17 Retro Kitchen Utensils That Are Out of Use
Many kitchen utensils that were once common in homes are no longer used or sold today.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Kitchens in the past relied on tools that have since become outdated due to changes in technology and lifestyle. These utensils were once considered essential but have slowly disappeared from modern homes. This list features 17 retro kitchen utensils that are now out of use.
1. Butter Churns
Richard N Horne on Wikimedia Commons
Butter churns were used to manually turn cream into butter by shaking or paddling it for long periods. They came in wooden or glass containers with a hand crank or plunger. This process was slow and required effort and time. Today, store-bought butter has made churns nearly obsolete in everyday kitchens.
2. Hand-Crank Egg Beaters
Taplin’s; Dover Stamping Company on Wikimedia Commons
These were metal tools with rotating beaters powered by a hand crank. They were used to beat eggs or mix batter before electric mixers became common. They worked well but required constant turning by hand. Most people now use electric hand mixers or stand mixers instead.
3. Flour Sifters with Cranks
Shliphmash on Wikimedia Commons
Flour sifters were used to remove clumps from flour and add air by turning a crank. The tool held flour in a metal container and filtered it through a fine screen. This was especially important for baking light cakes or pastries. While some bakers still use them, they are no longer a standard kitchen item.
4. Jello Molds (Shaped Metal)
Joelk75 on Wikimedia Commons
These shaped metal molds were used to make decorative gelatin desserts. People poured liquid gelatin into the molds and chilled them until firm. The result was a colorful dessert shaped like a ring, star, or flower. Today, most people use bowls or cups instead of molds.
5. Meat Grinders (Manual)
Jollymon001 on Wikimedia Commons
Manual meat grinders are clamped onto a counter and used with a hand crank to grind meat. They were common before packaged ground meat became widely available. They required cutting meat into small pieces and turning the crank with force. Electric models or store-bought meat have replaced them.
6. Nutcrackers (Heavy Metal Type)
Coyau on Wikimedia Commons
These metal nutcrackers were used to crack hard-shelled nuts like walnuts and pecans. They often came with matching picks to remove the nut meat. Some were designed with a spring mechanism, while others used simple leverage. Pre-shelled nuts have made these tools less common in most homes.
7. Ice Cube Tongs
Achim Schleuning on Wikimedia Commons
Small metal tongs were once used to pick up single ice cubes from a tray or bucket. They were used when serving drinks to guests. They added a touch of formality but weren’t always practical. Today, most people use their hands or plastic scoops, especially with ice makers built into refrigerators.
8. Melon Ballers
Alan Levine on Wikimedia Commons
This small scoop was used to create round balls of melon for fruit salads or desserts. It added decoration and texture to dishes. While useful for presentation, it had limited use. Most people now simply cut fruit into cubes or slices instead.
9. Manual Juicers (Glass or Metal)
Malyadri on Wikimedia Commons
These were handheld tools used to squeeze juice from citrus fruits by twisting them on a ridged cone. They were simple to use but could be messy. Electric juicers and bottled juice have largely replaced them. The manual versions are still available but rarely used.
10. Toast Racks
Creator:Roberts, Cadman and Co. on Wikimedia Commons
Toast racks held slices of toast upright to keep them from getting soggy. They were used during breakfast to allow air to flow between each slice. While they looked elegant, they had little use beyond formal settings. Most people now serve toast on plates or in baskets.
11. Corn Holders with Decorative Handles
Elmer Centeno Guevarra on Wikimedia Commons
Corn holders were small prongs inserted into both ends of a cob to hold it while eating. They came in sets, often with colorful or novelty handles. While fun to use, they were mostly used during summer cookouts. Today, people often eat corn without extra tools.
12. Rolling Herb Choppers
Fæ on Wikimedia Commons
These tools had curved blades and handles on both ends, used to rock back and forth over herbs. They provided a fine, even chop but were hard to clean. Knives and cutting boards now do the job just as well. They are rarely found in modern kitchens.
13. Potato Ricers
Karl-Heinz Wellmann on Wikimedia Commons
Potato ricers were used to press boiled potatoes into small rice-like pieces. This helped make mashed potatoes smoother. They were large, bulky, and often hard to clean. Many people now use hand mashers or electric mixers for convenience.
14. Cheese Keepers (Glass Domes)
E4024 on Wikimedia Commons
These small domes were placed over blocks of cheese to store them without plastic wrap. They looked elegant and were common in refrigerators or dining tables. With new packaging options, they have fallen out of use. Most cheese is now kept in resealable bags or containers.
15. Vintage Ice Cube Trays (Metal with Lever)
fir0002 on Wikimedia Commons
These trays had a metal handle that you lifted to crack and release the cubes. They were often loud and sometimes difficult to use. Modern plastic trays and automatic ice makers have replaced them. The old models are now rarely seen.
16. Cookie Presses (Manual with Discs)
Rickwakenyc on Wikimedia Commons
Cookie presses were hand tools used to shape dough into different patterns using metal discs. They worked by pushing dough through a tube and changing the disc shape. While still used by some for holidays, they are not common kitchen tools anymore. Most people now roll or cut dough by hand.
17. Grease Strainers (Metal with Funnels)
Ann Rosener on Wikimedia Commons
These tools were used to pour and strain bacon or cooking grease for reuse. They often came with a small container to hold the fat. They were used before health advice discouraged reusing cooking fat. Today, most people dispose of grease instead of storing it.