History Kitchen Gadgets

[Anna Elizabeth Henry]

A kitchen whether from a bygone era or from modern times was always chock full of gadgets. The latest and most helpful pot, pan, utensil or appliance was always sought after by cooks looking to make their tasks simpler or more efficient. Think about all the bizarre gadgets available in stores today like an avocado slicer to something as simple as the toasting fork from the 17th century. While many of the basic implements haven't changed drastically, some have improved immeasurably. Toaster anyone?

Many common kitchen items were invented in the Middle Ages. Slotted spoons rose in popularity along with frying pans, pepper mills, tongs, rolling pins and even the grater came into wide use. The most dramatic expansion in kitchen utensils occurred in the 19th century. Most notably great time savers like the potato peeler, apple corer, can opener and the corkscrew were invented (I'm curious how one opened a bottle of wine sans corkscrew?).

Since we have so many fine cooks on the Forum, does anyone have a collection of antique kitchen gadgets - perhaps even just one? A treasured rolling pin handed down? What kitchen gadget could you imagine not having today that maybe your great-grandmother did without?

 

[mofederal]

Steel cooking barbecue grill that rolls. The old ones were different than the ones made today. Can use pellets or other type of fuels.

 

[donna]

I have my Granny's Bundt pans. She used them for her fruitcakes. Also have her old rolling pin. It was carved by her father, my great grandfather. I have her old egg basket. She used it to collect eggs.

Also have many cooking pots and pans, and kitchen tools that were my Mom's that she got from her Mom.

I love old kitchen gadgets and pots and pans. Have many others I have collected. Just named a few.

 

[donna]

Anna Elizabeth, this is a great thread. Thanks for posting.

 

[Anna Elizabeth Henry]

I have a bunch of retro cookbooks. As to actual gadgets and things - I have my grandmother's rolling pin, her hand potato masher, the old time egg beater/mixer (you know the one with the crank & whisks that spin), a sliver tea strainer, a hand juicer, a hand crank nut grinder and a vintage Brown Betty tea pot. We won't go into my collection of vintage tea cups and things

 

[donna]

I presumed many of you knew I had the vintage cookbooks. Just didn't mention them.

 

[mofederal]

I maybe have a pan, Revere ware from the around 1960 or so from my mom. Nothing else survived because of fire and flood.

 

[donna]

With question on pots and pans, thought bring this older thread up. Love the picture with all the kitchen equipment of the time.