Produce & Preserves (retired)

[FarmhouseGirl]

Released Spring 2008, retired 2013.

When it’s time for Kit to make preserves with her Aunt Millie, she uses everything in this set. Kit can cook up some fun in the kitchen with these accessories:
2 bunches of pretend peaches and tomatoes
A strawberry-print apron with contrast skirt and straps
2 jars with peach and tomato wedges inside
A metal strainer that can hold the produce while Kit gets it clean
A cream-colored mixing bowl and a blue metal pot with white speckles
F6581 $34


I was thrilled to see that Kit's new items had to do with her story. In Kit Saves the Day Kit and her family are in the process of canning. I loved that the new accessory set had to do with that part of her story.

Overall I give this set a B. The price is high for how many pieces are plastic. The jars are plastic (oh I wish they were glass!) as well as the bowl. The colander is metal and the pot is metal. The jars don't open, so the fruit inside is stuck. The whole fruit is stuck together, but is cute. The apron is adorable.Kit wore the apron from this set in Kit Kittredge: An American Girl movie/DVD.

And a photo-



Mod edit to remove broken photo link

[numberonekitty]

I was very excited to see this latest addition to Kit's collection.
Overall grade: B

What I like about the set-

- the colander is real metal
- the fruit is molded together (I know many people will disagree
with this assessment- but as a mom with girls who are
perenially loosing things- the fact that they are not individual
pieces is a plus to me.)
- the blue tin pot is amazingly realistic looking.

What I did not like about the set-

- while I do like the style, print and color of the apron- I was a
bit disappointed with the fit. Easy to get on of course- but I
had a hard time adjusting it to lay properly.
- I also wanted the jars to open. This was the biggest
disappointment for me.

Overall, there is really so much play value in this set. My girls know nothing about canning- so it opened up a discusion about canning and really did bring Kit's story to life.

[Cattfanci]

I purchased Kit's Produce and Preserves set a week ago. When it arrived I carefully looked over the pieces and noticed that there were smudge marks all over the canning pot. So, I called C/S and they shipped another complete set to me and asked that I trade out the blue canning pot and return the set to them.

When I received the new set, the Blue Canning Pot also had smudge marks all over it! So, now I have two sets with bad pots. I am thinking that I should just return both sets and try to get to an American Girl Store and buy it in person.

If you look closely at the clear coat on the blue pot, mine is covered with smudge like marks (almost like fingerprints). I think the clear coat wasn't dried when they moved them. I tried washing the marks off, but it definitely must have happened when the clear coat wasn't dried yet. Check your set and see if it happened to you too. I don't think I'm that picky, but if I were buying a canning pot for myself, I wouldn't want the marks all over it. My canning pot looks just like Kit's (only better!)

Has anyone else noticed this problem?
Thanks for listening.

[cheffer]

I just ordered this set and have the same problem as described only the strainer is that way also. I called customer service and they are sending me another set so will see. I have never had to return anything before and the customer service person seemed surprised. I live too far from the stores to be able to check them out before purchasing. That's probably where a personal shopper might be the answer.

[Curiouser]

I was more disappointed with this set than anything I've purchased from AG for a long time. It really isn't worth the money.

If the jars opened and were made of glass I'd be happy, But the plastic isn't even completely clear. The Jars get a D- in my book.

[sweetlilac63]

The jars were a huge disappointment to me too. They should be glass and they should open. I also found it weird that the blue pot didn't have a lid. Don't you need a lid to the pot to properly can/preserve fruit?

I love the colander and I didn't even mind that the bowl was plastic, it is still very cute. I'm glad that I purchased this with the coupon code or I would really feel like I paid too much.

[kaekae]

Biggest issue I have with this is that the canned fruit/Tomatoes look nothing like real canning.
I love the colander and the I would be uncomfortable giving glass jars to my niece so I like the plastic jars. The stock pot needs a lid (but I love it) anyway.

[cheshie04]

I love this set. I don't mind that it has few pieces, because the bowl, colander, and pot are really versatile for any kitchen. I love kitchen accessories. The apron is extremely cute too! It fits really well. Love that the colander and pot are metal. Wish the fruit wasn't clumped. It's big enough that it doesn't have to be.

[keeperofthepast]

A friend has this. The set is cute, but the only pieces I really like are the canning pot and colander. The canning pot is identical to the one I have. The pieces do have cosmetic issues that would both me so I will pass.