16 Things Every Kitchen Used Daily in the 1960s That Disappeared

Kitchens in the 1960s were filled with tools and habits that feel almost unfamiliar today. Many of these items were used daily, shaping how meals were prepared, stored, and served. Over time, convenience, technology, and changing lifestyles replaced them with faster or more efficient alternatives. Some vanished completely, while others linger as nostalgic reminders in vintage collections or family homes. This list highlights sixteen kitchen staples that once defined everyday cooking but have gradually disappeared, offering a glimpse into how much the modern kitchen has changed without most people even noticing.

1. The Electric Carving Knife

No Sunday roast or Thanksgiving turkey was complete without the rhythmic buzzing of the electric carving knife. Introduced as a high-tech solution to the struggle of slicing meat, this gadget featured two serrated blades that moved back and forth rapidly. It was often a prized wedding gift, kept in its own velvet-lined case. While it promised perfectly uniform slices, the device was notoriously loud and somewhat difficult to clean. As modern home cooks moved toward artisanal, hand-forged knives and sharpened steel, the motorized carver lost its luster. Today, most of these buzzing relics are found at garage sales, replaced by the simplicity and precision of a well-maintained chef’s knife.

2. Copper Jello Molds

Wall decor in the ’60s often doubled as cookware, and nothing exemplified this better than copper Jello molds. These ornate tins came in shapes ranging from pineapples to elaborate crowns. They were used to create the shimmering, wobbly centerpieces that defined mid-century dinner parties. Whether filled with fruit, marshmallows, or even savory tuna salad, the molded gelatin was a status symbol of a “modern” hostess. As tastes shifted away from processed gelatin and toward fresh ingredients, these molds migrated from the refrigerator to the wall as decorations, before eventually disappearing altogether. Modern kitchens rarely have the pantry space for such specialized, single-use items, opting instead for versatile silicone bakeware.

3. The Sano-Check Trash Compactor

Before recycling programs became the norm, the solution to household waste was to simply crush it. The trash compactor was a heavy, noisy under-counter appliance that used a hydraulic press to turn a week’s worth of garbage into a dense, heavy cube. It was marketed as a miracle of efficiency that reduced the number of curb trips. However, these machines were prone to mechanical failure and often emitted odors that no built-in deodorizer could eliminate. With the rise of environmental consciousness and the separation of plastic, paper, and glass, the brute force of the compactor became obsolete. Most modern homeowners prefer pull-out recycling bins over a mechanical trash crusher.

4. Avocado Green Canister Sets

If a kitchen didn’t feature the iconic shade of Avocado Green in 1965, it was behind the times. This earthy hue dominated everything from refrigerators to the ubiquitous four-piece canister sets that sat on every countertop. Usually made of tin or heavy plastic, these bins were labeled for flour, sugar, coffee, and tea. They were the focal point of the kitchen, coordinating perfectly with the harvest-gold curtains and wood-paneled walls. As the 1970s ended, the color palette of American homes shifted toward whites and stainless steel. The bulky, colorful canisters that once held the staples for every homemade cake were tucked away in basements, replaced by minimalist glass jars or hidden in pantry storage.

5. Percolator Coffee Pots

Long before the era of espresso pods and cold brew, the soundtrack of the morning was the rhythmic “perk-perk-perk” of the stovetop percolator. This device worked by continually cycling boiling water through coffee grounds, creating a house-filling aroma and a very hot, very strong cup of joe. While the process was mesmerizing to watch through the glass knob on the lid, it often resulted in over-extracted, bitter coffee. When the automatic drip coffeemaker arrived on the scene in the early seventies, the percolator was quickly abandoned in favor of its faster, more consistent rival. Today, while some campers still use them, the stovetop percolator has largely vanished from the daily American breakfast routine.

6. Hand-Crank Sifters

Baking in the 1960s was an athletic event, often involving the heavy-duty hand-crank sifter. To ensure a light, airy cake, a homemaker had to manually crank a wire handle to force flour through a fine-mesh screen. It was a tedious task that left a fine dusting of white powder over the entire counter. Modern milling processes have made flour much finer than it was decades ago, rendering the constant need for sifting nearly unnecessary for the average cook. Most contemporary recipes simply call for whisking the dry ingredients together. The sturdy, tin sifter has mostly become a decorative antique rather than a functional tool in the modern baker’s arsenal.

7. Built-In Bread Drawers

Many mid-century kitchen cabinets featured a specialized drawer lined with tin or stainless steel, designed specifically to keep loaves of bread fresh. This built-in bread box saved counter space and protected the bread from pests. It was a clever piece of integrated design that felt sophisticated and organized. However, as kitchen layouts became more standardized and homeowners began to prefer modular storage, the built-in metal drawer fell out of fashion. Furthermore, the shift toward refrigerating bread or buying it in smaller, plastic-wrapped quantities made the tin-lined drawer a redundant feature. Today, you are more likely to find a “junk drawer” where the bread drawer used to be.

8. The Countertop Broiler

Before the microwave oven revolutionized quick cooking, the countertop broiler was the king of the kitchen. This small, boxy appliance was essentially a high-heat heating element in a metal shell, perfect for making tuna melts or browning the tops of casseroles. It was the precursor to the modern toaster oven but far less versatile, usually only offering one temperature: searing hot. These units were notorious for heating the entire kitchen and being a bit of a fire hazard if left unattended. Once the microwave provided a faster, safer way to heat snacks, the specialized countertop broiler disappeared, leaving only the “broil” setting on the standard oven as a reminder of its existence.

