Archive for the ‘cookware’ Category

Why a Lisk Roaster Is A Great Vintage Oven Roaster

lisk roaster
A Lisk roaster can make your roasting tasks easier. Read on to learn about Lisk roaster history, identification, cleaning and online buying tips. (more…)

Vintage Cookware Holds History

Vintage cookware can be a holder of family history. This repurposed antique cast iron kettle is a prime example of the secrets such pieces keep.

antique cast iron kettle
My friend’s family has owned this piece of vintage cookware – an antique cast iron kettle – for decades. It is well worn, but the true value of this vintage cookware is the remembrance that it triggers. My friend sees his parents, grandparents, and great grandparents involved in the sharing of family meals everytime he looks at it. (more…)

Why Vintage Farberware Is Collectible Cookware

vintage Farberware cookware logo

Vintage Farberware – the old stuff – is a solid vintage cookware bargain. While not as well known as vintage Revere Ware, it has definite collecting and cooking merit.

Vintage Farberware History

The Farberware brand has been around since the turn of last century. The company was first known for giftware and then moved into small appliances.

In the 1950s Farberware became one of the great American cookware brands riding the post-WWII prosperity wave. The result was the high quality, made in USA, vintage kitchen cookware of the type now prized by collectors.

Farberware’s  Bronx manufacturing plant was closed in 1996 and the Farberware name licensed to a company that manufactures a wide variety of products overseas.

vintage Farberware skillet

Five reasons to snap up that old vintage Farberware

1. Even heating

Vintage cookware made by Farberware has an aluminum base that distributes heat evenly across the bottom of the pan. This minimizes hot spots whether you are searing steaks or simmering sauces.

2. Heavy duty build

Solid construction was a given on vintage Farberware cookware. In almost all of the vintage pieces I have seen, the handles are still tight and the bottoms of those Farberware pans are still flat.

3. Bargain price for the quality

As of this writing vintage Farberware pans present a relative bargain compared to modern and vintage kitchen cookware of similar quality. If vintage Farberware was a stock, it would would have a “buy” rating.

vintage farberware pot lid

4. Practical handles and knobs

While I am a fan of many types of vintage cookware, I personally find the high knobs on vintage Farberware knobs easy to grip, even with a thick potholder. I am also fond of the practical double handle design on the extra large skillet and the metal hooks at the end of long handles that enable wall storage ala Julia Child.

5. Stainless steel construction

With the exception of the aluminum base, vintage Farberware pans are made of easy clean stainless steel. Always a plus.

So enjoy cooking up a storm in some “new” vintage Farberware pans. Just like vintage Revere Ware, Descoware and others, this vintage cookware can be a solid addition to your vintage kitchen collection. And right now it’s a relative bargain.

Clean Your Vintage Revere Ware the Easy Green Way

Starting the process of cleaning a vintage Revere Ware pot

Cleaning vintage Revere Ware pots and pans is easy, green, inexpensive, and well worth the effort given the even heating these icons of cookware produce. They’re really exceptional pieces.

I’m particularly fond of the older patent pending pieces with the thicker copper cladding, although you can still find good value in newer, vintage pieces made in the U.S.

Some kitchenistas baulk when they see brown, oxidized copper, but never fear. It takes only a few minutes to bring a copper bottom back to life.

You will need a lemon or lemon juice, salt, and soft, clean, cloth or paper towels.

I wear gloves, my reading glasses and put everything on a sheet as I have gotten overly enthusiastic with the lemon and salt spraying everywhere.

If you are using a lemon, cut one in half and sprinkle some salt on it. Start off gently rubbing the lemon following the circular edge of the cookware so that you don’t mark the pan.

You can see how easily the vintage Revere Ware cleans up

I usually have a big bottle of lemon juice from a wholesale warehouse on hand and often use that instead of the lemon. I sprinkle salt on the pan, lemon juice on the cloth, and proceed. In this instance my cleaning cloths were in the washer so I used paper towels.

While I hadn’t yet scrubbed the edges of the pot when I took the final picture, I would say it took me about two to three minutes of cleanup to get to that point.

Two minutes and your vintage Revere Ware is shiny

So there you go. Cleaning vintage Revere Ware is so easy there’s no reason not to enjoy this copper cookware that is made for the ages and the discerning cook.