Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Vintage Kitchen Gadgetry

A recent estate sale netted me this lovely kitchen gadget.



Although I have a nice vintage white enamel colander, I love this gadget that you position on the edge of a pot. This allows you to drain the liquid, keeping the food in the pan.

Here's another gadget in my kitchen.



It's a very inexpensive mandoline that the Other Mother has owned forever. She probably paid under $5 for it and until recently it was stored in the original box. There are no bells and whistles on this model but I'll guarantee you that blade is razor sharp. Don't ask how I know this.

I quick check at the dreamy high-end kitchen shop reveals that the Mercedes of Mandolines is $169.95! I certainly don't have that kind of coin but honestly I prefer the old school basic tools.

Here's a favorite item that resides in my gadget drawer.



The Farmer made these salad tongs in 8th shop class. This was back before middle school were created, back in prehistoric days.

Occasionally I'll run a gadget that is a mystery to me. I'm left standing in the yard sale asking myself, "What in the heck is this for?"

How about you? Are you high tech or old school when it comes to kitchen gadgets?

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm middle of the road... love the new knives out there on the market, but prefer an old turn and crank can opener.. you know, the .99 cent ones. Sometimes old is better. Less parts to break ya know.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Lisa said...

Personally, I love kitchen gadgets of all kinds. I share this love with my mother. So many of the new kitchen gadgets I own are from her. When she finds something she really likes she will usually get one for me. Isn't that sweet? She feeds the monster. I love all things vintage. So vintage kitchen gadgets are doubly wonderful.

Rebecca said...

I buy and get as gifts kitchen gadgets. Some like the wooden spoon I love cost very little. Others like the hot chocolate pot are a bit pricey.
The chocolate pot makes the best cup of cocoa. I am glad I made that splurge.

Vee said...

Old school. Definitely. I'd rather have a well made tool from 1905 than anything that today has to offer. I use a hand crank can opener, which is great, but I'd really love to find an old Swing-a-way like my grandmothers both had. Those tongs that The Farmer made are wonderful! I have a cheap pair of plastic thingys...ugh.

martina said...

Old school. I once found a small axe type gadget at the thrift shop with "To Henry" written on it. It had a wood handle and the axe type things were stainless appearing. I took it up to the register and the clerk (coincidentally named Henry) laughed really hard.Said it wasn't his and gave it to me for free. A chef told me it was a jacquarding tool. Basically a meat tenderizer.

PamKittyMorning said...

The farmer and I might be the same age, I made a pair of those in the 8th grade too, JUNIOR HIGH!!! My mom probably has them.

bv said...

old school! i like simple, looooow tech everything. my kitchen is pretty tidy 'cuz i just have a few things that work for me. don't get me wrong, i love to cook. i think chopping is kind of like valium so don't give me a kitchen aid!
bv

Bella Della said...

I love old kitchen gadgets! LOVE. Utensils too. Just this weekend at a yardsale I found an old green plastic tupperware made icecream scoop. Heaven. The lady gave it to me for free.

arlene said...

With the exception of my Kitchenaid mixer, I love the old classics. Those salad tossers are wonderful! I have 3 hand-carved butter ladles (used to finish the butter making process) from hubby's side of the family. Haven't used them yet, but someday I will!

Anonymous said...

Those salad tongs are the best- if
the farmer would reproduce these!!??

LIBERTY POST EDITOR said...

I love old gadgets. I have started to collect egg-beaters (hand mixer). I have 3. I love your hubby's salad tongs. They are brilliant. You'd pay a fortune for those today in a boutique.

cakegirl said...

I have the same pot drainer in my kitchen and use it all the time. I never thought of it as an vintage. Does that make me vintage?!!!

Sadie said...

new or old, I love ALL kitchen gadgets!

I'm a equal opportunity kitchen stuff lover kinda gal :)

Old popcorn poppers are a favorite!

Heather said...

I love magazine articles where they'll take obscure kitchen gadgets and turn them into amazing things you'd never think of like utensil holders or napkin rings.

Cottage Rose said...

Hey Suzanne; How wonderful that you have the salad set that your hubby made,,,, he did a great job... I love the old school, to me they seem to be made better and last longer...
You have some great gadgets...

Hugs;
Alaura

Laura said...

I think in a former life I worked in a kitchen! I llove kitchen gadgets.

I was on a quest a while back for really long metal spatulas. Paula Deen had one on one of her shows (I am not always a fan but I zoned in on that spatula).
Oh the thrill of the hunt!

Laura

Anonymous said...

I have a mandoline that is exactly like yours that was my grandmothers. I love it! I like simple things that work well.

Cindy in Tennessee

Rue said...

Good morning Suzanne :)

I'm busy catching up with you this morning and I wanted to answer this... I don't own a lot of gadgets. I don't even own a real Cuisinart! I have a mini one. I also have a kitchen aid mixer circa 1980 something that my mom used and it still works just as well as it always has. Why spend 350 bucks for a new one just because it looks a little older, right? ;)

rue