The Long-Lasting Tools Our Grandmas Have Used for Decades

updated May 6, 2021
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Sometimes the best kitchen gear isn’t the newest. It’s the stuff — no matter how small or niche — that stands the test of time, serving you well for so long that you forgot exactly when you got it.

And you know who *absolutely* has some examples of said tools? Grandmas. They’ve been cooking for far longer than any of us! So, I asked my fellow Kitchn staffers about what tools their grandmas have used for years and years. Here’s what they had to say.

1. Corningware Visions Collection

“This particular Corningware collection instantly transports me to my Nanny’s kitchen. At any given moment, there’s at least one simmering on the stovetop, one bubbling in the microwave, and one warming inside the oven. (That’s the best part about Corningware, isn’t it?) These gray-brown glass dishes have been the focal point of countless family dinners. She also has the white collection with clear glass lids which are the MVP of storing and reheating leftovers (if there are any).” — Lauren Masur, Groceries Editor

2. Whisk Broom

“My Lola owned this broom. In my humble opinion, I think this is the best broom you can buy and I will never ever own another. The loose bristles catch more than a standard broom.” Amelia Rampe, Studio Food Editor

3. Pie Birds

“My grandma doesn’t cook much anymore, but she collected pie birds all of her life. I inherited a pie bird from her that’s shaped like a pheasant and while, yes, I do bake with it, it mainly sits all perched and pretty in my kitchen. It’s a beautiful reminder of her that I look at every day.” — Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm, Tools Editor

4. Tervis Tumblers

“My grandparents were big into boating, and I remember these sturdy tumblers there and back at the house too, with their Cleveland Browns logos. The fact that I remember them from my early childhood, and they still sit in my grandmother’s cupboards, speaks to their longevity. ” Faith Durand, Editor-in-Chief

5. Wilton Cake Decorating Tips

“My late Bubbie owned a cake decorating store her entire life, selling piping bags, boards, and cute little toppings to people in the biz. She not only sold every possible Wilton icing tip ever made (she stashed them in cute little drawers!), but she also used all of them in her apartment upstairs. I inherited her vintage kit, which is no longer available, but this one has lots of the same pieces.” Lisa Freedman, Lifestyle Director

What kitchen tools have your grandmas had forever? Tell us about it in the comments!