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Over time, many of us amass a wide range of kitchen tools and gadgets that end up spending years collecting dust in our cabinets or pantries. However, some of those vintage or retro kitchen tools could be your key if you want to get ahead financially. From vintage toast racks to antique coffee grinders, collectors have been known to shell out big bucks for rare and unique kitchen tools.
Check your pantry for these 10 tools and gadgets that could be worth hundreds (or more) to collectors.
Editor's note: Estimated market values were sourced from eBay.
1. Ball canning jars
Estimated market value: $350
Sure, you could pick up Mason jars for just a few bucks in your local grocery today, but collectable canning jars from the late 19th or early 20th century could be worth hundreds.
In particular, jars made by Ball with a distinct blue hue, which stopped being produced in the 1930s, are highly sought after by collectors. One from 1908 is attracting much attention with a $350 starting price on eBay.
2. Toast-Rite porcelain toaster
Estimated market value: $1,450
Believe it or not, early toasters are often worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars on the resale market. An early 20th-century piece from Toast-Rite, for example, really illustrates how far standard kitchen appliances have come over the past century.
The painted porcelain toaster looks like nothing you would expect a working toaster to look like today, but it's attracting plenty of attention on eBay with an asking price starting near $1,500.
3. Napier cocktail shaker
Estimated market value: $325
While Napier is perhaps best known as a jewelry company, they also made cocktail shakers that were quite popular in the early 20th century. A particular model that cleverly includes rotating cocktail recipes along the side could be worth serious cash to collectors if kept in decent condition.
These classic shakers feature the Napier mark and regularly sell for a few hundred dollars on eBay.
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4. Hobart model KitchenAid
Estimated market value: $350
While brand new KitchenAid stand mixers sell for a few hundred dollars today, you could be looking at a similar payday for a much older version if you happen to have an old one stamped with the Hobart logo.
Vintage models in unique or rare colors also tend to go for a few hundred dollars, at least, if kept in decent condition or refurbished.
5. Pie birds
Estimated market value: $199
Pie birds are funky little ceramic tools used to help steam escape during the pie-baking process, reducing the risk of filling overflow. While they are fun collectables, most aren't worth much more than $20 to $50 on the resale market. Rarities, like a vintage blue baby bird currently listed on eBay for nearly $200, could still sell for a premium, though.
6. Toast rack
Estimated market value: $199
Today, they may look more like paper organizers, but toast racks were part of the standard breakfast presentation in wealthy households back in the 19th century. You can't have your buttered toast laid out in a pile getting all soggy, after all.
Antique toast racks could sell for well over $100 on eBay, and racks made of silver or featuring rare markings could sell for much more.
7. Enterprise Aluminum antique coffee grinder
Estimated market value: $675
You (probably) wouldn't want to grind your coffee beans with an incredibly difficult-looking cast-iron coffee grinder today, but collectors and coffee enthusiasts alike may be willing to pay big bucks for one anyway.
Antique coffee grinders made by Enterprise Aluminum often sell for hundreds, with several currently listed on eBay for well over $500.
8. Vintage bread boxes
Estimated market value: $140
While bread boxes still occasionally appear in modern kitchens, they were more prominent in the early to mid-20th century, as the dark, dry boxes could be used to preserve loaves for longer. Vintage wooden and metal boxes from decades past have been known to sell for top dollar.
One example, a 1960s metal box with a flowery mushroom design, is currently garnering plenty of attention on eBay with an asking price of $140.
9. Antique butter molds
Estimated market value: $125
In the days when churning your own butter was more common, wooden "plunger and cup" molds were sometimes used to add some decorative flair to homemade products.
Antique molds from the 19th century, even those that show their age, could sell for well over $100 on eBay.
10. Cole & Mason vintage pepper mill
Estimated market value: $185
Some vintage pepper mills are worth surprisingly big paydays, including one designed by Robert Welch for Cole & Mason of England.
This cast-iron mill is attracting plenty of attention on eBay with a starting price nearing $200.
Bottom line
Your mission to make extra money on the side could very well start with some long-forgotten gadgets or cookware hanging out in the back of your kitchen cabinet. You may be surprised what collectors are willing to shell out big bucks for. Some everyday items might even still be hiding in plain sight, like certain $1 bills, which can sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars thanks to rare features.
Keep an eye out for brands popular with collectors like Ball and Toast-Rite, and don't write something off just because it looks old.
