What to feature in the uploader this weekend? Over one the Facebook page — almost 22,000 FB friends now! – Michelle suggested:
What about a picture share thread with everyone’s quirky vintage small appliances? What they are, how they work, where you discovered them… I have a couple fun ones!
Well, heck to the yeah, I have a couple fun ones myself, and am getting my camera out stat. Note: Small kitchen appliance only in this session– no hair dryers, alarm clocks, vintage stoves, etc. — we’ll do those another time. Above: feralhousewife.com gets props for a hilarious photo shoot. Read on for instructions — let’s see your small kitchen appliances! –>
Uploader closed — But thanks so much for playing everyone — this was a good one! Come back Fridays around noon, and see what we’ll be sharing this next weekend.
Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… move forward or back via arrows below the photo… you can start or stop at any image:
Laurie’s kitchen looks so whimsical! Does she have any more pictures of her kitchen?
Great idea! Wish I had some…
That roaster is amazing!! I’m posting mine and my father’s, we have similar model Westinghouses. Mine is cool because it still has the recipe pull out. My father’s is cool because the knob lights up when it’s heating. They make the BEST pulled pork!
I loved mine too, Michelle. Mine still had it’s original steel cupboard so it was free standing but when I had to move to this wee house there was no where for it….le sigh.
Great theme! I am a kitchen appliance junkie (and major ‘foodie’/cook) so this is just wonderful to look for me. So much of it I want. I do want an electric can opener and find a lot of reasonable prices out there.
LOVE the pink can-opener, the orange (Jay’s) blender, the upholstery cleaner (does it work??? OMG!) The egg cookers – all of it!
I particularly love that pink can opener but I love everything pink and turquoise! Hannah, I found that Famous Foods cook book so if you are interested, contact me from the info in the kitchen stuff in the forum.
Thank you, Janet! I did see your post the other day but have been under the weather with a stomach bug. Let me go reply to your post.
Yes, pink and aqua. Major weakness – along with avocado.
Just posted some avocado for you Hanna!
Michelle – which avocado apparatus is yours? There are several without names associated! Thanks for thinking of me. I just posted an Etsy treasury last night – all avocado.
Hannah – That is my avocado canister set. I’m not a huge fan of avocado, and the bases are actually solid copper, but I can’t bring myself to strip them.
Ah HA! That was my guess, but I wasn’t sure. That’s a really sweet set, and the fact they were your grandmother’s makes them all the more precious. I’d say leave them as is and look at it as ‘cottage chic meets MCM’ and call it a day.
What’s the link for your treasury?
Hannah, I scored that blender at our thrift store! It was $4 and works perfectly! It just needed a REALLY good cleaning…
I love it – ORANGE!! <3
You should see me at the goodwill – I handle things like they're covered in the black plague for the most part.
That's what keeps me from buying some things – they're just too filthy. More often than not, anything that's vintage that I'd be interested in is missing pieces (in the appliance realm anyway).
There's a Goodwill clearance warehouse here, just opened up earlier this year. It's everything left over that didn't sell in the stores. HUGE bins with everything mixed in together – I barely touched anything, and people there go nuts when they bring out a 'fresh' bin. Some lady turned to me and said "Get in there with your elbows!!" Um, that would be a big fat NO!. lol
I usually look for vintage coffee mugs, and Libbey glassware, and stoneware. Bring it home and scrub them to death in steaming hot suds. Even then, I balk when I bring them out to use the first time.
we have a Goodwill clearance center too. when my sister and I saw it, we said “how bad does the stuff have to be that it couldn’t even sell at Goodwill?!!” hehe
I hear that, Wendy! One of the things was some sort of pillow case with brown fur and was matted and funky as could be.
1. Who would give such a thing to the Goodwill in the first place? Just throw it out already!
2. I turned to Gerry and said, “Why don’t they just realize, some of this stuff has run it’s course and has to be tossed?” Or at least what’s salvageable/washable, clean it up and donate it to a shelter somewhere.
Goodwill weeds too mercilessly, IMHO, so sometimes the best stuff is at the Goodwill Outlet.
Just checked to see where you’re located, Laura. For some reason, I thought it was Maine.
I’m in Maine, and it’s pretty slim pickin’s at the GW for vintage anything. The one time I went to the outlet, there was a 1970s radio/alarm clock for $4.99 – but I already had two.
The one new “Flea Market” we have (Portland Flea For All) that does have a lot of MCM, retro stuff is highly over-priced. Most of it I can get on eBay or Etsy for a lot less, including shipping.
All that to say, I find here in Maine – MCM/retro is fairly scarce.
Once I found a really nice vintage meat slicer at Goodwill and went up to buy it. The manager was running the register, saw that it had an old-style cord, and then she said she wouldn’t sell it to me. Evidently, they are supposed to weed out for recycling things that are “unsafe,” including non-polarized plug small appliances. I pleaded with her. I begged. I finally said, “If you cut the cord off, then can I buy it?” and she agreed. Ugh. It kills me to think of the wonderful vintage appliances being recycled. Sometimes they sneak through, but I’m sure many don’t.
How very very sad… to think of the number of chrome beauties that end up in the dumpster because of something so stupid…
One of my mom’s best floor lamps (yet another addiction that I have) came from the garbage pile at the Salvation Army. It’s beautiful, with cobalt glass and lots of scroll work. It needed to be re-wired, and that was it.
I’m actually starting to move away from Goodwill and hit smaller name thrift and consignment shops. In our area, the Goodwill stores are where a lot of dealers go, so the prices are high. We have a VA thrift store, which is where I find the majority of my vintage items. I swear that most of the towels I’ve purchased were hardly used. They constantly get in more stuff too!
Jay – this is such a ‘small town’ (thought it’s not po-dunk) that the dealers go EVERYWHERE! Only on a few items at the GW do I think they’re high (here). I’ll check and see if we have a VA second hand store. That would be a very worthy cause. We do have a Salvation Army, but that place never has much of anything and is mostly clothing.
We do have a Catholic Charities thrift store that we stopped at today. I always find something there. Today a AH olive/avocado glass wine goblet (thinking for sangria next summer – but need another one!), and a Libbey ‘rocks’ glas with the aqua and gold amoeba/boomerange design. $2.10 for both pieces.
That makes two of us! It’s time they get their due!
I see several of you have the old GE or other make percolator. I have a Bunn coffee maker that I want to get rid of; I know the hotplate uses alot of electricity. Years ago the manufacturers suggested using a coffee made for these percolators. I am wondering what kind of coffee you people use and if you grind it fresh yourself? I don’t drink coffee at all but my husband does and I think these old percs HAVE to make better hotter coffee than the drip ones.
Hi Janet, yes, percolators are the best!
I have a collection of them….I recommend using those with stainless steel baskets and stems, not aluminum first of all for safety, next, glass ones are more fun to watch brewing, but stainless or chromed steel body percs are good too.
