The only machines we use during sits are the washer dryer and refrigerator. Even though we’ve been invited to use ice cream machines, Expresso machines, blenders, etc. we don’t as I don’t want any issues with something breaking whether it’s us or machine. We bring our own pots pans kettle water filter and just drink freeze dried coffee
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Yes. There is a coffee machine here but it looks horribly expensive (modern design) and I don’t quite see how it is supposed to work.
@IHeartAnimals
I don’t use anything either now after reading some of these topics on this forum.
I take my own pod coffee machine with me. I now even take my Little Henry hoover after once emptying a Dyson stick and not being able to get it together again.
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We have personal liability insurance that covers this. We once lost a collar because the dog was running around too much in the bushes. We replaced it and reported it to our insurance company and were compensated financially. No big deal
I broke an extension cord once on a housesit, it was used for a heating pad for some pet chickens and I mowed over it with the lawn mower. I replaced it, and left the broken one for the owner (in case they could fix it) and he said I shouldn’t have replace it, that stuff happens and offered to pay me back the cost of the new one.
On another sit, also involving a lawn mower, I hit ancient stone foundations under tall grass and bent the blades of the mower, a brand new lawn mower too. Again I offered to have it fixed but the owner wouldn’t hear of it, and told me not to worry about it. Turns out he was able to bend the blades back into shape himself upon return, which was the first thing he did when he got home!! That man loved his lawn mower lol. 
I have content insurance in my home to cover loss or damage that may occur with sitters. Thankfully I’ve never had to use it. Actually the person who’s broken the most stuff in my absence is my own husband! Good old fumble fingers. hahaha 
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I assume it was a tracking style collar? i.e. expensive?
No, it was a regular red collar with a tag on it. It was only 35 pounds, but we tend to replace what we damage without asking if we need to replace it. What’s the point of asking if we need to pay for it? We would put the responsibility on the owner and many would say no, it’s okay, but think differently (and we all learned that many times on this forum). It’s the way we do it. We are insured, so it’s not a big deal for us. It wouldn’t make sense to have insurance and not use it.
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One of my beagles only cost £60, and he came with collar, leader and water bowl 
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I think when it comes to high tech or fancy appliances, if it’s something that may be complicated to use, and expensive if it breaks, but is also something that people use often, getting an inexpensive version like a £15 cafeteria for when sitters come is a great idea!
I’m a big coffee drinker, and I’ve never broken a machine at a sitters house. However sometimes when they’re complex I often wish there was a simple cafeteria to take the stress off both sitter and HO 
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Next time we think about simply giving away a beagle as compensation. 
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We sometimes just take our own coffee machine
Just to make sure: Your beagle has two ears, four legs and a full tail?? Or was it a bargain?
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Sure, there’s that. However sometimes it might not fit, or it’s an extra thing to pack you can forget which is then a nuisance.
Just a suggestion for HO to avoid either party being worried about breaking a high tech coffee machine. I’ve certainly felt anxious before when that’s been the only coffee making utensils. Sitters can be nervous about gadgets going wrong just as much as HO.
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@Hallt64
I take my own coffee pod machine. Ive even started to take my spare Little Henry vac, I have come across too many inadequate vacs, and also I once emptied a stick Dyson as it was full before I even used it, then I could not get it back together again.
Yeah, real deal. Two Beagles rescues back in 1998, we paid £60 each for them. Best £120 we have ever spent.
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I think that sounds unfair. My view would be that it broke down rather than you breaking it & it could have happened to the owner. Having said that anything complicated I wouldn’t use. I even hand wash dishes rather than use a dishwasher. I also think if there is anything of sentimental value HOs should put away.
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However, washing by hand can in many cases be more dangerous if something breaks than washing it in the dishwasher. I prefer the dishwasher, unless it’s printed crockery (which doesn’t say it’s dishwasher-safe), wood or knives.
That sounds like a very unsafe electrical installation, that could put people in harm’s way. It should not have been replaced the way it was.
It was totally my fault, I should have moved it first.
We don’t have a dishwasher at home which is why I avoid. Also when there is just two of you doesn’t feel worth it to switch it on for a couple of plates or use even more plates to justify loading up. I can’t even remember the last time anything got broken washing up by hand.
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