17 Things That Used To Be A Staple In Every American Kitchen

Growing up, my kitchen was a delightful museum of weird and wonderful treasures—a place where avocado green ruled supreme and every drawer held a surprise. It wasn’t just a kitchen; it was a time capsule bursting with personality!

Quirky gadgets like the creaky egg slicer or that mysterious Jell-O mold (that only came out on holidays) weren’t just tools—they were legends. And who could forget the tin of bacon grease by the stove or the endless stack of margarine tubs that doubled as Tupperware?

These everyday heroes weren’t flashy, but they got the job done—and looked fabulously funky doing it. From hand-crank can openers to cookie tins that never actually held cookies, each item came with its own story (and maybe a little rust).

So, grab a Tab, settle into a linoleum kitchen chair, and join me as we revisit 17 unforgettable kitchen staples that made our childhood kitchens so uniquely unforgettable.

1. A Crock-Pot That Hadn’t Moved Since the 70s

Ah, the Crock-Pot—a slow cooker with a time-traveling ability back to the 70s. It sat there, a permanent resident of the kitchen counter, usually bedecked in a charming shade of harvest gold or avocado green. It’s not just a kitchen appliance; it’s a monument to meals simmered with love.

Generations of stews, soups, and mysterious casseroles cooked gently within its ceramic embrace, each dish infused with the essence of family gatherings past. The giveaway was the suspicious crusted-on gravy ring that nobody dared to scrub away, for it might hold the secret to Granny’s famous meatloaf.

Today, it rests as a testament to an era of bell-bottoms and disco, a relic that whispers stories with every simmer. The Crock-Pot was more than a kitchen tool; it was a culinary time machine. How many of us recall the aroma wafting through the house, signaling dinner was finally ready after a marathon day of slow cooking?

2. A Junk Drawer That Contained the Secrets of the Universe

Opening the junk drawer was like unveiling a Pandora’s box of household curiosities. It contained the secrets of the universe—or at least the secrets of your high school prom and last year’s tax receipts. This was the drawer that had it all and then some.

Scissors, those elusive takeout menus from 2004, expired coupons for stores that no longer exist, and twist ties that had seemingly multiplied overnight, as if by magic. And let’s not forget the lone AA battery rolling around, its companion long since vanished.

Perhaps most mystifying were the keys to something. What? No one remembered. Every kitchen had one, still does, and while it may be a chaotic mess to an outsider, inside this drawer was a tapestry woven with the threads of life.

3. Tupperware Lids With No Matching Bottoms

The Tupperware corner of the cabinet was like a plastic Bermuda Triangle, where lids and bottoms entered together but rarely emerged as pairs. My mom swore they had mates—like a Tupperware matchmaking service gone horribly wrong.

Each time you needed one, it was a treasure hunt of epic proportions, rifling through an avalanche of colorful plastic. And just when you thought you found the right pair, the lid wouldn’t fit because it belonged to a model discontinued in the 80s.

Despite the chaos, there was something oddly comforting about this mismatched collection. It epitomized the organized chaos of family life, a testament to leftovers and packed lunches. Though they rarely found their perfect match, each piece had its own story. After all, isn’t that what family is all about?

4. A Jar Full of Bacon Grease

Ah, the jar of bacon grease—a staple that held a place of honor by the stove, usually reincarnated from an old coffee can. It sat there like a culinary relic, a treasure trove of flavor ready to unleash its magic at a moment’s notice.

Whether used for frying eggs or adding depth to a hearty stew, this jar was like a family heirloom, passed down along with Grandma’s secret recipes. The rich aroma of sizzling bacon was a siren call to breakfasts long past, beckoning us to gather around the kitchen table.

The shiny, slightly opaque surface of the grease was an unspoken promise of deliciousness. In a world of health-conscious choices, the bacon grease jar is a nostalgic nod to indulgence, a cherished reminder of culinary traditions that refuse to fade away.

5. A Ceramic Cookie Jar That Was Somehow Always Empty

The cookie jar sat on the counter, a ceramic beacon of hope promising sweet treats to come. Shaped like a pig or an old farmhouse, it was the watchful guardian of cookies—at least, in theory.

