I get tons of questions asking where and what I purchase in order to keep my homestead, farm, and blog running as smooth as possible! Well, I’m putting it out there for ya! Everything listed below are things we actually use, love, recommend, or have on our wish-list.
Please know: The links below are affiliate links meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may get a commission if you make a purchase. This commission keeps the blog and homestead running. Thanks for your support! Now on to our homestead resources!
The kitchen is one of my favorite places to be! Below you will find things I use, or need want, that make my homestead kitchen my happy place.
Pressure Canner: We can’t live without it! Garden + pressure canner = p-a-r-t-y! These are used for low-acid foods. We currently own this one, but one day when a $209.99 check shows up in the mailbox, for fun, we will get this mac-daddy!
Water Bath Canner: A water bath canner is used for high-acid foods like my blackberry jam with no pectin or sugar.
Dehydrator: We have this dehydrator, but one day we will get this cream-of-the-crop dehydrator– it’s really the way to go, baby!
Stand-Mixer: Oh baby! I don’t know why I waited 33 years to get one of these bad boys. It is one of my kitchen favs!
Cast-Iron: This is a must-have item in my kitchen. I used to use those not-good-for-you non-stick pans, but after becoming a homesteader I realized how toxic they were and how easy cast-iron is! We currently use two of these awesome cast-iron loaf pans and this ridiculously awesome 12 inch skillet. On our wish-list is this really cool square griddle pan.
Blender: We currently use this model, wear it down, and it still works great! This model is the bad boy that’s been on my wish-list for like 47,000 years. One day Jen. One day…
Food-Processor: I currently use my blender to do my food processing but this one will be my birthday present one year. That is if I decide to not buy 22,012 farm animals instead.
Immersion Blender: This thing is the bomb-diggity. We actually use it way more than we ever thought we would. My awesome friend from high school, Cork, sent me a red one because she had an extra. And for that I owe her my life. 😉 This thing is seriously that amazing.
Mason Jars: They are an absolute must. We use these half-gallon ones, quart ones, and pint ones the most! Wide-mouth are all that we own. We use these to store dry food in and to can recipes like these!
Ice Cream Maker: Does this even need an explanation?! We use this one. It works great and it’s pretty. Winning!
Real Salt: Not even joking. We use Himalayan sea salt. It’s important to use salt that hasn’t been refined and hasn’t had it’s minerals stripped. We used to buy this 2lb bag, but we got real and now purchase the 5lb bag. Girlfriend loves her some salt.
Healthy Fats: We are lovers of butter, lard, tallow, olive oil, and coconut oil in the kitchen. We use these to bake, cook, and fry. Scrumptious! We actually like to render our own lard and tallow, but if this isn’t an option for you you can always buy it.
Cheesemaking isn’t for the impatient. Oh- wait. I’m extremely impatient and can still make cheese. There’s just nothing like it y’all!
Stockpot: Every good cheesemaker must have a stainless steel stock pot. We can’t live without ours!
Thermometer: In order to make cheese you need a thermometer like this. You must follow strict guidelines when making cheese or else…
Mesophilic Starter: This starter is used to make low-temperature cheeses and dairy items.
Thermophilic Starter: This starter is used to make high-temperature cheeses and dairy items.
Liquid Rennet: We use organic vegetable rennet but animal rennet can be used as well.
Chèvre Starter: This starter is used to make goat cheese. It’s one of my favs!
Butter Muslin/Cheesecloth: This is a must when making cheese. We like to use the unbleached 90 cheesecloth/butter muslin quality.
Oh lawdy. Raw milk is where it’s at. The taste and health benefits will blow your mind!
Stainless Steel Milk Pails: We use a variety of these pails: 1 quart, 2 quart, 6 quart, and 13 quart. We also have stainless steel pails with lids. They are a life-saver!
Stainless Steel Widemouth Funnel & Coffee Filter: We absolutely love this stainless steel widemouth funnel. We pair it with a reusable coffee filter.
