Retro kitchenware brand worth thousands found in charity shops — not Le Creuset

When it comes to kitchenware, nothing compares to a reliable, iconic brand that will endure decades of culinary use while always looking stylish and refined. So much of what we buy today, from clothing to household goods, has fallen victim to our modern throwaway culture, where we pick up items relatively cheaply, expecting them to last only a year or two before discarding and replacing them.

Yet two kitchenware brands that defy this trend are Le Creuset and Pyrex, which have been staples of the British home for many years and can be found in kitchens up and down the country. Le Creuset has been in business for 100 years, having first opened its doors in 1925 in the French village of Fresnoy-le-Grand. The brand is renowned for its exceptionally hardwearing and vibrantly coloured ceramics, casserole dishes and pans.

In recent years it has also become a highly sought-after status symbol among millennials and Gen Z. So much so, that a frenzied rush for discounted Le Creuset products at the brand’s warehouse sale in Hampshire in 2024 prompted police to be called to the scene, reports the Express. It boasts an exceptional reputation, though it certainly doesn’t come cheap. Prices begin at £199 for a 24cm casserole dish, for example.

Nevertheless, in a recent feature, BBC Good Food reviewer Natalie Bass argued it was worth every penny, stating: “We’re big fans of any brand that offers a lifetime warranty on its products and Le Creuset is one of them. In fact, its ceramics are so well made that they often outlive the people who originally bought them, with items being passed down to the next generation.”

Pyrex is another brand with a long-standing and formidable reputation. It’s a less fashionable name than Le Creuset — and considerably more wallet-friendly, with a 24cm casserole dish retailing at £80 compared to Le Creuset’s £199. Pyrex has also been trading for just over a century and, much like Le Creuset, is manufactured in France.

With pieces regularly handed down through generations, there’s every chance you’ve got at least one Pyrex item stashed away in your kitchen cupboards, whether it’s a vintage find or a recent purchase.

Yet, according to home design website Hunker, it’s neither Le Creuset nor Pyrex you ought to be seeking out, as it states: “Instead, seek out an overlooked kitchenware brand that is both stylish and surprisingly valuable: CorningWare.” CorningWare may not enjoy the same recognition as Le Creuset or Pyrex, making it considerably harder to come across. Nevertheless, it remains a kitchenware brand boasting a remarkably rich history

Indeed, Hunker notes: “Vintage CorningWare items are as iconic a kitchen product as you can find. They also hold an incredible amount of value depending on the type of dish you’re looking for.

“A good quality CorningWare Blue Cornflower casserole dish from 1959 can go for as much as $23,000 (£17,000). As such, knowing what kinds of CorningWare to look for is vital if you want to nab one of these awesome – and potentially highly valuable – vintage cookware pieces at a thrift store.”

Writing for Hunker, Ryan Cashman explains: “Despite being among the more valuable pieces of dinnerware you can find in a thrift store, CorningWare can be easily overlooked if you don’t know what signs to keep an eye out for. Generally, vintage CorningWare from the 1950s through the 1970s are going to be identified by two distinct things: pattern and backstamp.

“The patterns of the CorningWare are especially noticeable, and offer a fun, cosy and retro appeal to shoppers. Perhaps the most popular and sought after pattern is Blue Cornflower, which was the first pattern CorningWare used and was in production from 1958 to 1988. The blue floral design set against a white background is highly appealing for its simple beauty. Other popular patterns include the more decorative Country Festival series from the 1970s and the space age Atomic Starburst from the late 1950s to the 1960s.”

To confirm that your CorningWare find is the real deal, Hunker advises you “look for the backstamp printed on the underside of the dish” which “needs to contain the CorningWare label, the litre size of the dish and a numerical product number”. A piece will also command a greater value if it carries the “Made in the USA” stamp, as this is a clear indication it was produced before 1998.