Galley Tools

I thought I would review the galley tools that I use most.  Perhaps others will find it helpful.

Collapsible everything.  I love my collapsible galley tools - storage bowls, salad spinner, mixing/snack bowls, measuring cups, funnel, and dish drainer.

Food storage containers - Starting on the left in the pic.  I found a set at TJ Max.  I am sorry I don't remember the name and it doesn't seem to be on the bottom.  The lids are green colored and they seal really, really well.   The containers don't stain.  The various sizes are good.  They are more vertical in size vs bigger around.  This is good in our fridge since space is tight.  Middle in the pic.  These are Rubbermaid.  The lids stay on fairly well and they are resistant to stains.  Right side of pic.  These are Progressive.  You can find them in RV and marine stores.  They stain and the lids don't fit very tight.  I always worry they will get bounced in the fridge and spill, however they have not to date.  They are sturdier than the Rubbermaid.

Measuring containers -  Starting left to right in the pic.  I like the bright green without handles the best because the ones with handles are always getting caught up when I open the drawer.  However, the bright green 1 c torn apart.  So far the cups with the handles seem to be holding up better.  This is the second set of measuring spoons. The first set the silicone torn away from the white plastic.  Love, love my silicone 2 c measuring cup.  It has held up really well.  The handle swivels for flat storage.  I do NOT put hot liquid in it.  I have found hot liquid and collapsible items don't do well.  That funnel is good too.  You can use it with just the silicone or silicone and plastic together for a more sturdy pour. The plastic part swivels for flat storage.

Mixing/snack bowls - The brand is Squish.  I bought these at Target.  3 sizes.  Very sturdy.  Great for mixing bowls or popcorn.

K-State party platter - This is your basic divided party dish for say....crudites, chips and dip, snackies. The reason I like this one....besides it being KSU.....is that the lid locks on four sides.  I took tortilla rollups in this container to the dinghy raftup and concert in Antigua.  The locking lid made the transport easy.  AND with the big powercat on the top, no mistaking who it belongs to.  FYI - the white things around the outer part are actually handles that lift up to assist with carrying/passing as well.  I really like the design of this one.

Silicone mixing bowls and funnels - The set of three mixing bowls are Isi Basics.  I got them off internet for 1/2 the price I would pay in a high end kitchen store.  They have not stained to date, however I really haven't had anything staining in them yet.  They are easy to clean.  The bottoms are weighted which really helps them stay on the counter.  More silicone funnels.  Why?  This WAS a set of three but Tom needed an addition funnel for boat maintenance of some sort.  Silicone funnels are great not only in the galley but many places on the boat.  So we have galley only funnels and boat funnels - no mixing where they are used.

Plastic egg container - Not all places in the Caribbean have eggs in containers.  MOST do but fresh markets usually don't.  This comes in handy in those cases....when I remember to take it!  D-oh!    FYI - the egg cartons in the grocery stores don't seem to be quite as sturdy as those in the US grocery stores so this is helpful there as well when carrying eggs back from the grocery store.  Weirdly it has a spot for only 10 eggs, not 12.  I don't use it all the time.  Maybe 25% of the time but it's nice to have.

Non-stick pans - I have two.  One small one that is perfect for four eggs and such.  The other is a 10 inch.  Tom cut the end of the handle off so I can pop it in the oven.  The glass lid is actually from one of my pressure cookers.  I use it more with these two pans than the PC.  *DON'T email me telling me the dangers of putting non-stick in the oven.  I know and I don't want to hear it.  I do for certain recipes only at specific temp for short time - end of discussion.    

Magma Nested Cookware - I bought the stainless steel and I LOVE it.  Mine has 5 pots, two lids (one lid is cleverly designed so it fits 3 of the pans and the other lid fits the other 2 pots) and two slid-on/locking handles.  I have a few rust spots but these have held up well.  They conduct heat really nicely.  They are not cheap.  I ordered mine off the internet so I got a small discount.  However they are worth the investment in my opinion.  FYI - Magma also offers a non-stick set.  I have seen it in person and I was not terribly impressed.  It didn't seem nearly as beefy.  Again - only my opinion.

Stainless steel French coffee press - This is awesome.  It has held up SO well.  Tom got it for me several Xmas's ago.  I have never seen another one like it.  The brand it Bodum.  

Collapsible salad spinner - The brand is progressive.  This is my second one.  I ruined the first one by putting hot pasta in the bowl.  The silicone couldn't take the heat and torn away from the plastic.  However, I liked it so much that got another one and now I am just careful not to put hot things in there.  The bowl is good for popcorn on movie night.

Wood - I have three bamboo utensils and a small bamboo cutting board.  I really like all BUT I am finding if they are not 100% dry, they mold really quickly.  Even when I think they are dry, they often still have hidden moisture (being wood) that can bring on mold when stored in a drawer.  SO, I keep the 3 utensils on the galley shelf.  Here they get plenty of air and do not mold.  The cutting board has become storage platform for one of my pressure cookers on the galley shelf as well.

Hair rubber bands - There are many, many uses for coated hair rubber bands on a boat - ponytail as well as headband style.  The zipper on Tom's sunglass case broke so he uses a ponytail rubber band to keep it closed.  The case to his all his various drill bits was always coming unlocked dumping all the bits out.  A sturdy headband style rubber band wrapped twice around keeps it shut tight.  There are many uses in the galley as well.  I have ponytail rubber bands around each of my wine glasses to keep them from smacking against each other and scratching the acrylic as they hang from the glass rack.  I also use one to keep the food storage lids contained - see the pic at the start of this blog posting.  A pony style around various hot sauce bottles helps protect them in both storage in the bilge and in the fridge.  

Silicone bakeware - I have several nice pans.  I have found silicone stains.  I also found it must be the sturdy kind vs flimsy.  So, before I moved aboard, I sold the flimsy, staining pieces I had in a garage sale and bought heavy duty, black.  They have worked well.  However, I have not used them that much as it's really to hot to bake.  Plus why would we bake when we are near any of the French islands with their wonderful bakeries!