Can You Identify These Vintage Kitchen Items?

Jennifer Post

7 Min Quiz

Image: Guido Cavallini / Cultura / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Can you imagine baking cookies without your stand mixer? Or making waffles by having to heat the griddle over the open flame of your stovetop? If you can, then you would have made out great with vintage kitchen items. But if you need electricity for your appliances, or one appliance that can do multiple tasks, you're better off in the current state of kitchen tools.

The era of the 50s, 60s and 70s emphasized the vintage housewife ideal and hosting the most perfect dinner parties. If the place settings weren't just right, the proper platters and serving trays used for the right things, and leftovers wrapped up just right, you'll be the talk of the neighborhood for weeks. Talk about pressure. Good thing that era was equipped with plenty of tools to pull off the perfect evening.

It seems the 70s loved their gadgets, and had almost a different one for every task. There were even tools that seem irrelevant in today's world. New items can be found at various stores in the mall or local brick and mortar shops, but if you're in the market for a vintage item, the internet is your best bet. Think you can identify vintage kitchen items? Take this quiz and find out!

Wiki Commons by Rickwakenyc

Not like the hydraulic kind. A cookie press is a contraption that you stuff cookie dough into and then pump the lever so that the cookie dough comes out the other end in whatever shape you've put at the bottom. They came with different disks that imprinted different shapes. Used to keep 50s housewives pumping out perfect treats, what is the item above?

Cookie press

Rolling pin
Pastry bag

Cookie cutter

David Roe via YouTube

It rhymes. Cake breakers look quite scary with all the spokes, but they are just used to cut into cakes like angel food cake, or other ones that aren't strong enough to stand up to the weight of a knife. It's like a cake comb. What is the item above, that helps cut into delicate desserts?

Pie carver

Cake breaker
Serving spoon

Ice cream scooper

Wiki Commons by PMATAS

Way less scary than Birdbox. Breadboxes were decorative objects kept on the countertop that loaves of bread would go into in an attempt to keep them fresher for longer. They were made of wood or some kind of light metal like tin, and came in all kinds of designs. Not used much anymore, can you name the item above that was used to keep doughy treasures fresh?

Coffee jar

Cookie jar
Breadbox

Icebox

Wiki Commons by Eichinger

Not the bad, green mold. Butter molds would let hosts put softened butter inside, and then refrigerate until solid. When turned out, the butter would take on the design on the mold and be fit for the perfect dinner party. Sticks of butter on the table were unacceptable. What item made table butter more appropriate for guests?

Butter press

Decorative tip
Serrated knife

Butter mold

Unpack Guy via YouTube

Isn't used for ill dogs. A cone sieve or strainer sieve was commonly used in farmhouses, and it was immensely helpful for homemade jams and tomato sauces. It has a cone shape with a wide opening, and often came with a stand so the user didn't have to hold it while pushing stuff through. Essential for making jams and tomato sauces, Can you name the tool above?

Cone sieve

Colander
Mesh strainer

Cheese cloth

Vlogging with Alex Yu via YouTube

Put in mustard, ketchup or mayo. A condiment serving tray was one piece with bowls attached to it, that would come with little spoons. You could put it in the center of the table and fill it with whatever condiments suit your dinner menu. To jazz up food, use the item above to provide dinner guests with a little something to add to their plate. Which of the below options is it?

Serving bowls

Condiment serving tray
Lazy Susan

Squirt bottle

Make and Play TV via YouTube

Serve the demonic pre-chickens. Deviled eggs were a classic appetizer of days past, and still are to this day. This platter has indentations in the shape of an egg so the egg halves can sit right inside and not topple over. Making and presenting hors d'oeuvres was at its height in the 60s, and this item made one particular appetizer easier to handle. What's it called?

Serving platter

Serving utensils
Deviled egg platter

Toast plate

Wiki Commons by Auckland Museum

Could be an Avenger. Trivets are made of all kinds of materials now, but back in the day they were made of iron. They could either be cast iron or wrought iron, but the sturdiness could stand up to even the heaviest casserole dish. Putting a hot plate on the table isn't very safe for the table. What is the item above that can be placed under a hot pan for table protection?

