A Cook’s Guide to Vintage Kitchenware

A C O O K ’ S G U I D E TO V I N T A G E KITCHENWARE

by Gena Golas Laurie Bonneau photos Cara Marcoux styling

THEY JUST DON’T MAKE THINGS THE WAY THEY USED TO, BUT IN THE CASE OF SOME VINTAGE KITCHENWARE, THAT MAY BE JUST FINE. Many

secondhand or antique stores - like Michael Alessi’s dreamy booth, Ale’ccello,

at the top of the stairs at Griswold Street Antiques in Glastonbury - are chock

full of charming and functional vintage kitchenware. Whether you go shopping,

or picking through grandma’s kitchen, these five special items (plus some

honorable mentions) will work just as well in your kitchen as they did in hers.

PYREX What made Pyrex so special when it debuted in 1915 still applies for modern cooks: pretty casseroles that can go seamlessly from oven to table, or a cake that can be carefully watched through the clear glass dish while baking. Add in the nostalgia factor - so many of us can recall exactly which patterns or colors were in our parents’ or grandparents’ cupboards - and vintage Pyrex is an obvious choice for a throwback piece that is just perfect in today’s kitchen. And, you’re not limited to bakeware: search for nesting mixing bowls, butter dishes, chip and dip sets, and measuring cups. To keep your Pyrex in top shape for generations to come, do not bake at temperatures higher than 400 degrees, and always hand wash.

What made Pyrex so special when it debuted in 1915 still applies for modern cooks: pretty casseroles that can go seamlessly from oven to table, or a cake that can be carefully watched through the clear glass dish while baking. Add in the nostalgia factor - so many of us can recall exactly which patterns or colors were in our parents’ or grandparents’ cupboards - and vintage Pyrex is an obvious choice for a throwback piece that is just perfect in today’s kitchen. And, you’re not limited to bakeware: search for nesting mixing bowls, butter dishes, chip and dip sets, and measuring cups. To keep your Pyrex in top shape for generations to come, do not bake at temperatures

“ T H E Y J U S T D O N ’ T M A K E T H I N G S T H E W A Y T H E Y U S E D T O , B U T I N T H E C A S E O F S O M E V I N T A G E K I T C H E N W A R E , T H A T M A Y B E JUST FINE.”

ENAMELWARE Enamelware, made from metal like steel or cast iron, coated in an enamel glaze and then fired to create a smooth, non-porous, and easy to clean surface, is another stillpopular vintage item. From plates to mugs, coffee pots, and cookware, Enamelware comes in numerous colors, designs, and styles to pretty-up your modern kitchen. It’s also dishwasher safe, a nice advantage over aluminum pans. Avoid cooking with Enamelware where the metal has been exposed and perhaps rusted, but unblemished Enamelware works just fine in today’s kitchen - and outside of it. Consider taking Enamelware plates, bowls, and coffee mugs on your next camping trip or picnic for a lightweight and eco-friendly service option.

“ N O T M U C H H A S C H A N G E D A B O U T T H E D E S I G N O F A C L A S S I C , W O O D E N R O L L I N G P I N , A N D N O T MUCH NEEDS TO.”

“ N O T M U C H H A S C H A N G E D A B O U T T H E D E S I G N O F A C L A S S I C , W O O D E N R O L L I N G P I N , A N D N O T MUCH NEEDS TO.”

STORAGE CONTAINERS

Consider using vintage storage containers in your kitchen, such as mason jars for spices,

rice, and cereal; wooden boxes for pantry items like onions and potatoes; or Enamelware

buckets for tea towels, napkins, or silverware. These can be reused again and again and

allow you to cut down on plastics in your kitchen. Check out local fairs and markets for

containers that bear the names of local-to-you brands.

CAST IRON

Whether a pan, kettle, Dutch oven, or even a mortar and pestle, cast iron is one of the

best and most durable of all kitchen items. For an in-depth discussion of the beauty of

H O N O R A B L E MENTIONS:

Juicers: This simple tool has hasn’t changed much over the years, and older wooden, ceramic, or glass versions still work just as well today.

Cookie Cutters: Another item full of nostalgia for many, vintage cookie cutters can be used either for baking or for decoration. Copper and plastic versions keep best over many years.

Cake Stands: Clear glass, milk glass, wire, silver, or practical cast iron - a vintage cake stand’s beautiful design enhances the pastry perched above it.

Cutting Boards: Older cutting boards are often utilitarian, single pieces of wood. Unlike modern cutting boards that are often multiple pieces glued together, these vintage pieces do not delaminate and separate. Oil your cutting boards with food-safe mineral oil to keep the wood looking new.

Linens: Vintage towels, aprons, and tablecloths can be just as beautiful today as they were decades ago. Now, buttery-soft to the touch with years of wear, quality fabrics stand the test of time. There’s something extra-sweet and special about your great-grandmother’s hand embroidery on the edges of one of her old tea towels.