If you thought your grandma’s kitchen was just full of old stuff, think again! Some of those quirky gadgets and gizmos from yesteryears are worth more than a fancy dinner. We’re diving into the world of 25 retro kitchen gadgets that are not just blasts from the past but also surprisingly worth a pretty penny today. Get ready to raid those old kitchen cabinets— who knows—you might find a hidden treasure amidst the Tupperware!
1. Vintage Corning Ware
Corning Ware was popular in the 1970s and 80s and included various casserole dishes, plates, and bowls. Today, particular designs are rare and can fetch a lot of money. For example, the ‘Blue Cornflower” design can sell several hundred to thousands depending on what piece—some are rarer than others. Several two-quart casserole dishes recently sold on eBay for over $1000 a piece.
2. Pyrex
The value of vintage Pyrex pieces, like the 1956 Pink Daisy or the 1983 Colonial Mist, can be significant for collectors. Patterns such as the 1957 Butterprint are valuable, potentially worth a few hundred dollars. The key to determining the value of these retro items lies in identifying their specific pattern and production year. Depending on their condition, individual pieces can fetch around $100, while entire collections might be valued up to $500
3. Cast Iron Skillets
Old, well-maintained cast iron skillets from brands like Griswold or Wagner. Griswold cast iron has been manufactured in the United States since 1907, and early pans in good condition can attract buyers willing to pay thousands. Someone recently scored a size 14 skillet on eBay for the bargain price of $3,499.
4. 1950s Stand Mixers
I always remember using Mom’s old mixer but being drawn to the shiny new things once I had my own home. Who knew it could have been worth something? Vintage KitchenAid mixers can earn you a few hundred dollars, but if you have a rarer one, you might get even more—like the person selling a rare copper one for $2683.00
5. Vintage Toaster
From Art Deco designs to Mid-Century Atomic, toasters from this era can get you several hundred dollars depending on their condition. Even those that don’t pop up could be worth something.
6. Enamel Cookware
Enamel cookware such as Le Creuset or Descoware is more than just a rustic feature at your potluck. A popular collector’s item is the Robert Markley Descoware casserole dish or Dutch oven that dates to the 1950s. Collectors can expect to pay around $200 per piece.
7. Manual Coffee Grinders
If you’ve ever tried to grind coffee in one of these manual grinders, you’ll realize it’s a nuisance. However, antique collectors love them and will pay several hundred dollars for one in good condition.
8. Ice-O-Mat Ice Crushers
These 1950s gadgets have a distinctive look and are collectible. While the name gives the impression that there’s possibly an automatic function, they are, in fact, manual. You place ice inside and turn a handle to crush it. They are a little item to add to your Mid-Century Atomic collection, though. They fetch between $50 and $100 approximately.
9. Vintage Soda Selzer Siphons
These things always make me think of old Bond films. You can just see 007 or a bartender making a drink with one of these and feel like you’ve stepped into another era. They’ve sold for up to $200 on eBay in the past year.
10. Vintage Electric Kettle
My mother had one of these. It was made of ceramic with a bakelite lid. Stand-alone electric kettles tend to be more prevalent for tea drinkers in Australia and the UK than in the US. The cons included that it didn’t turn itself off when it started boiling like modern devices and didn’t hold much water. However, if you’ve got one sitting in the cupboard, you can earn about $60.
11. Jadeite Dishes
With its distinctive milky green color, this unique glassware was a hit in the United States during the early to mid-20th century. It comes in various crockery and cooking dishes and can reach hundreds per piece. A small custard dish recently sold on eBay for $400. They were produced by the brands Fire-King and Anchor Hocking.
12. Copper Molds
Antique copper molds are highly valued among collectors for their distinct reddish-brown color and decorative appeal in kitchens. The molds’ value can be determined by their details and manufacturer names; for instance, those marked with names like Trottier and Benham and Froud can be worth over $500. A set of Victorian-era gelatin molds by Benham and Froud sold for $849 at auction.
13. Waffle Irons
If you happen to have an old cast iron waffle iron gathering dust in your storage, you could expect a few hundred dollars—especially if said waffle iron happens to be a hammered cast iron Griswold. If it also happens to have a pattern of five hearts in a circle, then you have something valued at over $500.
