Tools for the Raw Food Kitchen

Here are the essential and non-essential but very useful tools for the raw food kitchen, plus suggestions on where to purchase them in Bali.

Basic tools

Ceramic Knives or other quality knives—There are two main advantages to ceramic knives.  One is that they maintain a razor sharp edge indefinitely.  The other is that they do not oxidize food as metal knives do.   Ace Hardware and Carrefour have a selection of good steel knives.  Ceramic knives are available online (search for Kyocera brand)

Vegetable peeler—ceramic  stays sharp indefinitely – any quality one will do.   Ace and Carrefour usually carry these.  You may also find them at Gourmet Garage

Cutting Boards—Non wooden are best in Bali – to avoid bacteria buildup.   Any of the larger supermarkets in Bali carry cutting boards.

Grater—Any basic one will work.   Carrefour and Ace have the best in Bali.

Citrus Juicer—A hand juicer is great for small quantities.  If you’re preparing larger ones, you may want to find an electric model.   It took me a while to find a decent quality hand juicer (At Ace Hardware)

Specialized  tools

Mandolin—Used for creating paper thin slices.   Sometimes available at Gourmet Garage.  If not must be imported.

Spriralizer—A kitchen tool which works like a grater and creates pasta-like “noodles” from vegetables like zucchini, carrots, etc.   Available at Gourmet Garage or via import.

Fine Nylon Mesh Bag—This is for draining the liquid from nut milks.   Also known as a “sprout bag.”   Gourmet Garage  sometimes carries these.  Raw Food Bali may also have them.

Electric tools

High power blender—the key to preparing raw food—anything less than 1000 watt is a waste of money.
“Vitamix” brand is the best.  And “Kris” is a copy of the Vitamix.   The Kris is  available at ACE Hardware in Kuta.

Coffee Grinder—An inexpensive tool used for grinding nuts, spices, coarse salt and seeds.  I love the “Tribest” personal blender and grinder combination.   You can get a grinder sometimes at Ace or Carrefour and usually at Gourmet Garage.

Vegetable Juicer—Twin gear or  single auger juicers are FAR superior to centrifugal juicers.
“Green Star” is the best  “Twin Health” from Australia is also excellent.  “Samson,” and “Oscar” are good mid level models.  These are available as imports only.

Food processor—Great for preparing thicker sauces, creams and pastes that are difficult to create in a blender.
“Moulinex,” “Cuisinart” and “Kenwood” are top brands.  Ace and Carrefour have decent food processors.

Dehydrator—Make sure to get a dehydrator with accurate temperature control.  “Excalibur” is the best.  Available as an import only from Australia or the U.S.