15 Of The Best Retro Appliances That Should Make A Comeback

Progress is almost always a good thing. It's progress we have to thank for advancements in modern medicine, and it's also progress to which we owe the hours we've saved by not having to wash our own dishes. But as we sprint inexorably into the future and leave our more primitive roots behind us, it's easy to be blinded by the promise of progress and forget that some ideas from yesteryear have yet to become fully outdated.

An old-school alarm clock, for example — the kind with bells on top — can get you out of bed without checking your phone the moment you open your eyes, and if you've found that your morning coffee no longer rouses you like it used to, then it may be time to fetch your old-school percolator from its box in the attic or basement. The point we're trying to make is that just because some items have been technically "outdated" by more modern appliances, it doesn't mean that they're useless. In fact, there are several that absolutely deserve the chance to prove their mettle in even the most modern American homes. From old-school carpet sweepers and clothes lines to vintage popcorn makers that put the magic back into movie night, if you're open to ideas from the past in order to make your life better in the future, then this guide to retro appliances is absolutely one for you.

Featuring a pair of rollers and a crank, manual clothes wringers were first invented to squeeze as much water as possible from laundry before hanging it on the line to dry. They were essential before the invention of electric washers and the ability they brought with them to run an extra spin cycle. Unsurprisingly, manual clothes wringers fell out of use with the conveniences of modern washing machines. But that's not to say that you can't still reap the benefits of using a wringer washer to do your laundry.

As we all look for ways to minimize our carbon footprints, clothes wringers offer an easy way of doing so. Of course, you'll need more time with which to use them, especially compared to the click of a button that allows you to run an extra spin on your washing machine. However, by taking the time to use one of these old contraptions, you encourage yourself to slow down, take your time, and be methodical. In other words, the process offers a reliable means of catharsis — the sort we are all increasingly in search of as modern life becomes ever more frenetic. Manual wringers are also unlikely to go wrong and require no maintenance unlike electric dryers. Oh, and they're also much more gentle on your delicates, so there's that to bear in mind, too.

If your eyebrow has started to rise as you wonder whether this old-school kitchen appliance is really about to make a comeback, then please, drop it for just one second. Sure, you may not have the daily need to store ice in an insulated box to keep your groceries fresh. That's why refrigerators were invented.

But that's not to say that one of these old-school appliances won't come in handy during the summer, or over the holidays. For example, let's say you're entertaining during the warmer months and you've run out of room in the fridge. All you need to do is load up one of these vintage bad boys with ice and presto — you have somewhere to pop those burger patties. Alternatively, if you often find yourself needing a little extra food storage around the holidays, then once again you'll find an ice box is a great place to let your turkey chill in the run-up to Thanksgiving.

Does it ever feel like you have even less time to yourself, despite the convenience that appliances like washers and dryers lend to your life? If so, consider stringing an old school clothes line along your garden, or staking a rotary line in the ground. Do so, and you might just enjoy the extra ten or fifteen minutes you have to spend by yourself in the garden come laundry day. It's one of the many benefits of adding a clothes line to your yard, and they don't end there.

Drying your clothes outdoors is also one of the most environmentally friendly ways to do it, since it requires nothing but sunshine and a breeze. It's especially sustainable if you have a family and therefore have a daily need to do laundry. You'll use less energy, which will in turn cost you less money, and in the long run, your clothes will thank you by lasting longer. There's even some evidence to suggest that hanging clothes out in the UV-rich sunshine can help to disinfect them and reduce the presence of fungal contaminants.

We get why you might be reluctant to replace whatever currently supplies your morning Joe. After all, why risk it? However, if you find on some mornings that a single mug just isn't cutting the mustard, then can we ask: what are you using to make it? Are you using one of those newfangled Nespresso machines? Or dare we even suggest it, are you drinking instant coffee?

Whatever it is that's neglecting your need for a morning boost, you might find that opting for a retro electric percolator instead could give you the jump start you've been craving. By cycling boiling water directly through the grounds, these machines tend to deliver a much bolder, more bite-y brew. They're usually more punchy than the automatic drip machines that have replaced them in most kitchens. And they're a nifty hark back to America's coffee-loving origins, so for anybody who loves coffee, they're a window into how its consumption has evolved over the years.