14. Vintage Bread Boxes
Vintage bread boxes from almost any historic era have a rustic charm to add to any kitchen. Some boxes are valued at several hundred dollars—especially if they’re in reasonable condition and are the old enamel type, wood, or metal. However, the bread box fetching the most dollars is an elaborate French Walnut Pannetiere, which you’ll often find listed for thousands.
15. Antique Meat Grinders
If you didn’t know better, you’d think this was something that belonged in Grandpa’s toolshed rather than the kitchen. The device clamps to a bench and has a funnel on top for feeding meat. You then turn a handle, and it produces ground meat. It can also be used for other foods like nuts. These were kitchen staples until the rise of large grocery stores. Depending on the era, they vary in style but range in value from $20 to $300.
16. Kitchen Scales
The majority of vintage kitchen scales might earn you between $30 and $50, depending on their condition. However, if you have some Vintage English scales, you will possibly get a few hundred dollars. Popular brands were Libra, Viktor, and Boots. These scales are usually the type with two dishes, made of metal, and sometimes come complete with counter-weights.
17. Vintage Cookie Cutters
What might seem like such a simple item and is possibly in the back of a drawer somewhere could earn a few dollars. While some vintage sets will fetch around 80 or 90 dollars, rare items are worth much more. For example, the Wilton Comfort Grip Cookie Cutter Seashell recently sold for $129.99 on eBay for its scarcity.
18. Old-School Blenders
A good modern blender might set you back a few hundred dollars. If you inherited an old one and were thinking of giving it to Goodwill, maybe give it another look. It could earn you between $50 and $800—especially if it’s an Oster brand, aka Osterizer Blender. The company started producing these electric blenders in 1946, and they’re still around today.
19. Salt and Pepper Shakers
That old inherited silverware salt and pepper shaker set that’s gone black with tarnish in the bottom of your cupboards could be worth thousands. Novelty animal-shaped shakers that date back to the early 20th century have sold for this amount on eBay. The other popular item is the Buccellati brand, which looks like two flowers on stems. One of these recently sold for $2,800.
20. Vintage Tea Kettles
From ordinary cast iron Victorian tea kettles to ornate silver or ordinary enamel from the early and mid-twentieth century, collectors are on the lookout and willing to pay. Antiques site Charish is selling an antique copper and brass Duparquet Kettle between 1916 and 1936 for the tiny sum of $3279.
21. Retro Refrigerators
Does your grandpa have an old fridge that he stores beer in? If it has that old 50s-style rounded look, there’s a possibility that cold storage could get several thousand dollars. Antique Appliances.com lists plenty of old refrigerators that are unrestored. For $6,800, you can get a 1955 Westinghouse or a 1949 Frigidaire for $4,800.
22. Canister Sets
Have you ever seen these mid-century plastic canisters that come in non-matching pastel shades? That was a popular look on various glassware, crockery, and kitchenware in the 50s and 60s. My mother had several things like this that she was gifted at her wedding, and I wish I’d kept them! Not for the fact that they could have earned me several hundred dollars but for the nostalgia. A mushroom-themed 1978 canister set on eBay sold for $800, and a set in jadeite sold for $2500.
23. Cake Molds
Cake pans come in various styles and materials today, from metal to silicone. Back in the day, they were all metal and came in various shapes—some more elaborate than others. If you have a baker in the house, chances are you have a collection of inherited and bought cake pans. Some of them could be worth a little money. If you happen to find a Wilton cake or bunt pan, you might make a spare $100 for each item on eBay.
24. Ovens and Stoves
Much like retro refrigerators, antique ovens and stoves are also valuable collector’s items. Electric stoves were first patented in the late 19th century but were considered too expensive for most homes until at least the 1930s. While that might be the case, I can’t imagine that the person who first purchased a 1921 Hotpoint-Hughes Electric Range paid the current asking price of $18,000. Most ovens and stoves from the 40s and 50s will fetch approximately $5,000 to $9,000.
Ree Winter, an Australian journalist now based in New Orleans, combines her love for solo travel with a sharp eye for great flight and accommodation deals. She eagerly shares her travel insights with her audience, drawing from her rich experiences. Ree holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and History. Her fascination with history is evident in her stint as a tour guide at historic house museums, showcasing her knowledge of architectural history. Beyond journalism and history, Ree has a unique flair for coffee culture. As a barista, she’s operated a coffee van at various events and markets, showcasing her skill in coffee preparation.