Wow, playing catch up after moving is rough, you guys have been busy, forget aboutit . . .
With the move done, it turns out we need a new toaster for the simple act of downsizing. We had a large four slicer which we recycled - put downstairs near the bookcase where all the tenants put books and all matter of other things they no longer need or want (yes, we only moved upstairs to a corner unit with more natural light but it feels great!) Not wanting to buy something made overseas, not from any sense of patriotism but strictly thinking it made much more sense to buy something made closer to home - energy savings, support local commerce, not support slave labor or any other questionable ethics and big business short cuts, etc., I came across a disappointing discovery - not one toaster is made in the U.S. anymore. I know this may sound trivial compared to what else is going on in the world right now but isn't it also true that every little thing matters, and hasn't it been said, "Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves"? Well, I guess I was trying to come from this more all-encompassing viewpoint when looking for a toaster. And for the record, I tried to talk my wife out of getting rid of the old one because I know that that's the best place to start - to not need a new one to begin with. But she insisted and our new kitchen is smaller and so. So regardless of that justifiable argument, what happened to all the American made products? Are you folks in other countries also discovering that just about everything these days is made and assembled in China? If anyone out there has any leads on a qualilty toaster that doesn't have to be shipped across the world I would love to hear from you. Are we headed towards nothing but cheap goods and foods made and grown of low qualilty by the cheapest labor on the other side of the planet which then must be shipped across the world at astronimical fuel prices? I'm almost ready to pay $140 for a refurbished 1950's toaster, at least then I'd be supporting some honest labor, preventing more landfill and would own a quality-made piece of memorabilia. One of the reasons I moved to San Francisco was the beautiful architecture - it just makes me feel better walking down the street. I get the feeling that people loved living here so much that they put a lot of time, effort, and pride into the quality and style of architecture that would compliment the beautiful setting of this city, and they did a damn fine job. Funny to say it but I look around and I see LOVE, the love that people put into their work, and that love spills over and has a definite effect on all who see it, and those fortunate enough to live, work and play in it. Am I looking for a toaster to love me? Well, maybe not, but if you have any leads let me know . . .
I remember that my grandmother used to have a stovetop toaster . If I could draw it here I would. Picture a truncated pyramid made of 4 triangular pieces of perforated metal, with the base left open. You set it on the stove, put up to 4 pieces of bread on it, and turned on the burner. That was definitely made here, and it's very low-tech. You might find one of them in an antique shop or on E-Bay. Or you could even make one out of some stiff, unpainted wire.
I just looked here - http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=toaster+antique&_sacat=See-All-Categories . There are all kinds of antique toasters there. To see what I just described, scroll down a bit to "Antique Wood Burning Stove Toaster..." and there are others similar to it. God, there are all kinds of neat, cheap old toasters, almost surely all made in the USA.
Removed duplicate content.
Hey, Francis, is this what you're looking for? http://notes.kateva.org/2006/03/last-good-toaster.html
I remember when Walmart first arrived on the scene. They bragged of labels that said "Made in the USA." But you're probably too young to remember that.
Noa
Good Greetings Francis and all: Just toast it in the oven. That is what we do! It is yummy that way and way less equipement. The other choice is to just sign up for freecycle.org and when a toaster is posted go and pick it up from the person giving it away.
The Trivet toaster can be boughten at any sporting goods store. It sits on top of a gas burner and you put your slices of bread on it. Then it toasts it. Very easy but hot. So don't touch the trivet or it will burn your fingers.
Also you could fork toast your bread. Just stick a fork into your slice of bread and stand over the burner of the stove. Toast on side. Then the other side.
Happy Toaster hunting.
I am wondering if the Jesus Toaster is USA made... but in this global world all componets of things are made in all different places and assembled in another place.
I usually get my stuff from the thrift store down the street from where I live or from freecycle.org. It is a way better way to get "new" stuff than buying new... as long as the "new" stuff works!
I Bless you with Love. There was a time in my life when I was trying to go plastic free: Completely. To my amazement it was not possible to do so if I wished to have any modern amenities and comforts and not live in a hole in the ground... oh wait, a shovel is made with something plastic. So I had to come to terms with my HEARTs desire with the current Real World. This meant learning about the different types of plastics etc. It was a journey that has led me to a place of great LOVE for the EA-Gaia and Humanity.
--fairyfarmgirl
I don't know Bob, some of those relics look like they could be a fire hazard, amazing they needed something so big to do something so little, just look at the first computer right? Noa, they had some good suggestions but some have been discontinued or are just too expensive, the one toaster still made in the country costs $350! Thanks for your input Fairy, that will get us through until we find something we can agree upon. I guess it's really not that big of a deal, I just have a hard time understanding why everything has to be made in and shipped from China. I think if I knew for sure that it was helping their economy and the honest hard working people trying to better their lives and not the greedy rats trying to bleed us dry at every turn I could feel ok purchasing items from China, but right now that's not the case.
Thanks,
Francis
Just heard this morning that labor costs are rising in China. Between this and the falling dollar, it sure seems like the perfect hyperinflation storm may be brewing...
We are exhibiting concern about the absence of "made in America" labels now, but we may soon be getting back to "made by me myself and I right here in America, England, France, UK, Australia, etc...
Good Greetings All:
Thankfully, workers everywhere are demanding their rights. Yes, here in the USA we will see a jump in prices. We have soooo much stuff that true shortages will not be a truth at all. Truly, it is an opportunity to maintain that which we have. I think the age of the repairman will arise again. This is good.
I am reminded of the Igarians. The Igarians have organized themselves based upon the principles of building something to last. The reuse everything. And build everything to last at least 1000 earth years. The see this as a compassionate use of resources. There is much to be learned from this. I believe as more light flows into the Earth-- Planned obsolescence will become a plan from the past.
fairyfarmgirl
My point exactly - so much stuff these days is made of the cheapest materials and is not built to last that I cannot condone the purchase any longer, for to buy it would be to condone it and the mass waste which is sure to follow is quick demise. I want to watch where I put every dollar because it says what I approve of and want in my world. Cheap particle board furniture from Ikea that doesn't fit together when you get it home - I'm broke, in a hurry, give it to me fast and cheap, I don't care about quality or the environment; underwear, socks and shirts from Macy's - go slave labor!; food from the supermarket - pro-GMO!, and I won't even go into transportation. I know much is still being suppressed concerning the means to correct most of this mess but I think paying attention to the details and fine print will go a long way to improving things, making an effort to avoid large corporate (aka low quality) items. If it's advertised - don't buy it (or at least do a thorough study of who's funding the ad before purchasing). What happened to the hand carved desk that stayed in a family for generations or the toaster that was made with pride? I can almost hear you now Chris saying, "You may just be making it yourself before the year's up!" I hope so, I need a change of occupation anyway . . .
First, the rebirth of the repairperson as Elizabeth said, and the the birth of the repairperson and ingenuity specialist in each of us, or many of us anyway. I'm actually looking forward to it, the push mankind seems to need to get us off our dumbfounded collective asses.
This could also mean the rebirth of common sense!!!
I still strongly suspect that there was a collective surrender of the modern masses to the idea of convenience that would lead to more leisure time so we could all live like kings. This would mean that we are just as responsible for the current debacle as those we blame for its planning and execution...
$21.95 and the same type toaster my great grandmother had. I remember how the house smelled when she made toast. Anyway...I came across this site and found some interesting products
like an Amish canning bath that will do 15 jars...a blender that uses a handcrank rather than electricity...
http://www.lehmans.com/store/Outdoors___Camping___Non__x2D_Electric_Toasters___27797?Args=&from_search=1