18 Items You’d Find in Every Kitchen Drawer Back Then
A nostalgic look at everyday kitchen tools that once filled our drawers and hearts.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Before the era of modern gadgets, kitchen drawers were treasure trove of essential tools that made daily cooking a cherished ritual. From manual can openers to wooden spoons, each item had its place and purpose. This list revisits 28 such itmes that were staples in every kitchen drawer, evoking memories of home-cooked meals and family gatherings.
1. Manual Can Opener
own work on Wikimedia Commons
Before electric openers, this trusty tool was a kitchen staple. It effortlessly opened cans with a simple twist, and its durability made it a long-lasting companion in meal preparations.
2. Wooden Spoon
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Wooden spoons were the go-to utensil for stirring soups and sauces. They were gentle on cookware and held sentimental value, often passed down through generations.
3. Measuring Spoons
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Essential for baking and cooking, these spoons ensured recipes turned out just right. Their nesting design made them easy to store and use.
4. Vegetable Peeler
Anna Frodesiak on Wikimedia Commons
This simple yet effective tool made peeling fruits and vegetables a breeze, showcasing the ingenuity of classic kitchen design.
5. Classic Wooden Rolling Pin
Nenad Stojkovic on Wikimedia Commons
The rolling pin was always there even if it only came out during holidays or pie season. It held memories of homemade cookies, cinnamon rolls, and a floured countertop.
6. Boxy Cheese Grater
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This four-sided tool did it all: shred, slice, and scrape. Most of us learned the hard way not to rush through grating cheese without watching our knuckles.
7. Cookie Cutters in Odd shapes
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Stars, trees, and gingerbread men, these metal cutters meant something sweet was coming. Even if you only used them once a year, they always lived in the drawer year-round.
8. Sturdy Garlic Press
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This heavy-duty tool made mincing garlic effortless, adding flavor to countless dishes. Its solid construction endured, and it lasted through years of use.
9. Pastry Cutter
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Ideal for cutting dough or blending butter into flour, this tool was a baker’s best friend. Its simple design made it indispensable for homemade pastries.
10. Metal Nutcracker
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This tool, especially popular during the holidays, made cracking nuts easy and fun. Its sturdy build ensured it could handle even the toughest shells.
11. Springy Metal Tongs
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These clunky yet dependable tongs were used for everything, flipping bacon, grabbing toast, or serving salad. They had a weird way of snapping shut when you least expected it.
12. That One Serrated Butter Knife
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It was too dull to slice anything serious, but too sharp to ignore. Somehow, it ended up doing everything from cutting tomatoes to opening boxes.
13. Spaghetti Server
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Nobody really knew what else it was good for, but it had one job, and it did well. That claw-like tool lived in the drawer, ready for pasta night.
14. Mortar and Pestle
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Back then, it was normal to grind spices by hand for a better flavor. Even if you did not use them often, they felt too classic to toss.
15. Mini Mesh Strainer
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It was perfect for dusting powdered sugar or straining a tiny amount of pasta. It was the kind of tool you forgot you had until it saved the day.
16. Plastic Funnel for Everything
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You never bought one, you just had it. Used for refilling oil bottles, sugar jars, or even holiday crafts, it was stained and scratched but always came through.
17. Metal Tea Ball Infuser
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Even if no one drank loose-leaf tea anymore, that little clamshell infuser rolled around in the drawer for years. No matter how often it was washed, it always smelled faintly like peppermint or chamomile.
18. Random Cloth Napkins
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Mismatched cloth napkins always made their way into the drawer, some floral, some plaid, and at least one holiday-themed one from years ago. They were rarely used but always there in case guests popped in.