20 Nearly Forgotten Kitchen Secrets from the Past

Clean Up With Condiments

Reader S.N. Downs says, “Ketchup does a great job of polishing copper cookware. Just rub a small amount on the bottom of discolored pots or pans, let stand for a few minutes, rub again and rinse.” Here are more unexpected ways to clean up with ketchup.

Stretch Pricey Maple Syrup

Reader Edna Hoffman advises stretching maple syrup by adding 1 cup applesauce to 1 cup syrup. “Heated, it makes a delicious topping for pancakes and waffles.” Love genius kitchen hacks? Grab a copy of Taste of Home Kitchen Hacks ($12). It includes 100 hints, tricks, and timesavers—plus recipes to go with them.

Use Your Common Cents

Is your kitchen scale accurate? Reader Karen Ann Bland says there’s an easy way to tell. “Place nine pennies on the scale. They should weigh exactly one ounce.” Never thought of this hack before? You probably haven’t considered these 25 brilliant kitchen shortcuts either.

Stop Drips in Their Tracks

Add milk to your coffee without making a mess. Reader Bertha Mueller says, “Rub a small amount of butter on the lip of your creamer, and you’ll have no more drips on the tablecloth.” Keep your appliances clean–this is how you might be shortening the life of your stove.

Give Fabric a Second Chance

Don’t throw away your worn tablecloths. Instead, reader Helen LaMance says you can make a variety of dish towels and napkins from them. In addition to wasting worn tablecloths that could easily be repurposed, there are at least 50 other kitchen mistakes it’s time to stop making.

Make a Money-Saving Swap

Save money without sacrificing flavor. Reader Mary Jane Swanner says, “For an economical substitute to chopped nuts in cookie recipes, use quick-cooking oats browned in a bit of butter.”

Keep Apples Looking Fresh

To prevent browning when working with peeled apples, Bernetta Rokusek recommends slicing them into water with 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice added.

Ripen Tomatoes in a Rush

Tired of waiting for your green tomatoes to turn red? Reader Anne Schofield says, “Place unripened tomatoes with other fruit, especially pears, to speed up ripening.” Pro tip: Tomatoes are just one of the 11 foods you’re likely storing incorrectly.

Bake Perfectly Portioned Muffins

Reader Teresa Graham has a smart breakfast tip. She says, “Use a turkey baster to fill muffin cups all the same size—and to make no-drip hotcakes.”

Give Brownies a Flavor Boost

Take your brownies from simple to scrumptious. Reader Marcy Wright says, “Substitute brown sugar for granulated sugar for a rich caramel flavor in brownies.” Do you know the difference between light and dark brown sugar?

Repurpose Your Decorating Tools

A cake frosting bag and decorating tip are not just for birthday cakes. Reader Dawn Lofthus says, “They also work great for filling deviled eggs. It’s decorative and fast.”

Boil Potatoes Before Baking

To bake potatoes quickly, reader Maxine Martin says, “Boil them in salted water for 10 minutes, and then put them into the oven. The boiling water will heat the potatoes more rapidly than if they were placed into the cold oven.” If you’re looking to save time, you’ll definitely wish you bought these kitchen gadgets years ago.

Just Add Cocoa

More chocolate is always a good idea. Reader Lois Hill says, “When making chocolate cake, use cocoa instead of flour to coat your cake pan. This will keep the cake from having that white-flour dust on it when you remove it from the pan.”

Toast and Shout

Need bread crumbs fast? Reader Dawn Leedy says, “Put two slices of bread in the toaster, transfer them to a sandwich bag, and then crush them with a soup can or rolling pin.”

Use a Make-Shift Cookie Cutter

If your cookie cutters aren’t handy, don’t hang up your apron. Reader Dorothy Blessing says, “A small can of corn or a water glass makes perfectly round cookies.” While making cookies is fun, it always results in a huge mess. Here are 11 ways you’re cleaning your kitchen wrong.

Mix in Molasses

A short stack won’t be nearly enough if you follow reader LaFlorya Gauthier’s advice. She says, “Pancakes will brown just beautifully if you add 1 tablespoon of molasses to the batter.”

Thicken Sauces in an Instant

Need a little thickening for gravy? Reader Fay Meredith says, “I keep a container of instant potato flakes handy, adding a small amount to obtain the right consistency. They’re great, too, for thickening chowders, soups, and stews.”

A-Tisket, A-Tasket, Keep That Berry Basket

Reader Ethel Williams says a quart-sized berry basket makes a good egg keeper and will revolutionize your kitchen—just like these 15 kitchen products people can’t stop buying. “It holds about a dozen eggs and takes up little refrigerator space.”

Add a Naturally Fresh Scent

After squeezing an orange, lemon or grapefruit for fresh juice, reader Mildred Everett advises, “Turn the rind inside out and rub the pulp over the sink. Then put small pieces in the disposal while running some water down the drain. This cleans the sink and creates a nice fresh smell.”

Take a Slice of Advice

This helpful tip for dinner preparation comes from reader Katie Koziolek. She says, “Freeze raw beef just until firm, about an hour, to make it easier to slice for stir-fries and stroganoff.” If you found these useful, try out the best timeless cooking tips we learned from Grandma.

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