Revere Ware: Still Cooking After All These Years?

Revere Ware is a brand of cookware that was first manufactured in the 1930s. The unique selling point of Revere Ware was its combination of stainless steel and copper, which offered the benefits of both metals: the stainless steel was durable and easy to clean, while the copper bottom conducted heat quickly and evenly. The brand was sold by World Kitchen from the 1980s until 2018, when it was bought by Corelle Inc, which shut down the brand. While Corelle no longer sells Revere Ware, vintage pieces can be found on eBay and other second-hand sites.

Where to buy Revere Ware pots and pans

Revere Ware is a brand of cookware that was first created in the 1930s. The unique selling point of Revere Ware was the combination of stainless steel and copper, which offered the benefits of both metals: the stainless steel was durable and easy to clean, while the copper bottom conducted heat quickly and evenly.

The brand has changed hands several times over the years, and the quality of the cookware has suffered as a result. The current owners, Corelle Inc, shut down the Revere Ware brand in 2018 and removed all traces of it from their website.

However, you can still buy Revere Ware pots and pans, as well as replacement parts, from various places:

EBay

You can find a wide range of vintage Revere Ware cookware on eBay, including saucepans, stockpots, frying pans, and lids. Prices vary depending on the age, condition, and rarity of the item, but you can expect to pay significantly less than you would for a comparable modern item. For example, a vintage 12" Revere Ware skillet can be found on eBay for around $20, whereas a new high-end skillet of a similar size would cost upwards of $130.

Local Thrift Stores

Thrift stores are another good place to look for vintage Revere Ware. You can often find items for a fraction of the cost of new cookware, and you may be able to inspect the items in person before purchasing, which is not possible with online purchases.

Reverewareparts.com

This website offers a full line of replacement parts for vintage and modern Revere Ware, including pan and pot handles, pressure cooker gaskets, tea kettle caps and triggers, percolator glass tops, and various lids and knobs.

Amazon

The website reverewareparts.com mentions that they are saying goodbye to Amazon due to issues with return theft. However, it is still worth checking Amazon for Revere Ware products, as you may be able to find items sold by other sellers.

Target

Target's website mentions Revere Ware cookware, but it is unclear whether they currently have any products available for sale. It may be worth checking their website or physical stores to see if they have any Revere Ware items in stock.

The history of Revere Ware

Revere Ware was introduced in 1939 by the Revere Brass & Copper Corp. The line primarily focuses on consumer cookware such as skillets, saucepans, stock pots, and tea kettles. The idea behind Revere Ware was to combine stainless steel, which is durable and easy to clean, with copper, which conducts heat quickly and evenly. This combination, along with heat-resistant Bakelite handles, made for excellent cookware.

In 1801, Revere paid $6,200 for two pieces of property on the Neponset River in Massachusetts and converted a mill to hold machinery for rolling copper. By October 24, 1802, he had rolled his first copper sheets, which he supplied to the U.S. government. Revere took his son, Joseph Warren Revere, into the business, and the company became known as Revere & Son.

Over the years, the company underwent several mergers and name changes, eventually becoming the Revere Copper and Brass Incorporated. In the 1930s, the company sought to diversify its product line and developed Revere Ware, a new line of cookware. The first Revere pots were copper with a chrome-plated inner lining, but this combination proved unsuccessful due to the chrome being easily damaged by acidic foods.

After further research, the company created a new combination of stainless steel with electroplated copper bottoms for excellent heat conductivity. The pot handles were made of plastic, an industry first, and the design was based on a silversmith's hammer. This new cookware line, Revere Ware, debuted at the 1939 Chicago Housewares Show and was an instant success.

During World War II, the company halted its cookware production and turned to manufacturing war materials such as cartridge cases, smoke bombs, and rocket cases. After the war, Revere Ware resumed production and expanded to new plants in Riverside, California, and Clinton, Illinois. By the mid-1960s, the company had dozens of plants and was making sales of around $350 million annually.

In the 1960s, Revere Copper & Brass diversified into the aluminum industry, investing in an alumina refinery in Jamaica and an aluminum smelter and rolling mill in Scottsboro, Alabama. However, these ventures were plagued with problems and contributed to a decline in profits.

In the 1970s, the company faced additional challenges due to fluctuating metal prices, labour issues, and increasing production costs. By the early 1980s, financial issues forced Revere Brass & Copper to file for bankruptcy. Despite these challenges, the cookware division, Revere Ware Incorporated, remained profitable and was sold to Corning Glass Inc. in 1985.

Under Corning's ownership, Revere Ware expanded its product lines and introduced new innovations, such as the Pro-Line, a high-priced stainless and copper line, and a lower-priced classic line. Corning also backed Revere's new products with print advertising campaigns.

