Cooking has come a long way, and so have the tools we use in the kitchen. From gadgets that once felt futuristic to quirky contraptions now collecting dust, these items tell a story of changing tastes, technologies, and daily routines. Some of them were considered groundbreaking in their time, making meal prep faster, fancier, or just more fun. Today, they’re more likely to spark nostalgia than get regular use. Take a stroll down culinary memory lane with these 30 old kitchen gadgets that reveal just how much cooking has evolved over the years.
Rolling Egg Slicer
This tool, often made with taut wires, sliced hard-boiled eggs into even rounds for salads or sandwiches. It delivered clean, uniform slices but was tricky to clean and prone to breaking. Over time, many found it just as easy to use a knife for this task. The egg slicer’s limited function and fragile build didn’t help its case. While you can still find them in stores, their presence in kitchens has diminished. Most cooks have opted for more durable, multi-use gadgets. It’s now more nostalgic than essential.
Pie Bird
A pie bird, also known as a pie funnel, was placed in the center of a fruit pie to vent steam and prevent soggy crusts. Often shaped like a tiny ceramic bird, it was both functional and decorative. In today’s baking, simple slits in the crust usually suffice for steam release. As ovens became more consistent and baking techniques evolved, the pie bird lost its essential role. Now, it’s more of a collector’s item or quaint tradition. You might see one in a farmhouse-style kitchen or gift shop. But in most homes, it’s an old-fashioned oddity.
Mouli Grater
This handheld rotary grater, typically used for cheese or nuts, was popular before the rise of microplanes and electric shredders. You’d place your ingredient in the hopper, turn the handle, and watch finely grated bits fall out. While it worked well, it had many parts that were hard to clean and could rust over time. As sleeker, easier-to-use tools entered the market, the Mouli lost favor. Modern graters are dishwasher-safe and less clunky. The Mouli still has fans in vintage circles but is rarely found in new kitchens. It’s another example of a once-ingenious tool outpaced by better design.
Hot Dog Toaster
This novelty appliance toasted buns and cooked hot dogs at the same time—right on the countertop. Popular in the early 2000s, it promised a fast, fun way to make a classic American snack. However, it lacked versatility and often delivered inconsistent results. Many users found it hard to clean and not worth the counter space. As a result, the hot dog toaster became more of a gag gift than a serious cooking tool. Today, most people just use a pan or grill for better results. It’s now a kitschy curiosity rather than a real time-saver.
Soda Siphon
The soda siphon was a once-popular tool for making carbonated water or soda at home. It consisted of a metal canister filled with water and a CO2 cartridge, which would carbonate the liquid. Before store-bought sodas became ubiquitous, this tool allowed home cooks to create their own fizzy drinks. The siphon was somewhat cumbersome to clean, and the pressurized CO2 cartridges were an added cost. The invention of mass-produced carbonated beverages has left the soda siphon largely obsolete. While still used by some high-end bartenders and home mixologists, it’s more of a novelty than a necessity. The siphon remains an iconic relic of a time when fizzy drinks were a homemade treat.
Salad Spinner
The salad spinner was once the go-to device for washing and drying leafy greens. It consisted of a basket that spun in a bowl, using centrifugal force to remove excess water from lettuce and herbs. Though still in use in some kitchens, it has been largely replaced by simpler methods like towel-drying or using more efficient drying cloths. The bulky nature of the salad spinner made it cumbersome to store, and the spinning motion could be more trouble than it was worth. Modern tools like salad-drying towels and faster drying methods have reduced the need for this once-essential tool. However, it’s still a staple in some households for those who prefer the old way. For many, it’s a classic tool, even if it’s rarely used. The salad spinner has become a nostalgic kitchen item, reminding people of simpler times in the kitchen.
Handheld Cherry Pitter
Designed to pit cherries one at a time, this gadget was useful but incredibly slow for large batches. Though effective, it was time-consuming and often messy. As pre-pitted cherries and better tools became available, the single-use cherry pitter faded from popularity. Some still use them for baking or canning, but most opt for knives or upgraded multi-cherry pitters. Their decline is a result of evolving priorities: fewer tools and faster prep. They’re now often tucked away until cherry season—if remembered at all. It’s a symbol of a time when people had more patience in the kitchen.