Hot plate

Placemats
Pot holder

Iron trivets

Wiki Commons by Marie-Lan Nguyen

Not the illegal poaching. Making poached eggs, especially for a crowd, is no easy task. But with a specially designed pan, it is a little easier. The best ones were made of copper and could poach up to five eggs at a time. Runny yolks are social media gold. But before those days, they were just breakfast. What is the tool above that always yielded perfect results?

Egg poacher pan

Double boiler
Saute pan

Slow cooker

Wiki Commons by Dwight Burdette

Looks nothing like a windmill. A food mill was basically the old fashioned version of a food processor. It was used to make things like applesauce, baby food and yes, mashed potatoes. You would turn it one way to mash, and then turn it the other to clean the paddle. Mashed potatoes are the perfect side dish, and the item above assists in the mashing part. Can you remember its name?

Masher

Food mill
Food processor

Whisk

Wiki Commons by James Sloss

Those French sure are clever. A French butter dish was a unique little tool that allowed butter to stay cold, but also be spreadable. You could put cold water in the saucer and butter in the lid, which would keep the butter cold but allow it to get spreadable. Having people cut through cold, solid butter is not pleasant. The item above makes that a thing of the past. What is it?

Butter warmer

Butter knife
French butter dish

American butter dish

Wiki Commons by Égoïté

French are at it again! French fry cutters, while sounding like something that would only be found in restaurant kitchens, were actually small items that the home-cook would utilize. All you had to do was place the potato on the grates, and pull down the blades to cut the fries. For an occasional treat, having home-fried treats can be nice. What item above makes preparing them much easier?

Deep fryer

Chopper
Chef's knife

French fry cutter

Wiki Commons by Auckland Museum

Birds would love living here. Nesting pastry cutters were used for things like cutting biscuits, pie dough and other pastry doughs. They came in all different sizes, and came as a set that could sit all inside one another for easy storage. What is the item above, with the ability to cut things into a variety of sizes.

Nesting pastry cutters

Cookie cutter
Pasta shaper

Wheel cutter

Wiki Commons by Veganbaking.net

Crank it with your hands. The hand mixers that we've come to know get electricity to do the work, but the old school ones had to be cranked by hand. The crank would make the gear turn, which would make the beater spin. Not like the ones we have now, what is the item above that could scramble and whip?

Stand mixer

Hand mixer
Whisk

Dinner fork

ChefnCorp via YouTube

The best kind of sandwich. Ice cream sandwiches are an easy, handheld treat enjoyed in the warm days of summer. These items let people make them at home and enjoy ice cream sandwiches all year long. You could even make your own cookie and customize the treats. Summer days, drifting away, but not with this tool above to keep the season lasting a little longer. What is it?

Grill

Ice maker
Ice cream sandwich maker

Sun tea pitcher

The Neals' Homestead via YouTube

Holes makes things more tender. The rolling meat tenderizer serves to poke little holes in meat, which breaks up tissue and ligaments in order to make meat more tender. Today's version are more like puncher holes versus the rolling version, but they work the same. Versions of this do exist today, but vintage ones are a bit different. What is the item above?

Paring knife

Mallet
Meat pounder

Meat tenderizer

Buysfromthebasement via YouTube

Freezes in plastic or silicon. While aluminum does build up a layer that protects the metal from reacting with water, it is not commonly used for ice trays anymore. Plastic or silicone are the material of choice for modern day ice making. Aluminum is not used for this anymore, but it was the top choice for home makers many years ago. What is it?

Aluminum ice trays

Chocolate molds
Cookie shaper

Meatball maker

Wiki Commons by Daderot

Now, spice manufacturers do this. A nutmeg grinder looked sort of like a pencil sharpener and a meat grinder put into one. You would put the pod in the top, and the us the handle, kind of like rolling up and down an older car window, and the pieces inside would grind it into a powder. What is the vintage tool above, that seems very extra these days?

Pencil sharpener

Nutmeg grinder
Nut cracker

Meat grinder

Insanealia Cook Like American Moms via YouTube

Attached right to the pot. A pot strainer would go right on the top of the pot so that when you need to drain the water from pasta or potatoes, you don't need to clog your sink with a stranger or colander, and could keep your items right in the pot they cooked in. This vintage kitchen tool kept both your sink free and clear for draining. What is it?

