Essential Cookware: Buy Or Borrow?
Every year, my generous mom offers to buy us a turkey roasting pan for Thanksgiving. Every year we say thank you, but no.
My husband and I are in charge of the turkey every year, so it isn't that we don't need a good roaster. (Flimsy disposable ones, as this article puts it, are "a danger to you, your oven, and your main course.") But in our case, every year we borrow the sturdy, well-made pan and rack that some of our oldest friends invested in years ago. We pick it up the night before Thanksgiving. Our friends and their children join us for Thanksgiving dinner. The pan goes home with them along with their leftovers.
I tell my mom we only need a pan that large once a year; there's no point having it clutter up our cabinets the rest of the time. More than that, though, borrowing the pan has become part of our Thanksgiving tradition. It wouldn't feel the same using our own.
Mom asks if we wouldn't roast a whole turkey more often if we owned the pan. Maybe. But probably not. If the urge struck us mid-year, I bet our friends wouldn't mind loaning theirs out again. And if they need it themselves that night? I bet they'd invite us for turkey... especially if we brought along our carving knife and gravy boat.
What kitchen equipment do you borrow and what do you buy?
-- Rebekah Denn
HopeSew on November 09, 2010 at 04:37 AM
Your method sounds great, and your philosophy is right on. Who needs the clutter? It's better to have such a close relationship with your friends. Do they feel as good about your tradition of loaning the pan and eating together? Now, because of your efforts, the pan isn't merely an object; it's a link between you. Much better than having your own pan. :)
Joan on November 09, 2010 at 06:16 AM
What a great tradition. I have a large roasting pan and I never use it but at Thanksgiving and occasionally Christmas. It takes up way too much room in my crowded kitchen. I'd love to have a friend who would take it off my hands! Enjoy your holiday!
Bianca on November 09, 2010 at 10:17 AM
I think you're doing it right. I've had a roaster set for about 10 YEARS and can honestly say I've used it maybe twice in all that time. It stays stored away in its box up in a closet. If you have an opportunity to borrow each time its needed, stick with it. Don't waste valuable storage space.
Dog beds on November 09, 2010 at 07:12 PM
More than that, though, borrowing the pan has become part of our Thanksgiving tradition. It wouldn't feel the same using our own. These all things are great to know about it.