15 Forgotten Kitchen Brands That Were Once A Staple Of Every Kitchen
Ah, the kitchen of yesteryear—where linoleum floors squeaked beneath your feet, and the comforting hum of appliances was the soundtrack of home life.
Back then, brands like Sunbeam, Westinghouse, and Tappan weren’t just names on metal; they were trusted companions, almost like quirky relatives who lived in your kitchen. The Sunbeam Mixmaster? That wasn’t just a mixer—it was a rite of passage.
I remember standing on a stool, clutching a wooden spoon, learning to bake cookies with it while Mom read the recipe off a flour-dusted index card. Fast forward to today, and that very Mixmaster is a prized collectible, a relic of chrome-coated nostalgia.
So let’s crank up the retro charm and take a delicious stroll down memory lane as we revisit 15 classic kitchen brands that once ruled the countertops and filled homes with sizzling, whirring, and popping joy. Trust me—your inner vintage lover is in for a treat!
1. Sunbeam
Ah, Sunbeam! The king of countertop appliances once ruled my grandma’s kitchen. I remember the Mixmaster, a mixer so reliable it could probably mix cement! It was the wedding gift everyone wanted, the kitchen’s crown jewel. Fast forward to today, and it’s a collector’s item that’s about as rare as a hen’s teeth.
In the days when selfies weren’t a thing, the Sunbeam Mixmaster was the star of many family photos. It stood proudly beside the toasters and coffee makers, gleaming like a beacon of culinary hope.
Now, finding a Sunbeam Mixmaster is like finding a unicorn in your backyard. Still, if you ever get your hands on one, give it a whirl. Who knows, it might just whisk you back in time! What’s the dough on Sunbeam now? It’s a brand that’s faded into the sunset but left behind a legacy.
2. Westinghouse
Westinghouse was the name you’d be sure of, especially if it was on your kitchen oven. My mom used to say, “You can be sure if it’s Westinghouse,” and she wasn’t kidding. Back in the mid-20th century, their appliances were everywhere, from ovens to blenders. Sadly, today, Westinghouse is more of a licensing ghost, echoing its past glory.
Remember those old TV ads? Westinghouse had them aplenty, promising the moon and delivering the best kitchen experience. I once tried baking cookies in a Westinghouse oven at my aunt’s house. Let’s just say, they came out as hard as my dad’s old work boots!
The brand may not be what it used to be, but the memories linger like the aroma of a freshly baked pie. Westinghouse, you might be a licensing shell today, but your impact in our kitchens was as solid as a rock!
3. Tappan
Tappan was the brand that brought the first microwave to the U.S., and boy, were those microwaves huge! My grandpa had one that took up half the kitchen counter. It was a marvel of its time, heating leftovers like magic, though you needed a manual to operate it.
Back then, Tappan was the wizard of appliances, casting spells of culinary convenience. I still remember trying to reheat a slice of pizza and ending up with something that looked like a Frisbee. Ah, the wonders of early microwave technology!
Sadly, Tappan faded into obscurity, absorbed by larger conglomerates. But in its golden age, it was a heavyweight champion of the kitchen, punching above its weight class. Today, Tappan lives on in whispered stories, like the quirky uncle with the wild tales. Cheers to you, Tappan, the original microwave maestro!
4. Admiral
Admiral, a name that commanded respect when it came to fridges and ranges. Their appliances were built like tanks, or so my dad used to say. I remember opening the fridge door, and it felt like launching a spaceship!
Their products were sturdy, reliable, and as dependable as my mom’s Sunday roast. But alas, Admiral was phased out, blending into the bigger brands under Whirlpool’s umbrella. I’ll never forget the cool sensation of grabbing a popsicle from our Admiral freezer.
While Admiral’s name might not echo like it used to, its legacy is etched in the memories of those who relied on its robust engineering. A toast to Admiral, the sturdy sentinel of our childhood kitchens, now a fond memory in the scrapbook of appliance history!
5. Oster
Oster was the brand that made blenders sound like jet engines. The Osterizer blender was a common sight, and if you turned it on, you knew everyone in the neighborhood would hear it, too!
I remember trying to make a milkshake with it, and it felt like takeoff at JFK. Those were the days when blending was an adventure, not just a kitchen chore. Oster was the life of the kitchen party, always ready to mix things up.
Though you might still spot an Oster item here and there, its glory days are behind it. The Osterizer was more than just a blender; it was a rite of passage for every aspiring home chef. Here’s to Oster, the brand that made blending an exhilarating experience, one loud whir at a time!
6. Montgomery Ward
Montgomery Ward was more than a store; it was a kitchen brand powerhouse. Their refrigerators, mixers, and cookers were everywhere, ordered from thick catalogs that felt like doorstops.
I remember flipping through those catalogs, dreaming of what our kitchen could look like. It was like window shopping from the comfort of your couch, with pages full of promise and potential.
