Vintage Kitchen Finds You Need In Your Modern Kitchen

High Society Deviled Eggs
Photo: Jim Bathie

If the expression "everything old is new again" actually holds true, then don't be in such a hurry to clean out your kitchen cupboards—you might want to hang on to a few of those vintage kitchen tools. What makes an item a classic is its ability to stand the test of time; if you can still use it 20 years after you bought it, it is a classic. The popularity of many kitchen items experience ebbs and flows throughout the years. New products come on the scene and shove the older ones to the back of the cupboard. But, over time, a good cook will always reach for the classics, such as the cast iron cookware and slow-cookers, knowing these quality products have stood the test of time and are still relevant, even with new cooking methods and recipes. You may not be able to afford cherry-red retro kitchen appliances, but there are smaller ways you can incorporate vintage appliances and retro items into your kitchen décor. We polled our Food Editors and Test Kitchen Professionals for their favorite vintage items they would take to a new kitchen.

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Copper Molds

Vintage copper mold on a concrete background.
Voisine/Getty Images

Congealed salads are polarizing—people either love them or they hate them. Even if you hate them, you have to admit these copper molds are too pretty to toss. Use them instead to mold a delicious ham terrine or chicken salad.

02 of 12

Electric Knife

Electric Knife
Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty Images

An electric knife makes easy work out of carving the Thanksgiving turkey, usually a daunting task for the holiday host.

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Electric Skillet

Potatoes Fry in Electric Skillet on Kitchen Counter
Grace Cary/Getty Images

You probably quit using it because it took up too much room on the counter, or it was so cumbersome to wash. Give it another try—from scrambling eggs to frying chicken, this kitchen appliance might just make your stovetop obsolete.

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Flour Sifter with Hand Crank

Antique Sifter with Hand Crank
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Some things never go out of style, including this hand-crank sifter. Obviously perfect for sifting flour and other dry ingredients, it does a nice job of dusting cakes and other desserts with confectioner's sugar.

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Fondue Pot

Fondue with red wines
Getty Images/Tom Kelley Archive

Once a cocktail party staple, fondue pots, perfect for keeping dips and spreads warm, are now showing up at tailgating events, backyard cookouts and brunches.

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Hand-Held Electric Mixer

Hand Mixer
Getty Images

Some jobs, like whipping meringues or beating egg yolks, don't require you to lug out the heavy-duty stand mixer. These lighter models still deserve a place in your pantry.

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Hand-Written Recipes

Old Recipe Cards and Box
Brianna Soukup/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images

The internet is convenient but impersonal when looking for a new recipe. And the beautiful pages of a new cookbook are much too nice to get smeared with cake batter. Nothing beats a hand-written recipe or hand-me-down cookbook, complete with food splatters and personal notes in your Mother's handwriting.

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Pyrex Mixing Bowls

Vintage Mixing Bowls on counter-top
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You can buy a set of new bowls with a more contemporary color pattern, but you won't find another set more versatile or rugged than Pyrex Mixing Bowls.

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Oyster Plates

High Angle View Of Seafood In Plate
Frank Grtner / EyeEm / Getty Images

According to one Southern Living editor, every china collection should include a vintage oyster plate. "Although I don't currently plan on serving oysters at any of my future dinner parties, you can bet that I ended up down the rabbit hole of antique oyster plates for sale, once I was aware of this highly fashionable and functional dish," she wrote.

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Breadboxes

Pink Breadbox
OZ_Media/Getty Images

Mama was onto something with that breadbox she kept on the counter! Breadboxes are not only adorable but also keep bread fresher than leaving it in the bag.

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Punch Bowl Sets

Pineapple-Rum-Tea Punch
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

It's not a Southern gathering without a punch bowl on the sideboard (bonus retro points if yours includes scoops of ice cream). Don't forget to whip up one of our favorite punch recipes for getting the party started.

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Deviled Egg Platter

High Society Deviled Eggs
Jim Bathie

One Southern Living editor begged the question: "If you don't have this old-fashioned serving dish, are you even Southern?" We're going to go ahead and answer with a resounding, nope!

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