OR
Strainer with Inserts: If you prefer a different type of funnel with throw-away filters then check ’em out!
Strip Cup: You can always order an “official” strip cup and be all fancy, or you could be frugal and just use one of these spoon holders in black like we do.
Mastitis Test: This mastitis test is a must-have if you have a dairy animal. If for some reason you don’t have one hanging around, in a pinch you can use a homemade mastitis tests.
We LOVE to make homemade stuff around here. Don’t you?
Coconut Oil: We go through this stuff like it ain’t gonna be there tomorrow. Not even joking. We use it for everything. Even in our homemade toothpaste.
Raw Shea Butter: This is another thing we go through so fast we swear one of the kids got into it and ate it…again. Raw shea butter can be used for so many things. We love using it in our homemade eczema cream.
Beeswax: This stuff is a must-have for any homesteader. We use beeswax bars and beeswax pellets for making things like: candles, chapstick, and lotions.
Herbs: I buy all of my dried herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs. They have more stuff than one could ever imagine.
Essential Oils: We love essential oils around the homestead. We use these essential oils around these parts.
It’s no secret that I have a black thumb, but it is slowly turning a light shade of green with my main squeeze and these resources…
Pitch Fork: Are you really a homesteader without one of these? 😉 Yes, you are. We didn’t have one for a couple of years, but they totally make you a homesteading rockstar.
Stainless Steel Shovel: Beau finally broke down and bought this stainless steel shovel after he broke about 47 wooden handled ones.
Seedling Starter Trays: We love these bigger ones and these smaller ones. We also buy the trays to hold them in and water that way once they have established their roots.
Books. Books. Books. Where would we be without them? I know that without them I wouldn’t be homesteading or blogging. Here are my favorite books!
From Scratch: An awesome cookbook for the newbies and veterans alike to from-scratch cooking. Shaye creates simple and beautiful dishes in the kitchen. Get cooking with your copy here!
Natural Homestead: 40+ recipes for Natural Critters and Crops: Jill has really narrowed it down in order for homestead folks to forego the big stores. This book includes recipes for homemade chicken feed, barn supplies, how to fight parasites in animals naturally, and much more! Get an in-depth look and snag yours here!.
Have Your Cake and Lose Weight Too!: This is one of my favs. This book explains why eating things like butter, lard, and raw milk are actually good for you and how they will help you lose weight. As a bonus, it comes with 4 weeks of menu plans and shopping lists. Booya. Grab it here!
Joel Salatin Books: These are my absolute fav: Folks, This Ain’t Normal, You Can Farm, Pastured Poultry Profit$.
Interested in starting a blog? Already have a blog? Check out what tools I use here on The Easy homestead.
Tasty Food Photography eBook: I’m not ashamed to admit it. I was NOT born a photographer. Don’t believe me? Check out some older posts and you will see for yourself! This book is what helped me change my pictures from bleh to pattin’ myself on the back. Hands down one of the best (and least expensive) things I have ever done for the blog. Check it, here!
Bluehost: This is the hosting company that I currently use. I have had nothing but great success with them. I have moved “up the ladder” in regards to plans as my blog has grown, but I started with their ‘plus’ plan on shared hosting. Bluehost really is a top-notch a deal.
MadMimi: I switched to MadMimi a few months ago simply due to the simplicity of the overall design.
StudioPress: I use the Genesis Framework here on The Easy Homestead. You can get the framework and choose from many different (awesome) child themes to customize your blog. I use the Foodie child theme. StudioPress has it goin’ on and knows what they are doing.
Blogger Blueprint: Jill, from The Prairie Homestead developed this 6-week eCourse on how to make your blog successful. It works! Take your blog to the next level. Check out the details.
OptinMonster: This is AMAZING! I use OptinMonster for my friendly pop-up and my end-of-post email sign up.