4 min readFrom her tuna noodle casserole to her salted caramel apple pie, half the joy of dishes cooked in Grandma’s kitchen was knowing that they were made the old-fashioned way—which likely meant an old-fashioned tool or two was involved.
Ready for a nostalgic walk down memory lane? Here’s a look at eight old-fashioned cooking gadgets and kitchen finds Grandma used that you just don’t see anymore—plus what they’re worth on the resale market today.
Pastry Crimpers
Pastry crimpers, or jaggers, were popularized in the 19th century, as pies both savory and sweet became increasingly common at mealtimes across Europe and beyond. Used to cut dough into shapes or lattice strips, these tools were first made from whalebone and wood and, later, metal and plastic. Older, hand-carved versions (bottom left) as well as midcentury Bakelite (green, far left) tend to be pricier (around $75–$90), while plastic versions are slightly more affordable (less than $50).
Early Toasters
Before Scotsman Alan MacMasters invented the electric toaster in 1893, bread was crisped over an open flame using a long-handled fork. Drawer-operated devices from the 1920s and ’30s (top center and bottom left) required manually flipping the slices; the pop-up model we know and love today (top left and bottom right) was patented by Minnesotan Charles Strite in 1921, but it didn’t become commonplace until the 1940s and ’50s. Avid collectors appreciate the pieces for the story they tell of changing industrial design trends. Art Deco styles (center) are particularly coveted and typically pull in between $20 and $90 per item. (Costs increase with age; rare porcelain toasters top the $2,000 mark.)
Looking to add more color to your assortment? Consider seeking out toaster covers. These cloth pieces protected the appliances from dust and dirt and were thought to add a dose of homespun charm to the increasingly modernized kitchen space.
Toast Racks
In the 1800s, meals in wealthy households were elaborate affairs, with even the humblest foods served in specialized vessels. At breakfast, toast was often presented in silver racks designed to separate buttered slices and prevent them from turning soggy. Today these elegant pieces are more likely to corral letters on a desk than bread at the table, and they typically fetch between $100 and $600 depending on age, provenance, uniqueness of design, and whether they are sterling or silver plate.
Butter Molds
Though not used regularly today, these wooden “plunger-and-cup” molds once added artistic flair to plain old tabletop butter. The hand-carved designs found on the plunger (think flowers, graphic patterns, animals) make for pretty kitchen displays, but be warned: The molds’ primitive pedigree makes them pricey. Asking prices at antiques stores and online vendors range from $25 to $150, depending on size and condition.
Corner Strainers
Before widespread adoption of the garbage disposal, invented in 1927 by Wisconsinite John W. Hammes, farmhouse kitchens relied on corner strainers to keep food scraps from clogging the drain. Hooked to a sink via a top lip, this triangular tool was primarily used to collect discarded stems and leaves but could also stand in for a colander in a pinch. Today, enamelware strainers from the 1940s—keep your eyes peeled for rarer non-white basins—can be found for under $30 apiece.
Flour Sifters
Invented by Ohioan Jacob Bromwell in 1819, the flour sifter helps home cooks keep clumps out of their baking batters. Produced en masse starting in the 1920s, early models used a single sieve and a simple turning crank, while those made after World War II by brands like Foley’s Sift-Chine (center) often had more complex handle mechanisms and multiple screens. Today, vintage sifters of all sorts look spiffy on display. Expect to pay $5 to $50 each, with larger sizes and rarer colorways like blues, pinks, and greens commanding higher prices.
Bread Bins
Before the proliferation of pre-sliced bread sold in plastic bags, households relied on the dark, dry environments of bread boxes to keep bakery loaves from quickly going stale. Enamel and tin containers were popular from the 1930s through the 1950s and are typically valued between $25 and $200. Extra-large canisters (black, at bottom) and double-bin styles (center right), which feature two storage compartments, are less common and often command prices on the higher end of the range.
Pie Birds
Playing a crucial role in the pie-baking process, the ceramic vessel’s vented structure allows steam to escape during baking, thus preventing filling-overflow disasters. Pie birds (and their other quirky-themed counterparts) are highly collectible and range from $10 to hundreds of dollars apiece. Most midcentury vintage versions, however, can be found for $50–$75, while some by notable makers, like Englishman Stuart Bass, warrant a higher price tag (think $100 or more). Also look for primitive painted “Ralphie Roosters” (bottom center), which trace back to California ceramicist Betty Cleminson and sell for $25–$85 each, depending on condition.
