29 Kitchen Tools From the ’60s Selling Fast Online

The drawer next to the stove used to hold the same dozen gadgets for thirty years. A spatula with a red handle, an egg beater with a crank, a timer that ticked loudly enough to hear from the next room.

Nobody thought of them as design objects, because they were just the things that worked.

Those same pieces now move quickly on resale sites, often to buyers who plan to cook with them rather than shelve them. Some sell on nostalgia, some on build quality that newer versions cannot match, and a few on both.

Ekco Utensils With Bakelite and Wood Handles

Ekco Products of Chicago supplied a huge share of American kitchen drawers, and its spatulas, ladles, mashers, and slotted spoons from the 1950s and 1960s are steady sellers. Buyers look for the stainless heads stamped with the Ekco name and handles in red, black, or yellow Bakelite or painted wood.

The Flint line, with its heavier construction and matched designs, draws particular interest. Single utensils often sell for $8 to $25, and matched sets on original wall racks can bring $50 to $120.

Condition drives price, and cracked handles or pitted metal lower value.

A&J Rotary Egg Beaters

A&J hand-crank egg beaters were so common that many households owned two, one for eggs and one for batter. The brand became part of Ekco, and 1960s versions often have painted wood handles in red, green, or cream, with the A&J name cast into the gear wheel.

Cooks still like them because they whip cream and eggs without a cord and wash easily. Most sell for $12 to $35, with bright original paint and smooth-turning gears at the top end.

Condition matters, since rust, loose blades, and chipped handles reduce value.

Foley Food Mills

The Foley Manufacturing Company of Minneapolis made hand-crank food mills that pushed cooked fruit and vegetables through a perforated plate while holding back seeds and skins. Home canners and baby-food makers relied on them, and many cooks still prefer them for applesauce and tomato sauce because they give a smoother texture than a blender.

The tinned or stainless bodies are simple, which is why so many still work. Used mills often sell for $15 to $40, and clean boxed examples can bring more. Condition controls value, so rust and bent blades matter.

Androck Printed Flour Sifters

Androck, a brand of the Washburn Company in Worcester, Massachusetts, made crank and squeeze-handle flour sifters, and its printed versions are the ones collectors chase. The metal bodies were decorated with flowers, fruit, kitchen scenes, and recipes, turning a plain tool into a small piece of graphic design.

Foley also made sifters, but the printed Androck styles usually attract more attention. Common sifters often sell for $10 to $30, while bright, unusual designs can bring $40 to $80.

Condition drives value, and faded printing, rust, and stiff cranks lower the price.

Mouli Rotary Graters

The French firm Moulinex built its early reputation on hand-cranked kitchen tools, and its compact Mouli rotary grater became a common American gadget by the 1960s. Food went into a hopper above a small drum, and a crank handle pushed it across the grating surface while fingers stayed well clear.

Cooks still use them for hard cheese, nuts, and chocolate. Most sell for $10 to $30, with boxed sets and extra drums bringing more.

Condition matters, and rust on the drum or a broken clamp reduces value.

Dazey Wall-Mounted Can Openers

Dazey, a St. Louis company that first made its name with butter churns, also produced sturdy wall-mounted can openers for mid-century kitchens. Many had chrome bodies and colored handles, and some models lifted off a wall bracket for easy cleaning.

Buyers like them because they are simple, strong, and often still work after decades of use. Most sell for $20 to $60, and examples with original brackets and boxes can bring more.

Condition drives price, and worn cutting wheels or missing brackets lower value.

Swing-A-Way Can Openers

Swing-A-Way Manufacturing, another St. Louis company, made handheld and wall-mounted can openers that became standard in American kitchens. The basic design barely changed for decades, and the name is still used on modern versions, which is why buyers check for the older, heavier chrome models.

Vintage models with chrome finishes and colored handles sell steadily, especially wall-mount versions with original hardware. Prices often run $15 to $45, and new-old-stock examples in the package can bring more.

Condition matters, and dull cutting wheels or rust reduce value.

Rival Ice-O-Mat Ice Crushers

Rival Manufacturing of Kansas City sold the hand-crank Ice-O-Mat from the 1950s into the 1960s, and many were screwed to kitchen walls or the side of a home bar. Cubes went into a hopper on top, a few turns of the handle broke them up, and the crushed ice dropped into a small catch cup underneath.

Painted bodies came in red, white, and other period colors. Most sell for $25 to $75, with bright paint, the original cup, and the wall bracket at the top end.

Condition controls value, so rust, missing cups, and chipped paint lower the price.

Sunbeam Mixmaster Stand Mixers

Sunbeam introduced the Mixmaster in 1930, and by the 1960s it came in cheerful colors such as pink, turquoise, and yellow alongside the familiar white and chrome. A dial on the motor housing let cooks match the speed to the job, and the beaters were designed to turn the bowl on its own rotating base.

Buyers look for the original beaters, matching bowls, and juicer or grinder attachments. Working mixers often sell for $50 to $150, and rare colors or complete boxed sets bring more.