You will need to grind your own, or select the grocery store grinder’s knob to “perc” or a coarser grain, and you won’t get so many grounds in the bottom of the pot itself. Hope this helps!
Thank you, Jeff et al, for the information. But why is aluminum not safe or did you mean the entire perc body? I believe mine all have aluminum stems but stainless for the baskets. I really have to dig them out to try. Unfortunately, I know they are slow(er) than our Bunn drip. With my husband who is always the late one (not the wife in our case), it is always a matter of hurry, hurry and I don’t think unless I get up before him at 4:30 that he would wait for coffee from a slow percolator. I think I will grind some up and experiment in any case.
Hi Janet, yes some percs have aluminum stems, which is OK, if you don’t have a stainless one, but the basket should be stainless, since it’s the part that gets the most scrubbing, thus the leeching of the aluminum later on….stems aren’t so bad….don’t use all aluminum body models, though, this is safer in the long run.
I have dozens of them, glass models tend to perc quicker than drip models, actually, especially Proctor Silex brands, including the Mary Proctor line.
I will admit, metal body models stay hotter than glass when in static heat mode, but I tend to finish off a pot of coffee pretty fast, anyway!
If you find a really great looking model that has a bad cord, and is cheap enough, buy it, since replacement cords are out there and readily available.
The idea that aluminum is not safe (connection with alzheimer’s) started in the 1960-1970. There has been no proof to back the claim. The alz.org website has the findings posted there. See Myth #4.
Of course if you are wary of using aluminum, you should do your research and deciede for yourself.
I use the drip aluminum coffee pots without paper filters, just the basket. Best coffee.
YES, READERS: Do your own research on the issue of aluminum….
I certainly hope not, because I find myself using it all the time. Aluminum pressure cookers really are the best.
You can’t compare percolated coffee with drip coffee. It’s like a whole different drink. The problem with paper filters is that they absorb all the oils out of the coffee. The percolator leaves it in, and it’s sooo much better!
I have the same “stacked” percolator that someone else posted, but unfortunately it did not have the top when I found it in the attic at an estate sale. I couldn’t leave it behind though, so until I find something to fit it, it’s just pretty! You can pick up vintage percolators all over the place, I have a few different sizes. (It’s kind of a sickness! lol)
The “stacked” coffeemaker is not a percolator – it’s a vacuum brewer. There is a significant difference in the way it brews coffee. The vacuum brewer heats the water in the bottom. When the resulting steam displaces the water, it forces the now perfectly temped water up a tube through a filter into the upper chamber. The filters were either metal screen type or a metal frame that held cloth filters. I have both, and IMO the screen type is superior.
Anyway, the water mixes with the coffee up top for several minutes. It appears to be boiling, but it is not. It is the continued steam from the bottom pot getting pushed up. When the water gets pushed to the top, the heating element automatically switches to low. That allows the lower pot to cool a little, which forms a vacuum that sucks the coffee back down through the filter. You then remove the top pot and put the lid on the bottom pot for pouring.
The other excellent feature is that the entire pot is hot due to the fact that it’s all metal, steel clad copper and chrome, so it conducts the heat all around, not just at the bottom, so no burnt coffee. It’s the BEST coffee I’ve ever had.
Yes, I know vacuum isn’t the same as percolated, but I think it’s closer to percolated than drip in flavor.
mmmmmmmmmmm
definitely. no comparison to drip!
Oh my. One of my weaknesses….vintage appliances! I uploaded 10 or so photos. I have more, but the ones I put up are my favorites. I use them regularly, mainly the Coffeemaster, the Thinline toaster, and the hand mixers. The Thinline lowers the toast when you push the button, and when it’s done, raises the toast. It doesn’t go immediately down or pop up like a regular toaster…it gradually lowers and raises it. I love that!
For any coffee lovers out there, the Coffeemaster makes the best coffee I’ve ever had. It’s 100% metal, and is a vacuum brewer. Brews at the perfect temperature and for the right amount of time. There is a video on YouTube of one in action. I use a good German coffee in it. Fabulous. The fact that it is 63 years old and still works like a champ makes it even better
Since there is no timer, I bought a remote control for it. My alarm goes off, I hit the remote and the snooze button, and by the time the alarm goes off again and I brush my teeth, coffee is ready.
I have a coffeemaster, but it doesn’t have a lid. I have been looking for one for a long time, but nothing yet. The screen under the little “cup” thing has a hole in it, but I’m guessing that can be repaired.
If you save “coffeemaster” in your ebay search que, you will eventually be able to find replacement screens and other parts, or just a whole new unit. I prefer the screen filter over the cloth ones, and there is one particular model of the screen filter that I think is better because the gasket doesn’t get out of shape with repeated use. It’s the filter assembly with the black knob on top vs. the hook.
Also, if anyone has one of these and the large gasket between the two pots is shot, you can get replacements at Dayseal.com I wish they would add the filter gasket to their product list! I have 4 filter assemblies, and 3 are the ones that stretch out over time. I would love to be able to get replacements for them.
I definitely don’t want to use the cloth filter, the whole reason I don’t use a drip is so that the coffee isn’t run through paper/cloth!
Hopefully I’ll find the parts that I need at some point, because I really want to use it!
If you message me through my shop, I can put your lid request on my list. I sell lots of parts, and I never know when I might come across something.
I won a lid and a filter from the same lady! WOO HOO!
HEY “OTHER WENDY” !!!! It’s interesting that there are two “wendys” here who both have pink kitchens! well, mine is nowhere near done, but i have a 1956 pink frigidaire fridge and a 1940′s or 50′s pink gaffers and sattler gas range. I also have the same pink sunbeam mixmaster!
for more pinky goodness, take a look at my “pink” album. i only have the fridge and range, the rest are just pics i saved.
http://www.pbase.com/weed30/pink
Hey, Other Wendy! I have a thing for pink and turquoise kitchen stuff, but no kitchen to put them in! I primarily like the turquoise but I pick up Pink when I can. Those photos are great! I don’t know where you live, but I have a friend who saved his pink dryer from the fifties! He knows some day I may want it (it still ran when he “parked” it) so he has saved it for maybe twenty years now! He is a real hoarder. I haven’t been in his house for years and I am afraid to go over there. Since he retired, he has gotten much worse and I can’t even imagine what worse is now, but he has to have alot of treasure stashed away. He was our GE serviceman back in the fifties and early sixites.
Hi I love your pink pics! My main appliances aren’t pink (yet) but there is a house in town that had the most remarkable original pink kitchen! We almost bought the house but found out it had major structural issues. I’ve gone by the house trying to see if the new owners wanted to sell the original appliances but no luck yet! They had a pink GE fridge that had a little pedal at the bottom to open the fridge and they had an entire set of tickled pink dishes I have a picture I’ll have to put it up sometime. I LOVE pink! My macho 6’6″ firefighter husband luckily loves me enough to put up with it (he gets so much heat from the guys lol!)
oh I hope you get the appliances!! and that is so funny about your husband. I can imagine how much ribbing he gets! he sounds like a great guy to accept your pinkness.
