tools

Throughout the decade of research that my aunt Margie put into ‘The Prog Basket’, she collected numerous antique cooking tools for photography and staging purposes for the future cookbook. Popping into antique markets, and attending the annual Christie Antique and Vintage Show in Dundas, she was able to amass all sorts of interesting pieces that give us a glimpse into the past and how food was prepared. All of these items were lovingly wrapped and stored in boxes, which I have now had the immense pleasure of sorting through. Below are photos and short explanations of a sampling of these gadgets and utensils.

GEM PAN- a cast iron baking tin similar to a muffin tin that was popular in the 1800’s. Gems are a type of small muffin.
CHERRY PITTER – This was given to Margie by her dear friend Adrienne. It mounts to the table or counter and the tongue catches the pitted cherry as well as any juice.
A MEASURING CUP FOR 1 GILL – a ‘gill’ is equivalent to 4 ounces.
BROMWELL’S FLOUR SIFTER – with a wood-knobbed crank, this American sifter has been made since 1819 and is still being manufactured today!
VINTAGE WHISK, VINTAGE HAND MIXER, AND VINTAGE SPIRAL WHISK – such interesting shapes, especially at the base of the whisk and the hand mixer.
ANTIQUE ROLLING PINS (SMALL AND LARGE) – these have handles that are solid to the pin and do not spin.
ANTIQUE GRATER – isn’t this one so pretty?!?
ANTIQUE WIRE TOASTER – used on an open fire. (although online there are similar tools used for beating rugs)
ANTIQUE BUTTER PADDLE – handmade and was used to work the excess buttermilk from the butter once churning is complete.
ANTIQUE GRINDER – used for meat or to make jam.
ANTIQUE FLEETER (aka ‘dairy curd skimmer’) – this was used to skim the cream off the top of the milk to make butter.
SCALLOPED HEART SHAPED MOLDS FOR COOKIES OR SMALL CAKES – likely from the early 1900’s.
ANTIQUE SPICE TINS – likely from the late 1800’s.
TIN STAR CAKE PAN – from the early to mid 1900’s. Too cute!

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