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:
George (UK) says
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.
Michelle says
I made my breakfast with it this morning! Perfect eggs every time!
Terry C says
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!
Michelle says
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
pam kueber says
Yes, I did a story on this not too long ago, 24 retro colors!: https://retrorenovation.com/2012/02/02/kitchenaid-artisan-stand-mixer-in-24-retro-colors/
Terry C says
I’ll keep that in mind if and when the trusty ol’ Sunbeam ever wears out!
Michelle says
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
wendy says
i snuck in my Scooby Doo Mystery Machine alarm clock….so let’s see that Handy Hanna!
wendy in st. louis
Michelle says
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.
wendy says
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
Janet in CT says
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.
Wendy says
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!)
wendy says
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. 🙂
wendy says
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.
Michelle says
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.
wendy says
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.
Michelle says
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!
Laura's Last Ditch--Vintage Kitchenwares says
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.
Michelle says
I won a lid and a filter from the same lady! WOO HOO!
Janet in CT says
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.
Jeff says
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!
Janet in CT says
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.
Jeff says
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.
cinnabar says
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.
pam kueber says
YES, READERS: Do your own research on the issue of aluminum….
Laura's Last Ditch--Vintage Kitchenwares says
I certainly hope not, because I find myself using it all the time. Aluminum pressure cookers really are the best.
Michelle says
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)
wendy says
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.
Michelle says
Yes, I know vacuum isn’t the same as percolated, but I think it’s closer to percolated than drip in flavor. 🙂
mmmmmmmmmmm
wendy says
definitely. no comparison to drip!
hannah says
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!
Janet in CT says
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.
hannah says
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. 😉
Michelle says
Just posted some avocado for you Hanna!
hannah says
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. 😀
Michelle says
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.
hannah says
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. 😉
Laura's Last Ditch--Vintage Kitchenwares says
What’s the link for your treasury?
Bluejay says
Hannah, I scored that blender at our thrift store! It was $4 and works perfectly! It just needed a REALLY good cleaning…
hannah says
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. 😀
wendy says
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
hannah says
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.
Laura's Last Ditch--Vintage Kitchenwares says
Goodwill weeds too mercilessly, IMHO, so sometimes the best stuff is at the Goodwill Outlet.
hannah says
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.
Laura's Last Ditch--Vintage Kitchenwares says
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.
Michelle says
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.
Bluejay says
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!
hannah says
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. 🙂
Laura's Last Ditch--Vintage Kitchenwares says
That makes two of us! It’s time they get their due!
Michelle says
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!
Just another Pam says
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.
deb says
Great idea! Wish I had some…
Susan C. says
Laurie’s kitchen looks so whimsical! Does she have any more pictures of her kitchen?