Since there are two of you, I’m not sure which Wendy I’m addressing – but I have to say I am coveting your appliances! That popcorn popper is to die for; it looks like a building in the Jetsons!
And to the owner of the frier – Do you use it? Do you like it? I recently threw out my modern frier, and am on the hunt for a new one… though I would be MUCH happier with a new OLD one!
That flip waffle iron is a beauty! I have the exact same one, but unfortunately we took it apart to repair it and never managed to get it back together and working again. But I still have it, just in case I figure it out. I actually have a half dozen waffle irons (plus or minus 4, we’ll tell the husband it’s MINUS!) but dragging them all out would be a pain, and most of them aren’t all that special. And speaking of waffle irons, does anyone know of a place to get repairs done, or know of a book/manual/reference that I could use?
Can I cheat and put up a photo of my Handy Hanna hair drier? lol
i snuck in my Scooby Doo Mystery Machine alarm clock….so let’s see that Handy Hanna!
wendy in st. louis
She’s on the way!
Well, they are on the way – the green one is older and has the original stand. The blue one is more 60′s in design, but unfortunately was missing the base when I found it.
My wife really wanted a stand mixer, but I didn’t want to buy an appliance made in China. I purchased a Sunbeam Mixmaster from an antique store. It had all the attachments, original bowls and even the instruction manual! It’s 65 years old, and it still works great!
Just so you know, Kitchenaid still makes the stand mixers in the US. Not that there’s anything wrong with getting a vintage one!!
Here’s a good reference list:
http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/appliances.html
Yes, I did a story on this not too long ago, 24 retro colors!: http://retrorenovation.com/2012/02/02/kitchenaid-artisan-stand-mixer-in-24-retro-colors/
I’ll keep that in mind if and when the trusty ol’ Sunbeam ever wears out!
This gallery is just the best so far. That green egg cooker! What a beautiful thing? That hand mixer that looks like Starship enterprise! Fabulous and unseen here in the UK. Obviously we have the Mixmaster and Proctor-Silex items were available here years ago, I remember the name well, but the rest, what style, what treasures! Thank goodness they’re being saved by you all.
I made my breakfast with it this morning! Perfect eggs every time!
Wow! Looking at the pictures remind me of all the things that were around when I was a kid but now reside in appliance heaven, having given a life of heavy use – the sunbeam vav coffee pot, the self lowering toaster and mixmaster. Also, the westinghouse roaster oven. Currently residing in the house is an Oster 70′s harvest gold blender and 80s farberware perc, (made in the Bronx, not China). Enjoyed the photos!
Lots to answer here this morning. I am SO enjoying all the photos! I have an old fryer and need to take a photo of it. It is OLD for sure as it has a cloth cord. This cord is of concern to my husband because of the currency drawn by that old frier. The cord/plug gets very hot and worries him. I haven’t used it since we moved to this house eight years ago because the wiring in this house isn’t very good either! I have alot of stuff but again, stored in my basement because we moved to a much smaller house with no room upstairs to put anything in the tiny kitchen. There is a place in Hartford CT called Hartford Element, and they do repairs on appliances. They have been around ever since I can remember and did repairs for my father if he couldn’t do them. Of course, the older guys who did repairs are probably long gone but I would say you could call and ask. Make sure you get the one in Hartford, which is the original store. I would also trust them to have parts no-one else has. Years ago, our elderly bookkeeper placed an order for vacuum bags (we also sold them) and didn’t realize the quantity (1) meant a case, not one package! We had fifteen cases of vacuum bags, mostly obsolete ones we hardly ever sold that she wanted to get for our equally obsolete elderly customers! After years of sitting in the basement, I gave them to Hartford Element. Wish I had kept them – there are probably hundreds of vintage vacuum collectors who would kill to get them! Sigh! Hey, maybe Pam could do one on “other” appliances, like clocks, vacuums, hair dryers, etc that don’t fit in the kitchen category!
You can get new replacement cords for most appliances. I use the cloth ones if they are in good shape without dryrot, but some people aren’t comfortable with them. We are such a throwaway culture now. It’s sad. I have a GE X4 monitor top refrigerator (the one with the ball) that I love. Still works after 70 years! But people now think that if their fridge lasts ten years they are ahead of the game.
Yeah, for sure the stuff nowadays is crap in comparison. I have a 40″ and a 24″ GE range in my basement. I have the space in my kitchen for a 40″ range and the newer 30″ one there now is junk as far as I am concerned. It can’t even hold a temperature right. I want the guys to bring my old one up but it is so darn heavy, they have no inclination to try to move that monster up here! These old ones survive but you won’t see any of the current new ones around in thirty years!
Janet, I tend to think you are absolutely correct. We did some rewiring of my 1959 GE Pushbutton range because it was starting to get brittle, but that’s about it. It’s a great stove.
When I was a boy (half a century ago) I remember well the excitement of getting a new appliance, usually at Christmas. My now-deceased grandparents and my now-elderly parents kept every single box, instruction booklet, and receipt for the appliances they acquired.
The expectation was that they would last and if they didn’t they would be promptly replaced with ones that would last. I have treasured memories of Grandma and Grandpa moving around their kitchen preparing Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner using their for-a-lifetime appliances while we all stood nearby ready to help.
As an example, the GE electric knife they used to slice the turkey was brought down from the high pantry shelf, carefully removed from the box, carefully cleaned and returned to the box until next year. I have that electric knife still and use it fondly with the same care. It looks like it was just unwrapped still.
It was such a different time, with American companies paying American workers to produce quality products that were built to work well and last a lifetime and that were designed to build a reputation of trust and satisfaction to ensure return business.
If something bad did happen to an appliance customer service was impeccable and there were local repairmen trained by the companies to replace cords, broken knobs, or adjust things for a nominal price. Parts were generally designed to work flawlessly, last forever, look good, and be affordable.
My, how things have changed! Since the current business model seems to be to maximize profits for investors by cutting the expense of using quality parts, offer non-existent, unintelligible, or unresponsive customer service, pay enormous salaries to executives, pay workers as little as possible, and cut losses through tax deductions when the company’s reputation is destroyed by shoddy workmanship and malfunctioning products.
Since Jack Welch “saved” GE by destroying its longstanding quality and reputation I avoid their products at all costs. I purchased a GE toaster oven a couple of years ago with a birthday gift card. On the third use the knob that controlled the timer broke off in my hand. I was able to use a pair of pliers to turn the plastic knob for while until the heating element burned out. A $100 appliance that lasted less than 6 months due to cheap plastic parts and shoddy assembly.