Food Mill
The food mill was a go-to tool for making purees, mashed potatoes, and sauces before the advent of blenders and food processors. It consisted of a hand-crank system with interchangeable discs to filter out skins and seeds. While it gave a smooth, artisanal texture to food, the process was slow and required significant effort. Modern blenders accomplish similar tasks in seconds with less cleanup and more consistency. Because of this, food mills have largely vanished from everyday kitchens. Still, some chefs use them for ultra-smooth textures or in traditional recipes. It remains a specialized tool used mostly by enthusiasts and professionals.
Electric Knife
The electric knife was once a cutting-edge kitchen tool designed to make slicing through meats and bread a breeze. With a motorized mechanism, it would quickly glide through tough cuts of meat or crusty loaves of bread. Although it was highly efficient, the electric knife was bulky and required an electrical outlet to operate, making it less portable than traditional knives. As modern knives have become sharper and more versatile, the electric knife has been relegated to the back of many drawers. However, some still appreciate the ease it offers for certain tasks, like carving a Thanksgiving turkey. Though it’s no longer a must-have, it remains a symbol of 1970s kitchen innovation. Electric knives are now seen as a novelty or collector’s item, a reminder of an era when motorized gadgets were all the rage.
Grease Keeper
Once a fixture near the stovetop, the grease keeper was used to save leftover cooking fat—especially bacon grease—for reuse in frying and seasoning. It usually had a strainer on top and a small lid to store the grease safely. In a time when nothing was wasted, this tool made practical sense. Today, health-conscious eating habits and disposable cooking oil culture have made it largely unnecessary. While some southern cooks and old-school home chefs still keep one, it’s no longer a kitchen essential. Grease keepers are now often viewed as quirky or retro. They represent a thrifty era when every drop of flavor was saved and reused.
Jell-O Mold
During the mid-20th century, elaborate gelatin salads were all the rage, and Jell-O molds came in countless shapes and sizes. These molds helped create layered, decorative gelatin dishes often filled with fruit, nuts, or even vegetables. While they made a bold presentation, the trend faded as tastes shifted away from jiggly salads. Jell-O molds became synonymous with kitschy or outdated potluck fare. Today, they’re more likely to be found in thrift stores than active kitchens. Some bakers repurpose them for cakes or ice cream molds, giving them a second life. Still, their primary role in the culinary spotlight has long since passed.
Toast Rack
A staple of formal breakfasts, especially in British households, the toast rack was designed to keep slices of toast upright and crisp. The idea was to prevent sogginess from steam by allowing airflow around each slice. While elegant, it’s become a nearly extinct item in most homes, replaced by the convenience of stacking toast on a plate. Most people now eat toast quickly enough that sogginess isn’t a major issue. The toast rack’s fussy nature simply doesn’t match today’s casual eating habits. Still, it remains a charming and whimsical accessory for traditional breakfast tables. More often than not, it’s now used for decorative or novelty purposes.
Corn Cob Holders
These tiny pronged tools were designed to be inserted into the ends of corn on the cob for easier handling while eating. They allowed eaters to avoid buttery, hot fingers and improved grip. While still sold in some kitchen sets, they’re far less common than they used to be. Many people simply use their hands or cut corn off the cob for ease. These tools now feel a bit gimmicky, with many left forgotten in the back of kitchen drawers. They’re often remembered fondly from childhood barbecues or county fair meals. But in today’s minimalist kitchens, they’ve largely disappeared.
Bread Box
Before preservatives became common in store-bought bread, the bread box was essential for keeping loaves fresh. These boxes provided a dark, dry environment that helped delay mold and staleness. Today’s sealed packaging and refrigeration options have made the bread box less necessary. While some still appreciate the charm and slight freshness advantage they offer, they’re no longer kitchen staples. Now, bread boxes are more of a vintage décor item than a practical tool. They’re often chosen for their aesthetic appeal rather than utility. Yet they remind us of a time when fresh-baked loaves were a daily norm.
Nutcracker & Pick Sets
These elaborate tools were used to crack open hard shells of nuts like walnuts or pecans and pick out the meat inside. Often brought out during holiday seasons, these sets were once a sign of a well-stocked kitchen. But with shelled nuts now widely available and affordable, these tools have fallen out of favor. The cracking process was messy and time-consuming, and many people simply stopped bothering. Nutcracker sets are now mostly seen as decorative holiday items. Occasionally, they’re still used for nostalgia or as part of family traditions. But for everyday use, they’ve gone out of fashion.