Condition drives value, and frayed cords, weak motors, and missing parts lower the price.

Osterizer Blenders

Oster began selling the Osterizer blender in the mid-1940s, and by the 1960s its models had grown push-button panels, chrome bases, and a heavy motor that many owners never had to replace. Buyers often plan to use them rather than display them.

Complete machines with the original jar, lid, and cap draw the strongest bids. Prices often run $40 to $125, depending on model and color.

Condition matters, and worn cords, cracked jars, and tired motors reduce value.

Hamilton Beach Drink Mixers

Hamilton Beach built spindle drink mixers for soda fountains early in the twentieth century, and home versions brought the malt shop milkshake into the family kitchen. A single spindle with a small agitator spun inside a tall metal cup, and the machine switched on when the cup was pushed into place on many models.

A surprising number still run. Prices often run $50 to $175, with bright colors and original cups at the top end. Condition drives value, and rust, dents, and motor trouble reduce the price.

Sunbeam Radiant Control Toasters

Sunbeam’s radiant control toasters, first sold in the late 1940s and made for years afterward, had no lever at all. Dropping a slice into the slot made the bread lower itself, and when the toast was done it rose slowly and silently, a trick that still surprises first-time owners.

The polished chrome bodies and rounded Art Deco lines are a big part of the appeal. Prices often run $40 to $150, depending on model and condition.

Condition matters, and worn cords, missing knobs, and a sticky mechanism reduce value.

Presto Pressure Cookers

National Presto Industries of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, made stovetop pressure cookers that let 1960s cooks turn tough cuts, beans, and stews into dinner in a fraction of the usual time. Many still come with their weighted regulators and booklets.

Replacement gaskets and safety plugs remain available for many older models, which keeps them in use. Prices often run $25 to $75, with complete sets bringing more.

Condition drives value, and any old cooker should get fresh seals and a careful inspection before it goes back on the stove.

Salton Hotray Warming Trays

Lewis Salton founded his company in the late 1940s, and its Hotray electric warming tray became a fixture at mid-century buffets and holiday dinners. The idea was simple: plug in the tray, set out the dishes, and let the heated surface keep food warm without drying it out.

Many versions have chrome or aluminum tops with walnut handles, and larger models came on rolling carts. Prices often run $20 to $80 for tabletop trays, with carts bringing more.

Condition matters, and worn cords, deep scratches, and dents reduce value.

Veg-O-Matic Slicers

The Veg-O-Matic arrived in 1963 and became one of the most famous gadgets ever sold on television, thanks to Ron Popeil’s rapid-fire demonstrations. It was developed by his father’s company, Popeil Brothers, and used a push-down frame to drive vegetables through rings of blades that sliced or diced in a single stroke.

Complete examples with every blade ring, the box, and the instruction sheet sell best. Prices often run $20 to $60, with boxed sets at the top end.

Condition drives value, and missing blades, cracked plastic, and loose parts lower the price.

Mirro Cooky-Pastry Presses

Mirro, the aluminum cookware brand based in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, sold its Cooky-Pastry Press to generations of holiday bakers. A twist or push of the plunger forced dough through interchangeable disks to make spritz cookies shaped like trees, wreaths, flowers, and camels, and a set of tips turned it into a frosting decorator.

Sets with every disk, the recipe booklet, and the box are the ones that sell fastest each fall. Prices often run $20 to $60, with complete boxed sets at the top end.

Condition matters, and missing disks, dents, and stiff plungers lower value.

Nordic Ware Bundt Pans

H. David Dalquist of Nordic Ware made the first Bundt pan in 1950 for members of a Minneapolis women’s group who wanted a lighter version of a traditional European ring mold. Sales were modest until the Tunnel of Fudge cake took second place at the 1966 Pillsbury Bake-Off, after which demand for the pan soared.

Early cast aluminum pans are heavier than many modern versions and bake evenly. Prices often run $20 to $60, depending on age and design.

Condition drives value, and scratches, dents, and worn nonstick finishes lower the price.

Aluminum Gelatin Molds

Molded gelatin salads and desserts were party staples in the 1960s, and nearly every kitchen had a stack of aluminum molds shaped like rings, fish, fruit, stars, and fluted crowns. Many came from Mirro and other aluminum makers, and some were offered as premiums through food company promotions.

Today they sell both to cooks reviving retro recipes and to decorators who hang them in groups on kitchen walls. Most sell for $5 to $25, and large or unusual shapes can bring more.

Condition matters, and dents, scratches, and pitting lower value.

Dansk Teak Serving Tools

Dansk was founded in 1954, and its early catalog leaned heavily on designs by Jens Quistgaard, including teak salad servers, pepper mills, and staved ice buckets. The staved pieces were built from strips of teak joined like the sides of a barrel, a technique that gives them their distinctive striped look.

These pieces have become some of the most sought-after mid-century kitchen tools. Salad servers often sell for $40 to $150, while staved ice buckets can bring several hundred dollars.

Condition drives value, and cracks, dryness, and water stains lower the price, though oiling often helps.

