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What I’ve Learned About Stocking a Kitchen From Thrift Stores
You’re probably not going to land a copper pot, but you’ll likely spot a good deal
I love thrifting. Most of my furniture comes from Craigslist, and most of my clothing comes from Buffalo Exchange. After years of combing the shelves of Goodwills, Savers, and Unique Thrifts across the country, I’ve learned some lessons.
When you shop for used items, you trade in the ability to get the exact thing you imagined for the chance to score a great deal. Sometimes — not all of the time — you’re rewarded with an excellent price on a high-quality item, or a unique find. You can’t go thrifting with a shopping list, but there are some patterns to what’s available that can help you navigate the cluttered halls of a large vintage store.
When it comes to clothing, you’re less likely to find classic staple items than a fun statement piece. It makes sense when you think about it: Thrift stores are filled with things that someone else was willing to part with. If you’re lucky enough to own a high-quality coat that goes with everything, you probably want to hold onto it. The things that make their way to the donation bin are likely to be pieces with some character.
These principles hold up in the kitchen section. Things you’re likely to find there include quirky mugs, ironic cookie jars, or possibly some banged-up frying pans. You’re not going to come away with a Vitamix or a pristine copper frying pan (most of the time). One theme has emerged above all else when it comes to culinary finds: Thrift store shelves are always overflowing with waffle irons. Sometimes there’s a doughnut maker or a quesadilla press, or one of those breakfast sandwich machines that cooks an egg while it toasts your bread. The message seems clear: The original owners bought these over-the-top gadgets, never used them, and passed them on.
For years I interpreted these piles of donated kitchen machines as evidence corroborating the teachings of Alton Brown, who says that kitchen “unitaskers” are a waste of money, and Marie Kondo, who teaches that…
