the posting about refrigerators got me thinking as I was making toast today. My toaster is at least as old as me (54) and I believe it was a wedding present when my folks got married in 1950. It is still going strong - a Sunbeam. I also have a Sunbeam waffle iron that I believe has the same history.

Anyone else got a well-loved old appliance that you wouldn't trade in for love or money? I don't think they make them the same quality nowadays.

they don't make appliances like they used to

I still have some appliances when we got married in 1975

My son still has and uses my old old GE refrigerator that I bought second-hand in 1973 and used as an extra for summer things like pop, watermellon, etc. When I moved out of my house I donated it to my son and like I said, it is still going. When I bought it used, it was already about 15 yrs. old then. You won't find one that'll last that long now.

1950! wow....thats as old as me!

The only "old" appliance I had was a microwave we purchased when I was pregnant with 2nd child. They had just came out and that was 1982. The 2nd child has it now and she called the other day to tell me its shot! We got our use of that old oven.

I have an old rotary telephone that still works. When I'm hostessing my woman's club, I plug it in and make a call to it on my cell, just to see the looks on the ladies' faces!! I yell from another room and ask one of them to answer the phone!!

I buy old non-steam irons at flea markets and yard sales. I think they are way better than modern machines. Steam irons typically end up spitting or leaking for me. You can usually get them for a dollar or less, so if they don't work, you're not out that much. I think I have an adequate supply to last me the rest of my natural life.

My Grandmothers Pizzelle maker. Gran died in early 70's and she had it a good 30 years or so. Then Mom got it, and now it's mine. It's not used nearly as often as a toaster, or most other appliances - but it works like a charm when I do have occasion to dust it off.

Some of my other cherished items from Mom and Gran that I use regularly ... mom's "salad" bowl, her chefs knife, and grandma's wooden rolling pin which is still covered in the leg of grandpa's long john. I've warned my husband that if he DARES to wash that long john he faces stiff consequences - it's well seasoned with decades of butter and flour and still has a hint of anise scent!!

I have a toaster I use on top of the stove and a coffee grinder that I use dating from 1790. I even adjusted the grind for my drip coffee maker. Oh and a KitchenAid dishwasher that is t least 35 years old. The repairman said to keep it as long as he can still find parts for it. His is a year or two younger.

I have a GE hand mixer that still works after 48 yrs.
I have a brand new one, that I have never used.

My electric knife is over 40 years old and still works like new.

I have a Toast-O-Lator toaster. You put the bread in on a sort of conveyor of sharp points which slowly carries the slice past heated elements, thereby toasting it. Then it falls out the other side! It was used by my parents prior to my birth and I'm pushing 60 now!

I bought an 1950's GE toaster at an auction one time for $1.00, it's the best toaster I've ever had. My first microwave that I paid a fortune for, at the time, over $300, lasted 19 years, since then I've gone through 3 of them, although I will admit that they didn't cost as much, but I would just as soon pay a lot more and have the article last a long time, rather than just filling up a landfill.

I agree that modern irons are so full of problems. Additionally they break after a couple of years. I am careful to follow the directions but boom one day no heat.

Here's my list of "oldies but goodies" in the appliance department:
*Sunbeam electric frying pan - 41 years
*Sunbeam waffle iron - 41 years
*Sunbeam deep fat fryer/soup pot - 41 years
*Sunbeam mixer - 41 years
*Rival Crock Pot - 36 years
* Sears electric knife - 46 years
*Maytag washer & dryer - 36 years
*Mr. Coffee - 28 years
*Kelvinator refrigerator - 27 years
*Frigidaire range - 27 years
*24 ft cubic Frigidaire chest freezer 33 years
*16 cubic ft upright Frigidaire freezer - 30 years
*GE 2 burner hot plate - 28 years

Perhaps more, but that is all I can remember at this late hour.
You're right - some things were made to last & repair; now most products are made to use, toss, not repair.
When I told a friend that I'll never find a washer & dryer to last as long as my Maytag have when they quit, she said, "Who cares? You won't be around that long anyway!" I'd be 100 if I had a new appliance now as long as I've had the washer & dryer.

I think Montana Jan wins!! But I see a toaster is missing from her list.

Forgot to mention, this Sunbeam toaster that I grew up with, you put the bread in and it gently lowers itself. Then when it is done it slowly and elegantly arises. When I was little I used to wonder why people said things "popped" out of toasters.

I have a KitchenAid mixer my grandmother received as a wedding present in the 30's that's still going strong even with weekly use. I have my great-grandmother's 1902 Singer treadle machine which is still used and in very good condition. I also have my other grandmother's 1940 GE refrigerator that we keep in the basement for mostly beverages. Still works like a charm.

We had a refrigerator that we had for 32 years...a Kenmore...it still was working...but we were offered a really nice almost new one for $100 by someone that was getting a new one to match other new appliances she was getting for her kitchen. Hopefully this one will last a long time.

Well, the old toaster that you lay a slice of bread on each side in a "grate" that tilts towards the middle is still working, but it lives in my sister's home, so I couldn't count it! :)

My toaster is not that old but it has some years on it. It is an English Dualite. They are very well made.