Last updated on November 18th, 2014
Kitchen supply stores should be illegal. I visited Different Drummer’s Kitchen Company yesterday, simply because I needed three attractive drinking glasses for a cookbook photo-shoot. Here’s what I brought home:
I brought home three big shopping bags…
Filled with stuff I simply can’t live without.
I purchased this Swiss-made, spice-grinding gadget…
And these ramekins, so useful for my favorite French dessert…
And this heavy-duty coffee grinder…
And this blue and green bowl, because I always need pretty bowls for photo shoots.
I also purchased a confectioners’ sugar duster, even though my fine-mesh sieves perform the same job perfectly well…
And this over-sized coffee cup and saucer, which invites hot chocolate or cafe au lait…
And this sunny yellow spatula, because it cried out to me…
And these nylon mesh “scrubbies,” because they do a bang-up job on my stovetop…
And this weird and wonderful Bundt pan, because I want my next cake to be a work of waffled art…
And this castle-shaped cake pan, because really, who doesn’t need one?
(Update: I made the castle cake! You can see it here. )
As for the three attractive glasses — and the reason I visited the store in the first place — here’s what jumped into my cart:
Six “whiskey” glasses, which, I assured myself, would be ideal for Bourbon on the Rocks and other cocktails…
And a box of stately “longdrink” glasses, for serving healthful smoothies.
Are you like me? Do you go ape-honkin’-berserk when you find yourself in a kitchen supply store?
You have my deepest empathy.
Now excuse me while I shop for a larger kitchen.
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Marjean says
OMG!!! I’m so right there with you, Kevin!! And I’m so glad there isn’t one anywhere near me right now. I love the castle cake pan and am looking forward to seeing the cake you make in it soon. Unfortunately for me, I have a teeny, tiny kitchen and all the storage is already taken. Then again, that’s good for the wallet, which is still recuperating from purchasing a Vitamix this past summer. I’m about to try grinding spelt berries with it to use in today’s bread experiment.
Have fun with all your goodies!
Lori Mancini says
I feel your pain; yesterday my little toaster oven broke so off I went to replace it. What did I come home with? A countertop convection/ rotisserie oven. Which meant I spent the morning rearranging things in my tiny kitchen so I had enough room. I also had to find space for the toaster I had in the closet because the oven will not toast (well it might but seems a bit of an overkill) it is a good thing that I am not near any βrealβ kitchen stores or I would need to rent the apartment next door to keep all the gadgets in.
Sharon says
I’m like you! I LOVE kitchen gadgets and dishes!
Kimmer says
I know that store well, so many beautiful and unique things!! and I have gone crazy there too, but I don’t think I saw that castle pan, hmmmm I must be slipping. Can’t wait to see what you make with it!!!
ingmarie peck says
I am so there with you, love kitchen stores, I have no more room in my kitchen so I can not shop until something breaks
(I am going to break my coffee grinder because it does not do a good job.)
Lisa F says
Kevin, Different Drummer is RIGHT NEXT TO MY OFFICE! Can you imagine???? I have to force myself not to go in all of the time, and for some reason, even more so at the holidays. The Different Drummer folks are wonderful and community minded, by the way–they donate to The Legal Project and many other causes– so spend lots of $$ on your obsession there and feel good about it! Happy early Thanksgiving!
Scott Trudell says
There are many of us out there with the same affliction. I have had to set up shelving units in my basement to accommodate the overflow of “necessary” kitchen gadgets, bakeware and other accoutrements I just had to have. Most of them I have used but once. Yet I refuse to thin the herd because, as you know, I just might need it again for a future cooking/baking project… And what would I do if I didn’t have it??!
Judi says
Gosh, I have got to get a yellow spatula! How very cheerful. Can’t wait to see how the cake pan makes a man’s home a castle.
Martha says
I see absolutely nothing wrong with your purchases. As long as you have room for the wonderful additions I say shop on! I must confess ~ I have a weakness for ramekins. Oh those charming little things have 101 uses! I sometimes measure out my ingredients like they do on the cooking shows into separate ramekins. Makes baking more fun & so much easier. I live in a tiny cottage with a very small galley kitchen but theres always room for a few more.
Arlene says
Just love that other people are as weak as us. We often take off for a couple of days to the coast (NW Pacific). Once unpacked we head to the nearest Kitchen Store. Never come out empty handed. Love your sense of humor and of course your need for colorful kitchen accessories. Keep it up!
