| Recommended Household Equipment |
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Name of Item | Description | Source |
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Kettles | A small one for making tea or heating small amounts of water, a big one (at least a gallon) to heat water for domestic needs, stainless steel if possible | Department or hardware store for the small one, Lehmans, farm store or outdoor supplier for the big one |
| Plastic dishpans, one or two | Useful if you don't have a double sink, or your sinks are very small, or if you have no way to drain water from your sinks. | Any department store. If you will use them in your sinks, make sure you buy tubs that will fit. The ones sold as dishpans will fit most sinks. |
| Plastic tubs, three (for laundry) | Or a double laundry tub. Or this double tub on wheels from Lehmans, or three galvanized wash tubs (one to wash, two to rinse) | Department stores for the tubs, hardware store for the double laundry unit, farm supply for the galvanized tubs. If you have a double laundry tub, you'll still need one extra plastic tub for rinsing. |
| Hand wringer | Also sold as a towel wringer, used in car washes | Available from Lehmans or can be ordered from firms that sell car wash equipment. I recommend the heavy-duty version in spite of its cost; the lighter weight ones don't last long and won't handle heavy garments like blue jeans or overalls |
| Dish drying rack and drain tray | Forget bamboo. The construction of the cheap bamboo racks is poor, and the expensive ones don't work any better than plastic-covered metal. Stainless steel is good if you can afford it, as it's long-lasting and easy to clean. | Plastic-covered metal racks sold in any department store. Stainless steel available in most kitchen stores, but much more expensive. |
| Pitchers, various sizes | If there is no running water, you'll need some way to store and pour water. Plastic is fine for most purposes, aluminum and stainless steel last longer. Glass and ceramic are decorative, if fragile. If you get only plastic, check to make sure at least one of them will hold boiling water without melting. Mark one pitcher for non-food use (soap making, dyeing, etc.) | Housewares section of any department store, also farm supply stores |
| Crocks, various sizes | To hold water, make pickles and sauerkraut, store waterglassed eggs, you'll figure out other things to do with them. | Farm supply stores, Lehmans, online |
