Thrift Lovers Can Score Kitchenware For A Fraction Of The Price Using One Key Tip

When it comes to thrifting, which seems to be high on everyone's hobby list these days (and we love to see it), there's an art to the game. Serious thrifters know it takes work, time, and a bit of luck to yield the best finds. When thrifting like a pro, you need to plan to give yourself the time and dedication to thoroughly comb through the aisles and stacks of goods to find the true gems among the clutter.

If you've ever been jealous of other thrifters' scores and wondered why such good fortune can't fall upon you, their "trick" is almost certainly consistency and looking beyond the eye-level items. When thrifting for kitchenware, don't forget to look behind, under, high, and low. Take the time to methodically unstack and examine each plate in a towering stack, and each bowl nestled among others. Not only are items often displayed in an unorganized jumble, but other thrifters may have tried to hide something to come back to later — only to leave them for the next eagle-eyed shopper. Look in those forgotten corners and crevices for those concealed goodies. You have to conduct an archeological dig, not a sprint, if you want to uncover the good stuff.

While we love new, shiny kitchenware, it's more than possible to curb your consumerism and give your wallet a break by heading to the thrift store for all your kitchen needs. Snag vintage dishware that'll stand the test of time, or even investment pieces like copper pots for a way cheaper price. Not all thrift stores are created equal though, so it pays to scout out every option in town. You should also know your deal days, as many stores will have half off or bag sales, where you can truly make out like a bandit with kitchen items like dishes, silverware, and cups.

When it's game time, go in with a clear schedule. No matter what you're looking for, remember slow and steady wins the race. To ward off overwhelm, keep an eye out for these 17 useful kitchen tools in particular. And if you're not sure if something is truly worth the purchase, remember that real value lies in the eye of the thrifter. As long as you double check that your kitchen finds are 100% safe to eat and drink off of by today's standards – looking at you, uranium glass – what constitutes a true treasure is up to you.