Gloria says
LOL I can’t believe yo bought a castle cake pan!!! I don’t go to many kitchen stores, but I have a disease called Pyrexia and go to antique malls and thrift stores at least twice a week and you would die if you saw how much vintage Pyrex and other dishes I have.
Christine Thiessen says
I have the same affliction too! I absolutely LOVE kitchen stores. I have NO self-control in when I am in one. Love your purchases.
Louise Brouillette says
Kevin, great purchases all! Does your beautiful blue and green bowl have a mark on the bottom saying its country of origin? A few years ago, we were in Uzbekistan and visited a pottery shop that had been run by the same family for generations. The pottery was so similar to the one you pictured. I wanted to buy everything in the store, but I settled for a blue and green platter and some small bowls (all that would fit in my baggage to take home). Congrats on finding such great things!
Louise
Addie B in FL says
I have to be frogmarched past kitchen stores. The last thing I bought was that little bent spatula thing that you used in one of your recipes, but I can’t remember which recipe it was – do you? It was a while ago.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Marie says
I love the cake mold!
despina says
All very necessary items!!!!!!!
Ava lansbery says
Love the castle pan, however, I would have a mess, if it sticks, brother. I hope it is non stick.
Linda says
I love it…I do the same thing online π
Deb Weisberger says
The photo of your house is lovely with all of the leaves. That’s how our yard looks except double the amount of leafage. Now picture that with EIGHT INCHES OF SNOW on it. Winter came way too early in Northern Michigan.
Gretchen says
Kevin, you went into that den of temptation and managed to resist all their goodies except for three paltry little bags????? Wow talk about self control and determination.
Please let us see what you do with that cake pan!
Gretchen says
P.S. Would you kindly share your formula for the smoothie used to show off the attractive new glasses?
Allison K says
Add me to the membership roster of Kitchen Store Addicts! I adore the blue & green bowl, and the “waffle-y” Jubilee Bundt pan produces cakes with a wonderful abundance of crunchy crust. (BTW, Nordic Ware is a Minnesota company–they are wonderful, and their factory outlet store in a Minneapolis suburb is divine!!)
Mary Margrave says
You are sooooo right. Office supply stores and kitchen stores are my downfall.
Mary Margrave says
You are sooooo right. Office supply stores and kitchen stores are my downfall.
kathleen says
Sometimes I’ve had to have a little pep talk with myself in the parking lot of the kitchen store, then go in and head straight to the doohickee I “need”. What happens next is a blur. I may see something that would be a perfect gift for [insert name], then think “well, gosh, if I’m getting it for him I should get one for myself, too!” You all know how this story ends…resolve dissolve.
Linda says
Glasses similar to those you bought? 99β΅ store . . . same for scrubbies and huge latte cups! San Diego has a bunch of these stores, better than your run of the mill dollar stores (or at least I tell myself that). Living in Mexico, we have Waldo’s Mart where I have seen some of the same merchandise, but higher priced. Different Drummer sounds like an evil enticing store; I’m going to see if they’re online right now. Thanks . . . I think.
Helga G says
My Neighbor keeps telling me “Helga” you either have to get yourself a bigger Kitchen or get rid off a lot of your Kitchen Gadgets”. Did you notice her saying “a lot”, not just a few.
It’s not going to happen. I just need to find some more storage spaces. Well, there is always the spare bedroom π
Diane says
Lucky for all us Kitchen Store Addicts we have a support group right here with Kevin at A Garden for the House. π
Sheri says
That castle-shaped cake pan is going to be fun!
Donna says
I do!!! Try not to go too often, but it sure is fun, isn’t it?
sherry kanoski says
Kevin, my dream was to own a kitchen supply store! Well, that never happened. Altho, I have spent so much money in them that I could have bought one long ago! I LOVE, LOVE kitchen stuff….but, where shall I put it all???? My sister and I have a cute tradition…..we send each other something that we have found at a kitchen store….doesn’t matter what it is…..but the idea is to find something that the other will not recognize…will not know what it is for!!!!! And, we never tell, because that is half the fun! Have had some weird things come my way, and I have given her weird things, too! So fun! And, that gives me every reason to chase after the Ultimate Kitchen Gift and hang out at kitchen gadget stores!!!!!
Carolyn Contois says
I have a William Sonoma outlet just up the street…. I took years of self control… but now, sometimes, I go in and walk around…it just feels good! Send a pic of the castle cake!
elinfl says
I’ve never met a kitchen store I didn’t like. And I’ve never met a kitchen gadget I didn’t like. Sadly, some of the gadgets just don’t do the job they are marketed to do. Sometimes I get home and ask myself “What were you thinking?”
