In today's kitchens, refrigerators have touch screens and ovens can be turned on with an app. Modern kitchen appliances simplify everyday tasks, but some people miss the old classics. Some of these vintage finds are now obsolete, but looking back at these antiques makes me nostalgic for microwaves without Bluetooth.
You might recognize some of these vintage kitchen tools, or maybe you have some hidden away in your kitchen cabinets, like the old Pyrex dishes your mom gave you. Some of these vintage kitchen accessories are coming back in style thanks to rustic, shabby chic, and retro trends. Etsy is full of shops selling vintage kitchenware and retro appliances, so there are plenty of people like us who love old-fashioned things.
Some of these retro kitchen accessories may no longer exist, but they might give you ideas for a stylish vintage kitchen from the past. Take a walk down memory lane and find the best vintage kitchen items. Then you might find out what those weird-looking tools sitting on mom's counter actually do.
fiesta tableware
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Headquartered in West Virginia, this colorful dish became popular in the 1930s and has been a staple in Southern kitchens ever since. Initially it was offered in five colors, but the line has expanded to include over 30 shades, some of which are quite rare.
bread box
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Bread boxes in a myriad of colors once graced every countertop, and we think it's time to bring them back. It protects your bread from the elements (like late night snackers) and eliminates the need to hide your baked goods in the cabinet when company comes over.
jello mold
There's nothing better than vintage coagulated sweets, right? Not in our eyes. Back in the day, moms had Jell-O molds for each season, occasion, and size. Some of them are also great to hang on the wall!
wooden dough bowl
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Wooden dough bowls were previously used for fermenting dough, but are now very popular as centerpiece containers. Place some of your favorite plants and flowers in a versatile bowl for a statement piece that complements your rustic-chic style.
cans with labels
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Everything was in mom's kitchen. She kept things like flour, sugar, and coffee in cans with the same labels. Labeled kitchen tins are back in style as rustic, retro looks become more popular.
punch bowl
If your party doesn't have a punch bowl and matching glasses, is it really a party? Remove the punch bowl from storage and pour one of your favorite alcoholic or non-alcoholic options.
All about milk glasses
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Milk glasses are back. I’m so glad I kept all of Mom’s stuff with me. This unique opaque or translucent glass comes in a variety of colors, including soft pink, white, and green.
hand-cranked coffee grinder
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Maybe we should be thankful that not all gadgets last forever. Coffee lovers around the world will be happy to know that they no longer have to spin coffee grinders by hand.
fondue set
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The fondue set was the most lovely way to spend the evening. Maybe it's time to bring back those indulgent evenings filled with chocolate and cheese. And who forgets the stick you use to grab bread or apple slices?
potato masher
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These evil tools have plagued home cooks for over 100 years. Too short to sit comfortably in a utensil drawer and too wide and bulky to make opening the drawer a nightmare, the potato masher is one of those cookware items we can't live without.
egg separator
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There may be modern egg separators out there, but the first ones were made of tin. We believe that in modern times they should be used only as decoration.
cake breaker
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This tool was widely used to cut angel food cakes and other soft confections because its delicate teeth do not crush or compress the cake under pressure. Cake breakers were so popular that you could even find cake breakers with silver patterns.
herb cutter
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Herb cutters came in many different styles. For example, some herb cutters had handles on either side of the ambidextrous blade.
hand mixer
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We don't envy moms in this regard. The next time you step away from your standing mixer whisking eggs, remember how difficult these vintage tools were to use.
flour sifter
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With this device around, no one could avoid getting covered in flour. In addition to these hand-cranked flour sifters, in later times there were also flour sifters equipped with a handle pump.
colorful home appliances
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Before the world of appliances turned to stainless steel, kitchens featured a variety of pastel and brightly colored gadgets, countertops, and cabinets. This is becoming a trend again, so you'll want a toaster in every color.
potato ricer
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If you want the softest mashed potatoes, use a potato ricer instead of a masher. With this gadget, your holiday spuds will be perfect every time.
butter dishes
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Some of these butter pans were shaped to hold sticks of butter, while others were rounded to hold tub butter. Another vintage butter tool is the butter mold, which was used to press beautiful patterns for table presentation.
egg slicer
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Because everything had its own slicer. This makes perfect egg slices for Cobb salads or anything else you would put a large slice of egg on.
colorful patterned pyrex plates
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What mom doesn't have a Pyrex mixing bowl with colorful prints and patterns? We still believe there's nothing better than this.
recipe card box
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I hope the tradition of recipe card boxes never goes out of style. You can save recipes online, but there's nothing like handwritten recipe cards for inheritance.
handmade hot pad
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It's not like our mothers and grandmothers had longer days than they do now. They just took the time to make everything a little more beautiful, including your run-of-the-mill hot pad.
chinois
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My mom has this, but I've never seen her use it. Apparently, it was used to strain and smooth homemade custards and sauces. The back of a spoon or a regular mesh strainer will work, even if it's not that cool.
butter mold
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With more and more cooks making homemade butter, vintage butter molds are in high demand. Of course, you can just put the butter in a bowl, but using a decorative mold will make it look even more beautiful.
aluminum ice tray
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Long before the advent of easy-twist plastic ice trays and automatic ice makers, these aluminum devices were used to keep glasses of sweet tea filled with ice. The last thing you want is to get your fingers stuck in this gadget.
cast iron trivet
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If you've ever used one of these, you probably still have it because it never went out of use or style. Before I started using trivets and tea towels for hot pads, these trivets were placed between the countertop and the pot. When not in use, it also makes a cute wall decoration.
meat tenderizer
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This tool seems almost prehistoric now, but there was a time when this big mallet was used by mom almost every day. All meat, from chicken to the toughest roasts, goes through a tenderization process before it ends up on our plates.
jadeite kitchen utensils
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This milk glass subset is always green and always fun to have in your kitchen cabinets. From elaborate cake stands to everyday coffee cups, this color goes with everything.
vintage tupperware
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Modern Tupperware is nice, but authentic vintage Tupperware is a real bargain. If you find a burnt orange, mustard, or avocado green Tupperware like your mom had, snatch it up.
kitchen phone
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For the younger generation, yes, the wall phone was once as common a kitchen appliance as the coffee maker. The cord was so long that I could chat with friends while preparing dinner, or even go into the pantry and close the door for privacy. Ah, the good old days.
What items do you remember from your grandmother or mother's kitchen?
