food hub & Community workspace in New Denver, BC, Canada
Culinary Tool Library
The culinary tool library is a collection of quality household tools, especially larger more heavy-duty ones that are useful for the processing of food harvests. These are tools that people might not necessary need to own and use year-round. First developed by the Healthy Community Society, the culinary tool library has now migrated to the Fireweed Hub to simplify storage and management.
How does it work?
You arrange to meet up at Fireweed Hub with one of our managers on Monday or Friday to sign out the tool. A small fee is payable up front, which helps defray the administrative costs as well as contributing to a fund that will allow for end-of-cycle replacement of tools that have become worn or lost functionality. Rental periods are generally from 3-7 days, depending on demand. You take the tool home, use it for your own purposes, clean it, and return it at the agreed-upon time.
What’s the fine print?
You should be familiar with the use of the tool, and should read any available manuals and safety warnings. You are responsible for repair or replacement costs in the case of damage from misuse, negligence or theft while in your possession. You are also responsible for thoroughly cleaning the tool in accordance with food safety principles before returning it. Failure to comply with proper use and cleaning will incur additional charges.
Steam juicers 11L (3 available)
The Finnish-made Mehu-Liisa juicer uses a gentle steam process to extract pure natural juices from fruit, without the need to peel, core or de-stem. You can make juices, jellies and syrups without squeezing, straining or making a mess. It also blanches vegetables for freezing, and is great for steam-cooking clams, lobsters, sweet corn, etc. Foods prepared in this way retain their flavours, as well as much of the vitamin and mineral content usually lost in boiling. Instruction booklet included. 16″ high by 12″ in diameter. The bottom pot doubles as a 4 litre soup pot and has a 1/4″ laminated stainless-steel base. Made of polished 18/10 stainless steel. Fee: $10
SAUSAGE STUFFERS (one 12-litre and one 5-litre available)
Great for serious home use and making larger batches, these commercial grade machines are built to last. Vertical style sausage filler with a 2 speed gearbox for fast reverse. Easy fill rotating cylinder, All stainless steel construction, hardened steel gears with stainless steel gear housing. Includes 16, 22, 32, and 38mm stainless steel filling funnels. Fee: $20
GARDENMASTER household dehydrator (5 available)
Medium-duty household dehydrator with a top mounted fan forces heated air down the exterior pressurized chamber, then horizontally across each individual tray, converging in the centre, for fast, even and nutritious drying. Four stackable trays and no-spill fruit roll-up tray. Most fruit dries in several hours or overnight. Fee: $5
Excalibur dehydrator (1 available)
Large-capacity food dehydrator with nine space-efficient 14×14″ trays. This workhorse will dry most fruits in a few hours. Its adjustable thermostat has a wide temperature range making it suitable for jerky, fruit leather, vegetables, herbs, camping meals and so on. Fruit leather will require covering the trays with paraflexx, kitchen parchment paper or plastic wrap. Fee: $10.
KOMO GRAIN MILL (1 available)
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Electric Meat Grinder TC12 (1 available)
This commercial meat grinder with a huge powerful motor will make short work of your meat. Will process hundreds of pounds in an hour. Fee: $30-50 (depends on demand). Comes in two boxes, requires two people to carry.
Large-capacity steam canner (1 available)
Steam canners allow you to safely can low-acid foods such as sauces, meats, fish and vegetables. This behemoth will process up to 14 1-litre jars at a time. It has a metal-on-metal seal and is made of cast aluminum. It will work on any standard stove top (but not induction ranges). Comes with the Harvest Share guide to pressure-canning. Fee: $10.
Water bath canner 28.4 Litre (2 available)
Capacity for up to 7 jars, and will accommodate large jars up to 1.9L. Chrome-plated rack with fold-down handles. Tempered glass lid with steam vent. Suitable for all cooktops including induction ranges. Fee: $5.
Heavy duty large stock pot 15 Litre (1 available)
This extra-large stockpot offers the generous capacity needed for home canning and preserving. This versatile pan can also be used for large-scale entertaining and family meals. Heavy gauge stainless steel construction with impact bonded base is suitable for use on all stove types, including induction. Oven safe up to 500º F. Dishwasher safe. Fee: $5.
MANDOLINE (2 available)
The Bron Coucke Professional Mandoline is crafted with precision and ease of use in mind, with effortless slicing and precision cutting. Designed with a built-in guard that minimizes the risk of accidents, you can slice and julienne with confidence. Its patented table edge support provides exceptional stability during use. Includes two blades and hand guard. Measurements: 2″ high x 16″ length x 5″ width Maximum Cut Loan period: 2-4 days. Fee: $8.
KItchen-aid professional 8Qt. mixer (1 available)
Mixer has a 1.3 HP motor and is designed for heavy-duty use without overheating. Stainless steel bowl has an 8-qt. capacity. A high-performance control panel and speed control protection prevent the chance of accidentally turning on the mixer. The parts are dishwasher safe and include a flat beater, spiral dough hook and stainless steel wire whip. Fee: $10.
OMCAN COMMERCIAL FOOD PROCESSOR (1 available)
This heavy-duty vegetable cutter is easy to use for all types of fruits, vegetables, cheese and other products. The hinged lid allows for easy cleaning and changing of discs. Its high-power ventilated motor meets all safety standards. Made in Italy. This massive machine weighs 25 kg and will process entire tubs of food in no time. Loan period: 2-4 days. Fee: $30.
FERMENTATION CROCK (2 available: 5l and 15l)
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Bradley Original Smoker (1 available)
4 removable racks. Simple to use temperature controls which provide a consistent and controlled smoke and temperature. Two separately controlled heat elements (one for the oven, one to create smoke). Can function as a hot smoker or cold smoker. Fully insulated stainless steel interior and magnetic door make for easy cleanup and keeps the smoke where it’s supposed to be. Main box is 17″W x 14″D x 31″H. Fee: $30-50 (depends on demand).
HavaHart easy-set live Vermin Traps (9 available)
Ideal for trapping squirrels, packrats and rats. Dimensions: 17 in x 5 in x 5 in. Simply lift lever to the back of the trap and the trap is set. Convenient one-handed release lever when standing behind the trapdoor. Fee: by donation.