Terri Burton says
I can empathize, with you. I tend to stay out since the kitchen is bursting now! But how can one resist a cool bunds pan? A mans home is his castle isn’t it!!
Ed Morrow says
Kevin,
Is it on its way? ….”three attractive drinking glasses for a cookbook photo-shoot”. If you’re doing the photos the book must be on its way. Right?
Cook book writing is probably much like programming where 10% of the work is done in the first 90% of the time, and 90% of the work is done in the last 10% of the time.
Regards,
Ed Morrow
Carmel Valley, CA
Therese says
Hahaha. that is funny! I spent a wonderful day shopping in the gorgeous Historical district of Galena Il. When I got home I realized I bought no X-Mass gifts as I intended. Instead I find my self washing and putting away a new Food scoop( http://www.amazon.com/Chefs-Planet-PrepTaxi-Stainless-Steel/dp/B00015CP7A) and several freakishly small utensils ( Youtube Chef John uses), And a beautiful ceramic bowl.
Joy says
Oh so true!!
Any review on your new coffee grinder that you’d care to share? I too am in the market for one, thanks in advance.
Kathy C. says
I sympathize with your addiction! And I love my castle pan! One of my favorite ways to use it is with a lemon poppyseed pound cake type recipe, then turn it onto a platter and sprinkle the cake and the surrounding platter with graham cracker crumbs. It looks like a sand castle–a big hit when our family gathers at the beach every summer for our annual reunion.
Joan C. says
Kevin,
How do you plan to get your cake out of those cake pans? I have several beautiful bundt pans with swirls and points, and regardless of how I treat them. the cake does not release evenly. Any hints would be appreciated. I have sprayed; sprayed and floured, sprayed; floured and re-sprayed! Nothing seems to work! I would love to see the castle mold decorated!
Lori says
Joan, I have found that the new Pam Baking Spray with butter is absolutely awesome in getting forms out of pans. I started years back using molds for birthday cakes – Strawberry Shortcake was the first, then Superman, doll molds, and even a soccer ball (black icing that doesn’t run was quite a feat!)..plus the obligatory Gingerbread Houses each year. Seeing the castle & Bundt pan makes me want to start again…………..
Deb says
FIELD TRIP!!!!! π
Edie says
I’m currently holding out for the “better use of space/bigger kitchen. I’m currently obsessed with which bigger appliance features are a must. So thanks for sharing your shopping madness! Can’t wait to see that royal castle cake!
Annie says
OMG Kevin!… I can’t believe you forgot to pick up that red and yellow and lime fruit bowl for me… you must have had just a marvelous time!… can’t wait to see how you do up the ‘waffle’ cake.
Cheryl hodges says
I’m the same way with second hand stores buying old kitchen gadgets I either do not need or buying the fifth or sixth same thing I have in a box at home. I’m cleaning up my vintage ’30’s, ’40’s ’50’s, ’60’s, ’70’s ’90’s mix of “shabby chic, Art Deco , stay at home housewife, SuperMom style kitchen with aluminum on the walls, a’50’s milkshake maker and wooden paddle butter maker next to my kitchen aide mixer.
I was going to seriously box all of my old junk up and streamline my kitchen after selling my jersey cow and going modern. All I did was switch the aluminum breadbox in the corner with the wooden high school project my daughter made me in the other corner and dust the “round tuit” my mother in law gave me and dust the greasy dust off the small kitchen cluttered with memories surrounding my Grandmother’s old red broken ice red table and chairs where she taught me how to flay “go fish” about 55 years ago.
So my kitchen will stay virtually the same and on Thanksgiving I will again hear from my children “Mom why don’t you get rid of all of this old junk” while I sadly think that they are who I was collecting these treasures for. But when I sit with the Grandkids at the kid’s table I will hear the music of my grand children’s comments “I wish we lived with you Grandma” and “I love to come here Grandma and gather the eggs” and why did you sell the milk cow” and “why can’t we make hollyhock dolls now Grandma?”. Then I won’t tell my children that when I and Dad are gone, my grandchildren will talk of how their best memories were made at Papa and Grandma’s farm..