Hand aprons

Colander
Pot strainer

Sink liner

Wiki Commons by Jiří Sedláček

Basically a SodaStream. The Soda Syphon turned regular water into soda water, perfect for mixing! Even served as sparkling water with citrus juice was nice. There are modern versions available, as well as newer ones meant to look like the vintage one available for purchase. Ahead of its time for the 60s, this fun tool sparkled up cocktail hour for sure. Can you name it?

Bitters

Cocktail shaker
Whisky stones

Soda Syphon

Wiki Commons by Twdk

Slice, slice baby. A slicer served many purposes. It was a hand-held tool with wires running the length of the tool. It was used to slice tomatoes, cheese, eggs, pretty much anything you could think of. Looking like a handheld cheese grater, but different, this tool was used on everything from cheese to eggs. What is it?

Slicer

Knife
Grater

Chopper

Cindy Moore via YouTube

So many molds. Baking molds looked like smaller, thinner waffle makers, but they were actually used for thin cookies like Pizzelles. It was a patterned mold that you would put the batter in and then cook over the stove. Not to be confused with baking pans, this tool looks a bit like a waffle maker. Can you identify it?

Panini press

Baking mold
Cookie press

Wafer maker

Wiki Commons by Peter Crossman of the Mary Rose Trust

Used for decoration now. Wooden dough bowls is where you would place your bread dough after it's been mixed so that it keeps its shape and rises up and not out. Nowadays, they are used for decoration or to hold trinkets like keys and spare change. The rising of dough is a crucial step. What is the item above that aids in the shaping and proving?

Proving drawer

Mixing bowl
Wooden dough bowls

Microwave

Wiki Commons by Alf van Beem

Good to know what's inside. Decorated tin labeled storage containers were popular in the 50s, 60s and 70s. The designs changed based on the times, but they were always labeled with words like "sugar," "coffee," and "flour." Storing dry goods in separate container than which they came is popular, but it's always been a thing. What are the vintage things above?

Salt and pepper shakers

Drinking glasses
Mason jars

Labeled storage tins

Maxfocus / E+ / Getty Images

Not with your fist. Punch bowls aren't seen much anymore, but they were all the rage in previous decades. Coming equipped with a matching label and glasses, guests could serve themselves whatever beverage you've mixed up. Having plenty of beverages makes or breaks a dinner party. The item above served enough for a crowd. Which of the below is it?

Punch bowl

Glass pitcher
Serving bowl

Ladle

Wiki commons by Benjamin Hell

Fresh ground is always best. A hand-cranked coffee grinder works almost like the nutmeg grinder and hand mixer. You put the whole coffee beans in the canister, and use the handle to crank the blades inside, which grind the coffee to your liking. If you wake up and immediately reach for coffee, the tool above can make it an exceptional cup. What is it?

Water filter

Hand-cranked coffee grinder
Pour over

High quality coffee

Wiki Commons by Lionel Allorge

Keep the yolk out. Egg separators were mostly flat tools with some cutouts around the side to let the white slip out while leaving the yolk in a little indented part in the center. This was great for those who didn't want to separate the eggs in their hands, or risk puncturing the yolk doing it in the shells. If you like to keep your hands clean while preparing meringues or angel food cake, what is the item above that will make that possible?

Gloves

Spatulas
Egg separator

Mixers

Kevin Griboski via YouTube

Seriously, what's with the molds? Gelatin molds were metal, often tin or aluminum, that you would pour your liquid gelatin dessert into and let it cool in the mold. Un-molding the gelatin was an event in itself and led to people wanting to test is jiggle. The jiggling favorite of the 70s didn't just get there by itself. The vintage kitchen item shown above played a big part. What is it?

Jell-O

Water kettle
Flavored gelatin

Gelatin molds

Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd / DigitalVision / Getty Images

Flour creates the softness. A flour sifter was a hand-operated tool. You would put the flour in the canister, and then pump the handle that would percolate the main part of the sifter to let the flour through and break up the chunks. It made for super light and fluffy cakes and cookies. Keeping baked goods light and airy doesn't have to be a tightly kept secret. What vintage tool, above, does it for you?