Seeing these old appliances here that are still providing service 2 generations past their purchase makes me nostalgic for an America that is long gone but it also gives me hope that those companies that still follow the old business model will outlast the current greedy crop and America will find its way again.
Well said Brian!!! Very well said!
Have you seen “The Lightbulb Conspiracy”? It’s a documentary about planned obsolescence. Evidently, now the program some printers to die after a certain number of prints, just so you have to buy a new one. But I’m still enjoying my 1997 printer, thank you very much!
I think it might be on my bucket list that I want a Monitor Top at some point in my life. I think I saw one at an estate sale not too long ago at a great price. These things are supposed to be very energy efficient, because the cooling motor is at the top….
Actually, the reason they are so efficient is that the are not “frost free.” They just run when necessary, which causes frost buildup, but also uses FAR less electricity.
I used my X4 as my primary refrigerator in my last home, and my electricity consumption didn’t change noticeably when I purchased it. I did have to change the gaskets, and I got it painted, but that was all it needed. Unfortunately, though it still runs like a champ, I broke the temperature adjustment knob by turning it when it was frosted over. I never got around to bringing it to the guy north of Albany, NY, to have it repaired; he passed away a few years ago so there it sits, waiting to be put back to work!
I’ll get a picture up before the end of the weekend!
Ok, Janet, I’ll do an uploader on other small appliances at seom point!
Janet, thanks for the Hartford Element info. I’m in EH and have been using my vintage range but the oven is 50 degrees off. Maybe they can get it to the correct temp reading.
ps: if you are not far from me, I have 2 guys I know that pulled my range out of a basement, into a truck, then into my house about 4+ years ago, very reasonable, if your men won’t do it, I might be able to hook you up.
Wow, Denise, you are close by! I don’t think Hartford Element does major appliances, just small ones. For big appliances, I use a guy who lives in Ashford and he is great. When my mother-in-law lost her fridge in one of those bad storms last year, he came twice to try and fix it and only charged her one service call. And he is just a young fellow! Some day the my son should be able to convince a few friends to help him move that stove, but Phil has to check the wiring first. It has been sitting for so long now, I am afraid the wiring may be dry rotted. An elderly lady came into our store back in the early nineties looking at new stoves. She had this old fifties GE 40″ stove but could not bring herself to part with it. I told her if she EVER got a new one or decided to scrap it to call me. Bless her heart, years later she was moving and called me to come and get it so I have had it in storage for over fifteen years now because my last house had built-ins. I was delighted that this house had the spot for a 40″ (or maybe it is the 39″ size) but it had a brand new stove so that stayed for now. I would much prefer that old one though.
Thanks Janet for that info. Good to know anyway for the smalls. Would love to get the guy’s info. from Ashford. If you’d like, email me at vergeofsnapping@gmail.com
This is my second 40″ vintage stove, the first has a long storage story and now it’s at my friend’s cabin in NH. This current one I found after renovating my kitchen and I had a 30″ i was still using but fortunately accounted for the possibility of finding a 40″ and was able to move the end cabinet a few inches over.
Im really enjoying all of you pictures! I’ll be gathering my vintage kitchen items later on today. Each one will get a photo shoot and I’ll share them with you!!!
St. Louis Wendy, I have the same Rival Ice Crusher and a turquise GE m47 too! I love the quality of vintage appliances… so much nicer than what we get today.
i agree on the quality. all of my vintage appliances work, and they work better than most of the new stuff out there. back then we weren’t a ‘disposable nation’, and things were made with pride in the usa.
Wendy, I also greatly admire your collection, especially the multi-colored hand mixers and the pink Swing-A-Way! I do remember when the Sunbeam toaster that self-lowered came out – it was so neat and unique at the time! And that domed egg-cooker and the retro looking one, those are fabulous! I still use my 1972 Waring avocado blender, but it is so disgraceful looking, I wouldn’t even post a photo of the poor thing. Whoever has the Lady Vanity one, it has the same user guide as either Waring or Oster has so I would bet it was made exclusively for some store with another name and appearance. All of these are so much fun to see!
janet, i actually emailed GE to see if they had any information or archives on the m47 – primarily a list of colors that were made. sadly they had no info. but i think i have all the colors. i do have 2 turquoise, but they are different shades, maybe from storage differences over the years.
i am absolutely lusting for an m47 stand mixer, but i think they were only available overseas. checkie outie:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/32089334@N08/5232808769/
Wendy, Neat! You may be right – we went to all the GE sales shows and had all the catalogs and I took care of that branch of the sales floor and I never saw one of them. Never even heard of them! I had a white GE stand mixer when I got married, thought it sounded like the gears were grating, so I found one on ebay in yellow just like my mother’s, belonged to a fellow’s grandmother. Both of them are still running just fine! Personally, I don’t know how people did without one of them – hand mixers are fine for some things but cookie batches need a stand mixer! Wish I still had all of those old catalogs. I even had some for major appliances of the mid-sixties, but I have no idea where it went when I moved. That’s the stuff that doesn’t survive.
Oops! Just realized I called it a GE mixer – I have GE on the brain. My stand mixers are Sunbeam Mixmasters. Could someone give me the info to brew coffee in a Farberware or GE perc? I don’t have any manuals so I don’t know the ratio of water to grounds. Thanks!
Janet, your Farberware stainless perc should have markings on the inside – fill the waterline to the mark for your desired no. of cups. I have found that a level tablespoon (use the one from your set of measuring spoons) of coffee for each cup works good. i don’t like strong cofee ala Starbucks. I use Maxwell House. Plug it in and away you go- starts automatically; there is no switch. Make sure you have water in the pot before you plug it in. Unplug when coffee is all consumed. Also, not immersible. Carefully wash out interior and keep water from base. Hope this helps.
Patrick: Are you reading this? Do you have any info on mixer colors?
This is so cool! I have an obsessive amount of ice crushers in the house and I also bring home anything I can get my hands on with o’mat on it. I’ve run out of room to display them all. I posted a few pictures.
I was going to post my collection of antique massagers, but saving them to do an exhibit on my site someday
i also love anything that has “o-matic” as part of its name. i think the 60′s was the “o-matic” decade
There’s just something about that name.
Ice O Mat
Grind O Mat
Shred O Mat
Juice O Mat
Broil O Mat
Can O Mat
Are there any others?
Hi Laura,
have a look at my shot of the Caddy-matic in the red box not one of my best photos it is a wall mounted tea dispenser made in Great Britan don’t know if they sold them in the States
YES!!!!
There is a knife-o-mat, and I just won one on ebay – new old stock with its original box! and it’s blue!
And I was the ONLY bidder! I’m so excited!!!
yay for the knife-o-mat!
I am impressed that so many have old percolators they can still love and use. Mom and I wore out her two percolators and I wore out the new one I bought a few years ago also. Perked coffee just tastes better to me plus it is much hotter.
I think the key on that is “new” percolator.
