17 Retro Cooking Tools No One Uses Anymore
Old-school kitchens were packed with creative gadgets and tools that once made cooking more hands-on. While some still hold charm as collectibles, their practical use has largely vanished from modern homes.
- Tricia Quitales
- 6 min read
Cooking has become faster, safer, and more efficient thanks to modern tools, leaving many once-popular kitchen gadgets behind. These retro cooking tools were once considered essential but are now viewed as outdated, redundant, or even unsafe. As kitchen design favors multifunctionality and convenience, single-use and high-maintenance tools are no longer practical. Exploring these forgotten items offers a nostalgic glimpse into the kitchens of the past.
1. Hand-Cranked Egg Beaters
Unknown author on Wikimedia
Before electric mixers took over, egg beaters powered by a hand crank were used to whip eggs and batter. They required physical effort and good coordination to operate smoothly. While charming, they were slower and messier than modern alternatives. Most people today prefer the speed and ease of hand or stand mixers. Now, egg beaters are mainly seen in antique stores or kitchen museums.
2. Butter Molds
Harvey Beck on Wikimedia
Used to shape homemade butter into decorative blocks or patterns, butter molds were once a kitchen staple. The molds often featured carved designs for serving at special occasions. As store-bought butter became more accessible and affordable, the need for molding disappeared. Few modern kitchens make or display butter this way anymore. These tools are now mostly collectibles or rustic decor.
3. Cherry Pitters
Александр Сигачёв on Wikimedia
Cherry pitters were designed to remove pits from cherries quickly and cleanly. They often used a spring-loaded mechanism that pushed the pit out with one press. While useful for baking and preserves, their single-use function became a drawback. Many cooks now rely on knives or buy pre-pitted fruit. They rarely appear in modern drawers unless passed down.
4. Flour Sifters with Cranks
Shliphmash on Wikimedia
Old flour sifters had a hand crank and a metal mesh screen to break up clumps and aerate flour. They were essential for baking when flour quality varied greatly. Today’s pre-sifted flour and improved packaging have made them mostly unnecessary. Some bakers still use them for nostalgia or tradition, but they’re far less common. Most people now skip the extra step entirely.
5. Gelatin Molds
Robert Stewart on Wikimedia
These brightly colored aluminum molds were used to create elaborate gelatin desserts with fruits or layers. In the mid-20th century, gelatin-based dishes were a dinner party hit. As food trends shifted toward fresh and natural ingredients, molded gelatin fell out of style. The molds became impractical and were rarely reused. Now, they serve as retro kitchen decorations more than tools.
6. Mouli Graters
Pixabay on Pexels
The Mouli grater was a handheld rotary tool with different blade inserts for grating cheese, vegetables, or nuts. Its design made it versatile but also hard to clean and prone to clogging. Food processors and modern box graters replaced them with greater ease and speed. Although once popular in mid-century kitchens, they gradually fell out of favor. Most have been retired to storage or display.
7. Rolling Butter Churns
Yasin Aydın on Pexels
Butter was made by hand, using rolling churns that were worked by rocking the container back and forth. It was a time-consuming process that required patience and consistent motion. With the rise of commercial dairy and refrigeration, homemade butter became less common. Few people still use these heavy, wooden churns. Today, they are mostly found in farmhouse-themed displays or museums.
8. Toasting Forks
Unknown author on Wikimedia
Toasting forks were long metal prongs used to toast bread or marshmallows over open flames. They were common in kitchens with wood stoves or fireplaces. As electric toasters became standard, the forks lost their purpose. Using them indoors is now unsafe and impractical. They survive mostly as camping tools or decorative antiques.
9. Potato Ricers
Mahlum on Wikimedia
Potato ricers mashed potatoes into a smooth, fluffy texture by pressing them through small holes. Although effective, they required extra cleanup and increased kitchen storage space. Today’s cooks often prefer handheld mashers or food mills. Ricers are still valued by purists but are far less commonly used. Their presence in modern kitchens is rare unless used for specific recipes.
10. Jelly Strainers
Unknown author on Wikimedia
Jelly strainers were used to separate fruit pulp from juice when making preserves. They involved fabric bags suspended over bowls or stands, requiring space and time. As homemade jelly became less popular and store-bought options expanded, these tools faded out. Electric juicers and mesh strainers also offered simpler alternatives. Now, jelly strainers are mostly seen in vintage recipe books.
11. Glass Citrus Reamers
KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels
These manual tools extracted juice by pressing and twisting citrus halves on a ridged cone. They were often made from glass or ceramic and could be beautiful but breakable. Electric juicers and squeezers eventually replaced them with faster, safer options. While still functional, they’re not the go-to anymore. Many are now used decoratively or as collectibles.
12. Match-lit Gas Ovens
Pixabay on Pexels
Before electric ignition, gas ovens had to be lit with a match or pilot flame. This made baking risky, especially for beginners or children. Modern safety standards led to automatic ignition systems and better insulation. Lighting your oven by hand is now a thing of the past. The old ovens are almost entirely phased out for safety reasons.
13. Metal Ice Trays with Levers
Dow Chemical Company on Wikimedia
These heavy aluminum trays had a pull-up lever that cracked ice loose after freezing. They were noisy, hard to handle, and often stuck together. With the rise of plastic trays and built-in ice makers, the metal versions became obsolete. They are now seen as vintage novelties. Few people still use them unless for the nostalgic clink of metal.
14. Spatter Screens with Wooden Handles
cole yap on Pexels
Used to keep oil from splashing while frying, these screens sat atop pans with wide mesh. The older versions often had wooden handles that warped or cracked over time. Modern materials and deep-frying alternatives have made them less essential. Newer designs with silicone or foldable options are now preferred. The wooden-handled ones are mostly phased out.
15. Rotary Food Mills
Rickwakenyc on Wikimedia
Rotary food mills puréed vegetables and fruits manually by turning a crank. They were popular for making baby food or tomato sauce. As blenders and immersion mixers improved, food mills became outdated. The process was slower and more labor-intensive. While still used in traditional cooking, they are largely absent from daily kitchens.
16. Cake Breakers
Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels
Cake breakers looked like long forks with wide-set prongs, designed to gently cut angel food or sponge cakes. Their purpose was to avoid crushing delicate textures. Today, serrated knives or wire slicers serve the same role with more convenience. The cake breaker’s specialty nature led to its decline. Most modern bakers never owned one.
17. Whipped Cream Siphons with Chargers
Rick Leal de Sousa on Pexels
Before aerosol cans became popular, whipped cream siphons with gas chargers were used in professional-style kitchens. They created fluffy cream but required careful handling and maintenance. With easier store-bought alternatives, their role in home kitchens faded. They now appeal mostly to culinary hobbyists or professionals. Most households find them unnecessary today.