Eggs-ellent! Can't Beat This Find.

The Blue Whirl Eggbeater circa 1950

Over the years I have seen many old kitchen utensils that I remember from my childhood in the 1950s. This is one of them, and it fits right in with my quest to move from cheap landfill-destined appliances to good ol' American-made tools that have lasted for decades. Presenting the Blue Whirl eggbeater, a stainless steel, hand-cranked kitchen gem that has stood the test. This beauty, which I have priced at close to $30 in some antique stores, was a find at $7 in an antique store in Shasta, California. When I paid for the thing I told the lady behind the counter that I was "going off the grid". Now, I know you can find them for close to $10 just by doing a search for Blue Whirl but this one is in nearly perfect condition. It looks like it's been used only for a season.
But none of this is the point. The point is that this well-made kitchen tool is of a quality that is very difficult to find. It is impossible to find this quality coming from that big country across the Pacific, a country that produces, as a friend of mine says, "future landfill".

Close-up of the Gear Mechanism.
Note the quality of the material.

Take a look at the beauty of this American product and ponder

The "Blue Whirl" Eggbeater

why we don't make this quality anymore. After all, this is a kitchen utensil that was first made nearly 60 years ago and yet it still works even better than some modern tools. I tell you, I have sworn never to buy any modern appliances or kitchen tools again. Why should I? My 1950s electric coffee percolator makes perfect coffee to this day, over half a century since it was made...in America. For a fact, a coffee maker these days will last you less than a year. I ask you, how many have you bought over the years? They break, so you buy another one. It breaks, you buy another. Yes, they are cheap enough, but the remains of these evil pieces of plastic and shoddy workmanship lie in a landfill forever. This has been my pattern and I don't think I am alone in this.

My 1970s GE Electric Beater

However, finding this eggbeater has given rise to a dilemma. I had thought to replace my existing electric eggbeater with this one and happily dug into the drawer to find the old electric eggbeater. But when I pulled it out, I realized, and remembered, that the old electric one was not "landfill" but rather a 1970s GE electric made in America, of very good quality. Not wanting to be too obsessed with getting back to basics, I will keep the electric for the time being, until I can find it a home that will appreciate it's well-made qualities. For now, however, like I told the lady at the antique show, when it comes to beating eggs and batters, I'm going off the grid.

What a great find. This one gallon Crockpot was $5 and the insert for "baking" bread was $3.

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
214 Forest Ave
Pacific Grove, CA
93950

Large Rice Cooker with Steamer $5

This large rice cooker has a good size vegetable steamer on top. Very convenient. This is an easy way to make a healthy meal for your family when you are pressed for time.

The Church Mouse
204 17th Street
Pacific Grove, CA. 93950

Ice Cream Maker - $5

This nearly new ice cream maker is ready for your party. Clean, fun!
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
214 Forest Ave
Pacific Grove, CA
93950

New, unused Gevalia Coffee Maker -$12

This is a typical thrift find, a great appliance that is practically new or, as in this case, is brand new.
The Church Mouse
204 17th Street
Pacific Grove, CA. 93950

Blender -$8

Hamilton Beach Blend Master. 7 settings.

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
214 Forest Ave
Pacific Grove, CA
93950

Ten Ways To Get the Best Bargains At Thrift Stores

By J. E. Davidson

Searching for bargains at the local Goodwill store, Salvation Army, or other thrift shop can pay off wonderfully in terms of financial savings. You don't have to be destitute to shop there, or resign yourself to wearing outdated fashions. Shopping at secondhand stores is losing its stigma, and the less you pay for one item the more money you have to spend on other things or add to your savings account. Get the best bargains on your trips to the secondhand store by following these tips:

1. Shop where the money is. Secondhand stores that are located in affluent communities will have the best selection in terms of designer and high-end clothing. Women who replace their wardrobes every year will drop the fashions they have weeded out of their closet at the nearest thrift store.

2. Ask the clerks if there is a particular day that recently donated items are put on the floor. Getting there as new donations are put out gives you an opportunity to make your choices before everything is picked over.

3. Shop for clothing early in the season. The highly-fashionable women who must have new clothing in their wardrobe every year will be cleaning out their closets in advance of the season. You can find donations of high-end clothing that is in like-new condition. Some may even be brand new; compulsive shoppers may donate clothing that has never been worn instead of bothering to return it to the store. When you notice that the department stores are beginning to stock the next season's fashions, hit the thrift shops to add fashionable clothing to your wardrobe!

4. Watch for special sale days. Some thrift shops may have one day each month when everything is half-price, or tag sales where a certain color tag is discounted that day. Be prepared to go early on these days and beat the crowd to the best bargains.

5. Don't overlook vintage clothing. A consignment shop that caters to vintage clothing collectors will charge high prices, but vintage items donated to a thrift shop can be had for a song. It's currently fashionable to wear vintage clothing, and many lovely vintage prom dresses, evening gowns, jackets, sweaters, coats and dresses can be picked up for very little at a thrift shop.

6. Shop for high-value items. The amount of money you save will be a higher percentage of the retail price than it will be for less expensive goods.

7. Shop for household items at thrift shops. Many retailers will donate new overstocked or discontinued merchandise to thrift shops.

8. Go bargain-hunting often. Donations are coming in every day, but you may not find a bargain each time you go bargain hunting. Items that don't sell after a few weeks are usually removed from the floor and others take their place. Going bargain hunting regularly gives you a better chance of finding an amazing deal!

9. Shop at a Goodwill Outlet store. These stores carry secondhand merchandise that hung around the regular Goodwill store too long, and will be dirt cheap.

10. Make your bargain-hunting an event in itself. Don't plan other activities along with your thrift shop excursion, so you don't feel rushed to get in and out of the store. Finding the best bargains can require a couple hours of digging through the racks and shelves, and you need time to consider whether that lovely item you are considering buying is really a bargain! Ask yourself, before you reach the check-out, whether it is truly something you need and can use. Remember, if you take something home but never use it, it isn't a bargain at all!

Ms. Davidson is self-employed as a secondhand goods merchant and free lance writer. Learn more about buying secondhand by visiting her blog, Secondhand News

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