Q&A

What is the value of an antique pie safe?

What is the value of an antique pie safe?

Your pie safe could sell at auction for more than $1,000. Get some professional advice on reputable auction galleries in your area.

How old is a pie safe?

It is believed that the pie safe was first introduced in the United States in the 1800s by German immigrants who would come to be known as the Pennsylvania Dutch.

What was the drawer on a pie safe used for?

Some homeowners use pie safes for storing dishes or other valuable items, as the unique door designs make pie safes a unique and stylish storage option. The extra drawer located above the main cabinet area makes a pie safe perfect for storing silverware and other small items.

How do you refinish an old pie safe?

How to Restore an Antique Pie Safe

  1. Clean and inspect the pie safe.
  2. Sand the cabinet, drawers and doors thoroughly, using a heavy-grit sandpaper, and working up to a fine grit.
  3. Apply a commercial paint stripper to those difficult areas.
  4. Inspect the dovetail joints on the drawers for signs of rot or damage.

What is the difference between a jelly cupboard and a pie safe?

A pie safe, also called a kitchen safe, is easy to identify. It is a rectangular cupboard, usually with two doors that have pierced tin panels. A jelly cupboard is a Midwestern term for a two-drawer, two-door kitchen cupboard used for storage. In all other parts of the country, it is known as a cupboard.

How tall is a pie safe?

Design. A common pie safe is made of wood, is around the same size as a large bureau, and is approximately 18 inches (46 cm) deep. The shelves within the storage area are often perforated.

What is an antique pie safe?

Pie safes were cupboards used to hold food of all types, and punched-tin panels allowed air to circulate inside while keeping bugs and other pests out. Your pie safe was made circa 1900 and has machine-punched panels. Collectors prefer safes from the 19th century that have hand punching.

How do you restore a punched tin?

Blow the tin with a hair dryer set on warm for a few minutes to ensure the tin panel is completely dry, inside and out. Apply a small amount of car wax to your tin doors with a soft cloth. Rub it in well using a circular motion. Use a dry cloth to remove excess wax and buff the tin to a shine.

What can I make with a pie safe?

The pie safe, sometimes referred to as a pie cabinet, pie safe cupboard, or a pie chest, is a piece of furniture typically used to store pies. In the past, some people also stored meat, perishables, and other items inside of their pie safes. Today, pie safes are more often used to store linens or even kids’ toys.

When did they stop making pie safes?

Until ice boxes came along, most pie safes acted as a form of modern refrigeration and helped to keep food from spoiling. Pie safes remained popular until the later part of the 19th century.

What does a pie cabinet look like?

A pie safe, also called a kitchen safe, is easy to identify. It is a rectangular cupboard, usually with two doors that have pierced tin panels. In all other parts of the country, it is known as a cupboard. A sugar chest looks like a large storage chest on feet.