Amish/Electric, Oxy-Moron?

[Scotty370]

I didn't know where to post this, but what's the deal with these electric heaters that are being advertised? ~Scotty

 

[Kays Supply]

From what I understand , they are Amish cabinets with electric heaters added.

 

[Inspector507]

Yep a 1500 watt heater is a 1500 watt heater. Now do you pay $19.99 for one? Or do you pay $300 for one with a fancy cabinet. And both heaters may be made overseas anyway.

 

[dodge man]

There are a lot of Amish that live in this area. I was working along a road in front of an Amish house one day and heard a generator start up. I thought that was kind of strange, but I guess if they are dairy farmers, that have to keep the milk cold or they can't sell it.

 

[etcallhome]

I would say the Cabinets that are shown on TV about 95% are not Amish made. The first ones maybe after that probably made overseas.
Yes Amish will use a generator , or even an old Farmall tractor w/ pulley on side to run portable saw mill,grist mill, or other such items. But will not use tractor in field to do there plowing or other type work..
They will use newer farm equipment ,like a round baler, or other pieces of machinery.. They have a cart that hooks up to there horses. This cart will have a gas or diesel engine, with hyd tank , to run pto ..hook up baler or whatever behind cart and into the field they go.
Normally this is the younger Amish that has these .
A friend of mine lives at the edge of Amish area in Kidron, Ohio...He and his wife have been asked to go to weddings and other functions..
His wife was excited she was asked to bring something for the wedding dinner.
She said she would do mashed potatoes...he asked her how was she going to prepare mashed potatoes for close to 500 people..She said by using electric mixers,he told her no way Amish had no electric, she said well they have generators out at the barn.
They got to the dinner that day ,asked the Amish wife about using there generator.,,,they hooked it up ,used her 4 or 5 electric mixers.. My friends are now asked to do mashed potatoes for the weddings in there area.

 

[arrabil]

From the Lancaster, PA Amish Farm House Tour:
They don't use electricity because of a translation snafu. The guy who started the whole movement wanted his followers not to be worldly like the rest of us. But it was translated as not to be "connected" to the rest of us. And electric lines "connect" them to the rest of us.

So generators are okay and so are cell phones. Within certain groups anyway... mostly mennonite and not strict amish.

 

[ragkar]

Getting back to those heaters. The Amish part is mostly commercial advertising dribble. If your mains deliver 1500 watts to a heater, there is no Amish magic that converts it to 2500 watts. Just buy a well designed heater of the appropriate size in an acceptable cabinet for the lowest price. There's no need to pay extra for it.
Say do you remember those magic yellow lens sunglasses that were selling for about $50 about ten years ago. People wised up and began buying the equivalent for $4.

As a side anecdote, I use to live near Lancaster and every so often I was amused by carloads of Amish that would come to the airport and 'sin'. They would go up for rides! In that area the Amish have a great financial reputation. An Amish guy could go to an auto dealer and buy a car with no money down. That's because if he defaults the whole Amish community would consider it an obligation on them to pay off his debts.

 

[Obed]

The Amish don't have a problem with electricity. What they desire is a separatation from the non-Amish world so that they and their children do not become adversely influenced by a society that does not hold their religious beliefs and way of life. Hooking a house up to the electric company can have several effects that could end up tying a family to the outside world. For example, now there is a monthly electric bill that must be paid. To be able to pay the electric bill, now the family has to generate an income to pay it. Without electricity, the family could live solely off the land (as long as they can generate enough money off the land to pay the property taxes). Adding electric and telephone bills can put pressure on the Amish to take outside jobs for income, thus leading to more connection with the outside world and more influence that goes against their way of life and religious beliefs. That's why members of some Amish communities have generators but are not allowed to connect power to the local utility company.

 

[Scotty370]

I really didn't want to start a thread re: the Amish Customs, practices and beliefs. I'd seen the ads re: these heaters, and yet another came today in the Sunday paper. Wifey asks: "What with these Amish fireplace/heaters?" Just thought I'd throw it out to you Folks! ~Scotty

 

[wedge40]

I really didn't want to start a thread re: the Amish Customs, practices and beliefs. I'd seen the ads re: these heaters, and yet another came today in the Sunday paper. Wifey asks: "What with these Amish fireplace/heaters?" Just thought I'd throw it out to you Folks! ~Scotty

Saw a new article about these things. Seem consumer reports tested these and like everyone else is saying they are pretty much light bulb with a fancy surround. You can get the equivalent for about $20 at any store. And they will not save you any money. 1500 watts is 1500 watts, you still have to pay for it.

Wedge