We'll admit that it's much easier to make ice cream with a dedicated electrical appliance. With these, you can simply add the ingredients, press go, and sit back as the machine takes care of the heavy churning. But with a manual one, you have to put in the hard yards yourself, and this is precisely why we love them.

It makes for a fun family experience, encouraging you and the kids to gather around on the weekend and focus on the task at hand together. Like an electrical maker, a manual ice cream churner allows you to make small batches with real quality ingredients. However, since it features very few mechanical parts, it's likely to last much longer without the risk of breaking like an electrical appliance. It also helps foodies and aspiring chefs to get "under the hood" of how ice cream making works, as opposed to the mindless "set and forget" approach of using a machine.

It seems unbelievable given the technology we can now fit inside our pockets, yet it wasn't all that long ago that we required some fairly serious equipment in order to both record, and playback, home movies. Back then, we had to be much more selective with what we did and didn't record. New cassettes cost money, and there was no such thing as the cloud, so if we wanted to record something else, then we had to buy more tapes. This, in turn, made us very selective about what we recorded. Translation? The tapes now sitting in that dusty box in your loft were probably recorded during some of your family's most momentous (or at the very least humorous) occasions.

Today, if you still have a collection of old home movies, then it's well worth hanging onto your old video cassette player. And if you don't have one, then we'd strongly suggest buying one. By keeping one in the house, even in the loft, you'll ensure that those seemingly ancient family heirlooms can continue to be enjoyed whenever you start to feel nostalgic. 

While almost no-one uses decades-old household items like this nowadays, we think it still has a place in the homes of those who like to entertain. If you're hosting a cocktail party, for example, then putting a hand-cranked ice crusher on the drinks table is a great way to keep your guests both talking and entertained. It'll also give them control over how they ice their drinks. The best part? You won't have to worry about pleasing fussy guests by buying both cubed and crushed ice.

Manual ice crushers cost zero energy to run, unlike the dedicated cubed and crush functions on a fridge freezer. Even if you have an appliance with an ice dispenser built in, a portable retro ice crusher is sure to make life easier. You can simply pop it on the table wherever you're hosting, instead of having your guests running to and fro around your house whenever they need to top up their ice.

Having an alarm clock on our phones is undeniably useful. However, it also comes with several drawbacks. It can affect our sleep quality since we're staring at the blue screen until just before we go to sleep, and even if we manage to nod off peacefully, there's always the risk of being rudely woken by any number of inane notifications.

With an analog alarm clock — the type with little bells on top — you can leave your smart phone charging downstairs and wake up like people used to in the 80s. They're usually loud enough to wake up even the soundest sleeper, and unlike your phone, there's no accidentally leaving them on silent and making you late for the day. And if you absolutely must check your phone when you wake up in the morning, by leaving it downstairs and depending on your alarm clock instead, you'll at least be forced to start the day first before you initiate your first scrolling sesh.

This item is more than just some kitschy relic from the days of our grandparents. It was, and in fact still is, a clever bit of low-tech engineering that manages to keep bread fresh for longer. It's far superior to the mold-inducing deathtrap of a plastic bag. So if you're springing a little extra to buy fresh from the local bakery, you'll be glad that you decided to keep your grandma's old bread box instead of donating it to the thrift store.

Science aside, there is also the undeniable aesthetic "oomph" of a thrifted vintage bread box in an otherwise sterile modern kitchen. Its presence is a small rebellion against the disposable culture of modern design. And while it flies in the face of all logic for those who desperately want to declutter their countertops, it's also hard not to smile at its flagrant refusal to conform.

We'll admit that using a vintage washboard in the age of modern technology sounds crazy, but hear us out. Like manual clothes wringers, these old-school household items require you to sit and focus on the task of cleaning your clothes. And while you may not want to do this every single day, if you can carve out 30 minutes at the weekend, then you may well find it's a superb way to unwind at the end of a busy week.

