool tote" that
I keep all my BBQ implements in for trudging back and forth to the grill.

Both cool ideas!

I've always just pounded meat with a flat, smooth metal meat mallet. The
one I have is two sided. Smooth on one side and short pyramid shaped
"teeth" on the other side. I like the idea of using a rubber one! It'd
be easier on my boards!
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

In article <[email hidden]>,

Felice Friese said:

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thought this might be a fun thread idea. :-)
What tools do you have in the kitchen for food prep that you bought from
a hardware store and adapted to cooking?

Does a toy store count? I still have a 3" x 12" wooden block from a pricey
kids' block set that I've used for years to pound chicken and veal. It gives
a good solid smack, so it does.

Felice

All's fair in kitchen tools! <lol>
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

In article <[email hidden]>,

Mr Libido Incognito said:

OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote on 29 Oct 2005 in rec.food.cooking

Quoted message said:

Thought this might be a fun thread idea. :-)
What tools do you have in the kitchen for food prep that you bought from
a hardware store and adapted to cooking?

Hacksaw
Blow torch

and Pastorio suggested microplaners which I'm going to have to
investigate.

Hacksaws are used for cutting bones primarily, and a blow torch is used
for crisping custards etc. and for singing hair feathers when I'm
processing my own poultry.

Anyone else?

Blow torches also can be used to remove skins on red bell peppers.

I'll have to try that on Poblanos...

Quoted message said:

I have a largish rubber mallet in the kitchen as well. I use it to flaten
chicken breasts and to help drive the cleaver thru hard to cut things like
butternut squashes and chicken bones. Using the mallet gives me a more
precise cut than if I just wailed away with the cleaver.

I do that too, except I have a "kitchen rock", a round, smooth piece of
agate that I gently hammer the back of the cleaver with. I tap it firmly
rather than pounding.

A rubber mallet might be kinder on the cleaver. ;-)

Quoted message said:

As we speak, I just used the mallet (5 minutes ago) to help split 2
butternut squashes for Jill's roated butternut soup.

That works!
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

Thought this might be a fun thread idea. :-)
What tools do you have in the kitchen for food prep that you bought from
a hardware store and adapted to cooking?

Hacksaw
Blow torch

and Pastorio suggested microplaners which I'm going to have to
investigate.

Hacksaws are used for cutting bones primarily, and a blow torch is used
for crisping custards etc. and for singing hair feathers when I'm
processing my own poultry.

Anyone else?

needle-nosed pliers for removing fish bones
Vise-Grip pliers to hold the pasta roller to the benchtop
torch for meringues, pepper skins, caramelizing grapes rolled in sugar
chisels for carving vegetable garnishes
tile cutter for precision in making baking sheets covered with tiles
taping knife (like a wide putty knife) for scraping baking boards and
spreading frosting
small paint roller for oiling baking sheets (if doing a lot of baking)
Microplanes for grating
etc.

Pastorio

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Melba's Jammin said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

Thought this might be a fun thread idea. :-)
What tools do you have in the kitchen for food prep that you bought from
a hardware store and adapted to cooking?

(snipped)
I've got a 6" wide Red Devil "bench knife" -- I think it's supposed to
be for spreading the stuff you use when you're taping sheetrock.

Frosting spreader? :-)

I think that a notched (for spreading adhesive) trowel would give cake
frosting a distinctive pattern

Pan Ohco

In article <[email hidden]>,

Bob (this one) said:

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

Thought this might be a fun thread idea. :-)
What tools do you have in the kitchen for food prep that you bought from
a hardware store and adapted to cooking?

Hacksaw
Blow torch

and Pastorio suggested microplaners which I'm going to have to
investigate.

Hacksaws are used for cutting bones primarily, and a blow torch is used
for crisping custards etc. and for singing hair feathers when I'm
processing my own poultry.

Anyone else?

needle-nosed pliers for removing fish bones

Yes.

Quoted message said:

Vise-Grip pliers to hold the pasta roller to the benchtop

Never thought of that! That might solve our problem with the Victorio
strainer. I think I'm just going to get a motor for it tho'.

Quoted message said:

torch for meringues, pepper skins, caramelizing grapes rolled in sugar

Yep. I'm going to have to try mine for carmelizing.

Quoted message said:

chisels for carving vegetable garnishes

You have too much time on your hands. <lol>

Quoted message said:

tile cutter for precision in making baking sheets covered with tiles

I've never baked on tiles?
I do use large tiles for trivets tho'.

