13 Vintage Kitchen Tools from the ’60s That People Don’t Know How to Use Anymore
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The 1960s were a decade of change and flair for creativity, which included the kitchen. Then, families sat around the dinner table and ate meals lovingly prepared with the assistance of innovative kitchen gadgets. Back then, these tools were considered essential, but fast forward to today and you’ll find most of them collecting dust in the back of drawers or in the back of thrift stores.
The years rolled on and technology changed how we cook and prepare meals, and many vintage tools got lost in the shuffle. You may know how to use modern kitchen tools, so let’s take a delightful stroll down memory lane and rediscover 13 vintage kitchen tools from the ’60s that have largely fallen by the wayside, along with a little insight into how to use them again.
Jell-O Mold
Ah, the classic Jell-O mold! Every potluck had this bright wobbly concoction as a staple. The mold itself might even itself be a work of art: delicate designs and patterns. Just prepare your Jell-O mixture and pour it into the mold and refrigerate it to use it. When you’ve set it, flip it upside down and run warm water over the outside of the mold for a few seconds and voila! You’ll have a colorful centerpiece for your dessert table. When you release it, just watch out for the jiggling mess.
Egg Separator
Those who were trying to master the art of meringue were the egg separator’s best friend for a cook. This nifty tool was a really good one to have because it made it really easy to separate the yolk from the white. Crack an egg into the separator, and let gravity do its thing. It might seem unnecessary now, but it’s a gentle reminder of the precision bakers once cared about. Plus, it’s much more entertaining than trying to balance the halves of eggshell like a circus performer.
Avocado Slicer
In the ’60s, avocados were the in-thing, and the avocado slicer made sure you could slice it without a hitch. This funny tool includes serrated edge which is used to cut off the fruit and pitter to remove the stone. All you do is cut the avocado in half and twist it out of the pit. Now, we use a trusty knife for the job, but the avocado slicer adds a little nostalgia and whimsy to your kitchen counter.
Pineapple Corer
Isn’t fresh pineapple delicious? Prepping one can be a bit like a mini expedition, but the pineapple corer is a gadget that will help you cope with this spiky fruit. Put the corer at the top of the pineapple and twist backwards to get perfectly shaped rings as you go. It is a bit like excavating treasure, and you’ll be rewarded with sweet, juicy slices as soon as you’re done. Just don’t let your fingers get in the way!
Electric Knife
The electric knife was a gal’s best friend in the 1960s: It was perfect for carving turkey at Thanksgiving, or for slicing bread in one swift cut. It buzzed to life and with a gentle push, slicing through food like a hot knife through butter. These days people use regular knives, but for special occasions, there’s something oddly satisfying about pulling out the electric knife. Just don’t go too fast though, nobody wants a bread massacre at their dinner party!
Melon Baller
The thing about a melon baller is that it kind of just seems to disappear off the face of the earth. This little scoop was all the rage for making perfectly round melon balls and putting a little class in any fruit salad. The only way to use it is to press it into the flesh of the melon and twist to scoop out a delightful orb. You could use a spoon sure, but where’s the fun in that? Impress your friends at your next summer barbecue!
Butter Churn
Before butter came in a stick, folks were dirtying their hands with butter churns. This vintage tool needs some elbow grease but will reward you with fresh homemade butter. Churn the cream, add cream to the churn, secure lid and churn away. It’s a bit of a workout, but when you get your hands on some freshly churned butter and spread it on warm bread, it’s worth it.
Salad Spinner
The salad spinner was the hero of salad lovers everywhere, because it let you wash and dry greens in one fell swoop. You just put water in it, put your greens in it, and whirled it. A gentle pull of the handle would almost spin the spinner away and the droplets would fly like a mini cyclone. A vintage tool that made salad prep a breeze. While most of us have since swapped it for a good ol’ colander, it’s hard to deny how charming it was.
Ice Cream Maker
Once, the ice cream maker was the star of summer fun, allowing families to make fun, cold treats at home. All you have to do is pour your mix into the machine and turn the crank until the magic happens. These days, we might just pick up a pint from the store, but there’s nothing quite like enjoying the fruits of your labor. Plus, there are flavors to personalize to your heart’s content! There is nothing better than homemade mint chocolate chip, right?
Spaghetti Measure
If you’ve ever found yourself with more than enough pasta, you know how hard it is to guess how much spaghetti to cook. Here was the spaghetti measure to save the day, enabling cooks to portion just the right amount. This simple tool has several holes of different sizes so it can accommodate different serving sizes. There’s never any leftovers unless you want there to be.
Kitchen Timer
Back in the days of before smartphones, the kitchen timer was the faithful sidekick for timing everything from baking to boiling. Its cheerful tick-tock kept cooks on their toes, and prevented burnt dinners. Most of us are so dependent on our phones now, but there’s something nice about putting a timer on and hearing it ring. However, just remember to give it a little shake to get back that old school charm!
Potato Masher
Unsung hero of home cooking, the potato masher made lumpy boiled potatoes smooth, creamy mashed potatoes. This tool, which is simple, was key to a great side dish. All you have to do is press down and twist and you’re on your way to buttery goodness. Today, we whip out the electric mixer, but there’s a certain satisfaction to using a classic masher and letting those potatoes really do their thing.
Can Opener
If you’re of the ’60s, you probably remember the manual can opener which looked like a tiny torture device. It was a tightly clamped thing that you had to twist the handle and pray would cut through without sending the lid flying. Most people have traded it in for electric models, which take the workout out of opening a can. You can still make do with a classic can opener, but there’s a certain charm to it. Place it securely on top of the can and twist gently so that you don’t end up having those awkward misfires.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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