12 Kitchen Items You Should Never Buy at a Thrift Shop

Copper Pots for Cooking

Jen Bienvenu, antique dealer and decorator at J. Bienvenu Interiors, loves sourcing vintage French copperware for the kitchen. "I'm always on the hunt for a stunning hand-hammered piece," she says.

But that doesn't necessarily mean she's using every copper piece for cooking. "When considering purchasing vintage and antique copper cookware, check whether the tin lining is intact," says Bienvenu. She explains that if the tin lining is worn and copper shows through, it will need to be relined before it is safe to cook with. "Tin-lined copper also does not hold up well with high-heat cooking," she says. "Tin's melting point is around 450 degrees."

Vintage Wood Cutting Boards

"When thrifting for your kitchen, it depends on how you intend to use the items. I have a few wooden cutting boards on display that are over 100 years old, but I don’t intend to use them," says Jennifer Prince, owner of It's FOUND Vintage.

The reason is twofold. First, you may not want to alter the appearance—Prince says she buys them intentionally for their look. But she also doesn't know the history or how they've been used, which could affect whether she'd want food prepared on them, especially if the wood has deteriorated.

Leaded Crystal Decanters

"I collect bourbon, and so do a lot of my clients. We are always on the hunt for beautiful decanters to add a touch of elegance to a kitchen or wet bar," says Bienvenu. However, that doesn't mean she's picking up any sparkly decanter she can find. Vintage crystal often contains an unsafe amount of lead, and Bienvenu recommends steering clear of those pieces for anything besides décor or immediate serving. "While it might be fine to serve out of, storing alcoholic beverages in them long term could be a leaching risk," she says.

Nonstick Cookware

The standards for cookware safety seem to be constantly evolving, particularly when it comes to nonstick coating. While certain chemicals may be deemed safe or not, one thing is for sure—a scratched, nonstick coating could potentially leach toxic particles into your food. "Most of the pots and pans I see thrifting were donated for a reason, as many are scratched or pitted, meaning that chemicals may bleed into your food," says Prince. Instead, she recommends looking for trusted brands, such as Le Creuset's enameled cast-iron cookware, that aren't treated with nonstick coatings.

Vintage Ceramics

Just like you should be concerned about lead paint in your home, you should also be wary of it in vintage pottery and dishes. "I have two handmade mugs that I absolutely love, but I stopped using them for hot coffee because food and drinks that are high in acidity (think tomato sauces and coffee) can encourage lead to leach into consumable items," says Prince. This applies to any ceramics made before lead standards came into play (the 1970s in the United States)—from funky bowls to elegant transferware.

These items are often better suited for decorative purposes, such as styling your shelves. "The last thing I want to do is ingest lead while enjoying my morning cup of coffee," Prince says. If you are set on using them for food, use a lead test to ensure they're safe.

Small, Inexpensive Appliances

"I always avoid items that I can’t test on-site," says Prince. "Taking a chance on a yard sale Keurig or an air fryer at a thrift store may lead to disappointment once you get it home and find it’s not functioning properly."

However, that doesn't mean she avoids every appliance. She believes you should factor in the price you'd pay to buy it new and whether the deal is worth the risk. A $300 KitchenAid mixer for $20? Totally worth the gamble. A toaster for $10 that you could buy new for $15? Just buy it new rather than take a chance on the toaster not working properly.

Vintage Appliances

Hand mixers, blenders, slow cookers, and even coffee bean grinders are some of the appliances that stand the test of time. They rarely have significant upgrades, and, in theory, an older model could be fine.

But, with old appliances, there's also the risk that they have age-related defects that could render them unsafe. "I am careful with anything with a cord that is old," says Kelly Handley, founder of Ultimate Thrifting. "It can be dangerous if an electrical cord is worn, falling apart, or not fully attached."

Old Pewterware

"Vintage pewterware is beautiful to display, and I appreciate the patina these pieces bring to kitchens, but better to leave these on a mantel or display shelf," says Bienvenu. Don't buy these pieces for functional use in a kitchen, or you could find yourself using items that contain an unsafe percentage of lead, sometimes up to 20 percent.

If you want to use pewter in your kitchen, make sure it's a modern item. All pewter made after 1970 should be lead-free.

Old Flatware

While silver may last a lifetime, older flatware made of other metals can corrode and harbor bacteria over time, says Handley. If you notice rust building up, corrosion, or bent or broken tines on a fork, let the flatware go. It doesn't matter how pretty it is or how well it matches your dinnerware; it's not worth the risk of unsafe substances touching your food on a daily basis.

Aluminum Cookware

Aluminum isn't necessarily harmful, but if aluminum pots and pans have seen better days, then there is a possibility of chemical exposure depending on what you're cooking. "Aluminum can react with acidic foods and possibly leach out," Handley says.

This is due to the surface of the pots and pans degrading over time. Instead, she recommends reaching for stainless steel when thrifting.

Plastic Containers

It can be difficult to determine the age of plastic food storage containers. But used or vintage containers may contain outdated compounds that are not considered food-safe. If the container shows signs of wear, such as scratches, staining, or cloudiness, it's best to avoid using it for food. Instead, repurpose these containers for storing household items or craft supplies.

Damaged Cast Iron

Finding a well-seasoned piece of cast iron in good condition is like hitting the jackpot. But not every thrifted piece is worth saving. If a pan is deeply rusted or cracked, it may be beyond repair. Cracks can be dangerous since they may leak oil or worsen with use, and excessive rust can affect food safety. However, if the rust is only surface-level, the pan can often be restored with some effort.