Cooking Gadgets at Garage Sales

[donleyk]

It seems to me it would be a great, inexpensive way to find out if you like, as an example, making yogurt. I can't see what difference it would make if you got it at a garage sale. Especially stuff in the original boxes! If stuff is reasonably clean.... I can't image someone cleaning every item just to put it in a garage sale, you know?

[AndreaU]

I'm all for saving $$$! Better to spend $5 or $10 on a machine than $50, $75 or much more... especially if you only use it once or twice OR it just doesn't work quite right. If you really get into yogurt making, bread baking, etc., you can always upgrade later.

[Joyce]

One of my greatest "yard sale" buys was an old all metal french-fry cutter. I bought it about 10 years ago and use it to this day. You can not only pick up some great buys, but many times find better quality than in the newer products. For example, Revere Ware copper bottom pans were twice as thick and heavy about 10-20 yrs. ago. You can still find a lot of these at yard sales.

[schuh]

I collect cookie cutters at garage sales. Great for Play Dough with the kids and I can do a cut-out cookie for just about any party/school theme. I haven't seen many kitchen gadgets but would go for them. I don't know why this would gross people out -- throw them in the dishwasher and they are clean.

[Beth Y]

My friends call me the yard sale queen and think I am really wierd, but I swear by them. As Joyce says, particularly at the "estate sales" you can buy great old kitchen stuff (solids stainless steel spoons, mixers, etc.) for very cheap. Also, you can also find great good stuff that non-cooking people are given for presents and get rid of(sounds like what you stumbled in to). If it is a good bargain and good quality AND YOU WILL USE IT anything can be sterilized to use in your own kitchen. I bought an old GE mixer at a yard/estate sale for $6. That mixer has cranked out many a cookie and cake at my house and worth more than every penny I paid for it. I say, go for it!!!!!

[Mbart]

I'm wondering what you all think of buying cooking gadgets at yard/garage/rummage sales. I was out this morning and stopped by a neighborhood yard sale, and they had a bunch of kitchen gadgets, some of which had never been out of the box. Now that I'm getting into cooking more, (thanks to this BB!), I was wondering if I should pick up some of these things. For instance, there was a yogurt maker, never used, for $5. I don't remember the brand. I've also seen ice-cream makers before, bread makers, etc. I guess I don't know much about these things, and am wondering if I should be looking for certain brand-names or styles.

There were also a (still in the packaging) pastry cutter, pie server, teaspoons, measuring cups, just $1 each. Also, pampered chef measuring cups. Didn't buy any of those (didn't need them) but I did get a nice, brand-new looking juicer thing that attaches to a heavy glass jar, with a pour spout for only 50 cents http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif And I got 4 real nice glass bowls that come with tupperware lids for storing leftovers...now I won't have to use my old butter containers! I know garage sales gross some people out, but I love a bargain!

[Norma]

I bought two Farberware saucepans with lids for $1.50 each. I use them every day. I love garage sales. I found a 1992 issue of Cooking Light for 10 cents and got it just for the fun of it. It had a section for making bagels.

[BevP]

I got a not in the box but new chicken rotisserie for $5!!! A neighbor bought it, didn't use it, gave it to this woman who didn't use it. I had wanted to try one but didn't want to shell out $50+ bucks then find out I wouldn't use it. Yard sales are a great chance to try new-to-you things.

[maizeyoats]

You can find so many bargains at yard sales. I am a true believer. I found a new Kitchen Aid mixer for $25. I got lots of good cookbooks really cheap.
One thing that I missed out on was someone selling brand new Henckel's knives for $1 each (about 15 of them) someone got to them before me.

[Cindy Rafferty]

I just got a bread machine Sat. at a tag sale for $5.00. No manual included, and it's not the latest model. But....I've made three loaves of bread so far, and have linked up with some great websites. It is a great way to learn if you like a gadget or not without spending alot of $$$. Go for it!