Reality was often quite different, as the jar was empty more often than not. Despite its cute facade, it seemed to have a bottomless pit that swallowed cookies before Wednesday, leaving only crumbs as evidence of what once was.

Yet, it was never about the cookies. This jar represented the thrill of anticipation, the brief moment of joy when you thought you might find a cookie inside. It was a porcelain promise that, no matter how empty, always brought a smile. After all, isn’t hope the sweetest cookie of all?

6. The Spice Rack of Mystery

Ah, the spice rack—a veritable library of flavors, some familiar, others as mysterious as the Bermuda Triangle. It stood proudly, filled with jars of marjoram and allspice, ancient relics that expired long before Y2K was a concern.

Each jar was a time capsule, holding the essence of meals never made, dishes dreamed of but never realized. The faded labels and cobwebs were badges of honor, testament to a time when spices were more about aspirations than applications.

Though rarely used, this spice rack was a culinary artifact, a reminder of the adventurous spirit of home cooks who dared to dream of exotic flavors. While some spices may have been forgotten, the rack itself was a testament to kitchens past, where every meal was an adventure waiting to happen.

7. A Fridge Covered in Magnets, Coupons, and Report Cards

The refrigerator door was the family bulletin board, a collage of life’s highlights captured by magnets in all shapes and sizes. Each one told a story, from the local pizza place’s magnet to the smiling school photo of a toothless grin.

Coupons for discounts on toilet paper and cereal clung to the surface like opportunities waiting to be seized. Report cards were proudly displayed, testaments to hard work and, sometimes, a bit of extra credit magic.

This fridge was more than an appliance; it was a canvas of family memories, a dynamic timeline of achievements, hopes, and everyday life. Every square inch was valuable real estate, showcasing the love and chaos that made a house a home.

8. A Set of CorningWare Dishes That Could Survive a Nuclear Blast

The CorningWare dishes were the unsung heroes of the kitchen—indestructible relics that could endure a nuclear blast, or at least a family reunion. Decorated with a blue cornflower pattern, these dishes were the backbone of potlucks and weekday dinners alike.

They carried everything from tuna casserole to the infamous surprise leftovers that mysteriously appeared in the fridge. If you broke one, you were sure to be disowned, such was their revered status in the family.

Still, they bore the marks of love, with tiny chips and cracks that only added to their charm. These dishes were the culinary workhorses that saw it all and survived to tell the tale, reminding us of meals shared and memories made.

9. A Recipe Box Full of Index Cards

The recipe box was a treasure trove of culinary wisdom, filled with index cards stained with love and spaghetti sauce. Each card was a slice of history, handwritten in the distinct scrawl of family members past.

Deciphering Aunt Jean’s chicken scratch was an adventure in itself, a journey through generations of flavors and stories. Some recipes were timeless classics, while others were creative concoctions that may not have stood the test of time.

This box was more than a collection of recipes—it was a family heirloom, a testament to traditions passed down through Sunday dinners and holiday feasts. The aroma of nostalgia was almost as rich as the dishes it inspired, connecting us to our roots with every flick of a card.

10. A Phone Mounted on the Wall With a Cord That Stretched into the Next Room

The wall-mounted phone, with its cord stretched like a rubber band across the kitchen, was a lifeline to the outside world. Its tangled tendrils seemed to have a mind of their own, reaching into the next room, or sometimes, around the entire house.

Bonus points if it had a notepad and pen dangling nearby, forever at the ready to jot down messages during ‘dinner time’ interruptions. With each ring, the house would spring to life, as if alerted to incoming news from a faraway land.

This phone was more than a communication device; it was a social connector, a time machine transporting us to an era before smartphones. It stood as a testament to a time when conversations were planned, and messages were taken by hand, not by text.

11. The Infamous Electric Can Opener

The electric can opener was an enigma wrapped in a mystery, wrapped in a 1960s sci-fi movie. While its performance might have been questionable, its appearance was undeniable—a delightfully retro robot ready to serve.

Each time it groaned to life, there was a fleeting hope that it would actually open the can without a fuss. More often than not, it required assistance from a manual opener to finish the job.

