WHISK, WOOD SPOON OR MIXER

Rock, paper, scissors?

Over time, the home baker has used many tools to mix his/her ingredients for baking batches of savory or sweet treats.

Old Mother Frugal has witnessed two previous generations with the task of mixing and baking desserts.

“Grandma Frugal” was very basic. She used her hands. It was a common occurrence to see her elbow deep in flour.

My own “Mom Frugal” evolved through the years with various tools. Whisk. Wood spoon. Then there was the hand beater which was the precursor to the electric Hand Mixer. Mom was beyond excited to purchase the mother of all mixers…the standing, upright SUNBEAM Mixer. This was long before Kitchen Aide designed standing mixers for every color in the rainbow.

But Old Mother Frugal is partial to the hand-held, electric hand mixer. There is a shiny, beautiful, Cuisinart mixer with Captain Hook attachment perched in my kitchen cabinet. Yet time after time, I reach for my Betty Crocker 5-speed. Officially, it’s a BC-1205.

After decades of use, the beaters no longer hold firm around the rubber ring. Although the mixer works, the beaters fall out.

And so the search began for a replacement hand mixer, only to discover beaters are not universal to hand mixers and that companies no longer are in business to purchase replacement parts.

Where replacement parts are available, the cost is the price of a new mixer.

The hunt for a hand mixer began at the local Goodwill stores. Every Tuesday, there is an active treasure hunt. You see, on Tuesdays, Goodwill stores in my area discounts merchandise 25% for senior citizens. They also offer a “color of the week” with a 50% discount. No double dipping. On Tuesdays, you can only choose one offer.

At less than $3.00 for a hand mixer with beaters or beaters alone less than a dollar with the senior discount, through trial and error there were mixers…and beaters purchased….and there are now several complete sets.

The quest continues for a mixer using BC-1205 beaters and beaters for a Black & Decker model 4101. In the meantime, there is a variety of hand mixers now occupying the kitchen cabinet waiting for its turn at baking!

SOUND THE BUGLE! Today’s tip: Someone’s trash just may turn out to be your treasure! Scout yard sales; thrift stores and online for replacements before opting for brand new.