Off Grid Survival | Living Off Grid

Finding old fashioned products for self-sufficient off grid survival is easier than many may think.  You can find all kinds of vintage old fashioned products all online at the www.cottagecraftworks.com self-sufficient lifestyle general store.

Cottage Craft Works specializes in finding USA old fashioned non-electric products still being manufactured and used with the Amish self sustaining communities. 

The Amish still use the same simple human powered gadgets and appliances that were being used at the turn of the century before electricity was commonly available. 

The Amish build things to last for a lifetime and many are finding that the Amish products are actually easier to use and maintain than the newer complex electric appliances.

This is an important factor when considering the investment into something that might sit on the shelf for years just in case there’s a major grid outage.

The hand crank Little Dutch Maid mixer is a good example. Considering the initial investment for something to have as a backup is a bit hard to comprehend. Compared to the equivalent electric mixer many have found that the Little Dutch Maid Mixer is actually more user friendly and end up using it daily in place of their cumbersome electric mixer.

Life expectancy also needs to be considered.  Let’s face it an electric mixer these days comes with planned obsolesces built in. With motor brushes, plastic housings, and manufactures making it more difficult to find replacement parts down the road a person might be looking at needing to replace it within 8- 10 years depending on usage.

The Little Dutch Maid mixer base uses no plastic parts and is built like a tank for heavy long term use.  It was designed by an Amish gentleman for large batch cooking and cranking out bread dough on a daily basis.

Many non-Amish ladies are rediscovering the old fashioned treadle sewing machine.  Yes Janome makes the 712-T treadle brand new for the Amish communities.  Many non-Amish claim they find it easier to control than their electric sewing machines.

Many other Amish products are less expensive like the Country Egg Beater.  It’s a reproduction of the popular egg beaters once used in every kitchen before the larger mixers were invented.  It is still triple the price of a cheap imported copy but a side by side comparison will soon reveal why.  The Country Egg Beater cranks smoothly while the imported model is hard to turn.

This brings up another important consideration.  There’s a huge quality time gap from what was once made compared to the cheap imported copies of those products of today.  

As products have been copied over the years the quality just hasn’t been maintained the same. Imported copies use cheaper metals that just will not hold a cutting edge. Even though the product may look the same as the one that granddad used, people using a cheaply made import copies quickly become fatigued and just give up.

In contrast the Amish products are made to be used by the people who still depend on them to grow food and process it for the family table.

So if you’re looking for basic durable products for the potential need to live or survive off grid consider these old time favorites shipped directly from the Amish featured at www.cottagecraftworks.com

Grain Mill | Grain Flaker | Food Processor | Meat Grinder

The Family Grain Mill and food processor is a wonderful addition for those who are looking at both hand crank and electric options.

Family Grain Mill has developed a unique line of high quality German made food processing equipment that allows customers to custom select the products needed for their food processing needs.

What began as a simple hand crank grain mill has not evolved into attachments that will cut, slice, shred vegetables and grind meats and nuts.

Customers have the option of purchasing an electric motor attachment allowing them to be able to use the mill both on and off-grid.

The attachments pack neatly to take along on camping trips and outdoor adventures.  Several Dutch oven cook off teams utilize the Family Grain Mill system to process their recipes without electricity as required in the competition rules.

A wide range of adapters are also available to use the Family Grain Mill attachments on popular mixers such as the Bosh Universal, Kitchen Aid mixers, Eletrolux and Viking Mixers.

This way customers can have both the hand crank option for quick small batch prep and the electric option for large batch processing.

At first glance customers might pass because of the rather simple appearance, sometimes simplicity is better! 

These units are actually made from high impact Lexan and quality rust free metal parts.  The Family Grain Mill systems are in use worldwide with over three decades of proven results.

The Family Grain Mill system may be purchased at http://www.cottagecraftworks.com.

Customers may start with the hand crank base and add just the attachments they want to include. 

You may custom build your unit using the drop down boxes at the bottom of the product page to add either the combo package or select individual options to the unit including an electric motor option for a full kitchen system.

Combo Packages are priced to be the best buy!

Manufactured in Germany for 35 years, The Family Grain Mill and attachments are built with premium Lexan and hardened surgical steel burrs. The durable grain mill is capable of many years of dependable use.  The grain mill is adjustable from fine to coarse with a 5 cup hopper for continuous use.

You can produce a cup of fine flour in approximately one minute with the electric base and in just two minutes with the hand operated base.   

FAMILY GRAIN MILL WILL GRIND, WHEAT, OATS, CORN (not popcorn), RYE, SPELT, KAMUT, BARLEY, RICE, AMARANTH, *MOST BEANS, COFFEE, FLAX SEEDS, SESAME SEEDS, DRIED HERBS, DRIED  PEPPERS and DRIED PEAS.

Easy Set up: Compact Storage:  Attachments fit on either base with a twist of the wrist. The motor base is free-standing. The hand base quickly and securely clamps onto a counter edge, without slipping and marring your counter top. Easy to store in your cabinets without taking up much room.

The hand operated base turns easily, very quiet, and is dust free.  Even a child can turn.

The unit is just as easy to disassemble and clean

Optional Attachments include;

FLAKER MILL  ATTACHMENT-  The Flaker mill is terrific for all your rolling and flaking needs. Great for making granola, hot and cold cereals, cookies, desserts, bread and meat extenders.

FLAKER MILL WILL ROLL AND FLAKE OATS, WHEAT, RYE, SPELT, KAMUT, and FLAX SEEDS

FOOD PROCESSOR ATTACHMENT -  This is a great attachment that truly is easy to use and easy to clean!  Saves time in preparing potato casserole and main dishes, grinding and grating, cheese, ground nuts and fruits. Great to use for dehydrating foods in uniform slices.

Easy to set up and fast Cleanup: Each drum slips in and out for fast slice, grating and julienne.  Dishwasher safe.

The food processor attachment comes with standard food processing drums for most needs, additional drums can be ordered for specialty chef preparations.

MEAT GRINDER ATTACHMENT- hand base for fresh ground beef. Comes with a stumper. The meat grinder will ground round steak or any other choice cuts of beef, chicken or pork you desire.

Cottage Craft Works .com is a back-to-basics online general store that features high quality products for sustainable living lifestyles.

With over 5000 old fashioned products you will likely find items that you never thought still existed.   The majority of the products are actually still made and being used in the Amish communities.