In 1998, World Kitchen became the controlling parent company of Corning, and Revere Ware was reintroduced with select variations, including copper-cored stainless steel and traditional copper-clad bottomed cookware. However, by 2018, World Kitchen had ceased operations, and the Revere Ware line was no longer in production.

The best Revere Ware alternatives

Revere Ware is legendary for its design and functionality. The combination of copper bottoms and stainless steel pots and pans was unique when it was introduced in 1939. The copper bottom conducts heat quickly and evenly, while the stainless steel is durable and easy to clean. The Revere Ware brand was purchased by Corelle Inc in 2018, and they shut down the brand. While the brand no longer exists, there are several alternatives available that offer similar performance and durability. Here are some of the best Revere Ware alternatives:

All-Clad

All-Clad is a popular alternative to Revere Ware. It is considered top-of-the-line for stainless steel cookware and offers excellent durability. While it is expensive, many users attest to its long-lasting quality. All-Clad cookware is often chosen as a less expensive alternative to Revere Ware, offering similar performance and quality.

Cuisinart

Cuisinart offers a basic 11-piece stainless steel cookware set that is both practical and durable. These pots and pans can be used on gas and electric stoves and are dishwasher-safe. Cuisinart cookware is a good option for those seeking a similar experience to Revere Ware without breaking the bank.

La Chantel

For those with induction stoves, La Chantel is a recommended alternative to Revere Ware. It offers even cooking and is said to be slightly over-engineered, ensuring durability and long-lasting performance. La Chantel is a good choice for those seeking a modern alternative to Revere Ware that is compatible with induction cooktops.

Tramontina, Calphalon Premier, and Other Tri-Ply Stainless Options

Fully clad tri-ply stainless steel cookware is another alternative to Revere Ware. Brands like Tramontina and Calphalon Premier offer durable and quality-made products that can last for decades. Tri-ply stainless steel is a good option for those seeking modern alternatives to Revere Ware that offer similar performance and durability.

Vintage Revere Ware

For those seeking the retro-chic coolness of vintage cookware, pre-1968 Revere Ware is an option. This vintage Revere Ware is said to be of higher quality than the newer versions, as the company reduced the amount of copper used after 1968. Vintage Revere Ware can be found in thrift stores, on eBay, or in local thrift stores.

The pros and cons of Revere Ware

Revere Ware is a brand of kitchen wares that was first introduced in 1939 by the Revere Brass & Copper Corp. The line includes consumer cookware such as skillets, saucepans, stock pots, and tea kettles. The brand is currently owned by World Kitchen LLC, which offers four different varieties of Revere Ware cookware. Here are the pros and cons of Revere Ware:

Pros:

• Durability and Easy Cleaning: The combination of stainless steel and copper in Revere Ware products ensures durability and easy cleaning. Stainless steel is known for its durability and resistance to rust, while copper provides excellent heat conduction.
• Heat Conduction: Copper is an excellent conductor of heat, distributing it quickly and evenly. This makes Revere Ware ideal for cooking, as it ensures efficient and consistent heating.
• Lightweight: The stainless steel exterior and copper-coated bottom of Revere Ware products make them lightweight and easy to handle.
• Handles: The handles of Revere Ware products are made of Bakelite, a type of heat-resistant plastic that remains cool during cooking. This provides a comfortable and secure grip for the user.

Cons:

• Cost: While vintage Revere Ware can be purchased at a lower cost, the newer versions with copper construction can be more expensive due to their superior heat conduction.
• Dishwasher Safety: While some Revere Ware products are dishwasher-safe, professionals recommend hand washing to avoid potential damage to the Bakelite handles.
• Quality Issues: There have been reports of quality issues with newer Revere Ware products, particularly those manufactured after 1968. Cost-cutting measures, such as reducing the thickness of copper cladding and utensil walls, have led to concerns about heat distribution and durability.

Revere Ware parts and replacements

RevereWareParts.com offers a full line of replacement parts for vintage and more modern Revere Ware. The company was started by Revere Ware fans who were frustrated by their own inability to find replacement parts.

The website offers the following parts:

• Pan handles and hardware for the more modern single screw, and vintage 2-screw handles
• Vintage and modern pot handles
• Pressure cooker gaskets for the vintage pressure cooker and newer 1547 and 1576 models
• Tea kettle caps, triggers, and handles
• Percolator glass tops
• Skillets 1-Screw Style
• Skillets 2-Screw Style
• 10-12 in, 10-in Square
• Sauce Pans - 1-screw style
• Sauce Pans - 2-screw style
• 1-Screw Style Handle
• 2-Screw Style Handle
• Percolator Glass Tops
• Pot & Dutch Oven Handles

Replacement parts for Revere Ware can also be purchased on Amazon and eBay.

Frequently asked questions