It Used To Be In Kitchens Everywhere — The Hot Thrift Store Item With Major Storage Potential

Kitchen storage has evolved over the generations. For example, picture a container of olive oil. Your mind probably conjured up an image of a tall, glass bottle with a twist-off lid, maybe made of dark green glass or plastic, right? While this may be the modern storage option for the kitchen oil staple, it didn't always used to be this way. People have been storing food in tin since at least the 1810s, thanks to an Englishman named Peter Durand. Over 200 years later, this method of storing oil is still preferred by many. In fact, tin is still considered the best container option for olive oil thanks to its ability to totally shut out any light that could possibly spoil the oil. Now, these durable and often airtight cans are a popular option for all kinds of kitchen storage.

While they may be more difficult to spot on the shelves of your modern grocery store, tin olive oil cans can be found in many antique and secondhand stores, usually for low prices. If you search online marketplaces, you can find some vintage designs for as low as $12 apiece. And yes, you can use them to store lots of things. This is an easy way to keep vintage home decor alive.

Olive oil tins used to come in various sizes. These popular designs shifted over time, with certain shapes becoming trendier throughout the decades. Some even have handles and spouts like a teapot. You can find a wide variety for sale from stores like eBay and Etsy, some as dated as the 1920s. Although you should not store food products (including oil) in these cans (as they can contain lead), you can still use them as decorative pieces in your home or kitchen. 

Olive oil tins make excellent unique vases, as many of them have a thin neck, perfect for a small bouquet of flowers. Vintage finds can make for excellent planters, and olive oil tins are no exception. Cut the tin in half horizontally before adding your soil and plant. (Note that you would also want to puncture drainage holes into the bottom.) Once the top is cut off, these tins can also easily hold items like utensils, napkins, pens, receipts, bills, and even mail.

If you are able to score one of the designs with a handle and spout, give it a good scrub and a rinse and fill it with water for a makeshift watering can. Some homeowners have even transformed these storage items into homes for their various craft supplies, which you can do by cutting off the top and using the open container to store paints, pencils, brushes, and other tools. You could even utilize these in your bathroom in a similar way to store your toiletries, like makeup brushes, cotton pads, hair ties, and more. Truly, the options are endless. Vintage tin isn't just junk; it can be useful storage.