Shopping in the USA

[Deeau]

I have been travelling round the USA for the last 3 weeks and have about a week to go and want to buy some "gadgets" here that we don't get in Australia ( or are much cheaper here ) On my list I have several size cookie scoops and a tortilla press...can you think of any must have that are only avalable in the USA?
Thanks

[andiesenji]

There are some specialty whisks available here that I don't think have yet made it to OZ.
I know some have but there are some silicone ones that haven't made it yet.

I can recommend the "Danish dough whisk" for mixing quick breads with as little handling as possible - to keep them from getting tough.
Also very handy for mixing a large batch of dried fruits and nuts together without breaking up the nuts.

I've shown only the Amazon link but they are available in most kitchen gadget stores now I've found them locally at the kitchen outlet store and a kitchen store in the mall.
They come in two sizes and I have both.

I don't know in which city you will be in, but there are some incredible kitchen stores in most larger cities.

[faffa_70]

I have a whisk with the balls on the end (we call it a ball whisk lol) like the one at the bottom of your pic Andie.  It is the best whisk I have ever owned and now because I want to buy some more I can't find them there!! 

[judydawn]

I'd just keep browsing Deeau and buy anything and everything that you've never seen before.  As fundj suggested to Hally who is about to go to Hawaii, a set of US measuring cups and spoons would be very handy if you convert things from US websites. Hope you are having a great time over there.

[johnro]

Andie you are always a wealth of information and the pics are great as I have rarely seen anything like the whisks displayed in your pic - thank you!!!   

[fundj&e]

I have a few weird looking ones. i love the ball one and the baby one

[andiesenji]

Welllll......I do have a few more.


The oldest one at the far left is from about 1910, the third one from the 1920s, the ones with blue and red/white handles from the 1930s.

See, I told you I love gadgets. 

[fundj&e]

Which one do you use the most, andiesenji ?

[cookie1]

Oh gosh Andie, you are truly amazing.

[johnro]

Thank you for sharing with us Andie - you are a star!!!!!!   

[judydawn]

Do you ever get anyone knock on your door Andie and ask to borrow a whisk or a toaster or something 
You really have all the utensils and equipment needed to start up a brilliant cook's museum.

[Halex]

You have an amazing collection. Would love to look through your drawers.

You have all the toys
H

[andiesenji]

Which one do you use the most, andiesenji ?

Since I got the silicone ones, I tend to use them most often for "normal" whisking, but I probably use the Danish dough whisks more than anything else when I am in a baking phase.

I really no longer use the "vintage" ones, although the one 4th from the left was my favorite for beating eggs, especially for scrambled eggs and using it to stir the eggs while cooking, for many years. 
I actually have several identical ones because it is such a handy design.  Also handy for scooping ravioli gently out of boiling water without breaking the pasta. 

The large piano wire balloon whisk is one I use for whipping egg whites by hand when I don't want to use a mixer.  With it I can get a particular texture I want for certain applications, a looser, softer meringue that is difficult to achieve with a mixer.  I can "feel" when it's time to stop beating.

[andiesenji]

Do you ever get anyone knock on your door Andie and ask to borrow a whisk or a toaster or something 
You really have all the utensils and equipment needed to start up a brilliant cook's museum.

No, just about everyone who knows me well also knows how I feel about my collectibles.  I do lend my newer appliances - the Vita Mix is popular for party prep - but not my vintage ones.  Before I moved up here, I used to rent some of my more unique appliances to a film and TV set designer as he insured them and carefully packed and transported them.  Two of my fancy coffee brewers were used in The Great Gatsby back in the 1970s but I think those scenes were cut from the final film, I only watched the movie twice and really didn't pay much attention to the background stuff. 

[Frozzie]

andie your life must have been an amazing journey between all that you have done, those you have met, all the gadgets etc...intrigues me ...such a fascinating life you lead....