My husband and I collect vintage appliances, but not just for display, we use them on a regular basis. The oldest electric appliance we have dates to 1915, the waffle maker shown below. We have non-electric items as old as 1868 (a Howe treadle sewing machine). Beyond the beauty of these items, we appreciate how well they work - in many cases better than new ones. With a little cleaning (and occasionally a new power cord), they are ready to go more than 100 years after they were made. Meanwhile, appliances purchased just a couple of years ago break left and right. Chowhound explains why one type of vintage appliance (toasters) seem to last so much longer than modern ones.

The article explains differences like different metal alloys, a lack of complicated features and circuitry, analog vs. digital controls, and cheaper materials (like using plastic instead of metal). Planned obsolescence is another factor that results in lower quality appliances. If your toaster is still working well you won't buy another one, but if it fails within a couple of years, you will be in the market for a replacement. It's getting more and more difficult to find an appliance built to last.

While many attributes of old appliances are better or more durable than new models, modern appliances do have a leg up on the older ones: improved safety features. The waffle iron shown above has no on and off switch, nor does it have a temperature control. To regulate the heat, you have to plug in and unplug the power cord. Once you get a feel for how it operates, it does make great waffles. Forget you have it plugged in, however, and it will burn down your house. We have several old appliances that lack basic amenities, such as a switch or internal overheat circuit breaker, that are standard on newer items.

Beyond the 'cool' factor, vintage appliances are also a glimpse into the past. The toaster shown above was called the "Bachelor" because it only makes one slice of toast at a time. It is difficult to imagine something getting that label today, much less a company producing a single slice toaster. The vintage percolator in the photo is over 100 years old. Because automatic drip brewing was not invented until the mid-1940s, this vintage brewer offers another peek into the past showing how things have changed in the world of appliances and cooking.

In addition to the items shown above, we have vintage stand mixers, more (and older) toasters, additional waffle irons, and a handful of other percolators. Do you have any vintage electric appliances?