Amy Greer Cruce says
Restaurant supply stores are kitchen stores on crack….I sometimes drive 10 miles out of my way so as not to pass the one across the river π
mike says
βI have a theory that kitchens, once they reach a certain level of complexity, attract new gadgets into their orbit, like planets. Only this can account for the fact that I own two melon ballers.β Kerry Greenwood, Cocaine Blues
Carolyn says
Just yesterday I saw a picture of the new Bundt pan with the waffle design and, like you, absolutely covert new Bundt pans. Am ashamed to admit to how many I have. Was able to resist buying one because it was online and not leaping from a shelf into my cart but also because it is not yet available through my favorite online store,Cutlery and more.com, Check it out . They even have weekly specials. As soon as they do carry it my resolve will weaken and although I am 70 I will convince myself that I really do need another baking pan. Happy shopping for a new kitchen. Love your letter. It always makes me smile.
Valerie C. says
I must admit, I have the same problem π But, it’s so much fun, why stop?
Elaine ransom says
Ah, if only I had the room! I did buy a lovely heavy non stick castle ly bundt pan but to nervous to use it incase the cake doesn’t come out! I’d love to’ make a large loaf of bread in it one day.just have to get my nerve up because no way can I loosen it with a rubber spatula.
Denise T says
Last year around Xmastime we went to Bed Bath & Beyonce and I was pulled by giant magnets to the wall of kitchen utensils. I wandered the wall touching, giggling and talking to it and myself. Then I looked up at the woman next to me and we started giggling and chatting and then another woman came by who was an acquaintance and joined in marveling and remarking with us and just good times right there at the giant kitchen utensil wall alrighty.
paula k says
The Kitchenaid coffee grinder is WONDERFUL. Ours is more than 5 years old and stands up to daily grinds of what seems to me very tough beans…(hubby’s favorite he mail orders for). Every now and then it needs a drop of 3 in 1 oil someplace on the underside of it. Hubby says when it “squeaks” its time. Can you tell he has old cars?
I have the same problem with The Container Store as kitchen stores. The organizational obsession kicks in and my cart is full in no time.
Also cannot resist any Tovolo Spatula/spoon….
Marcia says
Just came back from Staples, where I went to get some regular staples, all I had was the heavy duty kind. Spent almost $100.00 on other stuff, but I did bring home some staples. Mission accomplished. So it can happen at any kind of store.
LynnB says
Love kitchen stores, especially when I travel to other countries. It’s amazing how different the utensils can be – some of my favourites have come from Asia. Had the kitchen remodelled about 2 years ago, doubling the storage space – but even that’s now full. So I now have a new rule – one in, one out: for every gadget I buy, something of similar size has to go. It sort of works and means I do dump those useless things that just hang around.
This from a woman who has 21 frypans and 22 kitchen knives (for a 2 person household) hahahahaha.
Pat says
I am so glad I live in a town that does not have a kitchen store. We have a local hardware which is almost as bad but not quite. I would have to get a second job if we had a kitchen store and probably another house to store everything!!
LynnB says
To Joy (comment no 37) I bought a Cuisinart coffee grinder recently. I love that it has a removable steel bowl that you can put in the dishwasher. That’s important round here as I use the grinder for both coffee and spices – it grinds both perfectly.
Teri Dalco says
I could have written this same article, except that I live on the south shore of Boston, and we have no decent and reasonably priced “Different Drummer” for me to be wrangled away from. Otherwise, I’d have a real problem.
Eliza J says
Love that store ~ I’ve been to the one in Northampton, MA. you must have had a blast! Can’t wait to see the results of using your new kitchen items for future recipes and photo shoots.
Ellie Bullock says
I’m not sure if I should tell you that I have red, yellow and turquoise blue spatulas…. I ‘need’ them all… Be sure to butter and flour those beautiful molds well. I have history with molds and shake in my boots whenever I bake in them. I’m not sure it’s worth the effort, but you go, Kevin! Please show us how it’s done so that we will get up the nerve. They are just beautiful. Maybe I need to take a trip to DD, myself.
renate simsa says
oh, I feel so much better. I wander the kitchen isles for hours if no ones pulls me away and puts things back before I reach the checkout ….The scrubbies are a must, they can be disinfected with Hydrogen Peroxide by tne way I have experienced periods where they were not available
I ha e a question for Maryjean re her Vitamix and making bread, also for
Lori Mancini regarding her convection oven,do you like it? I covet one too.
And yes, we just received more snow in Northern Michigan and the ski resorts plan to be open Thanksgiving, barring unforeseen circumstances, like warm weather.