Flour sifter

Aerator
Food mixer

Ricer

Wiki Commons by Kuhn Rikon

More like FUNdue. Fondue, the melty, cheesy goodness, was a staple in the 1970s. So much so, people would have parties dedicated specifically to it. The set would come with the main bowl to melt the cheese in and the skewers for all of the dipping foods like bread and fruit. A pinnacle of the 70s food scene, the tool above made it possible to do at home. What is the vintage item?

Steamer

Fondue set
Double boiler

China set

Pexels / Pixabay

A place for recipe cards. A recipe card box was a staple in any mom's kitchen. Family recipes, friend's recipes, recipes created at home or copied out of a favorite book were stored in these wooden boxes for safe keeping. The best recipes were always covered with food. What item above can help you remember your favorite recipes?

Cookbook

Notebook
Recipe card box

Telephone

Wiki Commons by CTHOE

Like a food helicopter. A vintage food chopper was a knife of sorts, but it was a curved half-moon shape that would allow the user to rock the tool back and forth over things like vegetables and herbs in order to cut them into small pieces. Which of the below is a half-moon shaped blade for decimating ingredients?

Butcher knife

Food processor
Food grater

Food chopper

Wiki Commons by Alf van Beem

Heri co verts divider. The green bean slicer works much like the other hand cranked tools on this list. All you had to do was put the green beans in the top and crank the handle to put it through the blades to end up with thin slices of green beans. This produce specific kitchen item seems to have gone completely out of style. What is it?

Green bean slicer

Potato masher
Carrot grater

Apple corer

Chad Schaefer via YouTube

Don't forget the fruit syrup. An ice crusher was the tool of choice for making snow cones and crushed iced at home. Just put big cubes of ice in the contraption and crank it until the ice comes out smaller and fluffier. Top with sugary sweet fruit syrups and enjoy! If you don't want all the calories of ice cream, what tool above will create lower calorie frozen treats?

Frozen yogurt maker

Ice crusher
Sorbet machine

Fruit masher

Jordan Lye / Moment / Getty Images

Not generic term for storage. Tupperware was the only thing worth storing your leftovers in. They came in a variety of sizes, colors and shapes. The who's who of the neighborhood had almost every item in the collection, and would most certainly not leave them behind at parties. If you didn't have at least ten of these for leftovers, did you even have a kitchen?

Plastic wrap

Freezer bags
Tupperware

Mason hars

Pixabay / webandi

Can it also hang art? A meat hammer is like a cube with spikes on it attached to a long handle. Each side of the cube has different levels of spiking, and which one you use depends on what cut of meat and how tender you want it. If you don't want to roll a tool over your meat to tenderize, use the tool above instead. Can you name it?

Skewer

Heavy bottomed pan
Rolling pin

Meat hammer

Homestead Cooking via YouTube

Could be a Pokemon. A spurtle is a funny name, but all it really is is a wooden spool or dowel that is used to stir thick things like oatmeal, porridge, grains, etc. There are some that are more paddle shaped, but most are just straight or knobbed at the end. The name doesn't really speak for itself, but which tool above is used to stir things like porridge or oatmeal?

Spurtle

Cuber
Kitchen Magician

Roll N Pour

Wiki Commons by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas

The task is the pits. Fresh cherries come with pits, and those are things you don't want to chomp down on. Using it is as easy as cherry pie. You just place the cherry length wise into the tool, and press down. The needle-like part will push the pit right out. If you're someone who makes a lot of pies or cocktails, this handy tool will cut your prep time in half. What's its name?

Fruit Corer

Cherry pitter
Skewer

Splitter

Tony Smith via YouTube

Eggs, bacon and toast sounds right. There were a couple versions of stovetop toasters. One looks like a small waffle maker with a handle that you hold over the stove to heat up. The other kind was a four-sided tower, almost like a bug zapper, that you would stick bread to the side of to toast. Heated up by flame instead of electricity, what tool, shown above, makes for great breakfast accompaniments?

Brander

Stove griddle
Stovetop toaster

Waffle maker

Phil Crockett via YouTube

Make cucumbers less boring. Pickling crocks, often made of stone or ceramic, could stand up to the acidity of a pickling brine. They also looked pretty, and you could serve the pickles right out of the crock. Pickling your own cucumbers was much cheaper than buying them. Store-bought versions of foods are easy, but homemade often tastes better. What is the tool above, that makes delicious homemade burger toppers?

Spice grinder

Marinating jar
Canister

Pickling crock

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