With prices ever rising and quality on a downward slide, many of us are turning to vintage kitchenware as a viable option to the latest offerings from the Pioneer Woman. It’s fun, affordable and in many cases more durable than its modern counterparts. For convenience the area malls are stocked with a wide selection of vintage wares, or try your luck at the summer yard sales and get yourself some bargains!
Colorful, kitschy and in many cases still usable, small kitchen appliances are growing in popularity. One of the easiest items to find is the Sunbeam “Mixmaster” mixer which is a common find at estate sales and thrift shops. Colors will run you from $30-$40 and basic white about half that. Also watch for toasters, blenders and electric knives and skillets. If you plan to use your vintage appliances, first have them checked by a professional to make certain the wiring is safe. Then, be prepared to allow more time to make dinner, as they will usually take more time to warm up and cook slower than their 2021 counterparts.
Whether your taste runs for the hand-painted pieces of Indiana’s Ransburg Pottery Company, the whimsy of the Merry Mushroom set from Sears and Roebucks, or the brushed aluminum MCM classics from Kromex, canisters and shakers are fun to collect and great space savers in the kitchen. Condition is the main consideration with aluminum sets. Be sure to check thoroughly for rust, dents and erosion. Full sets will have four pieces; Flour, Sugar, Coffee and Tea.
In 1916 Sunkist initiated their “Drink an Orange” campaign, and the glass reamer became a must for every American kitchen. The earliest reamers were clear with color appearing in 1922 from the Fry Glass Company. Pink, green, amber, and milk glass are popular colors as well as jadeite, Vaseline Glass, and Delfite. Reamers were produced through the 1960s and there is an abundance of them still floating around. Examples from Jeanette, Anchor Hocking, Pennsylvania, and McKee’s are out there for $3 and under.
Kitchem utensils with wooden handles of green or red are a moderately easy find. Watch for mashers, egg beaters, strainers, meat cutters, ice cream and sugar scoops, whisks, large serving spoons, potato peelers, and rolling pins. These are a favorite collectible of mine and, as such, I am very condition conscious. Many of these pieces will have paint missing on the handles and surface rust on the metal. If you are using yours for display only then a distressed/chippy look can be appealing. But if you are going to use them to prepare meals, you need to make sure there is no rust and the paint is intact.
Those of you who know me are probably aware of my reputation as a yard sale junkie. However, when the temperatures go into the 90’s I take my shopping indoors to the thrift shops. In most areas you will find stores operated by Goodwill, The Salvation Army, Disabled American Veterans, and a number of outlets sponsored by local churches and fraternal organizations. Their pricing is not as cheap as a yard sale, but will usually be around one-half of antique mall price. You will need to allow time to look through the shelves, but among the warped Tupperware and coffee mugs, I have found nesting bowls and casserole dishes, measuring cups, and baking dishes by Anchor Hocking and Fire King and on rare occasion there will be a piece of Pyrex!
While Etsy and eBay are full of vintage kitchenwares, I recommend hands-on shopping in this category of collectibles. Online prices tend to run high and any item that you might be considering for use in food prep should be inspected in person. Until next time . . . Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or lkennett@indy.rr.com
