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.
Copper Molds
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.
Electric Knife
An electric knife makes easy work out of carving the Thanksgiving turkey, usually a daunting task for the holiday host.
Electric Skillet
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.
Flour Sifter with Hand Crank
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.
Fondue Pot
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.
Hand-Held Electric Mixer
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.
Hand-Written Recipes
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.
