Kitchen cookware dates back to the Stone Age when wood, stone, and clay-based items were used to prepare meals. As more sophisticated kitchen practices gained prominence, kitchen tools were invented for virtually any task imaginable. As time went on, these tools were phased out as more advanced technology was adopted in the kitchen, and the use of electricity became widespread.
We take a look at eighteen such kitchen tools that were once very popular but now have simply gone out of style.
Butter Churn
They are one of the most iconic tools used in kitchen history. These butter churns were used to transform cream into butter. The process of transforming cream into butter was not easy. It was time-consuming and involved a lot of hard work. But butter churn was an essential household tool before the widespread availability of commercial butter. Nowadays, we don’t see them thanks to the advancement of technology and the convenience of store-bought products. But they remain a nostalgic symbol of traditional cooking methods.
Food Mill
The food mill is another nostalgic kitchen item that you won’t see in today’s kitchen. People used this hand-cranked equipment to make the smoothest sauces in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Nowadays, food processors have replaced them and can do the same job at the touch of a button saving time and energy.
Enamelware
Enamelware is charming, durable kitchenware that has roots dating back to the 19th century. It not only looked good but was great for cooking too. It’s metal coated in porcelain enamel making it tough, easy to clean, and resistant to corrosion. Nowadays, it’s been largely replaced by stainless steel and non-stick cookware.
Jelly Molds
Jelly Molds are intricate kitchen tools that have a charming appeal of their own. They were mostly used at a time when jellied desserts were consumed a lot. During that time, creating visually stunning, jiggly jellies was a true art form. Jelly molds, made from metal or plastic and designed in different shapes and patterns were key to making the perfect jellies. Today, these vintage kitchen items are valued mostly for their nostalgic and decorative appeal.
Icebox
Iceboxes were used to keep food cool before refrigerators. These ice boxes used large blocks of ice to stay cool. The ice would gradually melt over time so these boxes required regular replacement to maintain the necessary temperature. It was inconvenient and thankfully, got replaced by electric refrigerators.
Mortar and Pestle
Mortar and Pestles are downright ancient kitchen tools and have been around for thousands of years. They’re used for grinding herbs, spices, and more into pastes and powders. They have been replaced by modern blenders but people still use them in some households. It turns out that the physical act of grinding releases flavors and aromas that machines cannot match.
Bread Box
Bread Boxes are those quaint containers that were essentially used to store bread and to keep them fresh before preservatives and plastic bags came to be used. They were designed to create an environment that balances humidity and airflow. They helped prevent the bread from going stale and getting moldy.
Gravy Separator
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Image Credit: Angelika Heine, Shutterstock
Gravy separators were quite popular in the mid-20th century. These little dishes expertly separated fat from juices for that perfect gravy without the need for manual skimming. They are not used in modern times due to the simple fact that people are eating less gravy these days.
Pastry Blender
You will find this peculiar kitchen equipment made of sturdy wires and wooden handles in your grandmother’s kitchen. A pastry blender was the secret behind tasty pies and delectable pastries. It was used in an era when baking was truly a labor of love. As technology improved, they were replaced by food processors and stand mixers.
Milk Bottle
Milk bottles have a charm of their own and evoke memories of a bygone era. They were used in the early to mid-20th century when milk was delivered daily in the morning by the neighborhood milkman. They had a simple design and were the icons of sustainability before it became fashionable. They were replaced by plastic cartons in modern times.
Sugar Nippers
Sugar nippers date back to medieval times when they were used to break off chunks of sugar. Sugar was a luxury item and was available in huge, solid cones and chunks. So these tongs were needed to break them into smaller, easy-to-use pieces. Nowadays, non-chunky sugar is available and so this particular kitchen utensil has become a thing of the past.
Pie Bird
Pie birds date back to Victorian times and it was a ceramic tool that was placed in the center of the pie, allowing steam to escape through its open beak. They helped solve a common baking problem when trapped steam often caused soggy bottoms and burst crusts. Modern baking practices have rendered these pie birds obsolete and you can only find them in antique shops now.
Potato Ricer
Potato Ricer is a vintage tool that is still used in some kitchens today, though not as much as it once was. Its name comes from the fact that it presses soft potato through small holes making it resemble grains of rice in size and shape. It was used to create the fluffiest mashed potatoes or puree any other vegetable.
Toast Fork
Toast fork was a specialized fork used during Victorian times to roast bread over the open hearth. They were used by those families who could afford fireplaces. It was a niche, highly specialized utensil that had utility during that time and era.
Dumpling Press
The Dumpling press became popular in the 20th century. It allowed anyone to create uniform dumplings at home with ease. By crimping the edges neatly, they ensure a tight seal, preventing filling from escaping during cooking. Before the dumpling press came about, crafting a perfectly sealed dumpling was considered an art form.
Bean Slicer
As the name suggests, it is used to cut beans into thin slices quickly and uniformly. It is particularly useful for cutting green beans for soups and salads. It was common in households that preserved and canned fresh vegetables.
Egg Coddler
To use an egg coddler, you’d butter the inside of the cup and break the eggs into it. Then you simply place the egg coddler in boiling water for some time. This allows you to simply poach your eggs without putting them directly in water.
