Vintage Kitchen Tools Grandma Couldn’t Cook Without
Updated: Apr. 02, 2023
Ready to update your kitchen routine with a blast from the past? We've picked a few of our favorite vintage kitchen tools.
Jell-O molds
What’s a vintage kitchen without a few decorative copper Jell-O molds hung on the walls (I’ve got five hanging up in mine!). These molds make for some excellent decor, but they also can help you make some pretty desserts, too. So bring back the retro Jell-O mold for your next party. We’ve got some recipes to get you started.
Percolator
Craving a cuppa? Chances are you’re brewing in a standard drip coffeemaker. But what about the percolators of yore? Until automatic drip coffeemakers came on the scene, almost every home and diner brewed with a percolator. This brewing technique produced a uniquely strong cup of coffee, always served up super hot. Though stovetop percolators were a household standard, but I’m partial to this countertop version that keeps coffee hot and ready to drink without keeping the stove on.
Food mill
Before the food processor, there was the food mill. This crank-powered device was used for everything from making mashed potatoes to applesauce to, well, pureed anything. Once electric beaters and food processors came around, I can’t blame my grandmother for ditching this old fashioned device for the sake of convenience. But, I have to say, there’s something about making a dish entirely by hand. Plus, the mesh of the food mill strains out any sort of seeds or skins (unlike a food processor) making whatever you put through it exceptionally smooth.
Ice crusher
Call me old fashioned, but I don’t have an ice maker on my refrigerator door. That means when I want perfectly crushed ice for my favorite cocktails, I’ve got to see to it myself. A vintage ice crusher is just the tool to get that perfect crunch. Turning the crank one way, you get a larger bits of ice; turn it the other and get smaller shavings. It’s one of my favorite vintage gadgets and it helps make a mean brandy slush.
Cookie press
This kitchen gadget probably looks pretty familiar for all you spritz-lovers out there, but I say this tool is worth using all year long–not just at Christmas. The cookie press is great for making a variety of pretty shaped cookies quickly. Growing up,my mom would make a variation of this peanut butter cookie recipe with one the lesser used plates and they were so so tasty.
Bread box
Nothing beats an old fashioned bread box when it comes to keeping homemade breads fresh. These vintage containers provide the perfect environment for allowing your bread to breathe without drying out. Plus, they’re an adorable addition to your countertop (I love mine!).
Pyrex
OK, OK, I know that pretty Pyrex dishes are very popular these days, but how could I resist including these beauties? Some folks use Pyrex as vintage decor, but personally, I use mine all the time! The casserole dishes make for a perfect oven-to-table presentation and the mixing bowls are just plain practical.
Looking to learn more? We’ve got the scoop on how to find and care for your vintage Pyrex.
Originally Published: February 22, 2019