Coffee Percolator
Before drip machines and single-serve pods, the percolator was the reigning king of home-brewed coffee. It worked by cycling boiling water through coffee grounds repeatedly, creating a strong (often bitter) brew. Though beloved for its rich aroma and satisfying gurgle, the taste was often over-extracted compared to modern brewing methods. Drip coffee makers, French presses, and pour-over systems eventually replaced percolators due to better flavor control and convenience. Today, percolators are mostly used for camping or as nostalgic kitchenware. Some aficionados still prefer the bold taste it provides. But for most, it’s a relic of coffee’s past.
Melon Baller
This tiny scoop was once a favorite for creating perfect spheres of melon or soft fruit for salads and garnishes. Popular in the 1950s through the 1980s, it was seen as a tool of sophistication for entertaining. However, it had limited use and often ended up forgotten in kitchen drawers. Today, people rarely go to such lengths for presentation in everyday meals. Simpler tools like knives or even cookie scoops now fill the same roles with greater versatility. Though still available, melon ballers are largely seen as fussy and outdated. They’re now more novelty than necessity.
Ceramic Garlic Keeper
Before widespread refrigeration and vacuum-sealed garlic packaging, ceramic garlic keepers helped extend the shelf life of fresh garlic. These ventilated containers allowed airflow to prevent spoilage and mold. While functional and sometimes beautifully crafted, modern garlic packaging and quicker consumption rates have made them less useful. Many people now store garlic in the fridge or buy pre-minced options. Ceramic garlic keepers are still available, but they’re more of a rustic décor piece today. For those who grow their own garlic, they may still hold practical value. But for most, they’ve become a quaint reminder of older kitchen habits.
Asparagus Steamer
Specifically designed to steam asparagus upright, these tall, narrow pots kept the tender tips above the water line while the stalks cooked. While effective, the tool was single-purpose and took up a lot of space. As multi-purpose steamers and microwave steaming bags became available, this niche item fell out of favor. Most home cooks now prefer faster, less cumbersome ways to prepare vegetables. The asparagus steamer is a prime example of a gadget that was overly specialized. Though still admired by perfectionists, it’s no longer considered essential. It’s mostly remembered as an elegant yet impractical piece of cookware.
Cake Tester Needle
This long metal pin was used to check if cakes were fully baked by inserting it into the center to see if it came out clean. It served a very specific function and was once a staple in baking drawers. Today, toothpicks, skewers, or even knife tips serve the same purpose without requiring a specialized tool. As baking methods became more efficient and ovens more reliable, the cake tester lost its appeal. While it’s still used by some dedicated bakers, it’s mostly a forgotten item. Often, it’s only seen in vintage kitchen sets. The cake tester is a reminder of a time when baking felt more like a science experiment.
Jelly Strainer Stand
Used primarily for making homemade jellies and jams, this stand held a cloth or mesh bag to strain fruit juice from pulp. In the days when home canning was more common, it was a crucial part of the process. However, with fewer people making preserves at home and modern alternatives like fine-mesh sieves and cheesecloth, the jelly strainer has become obsolete. The stand itself was bulky and awkward to store. Today, most people use quicker, more compact tools for small-batch jam making. It’s mostly seen in historical kitchens or used by serious hobbyists. For the average cook, it’s a charming but unnecessary artifact.
Manual Ice Crusher
Before the widespread availability of crushed ice from refrigerators and portable ice machines, manual ice crushers were a summer must-have. These crank-operated gadgets let you crush ice for cocktails or desserts at home. However, they were labor-intensive, messy, and often resulted in uneven ice chunks. As refrigerators began offering built-in ice-crushing functions, these tools quickly fell out of fashion. Though still used in some retro bars or camping setups, they’ve largely disappeared from everyday kitchens. For many, they evoke memories of old-school parties and summer gatherings. Now, they’re more nostalgic than practical.
Ceramic Spoon Rest
Once found beside nearly every stovetop, ceramic spoon rests were designed to hold cooking utensils mid-use. They prevented messes and added a decorative touch. But over time, people began to favor simpler solutions like paper towels or silicone mats that are easier to clean and store. Spoon rests now seem like unnecessary clutter in minimalist kitchens. While still found in some homes for aesthetic reasons, their practical use has declined. Many cooks simply use a plate or wipe surfaces afterward. As a result, the ceramic spoon rest has quietly faded into the background.
