Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of the Parent (Condensed Statements of Cash Flows) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Operating Activities
Income from continuing operations	$ 34,785	$ 28,463
Net cash provided by operating activities	54,622	41,305
Investing Activities
Proceeds from the sale of assets	1,454	3,956
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	(20,930)	(15,704)
Net cash used for investing activities	(18,387)	(15,005)
Financing Activities
Cash dividends received from Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co. (See Note 3)	0	38,000
Purchase of treasury shares	(1,294)	0
Cash dividends paid	(4,578)	(6,682)
Net cash used for financing activities	(52,578)	(2,306)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Total (decrease) increase for the year	(16,343)	24,065
Balance at the beginning of the year	101,600	69,308
Balance at the end of the year	85,257	101,600
Parent Company
Operating Activities
Income from continuing operations	34,785	28,463
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	40,681	35,505
Parent company only net loss	(5,896)	(7,042)
Net changes related to operating activities	(5,496)	7,881
Net cash provided by operating activities	(11,392)	839
Investing Activities
Proceeds from the sale of assets	0	834
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	(12)	(12)
Net cash used for investing activities	(12)	822
Financing Activities
Dividends received from subsidiaries	8,000	4,000
Cash dividends received from Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co. (See Note 3)	0	38,000
Notes payable to Bellaire	(551)	(250)
Purchase of treasury shares	(1,294)	0
Cash dividends paid	(4,578)	(6,682)
Net cash used for financing activities	1,577	35,068
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Total (decrease) increase for the year	(9,827)	36,729
Balance at the beginning of the year	94,646	57,917
Balance at the end of the year	$ 84,819	$ 94,646