Michelle says
I shouldn’t drink tea and read your posts at the same time…I may nearly choke to death one of these days! Too funny, only because finally, I have some empathy from someone. Thank you, and have fun. Life is just too short not to purchase kitchen gadgets for god’s sake!!!
amin says
yep i totally agree
buuuut i do consider my tiny kitchen so i hold my horses
Naomi Shelton says
Kevin, you are such a hoot! The kitchen store people must LOVE to see you coming! “Oh, look, here comes that garden and food blog guy…what’s his name? Kevin Lee Jackson or something like that. Get ready to ring up, and make sure there’s enough cash register tape ’cause he usually takes home a real haul.” I can just see the grins on their faces, those store people!
I’m glad you had a good time on that little outing, tho’. And I can’t wait to see the first “sand castle” cake. Do one for next week’s blog, OK? Chocolate, I think. Oh, and when are you starting the addition to the kitchen? Soon, I hope.
Naomi Shelton says
Hi, again. This is for Joan C. regarding her question about the cake sticking in the points of the bundt pan. I recently baked a loaf of banana bread and a sheet cake. I greased the pans with coconut oil for the first time and wow! was I surprised at how the bread and the cake slipped SO easily out of the pans with no corners or chunks left behind. I don’t have a bundt pan, but it seems like the coconut oil might work for that, too, as long as you make sure to get the little points and swirls well-greased. And there isn’t any coconut taste added to whatever you’re baking either. So I hope it works for you, too. Good luck!
Sunni says
I laughed all the way through your news. A terrific shopping extravaganza! Can’t wait to see what creative measures you take to produce delicacies to justify “Three Bags Full”. LOL
Anne says
We’ve owned the castle cake pan for a while now and have made some fun cakes with it….the last was a replica of a Spanish castle ruin for my daughter’s Spanish class project…LOL
Carmen says
Ok. So. There is Home Goods (my pretty plate addiction) Broadway Panhandle (great knives), Century 21 Dept store, Bed, Bath and Beyond…I could go on and on, I just spent 600. 00 on two knives I absolutely needed. There is a kitchen store on every corner in NYC. It sucks!
Rosemary says
Don’t you just love Nordic Ware? I don’t have the castle yet but it’s on my wishlist. The first Nordic Ware pan I purchased was a cottage…a storybook style cottage. I was inspired to buy it by Diane Mott Davidson’s mystery novel “Sweet Revenge”. Have you read any of her books? They may seem silly but there’s just something about a caterer who solves murder mysteries that just keeps me coming back. Perhaps it’s the recipes she includes in her books. Anyway…in this particular novel, Goldie (the heroine) bakes gingerbread houses in pans similar to mine. You see why I had to have one. I am quite envious of your castle. I’m thinking a gingerbread castle would make a great Christmas gift!
Linda says
Cheryl Hodges, you brought tears to my eyes, as some of my best memories are from being at my grandmother’s kitchen table (retro 50’s grey with those vinyl chairs) making home fried apple turnovers, and if I could get my hands on that table set I’d be so delighted. Thanks for sharing.
And Kevin, obviously there are a lot of us out here with the same affliction, so take what comfort you can in that knowledge, and keep shopping and sharing!!!!
Gae Gellman says
It is dangerous for me to visit a kitchen supply shop! The yellow spatula cries out to me, too.
I have never seen anything like the castle cake pan. What fun! I need one. I am about to go bake cookies with weird shaped cookie cutters which will have to do for now.
the Glam
Beverly, zone 6, eastern PA says
I have a weakness for measuring cups ! The older, the better. I have found many at flea markets but some on Ebay. For some reason, I can’t pass them by. My husband took a clue from this and spent $50 buying me a vintage pink Kellogg’s one cup measure, delicate handle, so beautiful, but I would have drawn the line at $25. I prefer flea market finds to new stores because it feels more like recycling when I buy an object that another cook has loved already.
Martey Costello says
Love Different Drummer Kitchen, so much I had to move away…right down to Reading (PA) China and Glass. I have a problem, is there an Anonymous for this?
Bev says
I want the bundt cake mold – totally cute – even though I haven’t made a bundt cake in ages. Certainly am feeling you on loving kitchen stores and brother, can I waste a lot of time just looking before I buy things that are so cool. π π
Denise Ryan says
Have you ever been to King Arthur in Vermont? Wonderful bread baking classes and ohhhh the country store. Anything you would need for baking AOMG
Colleen says
There is always something we NEED at kitchen gadget stores.