Despite its quirks, it was a cherished fixture on the counter, a conversation starter that always sparked a trip down memory lane. It embodied the spirit of innovation, a relic of a time when the future seemed just within reach, even if the can wasn’t.

12. Pyrex Mixing Bowls That Could Double as Family Heirlooms

The Pyrex mixing bowls were the crown jewels of the kitchen, each one a piece of art with its unique color and design. These bowls held more than ingredients; they held memories—of birthdays, holidays, and everyday miracles.

If you broke one, you might as well have broken someone’s heart, such was their sentimental value. With each stir and fold, they whispered secrets of past kitchens, where love was measured in teaspoons and cups.

These bowls were more than functional; they were family heirlooms, passed down through generations, each one bearing the patina of shared meals. To hold one was to hold a piece of history, a gentle reminder that some treasures are meant to be used and cherished.

13. A Butter Dish That Lived on the Counter Year-Round

The butter dish was a steadfast companion on the kitchen counter, defiantly room-temperature year-round. After all, soft butter is better butter, and refrigerating it was something akin to culinary blasphemy.

It sat there, a porcelain sentinel of softened dairy gold, ready to spread its mellow goodness at a moment’s notice. The dish was often as charming as the butter it held, sometimes adorned with whimsical designs or a touch of elegant simplicity.

In a world of changing tastes and trends, the butter dish was a comforting constant, a nod to the simple pleasure of a perfectly buttered slice of bread. It stood as a buttery beacon of tradition, reminding us that some things are best left unchanged.

14. A Tin of “Cookies” That Was Actually Full of Sewing Supplies

The cookie tin was a riddle wrapped in a mystery, offering the sweet promise of treats but delivering sewing supplies instead. It was a lesson learned early: things aren’t always what they seem.

This tin, often decorated with images of delectable cookies, was a master of disguise. Inside, however, was a treasure trove of needles, threads, and buttons, each ready to mend holes in fabric and perhaps, young hearts.

As misleading as it was, the tin was a fixture in the household—a symbol of practicality over indulgence. It reminded us of the thrifty ingenuity of past generations, who knew that sometimes, the sweetest treat is the one you didn’t expect.

15. The Tower of Cereal Boxes

The tower of cereal boxes was a monument to breakfast bliss, precariously perched atop the fridge like a cardboard skyscraper. It was a colorful testament to the morning routine, where Froot Loops and Raisin Bran reigned supreme.

Next to the household names were the off-brand contenders, like ‘Toasty Os,’ each box offering its own promise of crunchy delight. This tower was a game of cereal Jenga, where the wrong pull might topple the entire breakfast dynasty.

Through the years, the tower shifted and changed, but its presence was a constant reminder of the simple joy of a bowl of cereal. It was a testament to the chaotic, yet comforting rhythm of family mornings.

16. The Electric Skillet That Cooked Literally Everything

The electric skillet was the Swiss Army knife of kitchen appliances, a versatile wonder that could cook literally everything. From pancakes to pork chops to questionable ‘stir-fry,’ this skillet did it all—with flair!

It was a marvel of mid-century innovation, turning out meals with the flip of a switch. No dish was too ambitious, no recipe too daunting for the mighty electric skillet.

This humble device was more than a tool; it was a culinary hero, saving the day when the oven was occupied or simply being temperamental. It was a staple of the kitchen, a testament to the ingenuity and adaptability of home cooks everywhere.

17. A Roll of Foil, Plastic Wrap, and Wax Paper That Was Older Than You

The drawer of foil, plastic wrap, and wax paper was a time capsule, each roll older than I was, and likely, more experienced. They sat side by side, guardians of leftovers and protectors of perishables.

Each roll bore the marks of time—slightly yellowed with age, but still ready to serve at a moment’s notice. They were kitchen essentials, quietly playing their part in the grand tapestry of culinary artistry.

Next to them, a bag of rubber bands and twist ties lay in wait, part of a drawer ensemble that defied the passage of time. Together, they were a testament to resourcefulness, a reminder that sometimes, the old ways were the best ways.