11 Forgotten Cooking Gadgets That Deserve A Return

Kitchens have changed throughout the years with the addition of new equipment and high-tech appliances. However, certain gadgets that were previously popular have been left behind. These old cooking tools were smart, often had more than one use, and occasionally were a little strange. But many of them were really useful in ways that modern technologies don’t entirely replace. These old gadgets used to always be on the counter because they saved time, made things more fun, or made cooking shockingly fun. These 11 old cooking tools might be ready to come back into style.

1. Hand-Cranked Egg Beater

The hand-cranked egg beater was a must-have in the kitchen before electric mixers became popular. It whipped cream, beat eggs, and mixed batter surprisingly well with its whirling metal blades powered by a side crank. It was small, easy to clean, and didn’t need electricity. It also provided users more control over the mixing process. It’s a simple yet clever equipment that still works great today. It’s perfect for fast whisking operations because you don’t have to worry with cords, plugs, or big machines taking up room.

2. Butter Churn

People used to make butter by hand with a butter churn long before it was common to buy it in stores. This apparatus, which was usually a large container with a plunger, transformed cream into butter by churning it in a rhythmic way. It was hard work, but it connected people to their food and made butter that tasted better and was fresher. People are once again interested in artisanal and handcrafted foods, so the butter churn might be a fun and useful addition for people who like to know exactly what goes into their meals.

3. Apple Peeler-Corer-Slicer

This hand-cranked tool could peel, core, and slice an apple in seconds, making it great for creating pies, drying fruit, or getting ready for nutritious snacks. It was fun to observe how it chopped the food into spiral shapes and got the same results every time. It was also useful for making a lot of food at once. There are still some current variants, although they aren’t as popular since that fruit comes in packages. Still, anyone who works with apples a lot understands that this instrument is the best for speed and accuracy, and it should be in more modern kitchens.

4. Manual Coffee Grinder

People used to grind their coffee by hand every day before electric grinders came along. It had a little drawer and a crank, and it ground beans evenly while infusing the room with a fresh, rich smell. It took time, but it gave you more control over how hot it got and how big the grind was. This gadget is becoming popular again among coffee enthusiasts since it makes better-tasting coffee and is fun to use. As more people learn to enjoy slow life, the manual coffee grinder is a more thoughtful way to start the day.

5. Cake Breaker

This strange equipment, which looks like a comb with long, thin wires, was made just for cutting soft cakes like angel food or sponge cakes without breaking them. When you cut these light cakes with a knife, the texture gets ruined. The wire tines on the cake breaker gently pulled apart the pieces without breaking the crumb. It may sound too specialized, but it fixed a real problem. This basic tool should come back for bakers who like baking soft, fluffy cakes because it makes them seem clean and lovely.

6. Jelly Mold Press

The jelly mold press was once a popular tool for making exquisite delicacies for dinner parties. People frequently think of these molds as being used to make weird 1950s dishes, yet they were quite artistic and looked great. Jelly molds might make a comeback today, not just for savory aspics, but also for modern gelatin sweets, panna cotta, and no-bake cheesecakes, thanks to the advent of imaginative plating and dessert design. These old-fashioned molds can make simple substances into beautiful things.

7. Toast Tongs

These little wooden or bamboo tongs were developed to safely get hot toast out of the toaster. They kept people from using metal utensils that could catch fire and hurt their fingers near electrical appliances. They were light and could handle heat, so they were a quick fix for a common kitchen problem. The toast tong is a reminder that tiny, well-thought-out design can make a tremendous impact in a world full with instruments that are too complicated. It is still useful, relevant, and deserves a permanent place in your drawer.

8. Ice Cream Scoop with Mechanical Lever

Before spring-loaded ice cream scoops came along, the mechanical-lever scoop made it easier to serve frozen delights. The scoop included a spinning ring inside that let the ice cream come out smoothly without sticking. There are newer models, but older ones were frequently made to last with strong metal and fewer parts that could break. You could use these scoops for more than just ice cream. They worked well with cookie dough and mashed potatoes as well. They are a staple in the kitchen since they last a long time and work well.

9. Nutmeg Grinder

Fresh nutmeg smells and tastes a lot better than pre-ground nutmeg. The old-fashioned nutmeg grinder made it easy to grate just what you needed. A lot of old grinders were small and well-made, and they quickly turned entire nutmeg into fine shavings. This old tool is worth bringing back now that whole spices are becoming fashionable again. Its accuracy, flair, and usefulness make it perfect for bakers, mixologists, or anybody who wishes to add a fragrant, tasty touch to their food.

10. Mouli Grater

People often used this handheld rotary grater to grate cheese, veggies, and chocolate. It had a tiny drum and crank that grated food right over plates or bowls. It was easy to use and didn’t hurt fingers like box graters did. There are tools like the Mouli nowadays, although the original design was smaller and typically better made. It was a kid-friendly, mess-free way to quickly grind things, and current cooks who are sick of box graters should take another look at it.

11. Pie Bird

A pie bird is a hollow ceramic figure that goes in the middle of fruit pies to let steam escape, which keeps the crusts from getting soggy and the pies from boiling over. It looked like a little bird with its mouth open, which made it look cute and helped with a real baking problem. Pie birds are frequently thought of as decorative today, yet they used to be useful cooking utensils. The pie bird is ready to come back as both a functional tool and a fun way to show off your love of old-fashioned kitchen flair. It works as well as it looks cute.