The rebirth of 1970's kitchen gadgets

April 28, 2013·Lindsay

Teasmade

According the The Guardian, 1970s kitchen gadgets are making a comeback. And we must say, when they started listing the gadgets, we had to agree they're right. Among the ones they list are:

Sodastream - Jamie Oliver's recent tribute (along with Lorraine Pascale's), created an 85% sales increase for this gadget which allows you to easily add carbonation and flavors to water to make homemade sodas (Jamie made sparkling wine).
Standmixers
Breadmakers
Steamers
Hostess Trollies

They also listed a "teasmade" which seems to be a nifty little bedside device with an alarm clock and electric water heater that allows you to enjoy your first cup of tea before getting out of bed.

While we were contemplating this list, another one occurred to us - the Vitamix. Commercials for the Vitamix were ubiquitous in the 60's and 70's and they've made a comeback with the new emphasis on smoothies and health food.

So are there any retro appliances that you've rediscovered? To quote that illustrious philosopher, Yoggi Berra, it's déjà vu all over again.

7 comments

ellabeeMay 7, 2013

Nor is the pressure cooker very much of a machine of the 1970s, which was actually a nadir for pc use -- before the modern, safer, non-rocker models were on offer, but after the first-wave heyday of the 1940s-1950s. New cooks of the 1970s were the baby boomers who grew up with experiences or tales of pressure cooker blowups. It took another whole generation to start using the new models.

ellabeeMay 7, 2013

A stovetop, non-canning-size pressure cooker is not a gadget, or a single-purpose machine; It's a regular cookpot that can take on superpowers when used with its pressure lid.

NaomiManygoatsMay 7, 2013

And popcorn makers, yogurt makers, crepe makers, and toasters!

I am stunned at all the one-purpose appliances. The donut maker, the pie baker, the quesadilla maker, the egg cooker, the hot dog cooker, ice cream maker, snow cone maker, margaritta machine, waffle machine......

we10momApril 29, 2013

Yes, definitely the pressure cooker. Also crockpots, fondue pots and the very trendy Chemex pour over coffee pot.

newfieApril 28, 2013

Definitely the pressure cooker.

ChristineApril 28, 2013

I must confess I hadn't realized that SodaStream wasn't a "new" thing. I bought one for my parents who had previously purchased seltzer by the case on a regular basis. I had read about it in the book Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano and knew it would be perfect for them. This was about four years ago before it truly made it's comeback and there were very few options for exchanging the carbonators -- they usually had to do it by mail -- but in the intervening time, we've been seeing them pop up at more and more retailers which has made things much easier. It really is a nifty little gadget that works really well if you like seltzer or homemade soda.

hihelen_westbrookApril 29, 2013

I have a teasmade. Everyone laughs at me for it but then when I point out I am woken up with a hot, freshly brewed cup of tea every morning. Honestly it's a genius invention!