When Montgomery Ward went under, its kitchen dominance crumbled alongside it. But the memories of those iconic appliances live on, like beloved book characters that never fade. Here’s to Montgomery Ward, a brand that brought the kitchen of dreams into homes, one catalog page at a time!
7. Kelvinator
Kelvinator, the brand with a name cooler than a snowstorm. Their fridges were the epitome of cool, both literally and figuratively. I remember visiting my aunt’s house and being amazed at how cold everything was in her Kelvinator.
It was like stepping into a winter wonderland, even in the middle of summer. Those fridges kept everything colder than a disapproving mother-in-law’s stare.
Sadly, Kelvinator was eventually swallowed up by Electrolux, and its distinctive name became a chapter in appliance history. But for those who had a Kelvinator, it was the coolest part of the kitchen. Here’s to Kelvinator, the brand that brought a chill to our hearts and our food!
8. Toastmaster
Toastmaster was the brand that put the ‘pop’ in your morning routine. If you had toast in the ‘60s or ‘70s, odds are it came from a Toastmaster toaster. They were pioneers, lightening up kitchens with the promise of perfectly browned bread.
I remember the thrill of watching toast pop up, as if by magic, and the delightful aroma that filled the air. It was a breakfast symphony, conducted by the Toastmaster.
Over time, newer, flashier brands overshadowed Toastmaster, but the memory of those crispy, golden slices remains. The brand lives on as a nostalgic relic, a reminder of simpler times when toast was the highlight of the morning. Here’s to Toastmaster, the brand that made breakfast a pop culture phenomenon!
9. Corning Ware (Original Division)
Corning Ware, where casseroles met class. Before the brand was shuffled around like a deck of cards, it was the go-to name for stovetop-to-oven cookware. The blue cornflower pattern was as iconic as my grandma’s apple pie.
I remember family gatherings where the table was adorned with Corning Ware dishes, each one a vessel of culinary delight. It was like an art exhibition, but tastier.
Though the original division has been split and sold, Corning Ware’s legacy remains. It’s now a vintage tag on eBay, a sought-after piece of kitchen history. Here’s to Corning Ware, the brand that served style and substance in every dish!
10. Hotpoint
Hotpoint was once so huge it rivaled GE, a titan in the world of ranges and fridges. I remember the dependable hum of our Hotpoint fridge, a constant companion in the kitchen.
For years, it kept our food fresh, and our kitchen cool. It was as reliable as my dad’s old pickup truck, never letting us down.
Though Hotpoint slowly disappeared as GE absorbed the spotlight, its contributions to our kitchens are unforgettable. Here’s to Hotpoint, a brand that kept the home fires burning, even when the spotlight dimmed.
11. Presto
Presto made pressure cookers that were a staple in nearly every post-war kitchen. My grandma swore by her Presto, claiming it could cook a meal faster than you could say “dinner’s ready!”
I remember the hiss and steam, like a kitchen symphony playing in the background. Presto was the maestro, orchestrating meals with precision.
Though Presto is technically still around, its former ubiquity has faded. Air fryers just don’t hit the same high notes. Here’s to Presto, the brand that made cooking an event, not just a task!
12. Amana
Amana was a brand that stood for sturdy refrigerators and the first consumer microwave oven, the Radarange. I remember peeking into our Amana fridge, marveling at the cool refuge it provided on hot summer days.
Their products were built to last, much like the memories they created in our kitchens. It was a brand that promised and delivered on quality.
Though the name still exists, its identity has faded into a whisper of its former self. Here’s to Amana, the brand that was always a cool presence in our homes, even as the world around us changed.
13. Magic Chef
Magic Chef was known for ovens and ranges with a bit of flair. My mom’s kitchen had a Magic Chef that looked like it came straight out of a Hollywood set.
Cooking with a Magic Chef was an experience, one where style met substance. It was like having a celebrity chef in the comfort of your home.
Today, it’s more of a budget brand found in discount aisles, but the memories of its mid-century magic linger. Here’s to Magic Chef, the brand that added a dash of glamour to our kitchens!
14. Wear-Ever
Wear-Ever was the aluminum cookware that lasted forever. My parents’ cabinets were stocked with Wear-Ever pots and pans, each one a testament to its enduring quality.
I remember the clatter of pots as my mom cooked up a storm, each dish a melodic memory. Wear-Ever was a kitchen staple, reliable and ready for any culinary adventure.
Now, it’s a vintage tag on eBay, a sought-after piece of the past. Here’s to Wear-Ever, the brand that promised durability and delivered memories, one meal at a time!
15. Princess House
Princess House brought elegance to the kitchen through glassware and fancy serving dishes. I remember my mom hosting home parties, showcasing her Princess House collection like a royal parade.
These were not just dishes; they were conversation starters, each piece a reflection of style and grace. If your mom had matching crystal bowls, they were probably from Princess House.
The brand lives on through memories and vintage finds, a testament to its timeless appeal. Here’s to Princess House, the brand that made every meal an occasion worth celebrating!