The vast majority of my small appliances are “vintage,” and with the exception of two waffle irons and two blenders (grandma’s avocado Sunbeam shot blue flame out the bottom in an amazing display) none have died of old age – they have broken from stupidity on my part, but that doesn’t count!! Most can be repaired, unlike modern junk, but the problem is finding anyone to do the repair. *sigh*
I know, preaching to the choir here, but it’s so nice to have a sympathetic audience.
I used to be a member of the Old Appliance Club (or, as my dad called it, the Old Appliance Cult) and their magazine was so fun to read.
Of course, the best thing is that vintage percolators seem to be in every junk shop, Salvation Army, Goodwill and church sale, so even if you do kill one or two you can always find another.
Christa C. — For as much as I love your appliances, I am totally digging the mosaic tiles behind them. Is this your kitchen? Did you do this yourself? (Love love your coffee pot collection.)
Hi!-
Yep that is my kitchen…The mosaic tile backsplash I did do myself…I just got the urge one weekend to use all the bits and bobs and discontinued tiles I had collected over the years to use for “something”…it ended up taking me about 2 months to finish, rather than the weekend, and in retrospect I should have replaced the counter top before hand ( but I have plenty more bits to replace if any damage is done) but I had fun.
And thank you…I find it amusing that I collect glass and copper coffee pots/ carafes, but I myself, don’t drink coffee…but I love the way they look! ( I had to put some of the warming stands inside the cabinets, because it made them too tall for the space!)
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE your backsplash. Wanna send me photos directly, I’ll try to do a post! Did I mention I LOVE it?
Another post with props for the backsplash!! GREAT work!!
That is awesome! My sister-in-law and I designed the tile backsplash in my kitchen. We built, glazed, and fired the tiles in her kiln. I love it, and I look at it as our statement that we built our kitchen to live in and love, and not for some future resale.
OHMYGOSH, Betsy, I was JUST going to ask Christa the same thing! I love the turquoise in it and wondered also if they did it themselves!
Was just about to take a picture of my cool Sunbeam toaster with the cool leaves on the side – and then noticed someone already put a pic up of the same one! Darn!
I really enjoy seeing them all anyhow, duplicates or not!
I passed on a mixmaster at a thrift store a few weeks ago and now I’m totally regretting it. I’ll just have to keep my eyes open and hope the thrifting gods are good to me in the future. I love them!
Jeff! Where on earth did you find that marvelous turquoise hood? What a great look! And the pink aluminim coffee pot to match the stove in another photo is wonderful too! That is similar to the stove in my basement that I want to bring up. And yeah, when I removed our manual defrost fridge to put in a self-defrosting one, my electric bill went way up. The discarded fridge was one from the eighties and it wasn’t working right, but I had one from the fifties that was fantastic and I never should have sold it. Again, the newer ones are lousy.
Love seeing everyone’s small appliance photos. I was particularly taken with Wendy’s collection of colorful irons. So much wonderful eye-candy on display!
Did I miss a photo of irons or did you mean the hand mixers? I was so happy to see the roasters on stands. When I was a kid, we had friends who did their Thanksgiving turkey in one of those roasters and I thought that was the neatest thing! Always wanted one but I don’t know where I would put it. Does someone do them in colors? Seems that I saw one once.
It WAS the hand mixers! I’m getting my small appliances mixed up no doubt because I was doing some ironing myself this morning right before commenting.
I had not seen the turkey stands before. I really want one of those Hamilton Beach mixers though. Morgan’s is nifty.
To Jeff with the GE Rotisserie – I was hoping to see one of these ! Do you use it, and if so…can you give a review ? Also, the Roto-Broil, I have come close to purchasing both of these, but have hesitated, due to size. And…I’m wondering about ease or lack thereof, of cleaning. I have been hem-hawing over rotisseries, and just can’t decide.
this just keeps getting better! i want sooooo many of the items that are posted! that westinghouse toaster is fabulous! and BONNIE HOWARD – is that your countertop under the very cool hot plate?? *love*!!
Hi Wendy. I’m glad you like my Westinghouse toaster. It was unused with its original tags when I bought it and I’ve been too afraid to use it because I worship the darn thing & don’t want to mess it up. And if you happen to be Wendy in St. Louis, I LOVE your kitchen!
i am wendy in st. louis, but it is not my kitchen you love. (unless you just liked the mixer display and the one freestanding metal cabinet i have.) the rest of my kitchen is sadly boring. “the other wendy” has the pink kitchen, although i have only seen snippets of it in the photos above.
I absolutely LOVE your mixer display! It’s the first thing I fell in love with while looking at the photos.
Jennifer, you have my favorite vacuum! I had one for twenty years and it finally quit so I got one from Montgomery Ward that I still use. Not the same thing but I swear by those little hand held vacs and use them all the time. I am watching two MV’s right now on ebay. What do you do for bags? That is the biggest problem right now, finding those bags.
Hi Janet, We picked up our MV in Illinois from a garage sale for $3 about 10 years ago. it is complete with all the tools, including the screw so you can hang it up on the wall! We still have the original cloth bag and it hasn’t ripped yet. I guess we should try and find a replacement for the future. I am always surprised to see things that I have and use on ebay for so much! I finally live in a 50′s ranch so all the things i have unwittingly collected all these years are happily at home! good luck.
Hmm. I wonder if earlier ones had the cloth bag instead of paper bags. I went through two of those little hand vacs but both had paper bags with them. Maybe it was an option if not standard on earlier ones. My best buddy was avocado; I can’t remember what the second one was but it didn’t last long as it was used when I got it. I have to have a hand-held vacuum when I do my spring and fall cleaning, for cobwebs and windows and edge cleaning. They are remarkable little vacs and I so need to get another one before the Montgomery-Ward one dies on me.
Until I found this Retro Renovation website I thought I was the only person obsessed with the mid century era. Now I think I’m in heaven and I check this site everyday.
I want one of every appliance posted.
Wow. SO many uploads, so little time.
I LOVE all of it. There is no way really to single out any one thing that stands above the rest (for me, anyway).
You gotta give props though to the collection of mixers in all the purdy colors of the vintage rainbow. JEALOUS!
The little atomic heating pad/trivet looking thing – I was watching one just like that on Etsy for a spell. Is that where you got it?
Naturally, the toasters with the leaf painting – are beyond words. I’ve coveted once since I first laid eyes on one on eBay over a year ago now. But, I got my 4 slice Proctor Silex, and it’s been great.
The toaster with the swirls is wonderful too. One is up for sale on Etsy right now for $48 if anyone is interested.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/102749547/vintage-toaster-electric-toaster?ref=usr_faveitems
I love everything kitchen related, so this has been most fun and of course, ads to my ‘need to have list’.
Thanks everyone, for the uploads!
