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Food

How To Shop For Second-Hand Kitchen Gear

What to look for—and what to avoid—when shopping at the thrift store or online for pans, pots and even small appliances.
By Chantal Braganza
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine

(Photo: Christie Vuong. Styling: Jeanie Lee. Produced by: Aimee Nishitoba. Wallpaper: Otto Studio, shop.thisisottostudio.com)

Kitting out your kitchen doesn’t have to cost a fortune. When it comes to some of the pricier items you’d like to see on your countertop, second-hand is a great first choice.

Here’s a breakdown of what to look for—and what to avoid—when shopping for used kitchen gear at the thrift store or online.

Enamelled cast iron

Illustration of an enamelled cast iron pot(Illustration: Isie Yang)

Good-quality cast iron is the holy grail of kitchen gear—and often comes with the price tag to match—so buying used cast iron that’s been well cared for makes sense.

Chipping

Any small paint or enamel chips on the exterior are purely aesthetic and won’t affect how the vessel cooks. The same can’t be said for the interior. If any raw iron is exposed on the cooking surface or side walls—which make the pot prone to rusting—pass on it. (If a dutch oven has an interior chip but not a full-on crack, you can still use it to bake bread—just line with parchment first.)

Staining

Le Creuset recommends treating interior staining by boiling a 3:1 solution of water and enzymatic laundry detergent for 10 minutes, rinsing and then washing again with dish soap. Burn stains on the bottom of the pot can be gently scrubbed off with baking soda and a soft sponge.

Crazing

Also known as “spiderwebbing,” these fine hairline cracks in the interior enamel happen when a pot has been heated and cooled too quickly, and they make it prone to chipping. It’s best to pass if a pot has these.

Stainless-steel

Illustration of a stainless steel pot(Illustration: Isie Yang)

Stainless-steel pots or pans from trusted manufacturers can be a great deal when bought second-hand. Avoid those with deep scratches in the interior or outer surface, and also check that the pan isn’t warped. To do this, give it a gentle push on a flat surface; if it rattles or spins, skip it.

Non-stick

Illustration of a non-stick pan(Illustration: Isie Yang)

Even the most-cared-for non-stick pans will max out at around five years, and older models may not have been manufactured according to current health guidelines. You’re better off buying this type of pan new.

Small kitchen appliances

Some small-appliance manufacturers offer refurbished versions of their bestselling products at significantly lower prices—and with benefits you won’t find at the thrift store or on Facebook Marketplace.

KitchenAid Refurbished Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, $299

KitchenAid Refurbished Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

This status mixer retails for $475 new. Under KitchenAid’s Certified Refurbished Program, which restores returned mixers to original factory specifications and then sells them with a six-month warranty, you’ll pay nearly $200 less.

Vitamix Reconditioned Explorian Series, $430

Vitamix Reconditioned Explorian Series

Buying a second-hand Vitamix is a great way to save cash. The beloved brand’s refurbished blenders go through a rigorous inspection process and come with new blending containers and the same three-year warranty as its brand new models.

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Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine

Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine

Amazon’s Renewed program offers a variety of second-hand small appliances at reduced prices, backed by a 90-day warranty. This Breville espresso maker retails new for $999; we found it on Amazon Renewed for $600. Note: You’ll need to act fast to snag these deals!

This article contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.

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