Ekco

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Ekco

7 mentions from real owners

• #1Oct 6, 2025

  What are some actual BIFL kitchen items?

  I have a collection of Ekco, Flint, etc. utensils - the ones with riveted phenolic or wood handles similar to old kitchen knives - found in thrift stores. I'm sure they're at least my age but I expect I'll use them indefinitely. Except for one spoon my housemate's son tried to use as an ice cream scoop :( I do usually use cast iron or stainless so using metal utensils is just fine in my kitchen. I do have a couple wood ones also found in thrift stores.

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• #2Aug 2, 2025

  Is there any good utensils/utensil sets worth the money?

  Vintage stainless steel Flint/Ekco utensils with black phenolic handles last forever. The colored or white melamine handles are almost as good.

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• #3Jun 5, 2025

  What’s one item you bought that way outperformed its price?

  Thirft store vintage Ecko brand spatulas. I’ve picked them up from $3 to $5 dollars. Super thin metal gets under food, and preserves the crust on meat, very flexible but amazingly strong. Also All- Clad brand measuring cups. They were $30 at some place like Marshall’s. They are so well made, a pleasure to use and freaking bomb proof. Super heavy and thick metal. Built to last 100 years.

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• #4Jun 5, 2025

  What’s one thing you bought once and it’s still going strong years later?

  I have collected three sets of vintage stainless utensils with composite handles made by Ekco and a couple of other companies in a 50-60 year pattern called “canoe muffin” that will, with proper care, last indefinitely. I use them for cooking and serving with raw cast iron or stainless or carbon steel pots and pans. For cooking and serving using glass, pyrex or vitreous enamel, ceramic or other “nonstick” coated pots and pans (including Le Creuset) I use either wooden, silicone or nylon utensils. I buy either vintage or new hardwood wooden utensils, which will easily outlast me unless abused. Silicone and nylon are soft enough materials that I don’t expect utensils made from them to be BIFL, and in my experience won’t approach being BIFL, even with care (silicone-coated ball whisk, I am looking at you).

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• #5May 7, 2025

  What’s something you’ve had so long it feels like it’s legally part of your family

  I’ve got a crank operating EKCO can/bottle opener from the 1960s that I got from my grandma’s kitchen, I’ve had it for maybe 15 years now. I brought it with me when I flew across the country to go camping in Yellowstone. Hopefully it lasts another 65 years!

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• #6Apr 5, 2025

  Ekco miracle 884, 3 way can opener has been in my family since the late 50’s. Still the only can opener I use!

  My Ekco can opener last 16 years until the rivet(metal tab?), that held the turning handle to it, broke off. I liked it bc the part the cuts into the can was sharp. I've tried other brands with a similar simple design and the cuttjng part is dull.

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• #7Apr 5, 2025

  Ekco miracle 884, 3 way can opener has been in my family since the late 50’s. Still the only can opener I use!

  My Ekco can opener last 16 years until the rivet(metal tab?), that held the turning handle to it, broke off. I liked it bc the part the cuts into the can was sharp. I've tried other brands with a similar simple design and the cuttjng part is dull.

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