What a feast for the eyes – all these swanky items! I love them all but have to say the solid copper canisters (sage green) are swell. I tend to agree about NOT stripping them! I wish I were home, and not at our summer place, to post my blender collection (cloverleaf, beehive, etc.) I recently discovered this site and am delighted being among kindred spirits who appreciate the vintage look and feel!
Welcome, Diane in CO. We do have some fun here!!
“Some fun’??? We have more fun here than people ought to be allowed, Pam! I *heart* Retro Renovation and all the peeps that hang here. Best community EVAH! (say that with a Maine accent).
And, welcome to our corner of retro heaven, Diane.
I’ve had them for about 12 years, every so often I want to get rid of the avocado, but I haven’t done it yet… so I doubt I ever will. Besides, if I did that, I’d have to polish them all the time! lol
Why do I always forget to use the term “swanky”? *sigh* :/
haha…. my very first intro 20(?) yrs. ago to the wonderful vintage world of kitchenware was collecting Swanky Swigs! I was hooked and the rest is history…. Thanks for the welcome; I’ve been in hudee heaven, discovering this site.
Just renovated two 1935 bathrooms with wild art deco tile (saved that) in CO (turned out awesome) and currently doing away with (I do apologize) a PINK BATHROOM here at cottage in WI. We are saving (glazing) cast iron tub and the pink vanity but painting it white…. this incredible website has convinced me to NOT replace faucet in my 1959 knotty pine cottage kitchen however! (Cabinets and sea green formica countertops were never in jeopardy!) Love all the links and posts!!!
I’m currently making roast beef in my Montgomery Ward Crockery Slow Cooker. It’s got a graphic of vegetables along the side and it’s almond and brown in color. Very 1970′s. I bought it at a thrift store a few months ago for $10! That leads me to a question for those who have posted photos of their small appliances: Are they mainly display pieces or do you actually use them? I don’t buy vintage appliances unless they work and I intend to use them.
Terry, I buy mine to USE. Otherwise what’s the point? I want to BE back then, so yeah, they better work. Nothing better than making mashed potatoes with a mixer that has TWELVE SPEEDS instead of 3.
Terry,
I use all of my vintage appliances. I think they were made to last a lifetime. When I’m working in the kitchen I almost feel like Donna Reed! I love them.
And, forgot to say, YUM! About your roast beef. Take a plate shot and share it at the FB page!!!! Please????
I did clean my bathrooms today. Like a maniac. But aside from that, all I did was watch these photos come in, haha.
I ignored my bathroom today. But! I’m working on a continental meal right now (continental meaning eating late). Baked Haddock w/buttered crumbs, jasmine rice with baby spinach wilted into it, and my first attempt at fried green tomatoes (from our garden).
But no, no bathroom cleaning today. Shoulda. Well, I still have Sunday.
What the heck? I’m doing retro salmon patties and macaroni and cheese. HAHAHA!!!!!
And Rickie – pray tell, which cookbook did you use for your salmon patties?
Sounds like a fab dinner!
Girl, there is no cookbook for southern fried. It’s just passed down from generations. You can fry anything and you don’t need a cookbook. Instinct.
Yup. Like braised steak in my family (who originally hails from Virginia). I hear ya. Wish me luck with my fried green tomatoes tonight!
And, I love that you said “Girl….” at me.
Hannah,
You don’t need luck. All you need is Crisco and cornmeal or flour, which ever you prefer. Get the grease hot and only turn the tomatoes one time. I can tell you have that mojo from the south. Good luck!
Rickie
I did it wrong!!! My cousin in Virginia said she just used flour and olive oil. So, that’s what I did (even though I did look up methods online). Crisco – ah takes me back. We need a can of that around.
Even though, they were very tasty. Just not as crispy as I’d have liked. But, experimentation in the kitchen is good for the soul. Yes?
Retro salmon patties and macaroni and cheese! Love! That was the standard Friday dinner in our Catholic household when I was growing up! My mom never used a recipe and I use her non-recipe recipe as well.
I buy them to use them, but I have to admit that some only get used once and that’s it. We made two meals in the Broil Quick, but it was a MAJOR pain in the neck to clean, so now it’s just in the kitchen looking pretty. I use my waffle irons – more for grilled cheese than waffles! – and of course my egg cooker!
I also have an obscenely large collection of vintage linens and table ware – my vintage goes from the kitchen to the dining room! But everything gets used, or why have it??
Fist-bump fellow dish and table linen fan…. and I use it all too, never met a vintage tablecloth/napkin I didn’t like and one can never have too many sets of vintage dishes — but it’s no good sitting in the cupboard. And guests love it – great conversation starter — and ironing IS good contemplative time, right???
Diane – I am a FREAK for table settings (dishes, flatware, serving bowls, mixing bowls, place-mats and tablecloths). I use ALL of mine. I rotate my tablecloths (and place-mats) weekly (have about 12 now) and I use a plastic cover over them so they can be enjoyed but not ruined with potential stains (I buy clear plastic by the yard at Jo-Ann’s).
I have a full vintage melmac set, and a full vintage china (Knowles) set. The only challenge I find is making sure everything I’m cooking is timed right since you can’t reheat on either in the microwave. That’s where Pyrex comes in handy.
What line of Melmac do u have? I love my speckled Holiday by Kenro of Fredonia WI but use it sparingly, like for a picnic and never put in the dishwasher. Also have tons of American Modern (chartreuse, seafoam and granite gray; some chutney) by Russel Wright and also great restaurantware (a personal side-passion) and a hard-won collection of Lu-Ray. It’s a joy to use it all.
Diane, I replied but it has disappeared!
I have Oneida melmac (service for 8) in a daisy pattern. We use it every other weekend I’d say, as I switch between that and the Knowles “Festival”. Also depends on what I’m serving and which dish I think will accent my ‘plate shot’ best for what’s being served up on it.
Oneida pattern:
http://www.rubylane.com/item/95984-10022/Oneida-Delux78e-Melmac-Platter-Green
Knowles pattern (same seller I bought my set from – also service for 8):
http://www.etsy.com/listing/97390791/vintage-dinner-plates-set-of-4?ref=usr_faveitems
I’m going to have to google your sets to see what they look like and swoon over them.
hannah, those are both fabulous! Both new to me. Thanks for the links. Mine will seem plain to you, being all solid-color ‘wares. The Kenro Holiday is faintly “speckled” and comes in 4 different colors so it’s more of a “Fiesta” style set. Really sturdy heavy melmac. My LuRay is a mix of 3 different colors as well.
hahaha, hello fellow dish and table setting, kitchenware freaks!…and isn’t this about the best uploader yet? I can hardly keep up with all the cool stuff. Hannah, I did finally get around to answering some questions for you on last week’s cookbook theme.
Hi Ima Pam
I’ll have to go search for your reply!
Usually, I buy an item simply because of its retro look and will fit in well with my kitchen decor. About 80% of the time these old time appliances still work! I’ve been really lucky when it comes to vintage radios. I have about 20 and 18 of them still work. I do unplug them in addition to turning them off when not is use though. That includes the small appliances as well.
