10 Kitchen Antiques Suddenly Back in Demand, According to Collectors
If you spot these items at a thrift store, don't pass them up!
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"Vintage kitchenalia has had a huge revival in recent years," says Kayleigh Davies, an antiques and collectibles specialist at the global auction platform Auctionet. The expert says it's been driven by a number of things; the move toward open shelves, popular trends like Grandmacore, and a growing appetite amongst millennials and Gen Z for things that, in an era of disposable cookware, are actually built to last. "Buyers want to actually cook with some pieces—some are for display, and some are for both," Davies shares.
There's a strong sentimental component to kitchen antiques as well. “I personally hold on to a kitchen tool set from my Grandma that I absolutely adore,” says Nicole Papantoniou, director of the Kitchen & Cooking Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. “It’s super simple, straightforward, and I love that it reminds me of her and her kitchen,” Papantoniou shares.
Vintage kitchen tools have also become highly sought-after collectibles, often fetching incredible prices. If you're wondering which items are worth picking up on your next thrifting adventure, here are the 10 vintage kitchen tools collectors say are in hot demand right now.
Vintage Pyrex
Vintage Pyrex has become a highly sought-after collectible. “The retro colors like oranges, blues, aquas, greens, and browns are absolutely trending in all the second-hand shops,” says Ann Couser Kittredge, a vintage home decor blogger and home stylist at Dabbling & Decorating. She notes that they can be pricey, so be prepared: “But a stack of your favorite Pyrex bowls is oh-so lovely on a kitchen shelf today,” Kittredge says.
RELATED: 4 Vintage Pyrex Finds That Are Flying off the Shelves
Retro KitchenAid Mixers
“Everyone loves a modern-day KitchenAid mixer, but those vintage retro ones? If you can find one, grab it,” Kittredge advises. Known for their quality and longevity, KitchenAid mixers in ‘60s and ‘70s retro shades, like avocado green, are a great find. “I recently found one at Goodwill Northern New England for just $30, like new, and it included all the attachments, too—priceless,” Kittredge shares.
Vintage Paper Roll Cutter
Vintage paper roll cutters are a retro kitchen staple modern kitchens can absolutely benefit from. “They come in various sizes and can be both functional and decorative in any kitchen style,” Kittredge shares. She recommends adding butcher block paper to the roll to turn it into a functional meat wrapping tool. Or: “Add gift wrap paper (vintage if you can find it) and it's a beautiful statement piece,” she says.
Yellowware
Vintage bowls are among the most usable and collectible retro kitchen tools. “Vintage yellowware bowls, with their blue or brown bands, are highly collectible right now and surprisingly affordable,” Kittredge says. Her tip is to stack yellowware bowls on open kitchen shelves, in a hutch, or fill them with apples on a kitchen counter. “It adds color and charm in any season,” the expert says.
Copper Cookware
"Copper pans look fantastic on display," Davies says. They never fail to add charm to a kitchen. Just keep in mind that experts warn against cooking with them, because they might have lost their protective lining over time.
RELATED: A Pro Shares What to Look for (and Avoid) When Buying Vintage Cookware
Kitchen Scales
Sure, we can find a digital food scale to better weigh and measure our ingredients, but there’s something about a vintage iron scale that makes the process more intentional. It may take a while to get the hang of how to level the scales, but once you do, it’ll be as easy as 1-2-3.
“A century-old scale used to weigh flour, a sugar cleaver that breaks ice with a single confident tap, or a silver plate rooster that lifts the top from a soft boiled eggs carry the weight of time and the pleasure of work done by hand,” says O’Connor. “These tools ask us to slow down and enjoy the small rituals that anchor a day.”
Ice Cream Scoop
Gourmet ice cream, or even your favorite grocery store brand, deserves to be served in a gourmet manner. Rather than reaching for a plastic scooper, opt instead for a spring-handled vintage 1930s English ice cream scoop made of brass and chrome.
RELATED: Vintage Items From Grandma That Could Be Worth A Lot of Money
Cheese Grater
Add a bit of flourish to your next dinner party when you finish off dishes of pasta, salad, or bowls of soup with freshly grated cheese using a vintage sterling silver cheese grater.
Glass Mortar and Pestle
We’re used to seeing wooden and stone mortar and pestle sets in kitchens, but have you seen a solid glass version? Made of thick, clear glass, the 1930s version reflects early 20th-century apothecary and culinary design. Being made of glass means easy clean-up, too.
Butter Churner
“One popular vintage-inspired gadget I see all the time is the butter churner from Kilner,” says Papantoniou. “It’s small and efficient, and offers a fun way to make butter at home using one ingredient.”
RELATED: Vintage Items That Actually Make Your Home More Organized
Susan Barnes is a journalist and public relations consultant with over 20 years of experience. She has written for AARP, AFAR, Southern Living, Forbes Vetted, and more.
Maria Sabella is a lifestyle writer with a passion for home and interiors — from paint colors and holiday decor to the latest design trends. Her work has appeared in outlets including Better Homes & Gardens, The Spruce, BuzzFeed and Bustle.
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