8 Vintage Kitchen Items Worth More Than You'd Expect

It’s a tall task to keep counters and cabinets tidy. Your cupboards are likely stocked with kitchen items a professional organizer would toss. (You’re not alone, I promise.) To make your life easier, spend a day decluttering the kitchen.

Before you pack things up for the thrift shop, though, consider that some vintage kitchen items are worth hundreds of dollars. Here’s what to keep an eye out for while you clean house.

Coffee Mills

“Small home mills were first made about 1894” but lost favor by the 1930s, according to antiques experts at Kovels. The renewed interest in fresh-ground coffee has produced many modern mills and grinders, so be sure yours is truly an antique. Check out the listings on the Kovels site or eBay auctions to get a sense of what yours may be worth.

Hand Mixers

Before bakers and home cooks had the luxury of stand mixers, they used hand mixers to whip cream and beat eggs. While we can’t deny how convenient the modern options are, the old manual models are definitely something to see! You can find them listed for up to $75 online and at antique shops.

Pizzelle Irons

Old waffle iron on a stone stand outside with grass in the background Tatiana Foxy/Getty Images

These babies make serious treats, like pizzelle and krumkake. The cast-iron tools are sturdy and bring to mind the scent of nostalgic baking sessions with Nonna or Oma. Here are some current auctions on eBay.

Kitchen Cupboards

You’ll be shocked at what a kitchen hutch sells for on eBay. Your “outdated” cabinet or cupboard might be someone else’s find of the century!

Antique Toasters

The plug-in electric toaster didn’t exist until the turn of the 20th century, but toast was made long before that. Prior to the electric toaster’s invention, manufacturers produced special forks and tong-like utensils with metal cages at their ends so people could stick bread in the fireplace to make toast.

Mason Jars

We’re not talking about the modern jars at Target and other big-box stores. Rather, we’re talking about the more difficult-to-find green and amber versions, which we hear can fetch up to $800 per piece. Use this chart to date your vintage Mason jars.

Pyrex

Pyrex measuring cup and mixing bowls on a wooden table NoDerog/Getty Images

Like Ball jars, you can still find vintage Pyrex just about anywhere. The old-school opaque, patterned or brightly colored pieces can fetch hundreds of dollars if you find the right collector. I’ve found some Pyrex patterns selling for up to $1,800! These pieces are often sentimental heirlooms—so if you want to hang onto them, follow these tips to remove scratches from Pyrex.

Kettles

That vintage kettle you’ve got isn’t a piece of worthless tin. Check out these eBay auctions, brew a cup of tea and think about making a tidy profit.

Now that you know what treasures your kitchen may hold, you might want to think twice before tossing out what looks like old junk. Instead, think about how to turn a profit with the vintage kitchen items you no longer use.

Vintage Recipes That Deserve a Comeback

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Molded Strawberry Salad

This refreshing salad has two layers - a pretty pink bottom that includes sour cream, and a ruby red top with strawberries and pineapple. For years, Mom has included this jello salad in meals she prepares for our family. -Gloria Grant, Sterling, Illinois

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Baked Ham with Pineapple Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Baked Ham with PineappleI first learned the technique for baked ham with pineapple for a themed dinner my husband and I hosted. Since it is widely known as the symbol of hospitality, pineapple was the star ingredient on our menu and on this lovely baked ham. —JoAnn Fox, Johnson City, Tennessee

8 Vintage Kitchen Items Worth More Than You’d Think