Terry,
We use all of our vintage appliances. We’ve currently got a blender, hand mixer, toaster, toaster oven (we got rid of our microwave a few years ago, as we didn’t use it), waffle iron/griddle, and percolator. All of these are used with some frequency and they are built so much better than anything today. The last patent for a toaster was filed in 1957, which means that the new ones made today are based off of a 50+ year design. I wish they still made new appliances to last. Most of what we own is at least 40 years old and they all work like they are new!
i use all of mine. the coffeemaster every day, the rest as needed for the occasion. i must say that having more than one hand mixer is great. often a recipe calls for two or more things that need separate mixing. when you have multiple mixers, there are always clean beaters at the ready! it is so nice not to have to wash and dry the beaters between tasks, and as a bonus there is no more fighting over who gets to lick the beaters…. plenty for all!
I use all my vintage appliances, but I don’t leave the roaster on if I’m not home.
FeralHousewife — you rock! You and Gumby…. heeheee!
I second that!!!
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAH THIRD HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH OH I JUST BURNT THE CHICKEN PIE HAHAHAHAHAHAH YOU ROCK !!!
I totally use all of mine ( well except for the coffee pots…I don’t drink coffee) Though some, like the hotplates, only come out at parties. And the deep fryer is the same ( it can be used as a crock pot…but frankly, the one with a removable crock is easier to deal with ( and bigger) The Toast o-later toaster maes THE BEST, most perfect toast I have ever had!
i have always wanted a toast-o-later! the holy grail is the totally clear one – i think a salesman’s demo unit. how great would it be to own one of those?!!
OMG, it just keeps getting better and better! The Roto-Broil 400 is to die for!
Isn’t it? I would be making a rotisserie chicken every other night. That is cool!
OMG, LOVE The Starflite Toaster !!!!!!!
That Starflite toaster was an Ebay find; less than $30 (including shipping) and it was NOS!
Oh NIIIICEEEEEEEEE Sherree !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So much to envy! I turned down an amazing 1950s pale turquoise stand mixer a few weeks ago because I don’t have any counter space to display it.
I do have a cousin of the modern turquoise Cuisinart mini food processor- an immersion blender in the same color.
I also have a modern reproduction of the Sunbeam Saftylite toaster seen with Gumby & Pokey up there, too!
1951 Mirro Aluminum cookie press, with original box and recipe booklet. I use it every Christmas, it’s been used every year since 1951 and works great.
Nothing in the world made popcorn like those electric poppers. I remember taking one with me to college.
OMG Ruth! you just reminded me of something I’d long forgotten. I took one to college too. not only did we make popcorn, we used it to heat up soup too! probably not a great idea, but we were poor and starving!
That red percolator! *swoon*
Not to mention the boomerang formica countertop and trim shown with the red percolator! Is that trim original? Fantastic!
I have orange boomerang counter tops – if you want them come and get them. Definitely NOT my style, but if you love it you’re welcome to it! lol
You can see them under my little green egg cooker.
I remember seeing a microwave oven shaped like Jeff’s GE rotissorie oven; slant sided controls. I believe it was a Panasonic.
Love looking thru all of these photos! I’m loving those Sunbeam glass toasters from the 60s featured in a couple photos. I’ve never seen one before. I want one!
And I really want one of those Danish Modern electric food warmers/hot plate. My girlfriend uses one at our monthly Euchre night that was her mothers.
Jeanne, the glass toasters are on ebay often, just do some research so you don’t pay too much. prices vary widely. As for the food warmers, you can find them pretty regularly at garage sales, estate sales, goodwill, thrift stores, etc. around here they go for $2 – $3.
Thanks for the info Wendy!
Wendy, what is that Delta toaster you posted? Holy cow, I am in LOVE.
the Delta toaster was posted by “the other Wendy” as I call her
we need her city so we can distinguish! I’m Wendy in St. Louis.
and I agree – that is one awesome toaster.
Those Sunbeam glass toasters are the coolest toasters EVER! They are everything that is good about mid-mod design.
And the Swing-a-Way can opener? It’s a pink 50′s AT-AT! SO in love…
Ima Pam… How hot does your wear ever bean pot get ? I was recently making a batch of pintos, and the pot never seemed to get hot…but the plate was very hot…I’m wondering if it is meant to keep the beans warm after cooking, or actually cook the beans ?
Hi Anna, I actually don’t use it for cooking beans! I use it to heat milk to 150 degrees for yogurt. Heat, unplug and let cool to 110. Stir a cup of cultured yogurt in, and put a kitchen towel or two over it for insulation. 8-10 hours later, perfect yogurt! But that’s not what you asked, is it?
I know the milk gets to about 160 degrees in about two hours, but do not know if that’s hot enough to cook beans. And yes, that plate gets very hot!
REALLY ?!?!?! That is so cool !!!
I think I’m going to have to try that ! What is your culture…(another yogart) ? And how long does it keep…oooh….Do you make other things with the yogart ?????
Yes, just start with any plain store bought yogurt that has active cultures. After that, you can reserve some homemade to start the next batch, if you want. The crock pot is just the right size to make 1/2 gallon at a time, it keeps about two weeks in the fridge. I make fruit smoothies, have it with granola for breakfast, make a marinade for chicken…That little crockpot almost went bye-bye, because I never used it…Now, it’s in use all the time! So easy.
Anna S Banana – is that an egg cooker in the front right of your photo? Would you please post a close up of it?? It looks like a more “modern” version of my little green one. I’d love to see a few more pictures of it. Please!
Will do Michelle ! It’s a little Hankscraft egg cooker. I love yours, especially the little divits that hold the eggs. The hankscraft needs an aluminum insert that holds the egg, of which I do not have, but luckily, I like poached eggs. But I’m still on a constant lookout for the insert. I onece even saw one that looked more like yours, that said “Little Quail Egg Cooker”, it was adorable !
Never thought I’d say I was in L-O-V-E with salt ‘n pepper shakers but the Appliance Collection S&P’s are wonderful!!! Such a well-done display! (I have to admit I have the exact same “TV Console” set in mint condition. I love how when you turn the knob, the shakers pop up).
Justin, if you see this…just wanted to ask if you have used your defroster. I have a 61 Hotpoint fridge (the same color as your washer) and this will be the first time I’ve ever actually defrosted a refrigerator.
Was hoping an item like yours would ease the process.
Amazing stuff everyone!!!!
I just got the defroster this past week. Haven’t had a chance to use it. I have a 61 Hotpoint fridge in turquoise as well. Currently don’t use it, I have a 49 Hotpoint fridge in pink that is being used currently. Would like to see a picture of your fridge though.
