Do you have old kitchen items lying around? If yes, you might be rich!
We love to dine out and eat some fast food from time to time, but despite all of this, Americans are still cooking a lot. Some studies tell us that 30% to 50% of American families manage to eat their meals together regularly.
Maybe this doesn’t sound as much, but considering the hectic lifestyle we all have nowadays, these are some pretty high percentages that show us that people are still using their kitchens.
And where there’s a kitchen, there might also be some old kitchen items forgotten in the back of the cupboards or in some dusty boxes. What is surprising is that there’s a thriving resale market for cookware, and not so many people know about this.
So, all of those old kitchen items you still have and maybe not use anymore are someone else’s treasure. You won’t believe it, but people are eager to throw money at you for some of these vintage cooking accessories.
Not any old kitchen items are part of this category, and it’s obvious that some important aspects like brand, condition, and appearance can all affect the price. Let’s see if your old kitchenware is worth a fortune!
1. Vintage KitchenAid mixers
This is a brand that we all know very well, and even if some of these appliances are now considered old kitchen items, they can still etch an impressive price on the market.
Have you ever heard people talking about buying a KitchenAid? If not, most of them are discussing the potential purchase of such a mixer in the same way they would be talking about buying a new car. And there is a good reason behind all of this.
Most of them are incredibly expensive, and some people consider them a long-term investment. And this is true. They do an amazing job, and they last you a lifetime, sometimes even more.
What people love about postwar Kitchen-Aid mixers is the interchangeability of their attachments. They can be used on any KitchenAid mixer, and this still applies today. Also, the models are available in a wide range of colors, and it seems that everybody loves them.
If a KitchenAid mixer is among your old kitchen items, you might be one of the lucky ones as old kitchen items, and some of them are paying even $5,000 for a mixer.
2. CorningWare pieces
The world of kitchenware may not seem entertaining at all, but there are many fascinating stories out there, and the tale of Pyroceram is no exception. This is a revolutionary material, a glass-ceramic hybrid, and its discovery was a mistake. There was no planning and no scientific research.
In 1958, S. Donald Stookey, a researcher at Corning, was heating some photosensitive glass. By mistake, he overheated it, and this is how this white and durable material was born. Stookey was surprised when he noticed that if he dropped it, it was not shattering, and this is how he knew this was the future.
This discovery was trademarked by Corning and was initially used in military applications. But its true calling was the kitchen, and this is how CorningWare was launched. These dishes are versatile, come in various shapes and sizes, and are a solution for many households because you can cook, bake, freeze, and even serve food all in one dish.
Today they are considered old kitchen items, and actual kitchens replace them with stoneware. You can still find such pieces in thrift stores, but CorningWare has a cult following, and this is the reason why some of these pieces can sell for some good cash.
For example, the unique and limited-edition designs can easily sell for $7,000 on eBay! Also, listings on Etsy showcase 1950s CorningWare sets priced as high as $23,000. So, if by any chance you have CorningWare pieces, simply sell them and become rich!
3. Le Creuset enamel cookware
It can sound like too much for some people, but this is not just a cookware brand; it’s a statement. Everybody heard about Le Creuset, and besides the revolutionary power it added to kitchens all around, this cookware has a unique and stylish design that also adds a pop of color.
Their iconic “Flame” hue, a bright orange-red, wasn’t just the first Le Creuset offered—it became synonymous with the brand itself. But there is more than just color, and we are going to tell you more about it.
Recognized as a great addition to any kitchen, those behind this brand understood that a Dutch oven wasn’t just a cooking tool but a potential centerpiece. Right now, if you want to buy a brand new piece, it will cost you hundreds of dollars. But there is a secret that not many know: some of these old kitchen items can also be quite valuable.
Most collectors are interested in discontinued colors, and these are the pieces that sell for the highest prices. Auctions or vintage shops—those who are passionate about old kitchen items can go a long way toward adding such a piece to their collection.
Even design alterations can affect value. Early Le Creuset lids featured integrated handles. Later models transitioned to separate black knobs. So, if you have one of these colorful cast iron pots and are not using it, you can sell it for some extra money.
4. Vintage cast-iron skillets
If you are a regular cook, then you know how important a cast-iron skillet is and you are also aware that it’s an investment. They can cost around $40 and most of the time are extremely durable, some being your trustworthy kitchen companions for decades.
But what about old kitchen items? What happened to the old cast-iron skillets? Well, cast iron pieces from the 19th and early 20th centuries were crafted by hand, unlike their modern counterparts, which are mass-produced. This makes them unique and also of superior quality.
With proper restoration and seasoning, these pans can be used for both cooking and display, and this is why they are so appealing to collectors and culinary enthusiasts.
But since they are old kitchen items, finding them is a treasure hunt, and this is also what adds to their value. The price range for vintage cast iron cookware is surprisingly diverse, spanning from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars! One time an ultra-rare pan with a spider design was sold for $8,000 on eBay. This specific pan was a one-of-a-kind piece by Griswold Manufacturing.
5. Jadeite dishware
Back in the days, during the Great Depression, jadeite dishware was a big thing, and many Americans loved to have it on their tables and in their kitchens. These are called “jadeite” after the semi-precious stone they are made from.
Initially, this material was used because it had great heat resistance properties, but after WW2, it continued to be used just for aesthetics. And indeed, this is a beautiful color that still attracts many old kitchen item enthusiasts.
Anchor Hocking, under its Fire King label, became one of the most prominent manufacturers of jadeite dishware, and this is why most people who are searching for these dishes are looking for this brand or for Jeannette and McKee, as these are known as the original manufacturers.
If you have some old kitchen items that you want to sell but want to clean them beforehand, this is something that might help you: AMOUR INFINI Terry Dish Cloths Set of 8 Highly Absorbent Super Soft Quick Drying
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