25 Timeless Tools And Appliances People Swear By Even Decades Later

We all have that one trusty appliance or utensil that seems to have survived the test of time. In a world where gadgets are constantly updated and replaced, some items continue to prove their worth year after year. When someone asked on an online forum, “AIBU (Am I Being Unreasonable) to ask what’s the oldest appliance or utensil you still use regularly?”, people responded with some surprising, heartwarming, and quirky stories.

Here are some of the best answers that prove older doesn’t always mean outdated.

#1

I have a metal rotary cheese grater that still works perfectly – I’ve tried to replace it with newer ones, but the flimsy plastic ones just don’t cut it. I’m not sure how old it is but it was a gift from my great granny’s kitchen and I believe she got it in France in the 40’s or 50’s. Sturdiest thing in my kitchen.

#2

A measuring spoon from the 40s or 50s.

#3

My hairdryer is a Christmas gift from 1992. Still works fine after 32 years.

#4

I have a sugar storage jar, it’s a big jar with a metal screw on lid from DH great Grandmothers house from the 1920’s.

#5

I have a hand held mixer which I think may have been a wedding present to my parents almost 50 years ago.

#6

I occasionally use a pair of wine glasses that were part of a set given to my grandparents for their wedding in 1891. In everyday use is my tea caddy which they bought as a souvenir of the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley in 1924. The exhibition hall became the first Wembley Stadium.

#7

My granddads carving set, must be around 40 + years old??? Only comes out at Christmas time though lol. Also have an electric tin opener that I brought 25 years ago.

#8

When my Nana died, she didn’t leave much. She was very minimalist in life. I inherited her dessert dishes, they were bought circa 1930 and they are used at least weekly, with fond memories of Nana and her stewed apple and custard.

#9

I have a Kenwood mixer bought 36 years ago that I use weekly. Lost some parts but I never used those bits.

I have a kitchen knife that I bought for £1.50 from a market stall 35 years ago. It’s still my favourite knife, weight of it, feel of it, despite buying many kitchen knives over the years, expensive ones too. I use it daily and sharpen it maybe once a year.

#10

A breville toastie maker and a slow cooker that both belonged to my nan The slow cooker has an on off switch and that’s it!

#11

We’re still using the Viners stainless steel cutlery that we received as a wedding present 46 years ago.

Also still using the Pyrex mixing bowls and earthenware casserole dishes that I bought when we were first married and a couple of tea towels that were wedding presents.

#12

I have my MIL’s Kenwood Chef. It is too heavy for her to lift and the button to open it requires quite a bit of finger strength. She got it when she married so it’s about 55 years old. I could probably mix concrete in it.

#13

Kenwood Chef, wedding present in 1990. Still works. Also have my gran’s bread knife.

#14

My mums vegetable peeler – it’s about 50 years old. Never come across a better one.

#15

My grandmothers singer sewing machine. It’s from 1923 and great condition. She was teenage seamstress in 1920s London house of Elliott style. I have fairly basic level of skill so don’t need anything more fancy.

#16

30yo food processor is, I think, older than undated washing machine for grandparents, but that is certainly over 25 years.

#17

I have a set of three Pyrex mixing bowls that my Gran bought in the early 70s. She gave them to me when I moved into a student house in 1985.

Still as good as new and in regular use.

#18

I have a wooden rolling pin that Dad made for my Mum just before they got married in 1969. She passed it on to me because she inherited my GMs glass one that had been my GGM’s. It’s fab, it is hollow with a little bung in the end so you can fill it with ice to roll pastry. It must be 100+ years old. We keep our rolling pins a long time in our family!

#19

Tumble dryer. We got it in 1995 . Still working and we use it regularly. I think it cost about £90 .

#20

I have a couple of saucepans that were my nans and they’re about sixty years old now, I think they’re stainless steel or aluminium and still going strong.

#21

Our Kenwood chef is 50 years old. DH has just repaired it! We have some of my Grandma’s ‘best china’ which is older, but it isn’t used very often.

#22

My Granny’s teak bread board. She was born in 19th century but I’m not sure how old it is.

#23

I have a bread knife I bought second hand in my student days which must be thirty years old. My toaster is about 20 years old.

#24

I have enamel dishes from my granny, at least 60 years old!

#25

I’ve got my parent’s tumble dryer they purchased about 35 years ago. Dries a load in about 40 minutes, so when I hear of new ones taking hours and hours I just stick with this one.

Saumya Ratan

Saumya is an explorer of all things beautiful, quirky, and heartwarming. With her knack for art, design, photography, fun trivia, and internet humor, she takes you on a journey through the lighter side of pop culture.