I used my X4 monitor top as my main fridge for a few years. When it was time to defrost it, I turned it off then put a pan of hot water on the shelf under the ice maker and closed the door for a little while. The ice usually came off in sheets. It’s not all that difficult or time consuming, and chipping at the ice is kind of fun once you get into it – you try and see how big of a piece you can get off at a time.
I was told once that if you dry the iced over area well, and then spray it with non-stick spray, the ice comes off much easier. However, I never tried that so can not recommend it.
Justin, thanks for the reply. We got the fridge with matching stove about a year ago and they both work perfectly. I can email you a pic if you’d like. I saw that Pam mentioned she would do a large appliance post soon, so we can share then as well. I’d love to see all of yours!
Michelle, thanks for the tips! It’s one of those jobs I keep putting off. I remember in one of the old Mad Men shows Betty Draper did it, so it can’t be that bad
oh oh oh oh oh
That Rotis-A-View… be still my heart.
Does anyone want a Broil-Quick?
To Jeff with Dominion Oven Broiler: do you use it and do you like it? I have one that I use for reheating left overs and for making toast in. I love it, but it scares the bejesus out of my wife, who won’t go near it. Just looking to see if you like yours.
As well she shouldn’t go near it! I have one similar to Jeff’s but mine doesn’t flip over – it looks more like the Munsey in photo #179. It has a long detachable handle that fits into slots in the door and pulls out. I love it for English muffins and toast, nice and evenly toasted, but it scares me too when used as a broiler. I was doing lamb chops one night and went out on the back porch because of the smoke. They must have been fattier than usual and the drippings caught fire – never had that happen before. The flames had to be almost two feet high! Good thing I was on the porch and didn’t have to go across the kitchen with that flaming drawer. I highly recommend it for toast or English or heating Danish but the broiler is indeed dangerous. Maybe I am using it wrong – Jeff may be able to shed some light on it more than I can!
Janet, good to know! We don’t eat meat often, but I use it pretty frequently for toasting and reheating leftovers (we donated our microwave about 6 years ago b/c we hardly used it). The Dominion can hold a Lean Cuisine (or other similarly sized meal) perfectly! I love ours, but my wife has put bread in to toast and ended up with charred pieces’ one definitely has to keep an eye on it…
An electric sink??? Wow there’s two things that you don’t see together very often! lol (jealous!)
What a great day ! Thank you Pam !!!
I have so enjoyed everyones photos !!!
My mother had that exact Sunbeam deep fat fryer. About once a year on a cold rainy day, she would make doughnuts in it. They were the best I ever had.
*ACK*
I forgot I have an NOS electric carving knife!!!! Darn. Oh well…It was a great weekend everyone, lots of fun pictures and conversation.
I’ll leave the uploader on til end of day-ish Monday….
Aw Pam. You didn’t have to do that! I just took pics but have to go back to work in a couple. It IS NOS, but just checked and it’s 1986 – so maybe that doesn’t count. The power button IS orange though!
Anna B’s egg cooker pic #207 is popular with some Fiesta collectors. They were made in red orange, green, turquoise and ivory with matching egg cups. A complete unit would have an egg holder and small glass bowl that went in the cooker.
Who’s Red Flavo-Matic coffeepot is that? I want to see more of your kitchen. That copper tile, the run of metal backsplash, the countertop, oh me oh my. What a tease.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the Fitzgerald Magic Maid circa !!! Just beautiful !!! Please fill us in on it’s backstory !!!
Thanks Anna! It was a real treat to find that mixer. I had just successfully delivered my first wedding cake and thought I would reward myself with a trip to an antique shop. The shop was out of an old house in Lewiston NY. Several floors of goodies! I walked into the basement and out of the corner of my eye I see this green gem! I actually squealed with glee…. people were looking at me funny…
I just HAD to have it. It ‘s my favorite mixer in my mixer collection. It works and it’s in great condition. Here is some info on the history!
http://www.angelfire.com/home/flexibleshaft/SunbeamCompetition.html
I love that glass toaster. Wonder why they don’t make things like that anymore –
I didn’t upload any photos, but I’ve got quite a few of what was shown -mixmaster (lovely shade of brown, made to look like wood I think); percolator, deep fryer, waffle iron and popcorn popper. My mom said they used the popcorn popper to heat soup the first night in their new house (1961), because the appliances hadn’t been put in yet. So, remember it’s a dual use item folks!
Love the roasters — my mom wasn’t willing to part with hers, but was lucky enough to find one of my own on Craigslist. Probably hadn’t be used more than a half dozen times or so. Nothing like it for Thanksgiving turkey!
Wendy in St. Louis–did you get that pink can opener recently? We had one in my MIL’s estate sale in August.
Stacia,
Nope, I got that one on Etsy awhile back. How could you not keep your MIL’s for yourself??
There’s a pink one on ebay right now!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RETRO-1950S-PINK-AND-CHROME-SWING-A-WAY-ICE-CRUSHER-/390466333799
Whoever posted “My wife’s Coffee Carafe collection!!!” — first of all, I love the collection! Especially that shot glass holder thingy. Fab!
Secondly, I have that same blue ceramic lamp! I absolutely adore it! The little fat body, the fabulous finial…swoon! Mine didn’t come with a shade, so I picked one up locally – it’s new but looks quite vintage.. Here’s a link to mine:
http://www.pbase.com/weed30/image/136852310
I love your lamp, wendy!
Thanks; we really enjoy hunting for these little gems. Coffee carafes are one of the pinnacles of design. They represent their time like nothing else!
We love that lamp too and also purchased it without a shade! Does anyone here know what it “should” look like?
What I really love is the end table in that pic. We have the set, made in Hollywood Florida in 1955. The coffee table is round! Really cool.
I remembered that there was a sticker on the lamp so I went to check it out. It was made by Royal Haeger.
Mine still has the Royal Haeger sticker too! I thought it was interesting that the sticker on mine had never been removed because it’s on the body, not on the base.
I forgot to mention in my earlier post that I love your end table!
I just realized that the old mixers had mixing bowls to match the color of the mixer itself – neat! Thanks, everyone, for all the fantastic photos! It was such a pleasure to see all the vintage and retro items we love. Keep up the good work!
I always see interesting percolators as church sales, would like to buy one, but never know what should be inside so it works! any advice? can you tell i am not a very serious coffee drinker?
Missed it again! I guess I need to visit every day. I have many, many vintage small appliances I would have loved to send photos of some. I am a vintage small applianceaholic. My latest find was a “Baconer” from the early 70′s. My gosh, it cooks bacon like a dream! Why they ever quit making them, I don’t know!
FYI –Naples Florida has the most amazing Salvation Army filled to the brim with mid century treasures at affordable prices. You will think you died and went to heaven.
The Salvation Army
FAMILY Store
2255 Davis Boulevard
Naples, FL 34104
Phone: 239-774-4347
Store hours are Monday thru Saturday, 10.00am to 4.00pm.
12,000 sq ft of furnishings & household items
There is plenty of parking both East and West of the building.