Food Tongs with Vinyl Tips
These colorful kitchen tongs were once all the rage for serving and turning foods without scratching nonstick pans. While the vinyl tips were non-abrasive, they tended to degrade over time and melt if exposed to too much heat. Modern silicone-tipped or stainless steel tongs have largely replaced them due to superior durability and heat resistance. The older vinyl-tipped versions are now more associated with thrift stores or grandma’s kitchen. Their limitations in longevity and cleanliness led to their downfall. They’re now considered more of a kitchen relic than a reliable tool.
Glass Juicer
The glass citrus juicer, with its reamer-style top and built-in dish to catch juice, was once standard in most households. Though it offered a nostalgic, hands-on way to squeeze lemons and oranges, electric juicers and more efficient handheld squeezers have taken its place. The glass model required more effort and was prone to chipping or breaking. Its fragility and the rise of better options led to its decline. Still, many people treasure vintage glass juicers for their design and charm. Today, they’re more likely to be decorative items than practical tools. Their legacy lives on as a symbol of simpler times in the kitchen.
Turkey Lacer Set
These tiny skewers and cotton twine were used to hold a stuffed turkey together during roasting. Once considered essential for holiday cooking, they’ve been replaced by heat-safe silicone bands or roasting nets. The original lacer kits were fiddly and sometimes difficult to use, especially when working with a hot bird. With fewer people stuffing turkeys now and easier tools available, they’ve become mostly obsolete. Some traditionalists still use them out of habit or ritual. But in most kitchens, they’ve gone the way of the carving fork. They’re a final reminder of how far even seasonal cooking has evolved.
Handheld Nutmeg Grater
Back when freshly grated nutmeg was a common finishing touch in recipes, this small metal tool was a must-have. It let home cooks grate just a touch of spice for custards, pies, or mulled drinks. But over time, pre-ground nutmeg became far more accessible and practical. The grater’s single use and tiny size also made it easy to lose or forget. Though fresh spice purists still swear by it, most modern kitchens rely on pre-packaged options. The handheld nutmeg grater is now more of a specialty tool for gourmet enthusiasts. Its role has shrunk along with the time people devote to scratch cooking.
Can Opener with a Hand Crank
Before the advent of modern electric can openers, the manual hand-crank can opener was a must-have kitchen tool. While functional, it was cumbersome and often tricky to use, especially for people with limited hand strength. The mechanism involved turning a crank to puncture the lid and slowly cutting around the can’s edge. Electric can openers, now commonplace, have replaced this tool, making the manual version a relic. Despite its outdated nature, the hand-crank can opener is still fondly remembered for its simplicity and reliability. People who lived through the era often recall using this device as a part of their daily kitchen routine. Today, it’s a nostalgic item or an antique piece for those who appreciate the past.
Pie Weights
Pie weights were once essential for blind baking, especially for pastry crusts that needed to be pre-baked before filling. These heavy ceramic or metal balls were placed inside the crust to prevent it from puffing up during baking. Although they worked, they were a bit of a hassle to manage, and they required cleaning after each use. Modern-day alternatives, like parchment paper and rice or beans, have made pie weights less necessary. Some bakers still swear by them for perfect crusts, but many have embraced simpler methods for their ease and convenience. Pie weights are now seen as a tool of the past, relegated to specialty baking stores or vintage kitchen collections. They remain a charming reminder of classic baking techniques.
Fondue Sets
Fondue sets, once the star of dinner parties, have become less common as dining preferences have evolved. These sets typically consisted of a pot heated by a candle or small flame, used for melting cheese or chocolate for dipping. While fondue was a trendy and social dining experience, it’s fallen out of favor as people have moved on to faster, less involved meals. The set’s elaborate nature and the difficulty in maintaining the right temperature made it impractical for many home cooks. However, fondue enthusiasts continue to use these sets for special occasions, keeping the tradition alive. For many, fondue is a fun retro throwback that brings a sense of communal dining to the table. Despite its outdated reputation, a fondue set can still be a unique and enjoyable addition to a dinner party. It’s an example of how some tools, while no longer mainstream, still hold a special place in our hearts.