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Original poster

Cutting best recipes out of books and binning the rest?

31 replies

Justkoko · 04/04/2024 15:01

I've felt like doing this for a while. I must have 30 cookbooks and would probably never cook most of the meals. It be far more efficient to slice out the best ones,keep them in a ringbinder and bin the rest but I think I might regret it and it also feels wasteful. But I have so many it is overwhelming!

OP posts:
Lanawashington · 04/04/2024 15:02

I actually really like this idea but I'm not sure I could bring myself to do it

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/04/2024 15:02

Photocopy the best and give the books away?

MandUs · 04/04/2024 15:03

Photocopy the relevant recipes and give the books away. That way you have got rid of them but they aren't wasted.

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NuffSaidSam · 04/04/2024 15:03

I'd scan/photocopy the pages you want and then give the rest to a charity shop. I couldn't tear pages out of books!

Plump82 · 04/04/2024 15:04

I like this idea or the photocopy idea. We have so many cook books (MIL like to buy us them for some reason) they're all boxed up as we just don't room for them to be out, so the recipes I do like are never cooked as I can't be bothered getting the books out!!

mynameiscalypso · 04/04/2024 15:05

I take pictures of recipes that I like on my phone and then pass the books on. It means I always have them with me as well if I'm in the supermarket or something. I add photos to various albums based on the meal/main ingredient/complexity

ClawdeenWolf · 04/04/2024 15:06

I know it's super time consuming, but you could write your favourites out and donate the books themselves to charity?

I remember finding an old handwritten recipe book of my great-grandmother's and it was lovely to see her writing in it.

Original poster
Justkoko · 05/04/2024 20:07

The idea of photocopying the recipes is a good idea, but creates even more cost/paper. I can't quite bring myself to do it even though I'd really like to.

OP posts:
BirthdayRainbow · 05/04/2024 20:08

Defacing books is sacrilege! I could never cut a book up or throw one out.

If I had to get rid of cook books, I have 80+, I would be typing out all my favourites and making my own binder.

GoingJacobsandRitz · 05/04/2024 20:11

I like the idea of writing them out into a folder/recipe card box. It can then be a family heirloom of sorts with the kids and grandkids favourite recipes in. They'll always have your handwriting then too.

SausageRoll2020 · 05/04/2024 20:13

Just take a picture of the recipes you like on your phone and then donate the books to a charity shop.

Morwenscapacioussleeves · 05/04/2024 20:16

I photocopied the recipes I used & donated the books so someone else could do the same.

I couldn't hurt a book 😱

Kalevala · 05/04/2024 20:16

Justkoko · 05/04/2024 20:07

The idea of photocopying the recipes is a good idea, but creates even more cost/paper. I can't quite bring myself to do it even though I'd really like to.

It's less waste as then someone else can have the book. Cost would be minimal. Or just take a photo.

Kalevala · 05/04/2024 20:17

I only cut recipes out of free supermarket magazines and similar, not books!

Screamingabdabz · 05/04/2024 20:18

Just do it op. I think it’s a brilliant idea if you’re looking to save space. I keep all my cuttings in an A4 folder. It gets used far more than any cookery book.

GreenSmithing · 05/04/2024 20:20

There's an app called recipekeeper, where you can take a photo of a recipe, and it will be digitalised (or you can import a page link). Then you could just give the book to charity.

There might be other apps too, but that's the one I was recommended.

bruffin · 05/04/2024 20:21

Justkoko · 05/04/2024 20:07

The idea of photocopying the recipes is a good idea, but creates even more cost/paper. I can't quite bring myself to do it even though I'd really like to.

You only need to photograph or scan and stoore on your pc or phone

Original poster
Justkoko · 05/04/2024 20:23

I can't do it. I'm chickening out. 😂I'm horrendous at decluttering so I wanted to streamline but no doubt I'll just keep on procrastinating!

I would take pictures and store digitally but I prefer to flip through pages if we're looking to choose .
I expect I'll give up on the idea🫠

OP posts:
Soonthen · 05/04/2024 20:23

GreenSmithing · 05/04/2024 20:20

There's an app called recipekeeper, where you can take a photo of a recipe, and it will be digitalised (or you can import a page link). Then you could just give the book to charity.

There might be other apps too, but that's the one I was recommended.

I was about to recommend recipe keeper!
scan from books
import from apps
plan a calendar (and share)
do a shopping list
change amounts dependent on numbers
auto meal plan

its magic

Original poster
Justkoko · 05/04/2024 20:24

Ooo off to look!
Anything to simplify my life!

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 05/04/2024 20:27

Justkoko · 05/04/2024 20:07

The idea of photocopying the recipes is a good idea, but creates even more cost/paper. I can't quite bring myself to do it even though I'd really like to.

But the books aren't wasted if you give them to a charity shop. They are if you deface them.

Elebag · 05/04/2024 20:32

If the book is tatty I think it's fine.

The damaged book can then go in the recycling bin. I had a clear out recently and the council confirmed that unwanted books count as paper recycling. Nice ones to charity first.

Thatsnotmynameanymore · 05/04/2024 20:34

I've done this...the 4 charity shops in my area wouldn't take them as they were swamped with books. I love being able to flick through my folder and see all my favourites in different fonts and styles.
There were a couple of books I couldn't bring myself to do it too, so I just put a reference in the folder so I could find it when it came round to the meal rotation (with the aim to photocopy and add later.)
The leftover recipes I gave to friends who had needed pics for a piece of work, or wanted recipes I didn't need.

NerdWhoEatsMedlar · 05/04/2024 20:36

I typed up loads of my fave recipes and made a website.
The kids love it, they text me and ask for a link to whatever recipe.

NerdWhoEatsMedlar · 05/04/2024 20:36

The kids are all about 30ish now.

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