Kitchen Tools

Fun Facts About Kitchenware

• The spatula is older than the fork. Early versions of spatulas existed in ancient Rome, while forks only became common in Europe in the 1600s.
• The first corkscrew patent was granted in 1795 in England. The design included a stop to prevent the "steel worm" from completely piercing the cork and preventing debris from falling into the wine.
• The modern chef's knife (also called a French knife) was standardized in 19th century France in the same town that still produces roughly 70–80% of France's high-end kitchen knives today.
• Stainless steel was not used for kitchen utensils until the 1920s. Before that, good knives were primarily made of carbon steel which rusted so quickly that most home cooks kept them shiny by rubbing them with a cut potato dipped in sand.
• Cast-iron skillets are renowned for lasting several lifetimes. Many of the best ones still in daily use were made between the 1890s and 1940s before so-called modern, lighter-weight cast iron became the norm.
• The can opener wasn't invented until almost 50 years after the tin can itself. Canned food debuted around 1810–1820, and people opened them with hammers and chisels until the first can opener arrived in 1858.
• The original KitchenAid stand mixer was invented in 1937. It weighed 68 pounds and came in only white. Legend has it the designer's wife called it "the best kitchen aid she'd ever had" inspiring the brand name.
• Pressure cookers significantly speed up cooking times, often up to 70% faster. They raise the boiling point of water in a sealed environment, trapping moisture and forcing it into the food, thereby keeping the food moist and succulent.