Revere Ware Copper-Bottom Cookware

Revere Copper and Brass introduced its copper-clad stainless steel cookware in 1939, and it became one of the most common pan brands in American kitchens. Collectors pay closest attention to the stamp on the base, since pieces marked “Process Patent” generally date from before 1968 and are often considered heavier than later production.

The copper bottoms were designed to spread heat evenly, and many still cook well today. Prices often run $15 to $60 per piece, with matched sets bringing more.

Condition matters, and warping, deep scratches, and worn copper lower value.

Fondue Sets

Fondue became an entertaining craze in the late 1960s, and many households received a set as a wedding or holiday gift. A typical set included a pot on a stand, a small burner underneath, and long forks with color-coded tips so each guest could keep track of a personal fork.

Stainless and copper sets are the most practical to buy today, since they can go straight back into use. Prices often run $20 to $80, depending on material and completeness.

Condition drives value, and missing forks, dents, and damaged burners lower the price.

Corning Ware Cornflower Casseroles

Corning Ware launched in 1958 using Pyroceram, a glass-ceramic material that grew out of Corning’s research for missile nose cones. The blue Cornflower pattern on white became one of the most recognizable designs in American kitchens, and the dishes could go from freezer to oven to stovetop.

That versatility keeps them in demand with cooks, not just collectors. Prices often run $15 to $50 per piece, with lids and unusual sizes bringing more.

Condition matters, and chips, stains, and missing lids reduce value.

Electric Carving Knives

Electric carving knives became a popular holiday gift in the 1960s, when brands such as Hamilton Beach, General Electric, and Sunbeam all competed for a spot at the head of the table. Two serrated blades moved back and forth in opposite directions, letting even a nervous carver slice a turkey or roast neatly.

Boxed examples with both blades and the original storage case are especially popular. Prices often run $15 to $50, depending on brand and completeness.

Condition drives value, and dull blades, worn cords, and missing parts lower price.

Zeroll Ice Cream Scoops

Sherman Kelly patented the Zeroll scoop in the 1930s, and its aluminum handle holds a sealed heat-conductive fluid that warms from the user’s hand and helps release frozen ice cream. There are no moving parts, which is why so many vintage scoops still work perfectly.

The main enemy is the dishwasher, which can dull the finish and damage the seal. Prices often run $10 to $35, depending on size and condition. Condition matters, and dishwasher damage, scratches, and worn finishes reduce value.

Lux Minute Minder Timers

The Lux Clock Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut, made Minute Minder kitchen timers that ticked loudly and rang a bell when time was up. The wind-up mechanism needed no batteries or cords, and many still run accurately decades later.

Mid-century versions came in colorful plastic or metal cases, sometimes shaped to match kitchen themes. Prices often run $15 to $40, depending on color and condition.

Condition drives value, and broken bells, cracked cases, and worn dials lower price.

Farberware Electric Percolators

Farberware’s stainless steel electric percolators were a staple on 1960s counters and at church suppers. Water cycled up through a central tube and over the coffee grounds, and the glass knob on top let the brewer watch the coffee darken.

Many buyers use them daily because the parts are simple and easy to replace. Prices often run $25 to $75, depending on size and condition.

Condition matters, and worn cords, dents, and missing parts lower value.

Tupperware Ice Tups Molds

Earl Tupper’s Ice Tups popsicle molds date to 1955, and an example is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. The set included a tray, cups, and sticks with drip guards, and families used them to freeze juice, pudding, and yogurt all through the 1960s.

Complete sets in original colors are the most desirable. Prices often run $10 to $35, with complete sets bringing more. Condition drives value, and missing sticks, cracks, and discoloration lower the price.

Chrome Waffle Irons

Chrome waffle irons from Sunbeam, Toastmaster, and other brands were common in 1960s kitchens, often as wedding gifts. Many had reversible plates, one side for waffles and the other for grilled sandwiches, and a thermometer or indicator light on the lid showed when the iron was ready.

The heavy construction heats evenly, which appeals to cooks today. Prices often run $30 to $90, depending on style and condition. Condition matters, and worn cords, damaged plates, and pitted chrome lower value.

Kitchen Scales

Mid-century kitchen scales from brands like Hanson and Detecto came in bright colors and simple designs. Many had a large dial and a removable scoop, which made them ideal for weighing flour, sugar, and produce.

Collectors like them for baking and for display on open shelves, especially in pastel shades that match other kitchen pieces from the era. Prices often run $15 to $50, depending on color and condition.

Condition drives value, and rust, cracked dials, and inaccurate mechanisms lower price.

Why Old Tools Still Sell

Vintage kitchen tools sell because they combine memory and usefulness. A mixer, can opener, or egg beater can remind buyers of a parent’s kitchen while still doing real work.

Many of these tools were made to be repaired, which gives them a practical edge over cheaper modern versions.

The market also reflects a broader interest in design. Mid-century colors, chrome, wood, and sturdy construction look good on open shelves and work well in daily cooking.

Buyers are not just collecting objects; they are choosing tools that feel durable and personal.

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