Quoted message said:

taping knife (like a wide putty knife) for scraping baking boards and
spreading frosting
small paint roller for oiling baking sheets (if doing a lot of baking)

That's a neat idea, but sounds messy?

Quoted message said:

Microplanes for grating

On the shopping list!

Quoted message said:

etc.

Hey don't stop now!
You were on a roll!!!

Quoted message said:

Pastorio

--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

Thought this might be a fun thread idea. :-)
What tools do you have in the kitchen for food prep that you bought from
a hardware store and adapted to cooking?

o I use a tool used in auto body shops in molding fenders etc. to flatten
meats. It weighs almost three pounds but fits nicely in the hand. One side
is flat, the side in closer to the palm is curved.

o A tool used to clean excess paint on house windows. Used to scrape the
butcher block. *Much* better than the kitchenalia product (dough scraper).

o Water pump pliers to open small jars tops.

o Corian counter top sample to smash garlic cloves..

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

Thought this might be a fun thread idea. :-)
What tools do you have in the kitchen for food prep that you bought from
a hardware store and adapted to cooking?

Hacksaw
Blow torch

and Pastorio suggested microplaners which I'm going to have to
investigate. [snip]

I've got a small blow torch, small pliers, and a flashlight (for the
oven, which has no light). Oh, and a couple of sharpening stones. The
microplaner I got at a kitchen place. Hardware store is worth checking
out, though you might have more of an initial cleaning to do. -aem

In article <[email hidden]>,

Pan Ohco said:

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Melba's Jammin said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
OmManiPadmeOmelet <[email hidden]> wrote:

> Thought this might be a fun thread idea. :-)
> What tools do you have in the kitchen for food prep that you bought from
> a hardware store and adapted to cooking?
(snipped)
I've got a 6" wide Red Devil "bench knife" -- I think it's supposed to
be for spreading the stuff you use when you're taping sheetrock.

Frosting spreader? :-)

I think that a notched (for spreading adhesive) trowel would give cake
frosting a distinctive pattern

Pan Ohco

How about textured rollers? <lol>

just kidding......
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

Bob (this one) said:

needle-nosed pliers for removing fish bones
Vise-Grip pliers to hold the pasta roller to the benchtop
torch for meringues, pepper skins, caramelizing grapes rolled in sugar
chisels for carving vegetable garnishes
tile cutter for precision in making baking sheets covered with tiles
taping knife (like a wide putty knife) for scraping baking boards and
spreading frosting
small paint roller for oiling baking sheets (if doing a lot of baking)
Microplanes for grating
etc.

Pastorio

Wow, truly you are a resourceful and creative soul!

For some reason, though, this reminds me of my ex-husband's back
surgery...I was reading the Operating Room Report and encountered
something I didn't normally associate with surgical tools...a torque
wrench. I can still picture his surgeon stepping aside to let Dr.
Goodwrench do his thing, then resuming. <g>

Thanks for the hint on where to find microplanes!

Lisa Ann

On Sat 29 Oct 2005 10:06:33a, Pan Ohco wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Melba's Jammin said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
OmManiPadmeOmelet <[email hidden]> wrote:

> Thought this might be a fun thread idea. :-)
> What tools do you have in the kitchen for food prep that you bought
> from a hardware store and adapted to cooking?
(snipped)
I've got a 6" wide Red Devil "bench knife" -- I think it's supposed to
be for spreading the stuff you use when you're taping sheetrock.

Frosting spreader? :-)

I think that a notched (for spreading adhesive) trowel would give cake
frosting a distinctive pattern

Pan Ohco

I bought a 3-sided icing "comb" years ago that has 3 different notch sizes,
and it does make a very pretty pattern. I think I paid a dollar for it.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
_____________________________

http://tinypic.com/eikz78.jpg

Meet Mr. Bailey

In article <[email hidden]>,

osmium said:

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

Thought this might be a fun thread idea. :-)
What tools do you have in the kitchen for food prep that you bought from
a hardware store and adapted to cooking?

o I use a tool used in auto body shops in molding fenders etc. to flatten
meats. It weighs almost three pounds but fits nicely in the hand. One side
is flat, the side in closer to the palm is curved.

o A tool used to clean excess paint on house windows. Used to scrape the
butcher block. *Much* better than the kitchenalia product (dough scraper).

o Water pump pliers to open small jars tops.

Oil filter wrenches work for that too. ;-)

Quoted message said:

o Corian counter top sample to smash garlic cloves..

I grate mine.....

Nice! Thanks!

Quoted message said:

--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson