It's a well known fact that I'm a huge fan of thrift shopping, even places like Value Village where I know that it's a for-profit business. At least they don't hide it like some *coughcoughSalvationArmycough*
Anyhow, my best friend and I hit there twice this week, and on the last visit I scored a basically brand new Cuisinart (tm) Griddler Gourment for $9.99. A similar model retails at Canadian Tire for $139.99! And other than a thick layer of greasy dust - probably from sitting unused in somebody's kitchen for ages - it's perfect! When looking for the exact model as mine, I can only find it selling for $359 on Amazon. I think I got the score of a lifetime!
At work, we have a similar model in the kitchen that we used to use when the café was open. It was used only as a sandwich/panini press, and it definitely got a lot of use. The plates were coated with burnt on crap that you couldn't get off without ruining what was left of the non-stick coating. So, when I saw the one I bought I knew immediately that I had to have it. It is the handiest thing EVER.
I've had a small contact grill for ages - I originally got it because it was faboo at cooking chicken properly, and also for grilling our steaks the way my kid and I prefer them (hot/seared on the outside, red on the inside, and still warm all the way through), and we also used it to make grilled cheese sandwiches on. But my biggest complaints with the thing were that you couldn't remove the pans for easier cleaning, the grease trap piece got lost ages ago and never connected to the unit anyway, and there was no temperature control so you couldn't really do a variety of toasted sandwiches.
Now, I've got this Griddler thing! I can do all the above, and also open it up to used both sides like a breakfast griddle! Considering that my kid will be taking her actual breakfast griddle with her when she moves out, this is a handy all-in-one thing. And, if I want to, I can also get a set of waffle plates for it so I can make waffles...probably be a lot easier to use than my actual waffle maker that has sat in the bottom cupboard for about 9.75 of 10.25 years we have lived here...I can see why the previous tenants left it behind.
I currently have the Griddler set on beat up cookie sheet so that I can move it over on my stovetop when it is not being used. I won't leave it plugged in, but it is just easier to leave on top of my stove when not in use. I already know that if I put it away that I will likely not pull it out due to how heavy it is, so leaving it out will not go astray. Plus, I only ever use two burners on my stove at the most.
On that same trip I also got my hands on a David's Tea 16 oz tea steeper for $4.99. It retails for $26. I've been eyeballing these things since I was a Steeped Tea rep and they had one called the Brewt (or something similar to that) but even with my discount I couldn't justify buying one. Especially as I already had entirely too much Steeped Tea stuff. At the time I was a Steeped Tea rep I noticed that both Steeped Tea, David's Tea, and even Stokes were selling the exact same items but in different colours, and for different price points. Often Steeped Tea was more expensive, so I didn't buy a lot of their different pots, cups, etc. Tea yes, but not their accessories. And now I have my much-longed for tea steeper! I have used it daily since I got it, and it is so much easier than dealing with trying to get loose leaf tea into any sort of teabag, teaball, etc. Plus, once it has finished steeping all I have to do is set it on top of my mug and watch as the brewed tea fills my mug. Easy peasy!
Oooohhh...and I also got my hands on a pair of Puma runners in a style I have long loved but hadn't been able to find in stores for years. The original Drift Cat shoe that didn't have the tread going up the heel. Mind you, I don't think any of my local stores are selling the newer model either, for that matter. I had originally gotten a pair of these off of the sale rack at my local Sport Chek, and I had absolutely loved these shoes. I wore them until they literally fell apart. And when I went to replace them, the store didn't have any in stock! The Puma shoes they did have were not Drift Cats, and I checked back regularly and they never got any back in. But now I have a pair in my hot little hands once again, and I am happy. I don't need another pair of runners for a while now...but I will keep my eyes peeled for another pair to replace these ones when they finally fall apart!
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