30 Once-Popular Kitchen Tools That We Don't See Anymore

"I am myself a collector of vintage kitchen stuff for fun. It just started as a fun thing to do to showcase (if you could even call it that) some of the things I collected, it was slow to grow and really took off, I think, during the pandemic," the founder of the 'Vintage Kitchen Toys' subreddit told Bored Panda that they simply enjoyed doing this.

"I figured other people probably collected more of this type of thing, so it just grew out of a niche area that some may enjoy as a hobby. I do use practically all of the vintage kitchen equipment that I do collect, otherwise, I am not that fond of shelf-decor, you know the things that look cute or kitschy that don't work or serve a purpose?"

According to the founder of the group, they've found older technology to be easier to service. Vintage tech tends to be more resilient and has less moving parts. That way, they can withstand years of use.

Bored Panda was curious to get the founder's thoughts on why vintage gadgets and appliances appeal to people so much. "I think the main draw is sort of two-fold; one, they've stood the test of time and that really tells you something about the quality and craftsmanship, and two, many people saw these objects in everyday use by their families (older friends, older parents/grandparents/relatives) and it brings back happy memories."

They noted that nostalgia is definitely a factor here. "Then again I really just prefer some of the older, for example, Sunbeam brand products, appliances that really still do exactly what they are supposed to do." The founder recommends taking a peek at the 'Technology Connections' YouTube channel which covers Sunbeam toasters.

"'Radiant Heat' toasters by Sunbeam are probably one of the most collectible toasters out there at the moment, along with the iconic Mixmaster in various models and colors. The same can be said for people who collect Pyrex, Anchor Hocking (Jadeite, Glassbake, etc.), or Westinghouse appliances, certain pottery makes, etc. There is a lot out there that people just enjoy for the fun of it, the novelty, or the nostalgia. All combined... Vintage Kitchen Toys!"

Pie artist Jessica, @thepieous, confirmed a suspicion that we had that older tools may be better in some regards. She told Bored Panda that 'they don't make 'em like they used to' isn't just another folksy phrase. "When it comes to a lot of the workhorse appliances, many of the older models stand up better than their modern counterparts," she said.

"Things like stand mixers, egg beaters, older bakeware (once they banned the use of lead anyway!) were built to withstand the test of time, and phrases like 'planned obsolescence' were unheard of." However resilient they might be, it doesn't make them impervious to the passage of time.

"These older models are, well, old. And in most cases if you can get your hands on a vintage egg beater or stand mixer, it will need some TLC and possible refurbishing at an appliance repair shop before it is ready for prime time," pie artist Jessica explained.

"This is not to say that there aren’t plenty of quality new baking appliances and tools out there today! You just have to do a little more research. Not every once-trusted brand with the hefty price tag can live up to its erstwhile quality claims." The pie artist suggested that people look at what professional bakers, whom they trust, are using.

Meanwhile, she urged everyone to ask questions before investing a lot of money in large kitchen appliances. "Don’t judge by the ads or the packaging, judge by the results you see from real people and real professionals actually making use of these tools. And remember, 'most expensive' does not always equal 'best!'"

We were curious to get Jessica's perspective on the kitchen gadgets that she thinks are the most important for bakers to have. "As a baking-tool inventor myself, I am a big fan of trying out the latest gadgets and gizmos and seeing which actually improve my workflow and make my life easier, versus which just clog up space in my drawers," she said.

"Stencils and templates are my low-tech must-have for pie art, for example, because they are inexpensive, don’t take up a lot of space in my kitchen, and allow me to work incredibly quickly and stress-free when the dough is rolled out and the clock is ticking but I still want those pretty designs. I have a whole host of favorite tools, that range from my favorite precision cutting blade for dough and fondant, all the way up to my workhorse Kitchenaid mixer and Cuisinart food processor."

Jessica revealed to Bored Panda that one of her favorite baking tools is a $3 yolk separator. "It’s not pretty, but it works really well and makes my life so much easier," she said.

The one tool that the pie artist would definitely recommend for home bakers, to help them up their game, is an inexpensive digital kitchen scale in grams. "Measuring by weight rather than volume is critical to ensuring consistent results when trying out new recipes or developing your own… My 'cup of flour' could be as much as 30% more or less than your cup of flour (or brown sugar, or blueberries, or crushed pecans, etc.) depending on how densely we pack them in. But 100 grams is always 100 grams, everywhere in the world!" she explained why this is a better alternative.

"I could write a whole book on my favorite (and least favorite!) baking tools, but if folks are curious they can check out my new site thePieSavvy.com for a list of some of my top baking tool picks." 

Founded all the way back in May 2014, the r/vintagekitchentoys subreddit now boasts 21.4k loyal members. The idea behind this online community is to provide information about vintage kitchen appliances to both new users and collectors alike.

“We love to preserve the unique history of kitchen gadgets,” the moderator team running the group explains.

Though having the right tools for the job is really important, you don’t need to break the bank to be a great cook or baker. The fact is, you really don’t need the newest, most powerful appliances and every single specialized gadget that’s ever been created.

You can do everything with a simple arsenal of trusty tools. It’s your effort, ingenuity, and skills that count for the most…. so long as treat your tools with care. Quality tools won't automatically turn you into a great cook or baker, but they can amplify the skills that you already have and save you some time.

The tools that you do have—no matter how few or many, vintage or innovative—deserve to be treated with respect. If you don’t take care of them, you’re only ever hurting yourself and your cooking in the long run.

You have to put in the effort to properly clean and maintain your kitchen appliances, instead of letting everything gather rust and grime. How someone treats their work tools says a lot about the person.

By investing some time and effort into maintenance, your tools are going to have a far longer shelf-life. And who knows, if they’re in a good enough condition, you may even end up passing them down to your kids and grandkids.

Family heirlooms don’t have to be magnificent swords and glittering rings (which are totally, totally not cursed). They can be stylish vintage whisks, Damascus steel knives, and fridges that have lasted through literal wars and put modern glitchy appliances to shame.