When it comes to kitchenware, nothing beats a dependable, iconic brand that will withstand decades of cooking while always appearing elegant and sophisticated. So much of what we purchase today, from clothing to household goods, has fallen victim to our modern throwaway culture, where we snap up items relatively cheaply, expecting them to last only a couple of years before discarding and replacing them.
However, two kitchenware brands that buck this trend are Le Creuset and Pyrex, which have been household staples for many years and can be found in kitchens the length and breadth of the country. Le Creuset has been trading for 100 years, having started out in 1925 in the French village of Fresnoy-le-Grand. It is best known for its exceptionally durable and vibrant ceramics, casserole dishes and pans. In recent years it has also become a highly coveted status symbol amongst millennials and Gen Z. So much so, that there was such a scramble for discounted Le Creuset items at the brand's warehouse sale in Hampshire in 2024 that police were called to the scene, reports the Express.
Le Creuset boasts an outstanding reputation but doesn't come without a hefty price tag. Prices start at £199 for a 24cm casserole dish, for instance. Nevertheless, in a recent piece, 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 also a brand with a lengthy and strong reputation. It's a less trendy brand than Le Creuset - and considerably more affordable, with a 24cm casserole dish priced at £80 compared to Le Creuset's £199. Pyrex has also been established for just over a century and, like Le Creuset, is also manufactured in France. With pieces frequently handed down through families, there's a good chance you've got at least one Pyrex item tucked away in your kitchen cupboards, whether it's a vintage piece or recently purchased.
Yet, it's neither Le Creuset nor Pyrex you should be hunting for, according to home design website Hunker, which states: "Instead, seek out an overlooked kitchenware brand that is both stylish and surprisingly valuable: CorningWare."
CorningWare is less recognised than Le Creuset and Pyrex and consequently more difficult to track down. Nevertheless, it's also a kitchenware brand with an extensive heritage. In fact, 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 verify that your CorningWare discovery is genuine, Hunker recommends 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 fetch a higher price if it bears the "Made in the USA" stamp, as this indicates it was manufactured prior to 1998.
