12 Vintage Kitchen Dishware Items You Should Always Look For At Thrift Stores

They say everything old is new again, which is definitely the case when it comes to the current wave of nostalgic trends like cottagecore and retro maximalism. If you're not ready to cover your couch in a chintzy floral or cram colorful clutter into every nook and cranny, vintage kitchenware is one way to capture a sense of history while creating spaces that look forward thinking instead of frumpy. From incorporating an insulated Thermo-Serv mug into your own morning coffee ritual to serving slices of birthday cake on a stack of Japanese enamelware plates, vintage kitchenware replaces mass production with a bit of magic. Brand new dishes don't typically offer the same unique detailing, sturdy construction, or quirky weirdness that makes vintage ones such a vibe. Whether you're on the hunt for a single piece of serveware for Sunday supper or you need a set of salt and pepper shakers that will bring your vintage garden party to life, there are a dozen vintage kitchen dishware items you should always look for at thrift stores.

Collecting vintage kitchenware isn't just about the aesthetics or potential for spotting a very valuable piece at an extremely affordable price. Like all nostalgia trends, it's rooted in our collective longing for a slower pace of life that feels more like baking cookies with grandma than bracing for the imminent AI takeover. Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggested that nostalgia boosts our sense of meaning, making us feel more socially connected and less threatened by our changing world. That's asking a lot from an old plate or dusty cup hidden on the shelf of your local thrift store, but certain vintage pieces are more than up for the task.

Pyrex is a classic vintage dishware brand you should always snag from thrift stores. Originally developed by the industrial makers at Corning Glass Works after the wife of one of their physicists faced a kitchen catastrophe, Pyrex quickly emerged as a beautiful, economical addition to post-war kitchens. You're likely to find a wide variety of styles at your local thrift store, worth anywhere from a few dollars to thousands. You should always keep an eye out for the atomic starburst casserole dish and white snowflake round cake pan. Both are worth way more than you might think.

Prized for its unique color, jadeite glassware is a vintage dishware brand to bring your kitchen retro charm. Made from recycled green glass and other additives, it was so ubiquitous by the 1950s that pieces were given away as freebies. Although plenty of new mint-green plates are available today, keep your eye out for inexpensive jadeite salt and pepper shakers at your local thrift store. And if you see a mint green casserole dish or gravy boat stamped "Fire-King" on the bottom, buy the super-rare piece immediately. It could be worth thousands!

If you love the dopamine decor trend, you'll find Blue Ridge pottery hard to resist. Produced in Tennessee between the 1920s and 1950s, these hand-painted kitchen dishware pieces are Southern charm personified. From plates and bowls to creamer pitchers and vases, the folksy florals and fruity motifs make them super collectible. Even though the style is growing in popularity, you can still score many of these adorable Americana pieces for a few dollars. Each is one-of-a-kind, and the maker's marks vary widely, but you'll know it's authentic when "Blue Ridge" or "Southern Potteries, Inc." is stamped on the bottom. 

There's a good reason you can still find Japanese enamelware on the shelves of your local thrift store in near perfect condition. It's practically indestructible. Enamelware is a type of metal kitchenware that's coated in layers of fused glass enamel that gives it a glossy surface. Japan was a major exporter of colorful, lightweight, chip-resistant pieces between the 1950s and 1970s. You'll know you've found an amazing vintage treasure when you find a solid colored or floral piece with a black rim, and "OTO Japan" stamped on the underside or near the rim. 

There are many beautiful ways to use and style thrifted vintage milk glass all over your home that once you start collecting it you may find it hard to stop. Anchor Hocking's Moonstone hobnail glassware was produced for a short time. One of those delightfully off-kilter rarities, the hob tips create a bubble-like surface across opalescent milky-white glass. Although there's nothing wrong with the more common plates or vases, look for deals on sets of larger or unusual pieces, like relish bowls and perfume bottles, which often sell on secondary marketplaces like Etsy for $75 to over $100.

Midcentury modern fans can't miss the brightly colored enamelware from Cathrineholm of Norway. Designed by artist Arne Clausen, the Lotus nesting bowls are an unusual but nonetheless valuable find on a thrift store shelf. The white lotus leaf design stands out against a variety of solid colors, including brown, pink, blue, and yellow. Whether they are stamped "Cathrineholm" on the bottom or not, scoop up any French blue, lime green, or black and white sample pieces you find at your local thrift store, as they are the rarest and most valuable colorways.

Some might say that vintage toasters are the best thing since sliced bread. But the first pop-up toaster, The Toastmaster, was actually patented in 1921. It would take seven more years for sliced bread to be commercially available, and several decades before Pop-Tarts hit the breakfast scene. If you spot an inexpensive antique or vintage toaster in the kitchen dishware aisle, it's probably worth thrifting if the cord is intact. Available in a wide range of styles and materials, from chrome to copper, ornate Art Deco to futuristic midcentury modern, coveted vintage toasters can be worth a small fortune.

You won't have to thrift for long before you run into more Thermo-Serv pieces than you can possibly imagine. Produced in the 1960s and 1970s, the double-walled plastic tumblers were originally designed for casual use. There's no reason to skip over a cheap tumbler featuring your favorite cartoon character or fizzy drink logo. But if you find a full set of Thermo-Serv's embroidered florals, merry mushrooms, or the gold and black pitcher and cups, go ahead and grab it. Stripes and plaids are also popular patterns. Bonus points (and bucks, if you're a reseller) when they're still in the original packaging.

When you're staring at a shelf full of colorful kitchenware, it's easy to overlook the dark and dingy cast iron pans. But it's worth poking through the pile to see if you can find any that are marked with Griswold and Wagner on the bottom. Even if they're dusty or rusty, these pans are highly collectible and functional. Often underpriced, if the interior is smooth, the bottom is flat, and the maker's marks are clear, with a little time spent cleaning your cast iron your bargain thrift store find could be worth over $1,000.

Nothing screams retro like a set of anodized aluminum tumblers. Extremely popular in the 1950s, the colorful cups are perfect for indoor or outdoor living. Shatterproof and totally rust-resistant, many of them are still in extremely good condition. You'll often spot a single colorful tumbler on the shelf at your local thrift store for just a few dollars, but full sets are more valuable. Keep an eye out for unusual fluted shapes, extruded designs, lined cups, or manufacturer-stamped aluminum tumblers, especially if they're still in their original packaging.

Today, you're more likely to be invited to a Botox bash than a Tupperware party. But in its heyday, people couldn't get enough of getting together to sell the iconic plastic food storage containers. Weird discoloration from food stains and warping from hot liquids make certain Tupperware pieces on your local thrift store shelves worth a pass. But if you spot a pastel bowl with a white lid, a Blockbuster video snack bowl, or the iconic lidded Cake Taker, pretend you're at one of those nostalgic parties getting a great deal and buy them immediately.

If you spot a vintage syrup dispenser on sale for a bargain, it's time to get sticky fingers. No, we're not advocating that you steal it off the shelf, but certain pieces are definitely worth more than the few dollars you're likely to spend at the thrift store. Look for syrup dispensers with colorful Bakelite lids or handles, pressed or hobnob glass, or painted designs. Fiesta Ware syrup dispensers and ceramic ones with the original Aunt Jemima logo are also worth way more than a short stack.