12 Things Every Family Had in the Kitchen That Nobody Uses Now
These once-essential kitchen staples were everywhere. Now, they’re just collecting dust or lost to time.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Walk into any ’70s, ’80s, or ’90s kitchen, and you’d find a set of tools and gadgets that felt indispensable. Today, many of those items are long forgotten, replaced by modern appliances or changing tastes. Here’s a nostalgic look back at the kitchen mainstays every family had — and rarely use now.
1. Manual Can Opener With Crank Handle
Zephyris on Wikimedia Commons
Before electric openers and pull-tab cans, this was the kitchen MVP. It required arm strength and coordination and often left jagged edges. Every drawer had one, yet now, it’s buried under newer tools.
2. Popcorn Air Popper
Royalbroil on Wikimedia Commons
Before microwave bags dominated movie night, this machine blasted hot air through kernels like magic. It made a loud whirring sound and required butter to be melted separately.
3. Meat Grinder Clamp-On Attachment
R. Henrik Nilsson on Wikimedia Commons
Grinding your own hamburger or sausage was a weekend event. You’d attach this heavy contraption to the counter and crank away.
4. Tupperware Lettuce Crisper
Jef Wright on Unsplash
This oversized container had a ridged bottom and took up half the fridge shelf. It promised fresher greens for longer — but was usually home to forgotten leftovers.
5. Recipe Card Box
Ray on Flickr
Before Google and Pinterest, families passed down recipes on handwritten cards, lovingly stained by sauce and time. Flipping through the box felt like browsing a family archive.
6. Electric Carving Knife
Athol Mullen on Wikimedia Commons
Holiday meals weren’t official until this buzzing blade sliced the turkey or roast. It felt futuristic at the time, but it often tore more than it cut.
7. Wall-Mounted Phone With Extra-Long Cord
Rafael Cosquiere on Pexels
Though not technically a kitchen tool, this phone hung in the heart of the home. Its tangled cord stretched across the room during after-school chats.
8. Butter Dish With Lid
Didriks on Flickr
A countertop staple, this glass or plastic container kept butter soft and ready. It often matched the sugar bowl or had a floral print. Everyone knew not to microwave it — but someone always did.
9. Countertop Bread Box
PMATAS on Wikimedia Commons
It wasn’t just for looks — bread boxes were once used to keep loaves fresh and safe from ants. Metal or wood, they added bulk to every kitchen counter.
10. Fondue Set
Jeffery Simpson on Flickr
This was the ultimate dinner party flex in the ’70s and ’80s. Melted cheese or chocolate brought people together — along with skewers and candle burners.
11. Jell-O Mold Ring
flyheatherfly on Flickr
Suspending fruit or vegetables in Jell-O was once the pinnacle of culinary creativity. Every kitchen had a copper-colored mold hanging on the wall or stuffed in a cabinet.
12. Lazy Susan
troy. on Flickr
This spinning tray lived in the center of the table or deep inside a corner cabinet. It made condiments and spices more accessible — until clutter took over.