The truth is menial, hands-on tasks can be seriously cathartic. They keep your mind in the present, distracting it from dwelling on the past or obsessing over the future. In turn, that presence gives your brain the space it needs to unpack and untangle the chaos of modern life. So, yes, it might sound crazy, but there's actually much to be said for using an old-school washboard! It's also super friendly on your clothes, especially those made from delicate fabrics. It uses zero energy, too, and far less water than machines, making it a great way to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

Whether it's the closing chapter of your autobiography or a line of dialogue in a screenplay, it can feel frightening to confront the gaping white screen of a blank Google Doc. That blinking cursor taunts you the longer you stare at the screen, and even when you do finally put fingers to keys, your work finds itself deleted as quickly as it was written.

With a typewriter, you can't simply "Command-Z" a thought. Once you've had it and hit the keys, for better or worse, it remains stamped onto the paper for good. This forces you to commit to the mess — to keep exploring the spark of an idea that inspired you to hit the keys in the first place. In other words, it forces you to pursue the true discipline of writing.

These outdated household items also force you to work offline, which may sound counterintuitive. Surely being online would make life easier when writing a piece of creative work? While it can help at the research stage, being online can also serve as a massive distraction. Sometimes, you just need to sit down and, well, write. A typewriter eliminates distractions. It also helps to separate a writer's hobby from their job — especially those who spend their working lives tethered to a desk on a regular computer and keyboard.

With more of our daily duties taken care of by electrical appliances, or by the manufacturers who populate the shelves of our local supermarkets, it's easy to question the need for an old-school appliance like the meat grinder. However, at a time when we've never cared more about the ingredients in our food, it's hard to know with certainty what's in our favorite store-bought products, especially those that contain meat. 

With an old-school meat grinder, we get to decide precisely what goes into the food we process. These gadgets also extremely easy to clean, with zero electrical components that could become damaged if exposed to water. This, in turn, means they're likely to last longer, which is great for the increasing number of homeowners seeking to buy appliances with longevity in mind. Plus, they can be a great addition to industrial-style kitchens looking for a dash of vintage charm.

Given the ongoing rise in the cost of living, fewer of us than ever are able to justify the regular expense of going to the movies. Not only that, there are now more blockbusters than ever available at the click of our remote controls. The only thing missing from the vintage home theater experience? Popcorn with that authentic concession-stand flavor.

A vintage popcorn maker captures some of the movie-night magic from the silver screen but delivers it to the comfort of our own homes. It's one of those forgotten 70s appliances that are as useful today as they ever were, and once you have one, you'll find that buying kernels to pop at home is significantly cheaper than scoring ready made bags from the store. Oh, and if you're a sucker for nostalgia, you won't believe the smell that comes from these machines whenever you switch them on.

With no cables to accidentally mow over, no need for expensive (and dangerous) gasoline, and no risk of the starter motor seizing in the shed during the winter, there's much to be said for a push reel mower. They're also super quiet, you know, in case the mood strikes you to trim the verge at midnight. And given that they are cordless, they're much easier to whip out of the shed, which is ideal in the summer when your grass refuses to stop growing.

Now, you should know that push-reel mowers can be a challenge to keep sharp. You'll also need to use it frequently in order to keep the grass short, as they aren't much use with longer, unkempt lawns. However, if you're looking for a greener means of maintaining your lawn, or you want to encourage your kids to do it but don't trust them with an electric or gas mower, then it could be time for this retro gardening tool to make a comeback in your shed.

Carpet sweepers are another of the many old school cleaning tools that no one uses anymore, and yet we can't help but retain something of a soft spot for them. Firstly, they're quiet. Like, really quiet. And since they're manual, they don't cost anything to run, they're less likely to break, and they don't risk tripping you up with annoying cables.

We're not trying to convince you to replace your vacuum cleaner. All we're saying is that this tool may still have a place in your household cleaning regimen — especially if you have messy kids to contend with on a daily basis. If your little ones are prone to spilling crumbs on the carpet, and it irks you to drag the heavy Hoover out of the cupboard every time you need to vac, then you may just be glad to have one of these lightweight carpet sweepers in reserve.