Five Interesting Finds in an Amish Appliance Store (Eash Sales)

Jim Halverson shares several photos of Amish appliances taken in the well-known Eash Sales store in Shipshewana, Indiana. What you’ll see in the photos below are things that help Amish wash clothes, stay warm, stay cool, and light their homes. Some of these are adaptations of the English version of a given appliance. Others are more old-fashioned.

Eash Sales is perhaps better-known for its outdoor furniture. Jim notes that “They have two buildings and the appliances are in the building to the south.” While they have a large non-Amish customer base for their outdoor items, the things here are geared more to an Amish clientele.

But – not just any Amish clientele. The Amish in northern Indiana (Elkhart-LaGrange settlement) are generally some of the most progressive of Amish. And the Amish churches in the Shipshewana area of this community are perhaps the most progressive ones you’ll find in the entire community.

Favorites

The Atypical Amish Community at Unity, Maine

So while you’ll see some more traditionally accepted items, you’ll also see some here that wouldn’t pass muster in many Amish homes, looking at the Amish as a whole. More on the cutting-edge of home amenities so to speak. Let’s have a look.

1. Battery-friendly Fan

With the temperatures steadily increasing, this first one is no doubt in demand right now or soon to be. I’ve noticed traditional fans being more and more of a thing in Amish homes, and we’ve seen them on the site here a number of times lately.

But with public electricity prohibited in nearly all Amish homes, the Amish need a workaround. Rather than plugging them into non-existent wall outlets, they are battery-powered, in this case involving something called a “Battery Buddy”.

The brand of fan is “Miller Tech”. With “Miller” being the most common surname among the Amish, that gives a clue to who makes these.

2.  Liquid Propane Lighting Heads

Some Amish permit liquid propane lighting systems, and will have a series of built-in heads which can be lit up in the bathroom, kitchen, and other places around the home. Here’s an example from a garage/outbuilding at an Amish home in Kentucky:

What’s interesting here is the offer of a vertical model, which you can see on the right here.

Favorites

“Utterly NOT an Amish Home!” (5 Myths In One Comment)

The pricing, which provides a discount when buying in numbers.

3. Classic Refurbished Maytag Washer

Here we have one of the best-known Amish home appliances, the Maytag wringer washer. Amish often use old models which have been fixed up.

And that is the case with this one for sale at Eash’s, described as having “Mostly New Parts”. It has also been powder-coated for a brand-new appearance.

This Maytag washer is the most across-the-board “Amish-friendly”. Even the plainest Amish use the Maytag. In the background of the photo we also see a selection of heaters.

4. Fancy Lighting Fixtures

The last two we’ll look at also have to do with lighting. Here we see a variety of different lighting solutions, including some fancier-looking fixtures running off of fossil fuels, various bulb fixtures, as well as some standing lamps, which are likely run off of a battery-inverter combo or perhaps just a battery:

Many Amish, even the plainest, permit battery-powered forms of lighting. But in some communities that has evolved from handheld or head-mounted utility lights to battery-powered lighting which replicates traditional English-style home lighting.

Favorites

10 “Exceptions” To Amish Rules

The fixture on the right has a tag that is visible. Unlike the prior example above, this one is rated for “NG or LP”, meaning “Natural Gas or Liquid Propane” (the one above is meant only for liquid propane). The model with the built-in ignitor is priced at $119.95, and the one without it is $84.95.

5. Outdoor Bulb Lights

Finally, some outdoor bulb lighting. Here you see a variety of fixtures meant to run off of 18 volt batteries.

Here’s a closer look at the battery, in this case a Makita brand 18-volt lithium ion battery:

So you can see here a mix of the more traditional types of appliances in the Maytag washer and the liquid propane lighting, and also some of the more progressive things being used in some Amish churches, like the fans and various types of bulb lighting.

Some Amish might feel that certain of these items are taking the Amish who accept them closer and closer to a non-Amish lifestyle. But those churches who decide to permit them must feel that they are not a threat to their way of life and faith.

If you’re in the area and would like to stop in at Eash Sales, here is the address and details:

Eash Sales
1205 IN-5
Shipshewana, IN 46565
+1 260-768-7511

Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8AM – 5PM
Saturday: 8AM – 330PM
Sunday: Closed