Setting up a homestead kitchen on a budget may feel like a daunting task, especially if you’re starting from scratch. Admittedly, there are a lot of specialized tools that homesteaders use on a regular basis that you might not find in your standard department store, some of which cost hundreds of dollars.
Fortunately, there are creative ways to make setting up your homestead kitchen more affordable. This post was written in collaboration with the company Gumtree to share some ideas on how to set up a homestead kitchen on a budget.
What will you need for your homestead kitchen?
Setting up a homestead kitchen begins with the usual kitchen items – a set of good knives, cutting boards, stainless steel bowls, measuring spoons and cups, cast iron skillets and high quality pots, etc. Depending on how you intend to cook, or what kind of food preservation you would like to tackle, you may desire a few specialty items, such as:
- A wood stove for cooking
- A dehydrator
- A pressure canner
- A food mill
- A butter churn
- Cheesemaking supplies
- Crocks for fermentation
Our homestead kitchen began very modestly, and each year we’d set a budget for new purchases. For instance, a food processor one year, a pressure canner the next. Over time we were able to acquire high quality tools for our kitchen.
We also thought about high end purchases creatively. For instance, the cider press we wanted was close to $1,000, and really only used a few times a year. We purchased the press with four other families, and either gathered together to press cider, or rotated among the four homesteads.
How to make the most of your homestead kitchen budget
Here’s where being creative and thrifty can help you set up the homestead kitchen you desire with the budget that is affordable to you. If you’re looking for a specific item, like an antique butter churn, let friends know to keep an eye out. I’ve gotten texts across the country from friends that spotted items in just the right size or color!
Wood stoves can often be purchased second hand. Here in NE Missouri, we have the option of attending many auctions, including a mega-auction hosted by an Amish community each summer. Most of my neighbors with wood stoves have purchased them via these auctions.
You should also check online to see what you can find. Look at necessary kitchen furniture at the same time. Used or second hand furniture sites in your local area are a great resource to save money.
Cast iron pans can also be bought second hand, online, at yard or estate sales. Remember that you can build your collection of pans slowly, one at time as your budget allows.
Although you are less likely to find high end dehydrators or pressure canners for sale in thrift stores or yard sales, you might be lucky enough to find a more basic model that will tide you over until you can upgrade! That’s how we came across our basic, but dependable dehydrator.
Homesteading is something which is intended to save you money in the long term, as you grow and preserve your own food and supplies, but there is some initial investment.
By following the tips above for setting up a homestead kitchen on a budget, you can supply your home with the tools you need, without sacrificing your budget!
What is YOUR favorite way to outfit your homestead kitchen on a budget?
*This is a sponsored post, in collaboration with Gumtree.
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