9. Soda Siphons

Entertaining in the sixties often involved a touch of theatricality, and the soda siphon was the star of the home bar. These elegant glass or metal bottles used CO2 cartridges to carbonate water on demand, providing a fresh spritz for cocktails like the Tom Collins or a Scotch and soda. They were heavy, stylish, and made the host feel like a professional bartender. As pre-packaged club soda and liter bottles of sparkling water became cheap and widely available at every grocery store, the ritual of charging a siphon became a lost art. While a few enthusiasts still keep them for aesthetic reasons, the daily convenience of canned carbonation has rendered them mostly obsolete.

10. Patterned Vinyl Tablecloths

In a decade focused on easy cleanup and synthetic materials, the vinyl tablecloth was a kitchen essential. Often featuring bright floral prints or “kitchen-themed” patterns like roosters and coffee cups, these cloths protected the wooden table from the spills of a busy family. They were “wipe-clean” wonders that required no laundering. While practical, they also had a distinct plastic scent and tended to crack over time. Modern interior design has largely moved toward natural fibers like linen or cotton, or simply leaving the dining table bare to show off the wood or stone. The shiny, sticky surface of the 1960s vinyl cloth is now a rare sight outside of retro-themed diners.

11. The “Silent Butler”

The “Silent Butler” was a small, handheld lidded pan, often made of silver or brass, used to collect crumbs and ash from the dining table. It was a staple of formal 1960s etiquette, allowing the hostess to tidy up between courses without making a mess. In an era when many people smoked at the dinner table, it was also used to discreetly empty ashtrays. As formal multi-course dining at home declined and smoking became less socially acceptable indoors, the need for a dedicated crumb collector vanished. Most modern families find that a quick swipe with a damp cloth or a paper towel does the job just as well, leaving the Silent Butler to gather dust in antique shops.

12. Electric Ice Crushers

If you wanted a frozen daiquiri or a fancy shrimp cocktail in the 1960s, you needed an electric ice crusher. This was a dedicated, bulky appliance that sat on the counter and pulverized ice cubes into fine snow. It was loud enough to wake the neighbors, but it was considered a must-have for the “modern” home bar. Eventually, refrigerator manufacturers began incorporating ice makers and crushers directly into the freezer door, making the standalone electric crusher redundant. Today, the space once occupied by this specialized motor is more likely to hold a high-powered blender that can handle ice and 10 other functions. The single-purpose ice crusher has been frozen out of the modern kitchen.

13. Tupperware “Pick-A-Deli” Containers

The 1960s were the golden age of Tupperware parties, and every pantry had a “Pick-A-Deli” container. This tall, square plastic bin featured a clever internal elevator that allowed the user to lift pickles or maraschino cherries out of their brine without getting their fingers wet. It was a triumph of plastic engineering that solved a very specific problem. While highly functional, these containers took up significant vertical space in the refrigerator. Over time, as food packaging improved and consumers shifted toward buying smaller quantities, the need for a dedicated “pickle elevator” diminished. While Tupperware still exists, the specific Pick-A-Deli silhouette has largely disappeared from the average modern refrigerator shelf.

14. Potato Ricers

Achieving the perfect, lump-free mashed potato in the 1960s often required the use of a ricer. This heavy metal tool worked like a giant garlic press, forcing cooked potatoes through tiny holes to create “rice-like” strands that could then be whipped with butter and cream. It was the secret to the silky textures found in mid-century cookbooks. However, the tool was difficult to squeeze and even harder to clean. With the introduction of instant mashed potato flakes and the increased popularity of “rustic” mashed potatoes that embrace a few lumps, the ricer fell out of daily use. While some gourmet chefs still swear by them, the average home cook has swapped the ricer for a simple hand masher.

15. Matchbox Holders

In the days when gas stoves required a manual light or when everyone kept candles and cigarettes handy, a wall-mounted matchbox holder was a kitchen fixture. These were decorative metal or wooden sleeves that held a large box of “strike-anywhere” wooden matches. They were often painted with roosters or floral patterns to match the kitchen’s theme. As pilot lights on stoves became more reliable and disposable butane lighters became the norm, the need to have a box of wooden matches permanently mounted to the wall evaporated. Most people now tuck a small lighter into a drawer, leaving the charmingly painted matchbox holders as a relic of a time when fire was a more frequent kitchen requirement.

16. Ceramic Grease Jars

Economy was a virtue in the ’60s, and no kitchen was complete without a grease jar sitting near the stove. This ceramic container, often labeled “Grease” or “Drippings,” was where every spoonful of bacon fat and meat drippings was saved for future cooking. This fat was used to fry eggs, season cast iron, or add flavor to vegetables. However, as dietary guidelines in the later decades began to discourage the consumption of animal fats, the habit of saving grease fell out of favor. Concerns about food safety and the convenience of vegetable oils led to the disappearance of the grease jar. Today, most people discard their drippings rather than displaying them in a dedicated jar on the counter.

• Tags:
• Nostalgia
• vintage kitchen
• 1960s history
• retro decor
• Cooking Trends