Kitchen

[wismiss]

When I was a young person (much younger) I bought a set of Lifetime Stainless Steel pots and pans that were manufactured in West Bend, Wisconsin.  I used them for a while after getting married, but packed them away when "new and improved" pots and pans were put on the market.  After being disgruntled with those "new and improved", I would use my Lifetime until somethin else came out.  Well, guess what?  I am using my Lifetime exclusively.  I got tired of purchasing other brands and throwing them away after a while.

Anybody else still using their Lifetime Stainless Steel pots and pans?  Probably a regional product, but.......

[aroc3435]

@wismiss I bought a similar set about forty-five years ago when I was first married.  It was the waterless version of the West Bend stainless steel cookware and was awesome.  The marriage did not last but the set did.  My ex-husband has it and uses it.

[happycat]

Not that brand, but my mom bought me a set of stainless steel pots and pans 34 years ago when I got married, and they are still going strong.

[Naturesbeauty]

I’m still using my stainless steel pots and pans I purchased at a home cooking presentation from Miracle Maid Waterless Cookware. In 1970. They are still like new. I cook on a regular basis too. Never have bought another pan since. Also, I am still using my Corelle dishes bought in the 1970’s. I know BORING! But they still work.

[wismiss]

aroc3435, that is the same set.  It was advertised as waterless, but it really wasn't.  I called is less water pans, but not waterless.  The list would be a mile long if I listed all the things made in those pans.  I even burned some foods and just boiled water in the pan and used Cameo cleaner and it was ready to be used again.  I've broken a handle or two and they still have parts available, although they are not exactly like the old parts.  But, they work and that is what is important.

[ValuSkr]

I'm still using a Revereware stainless set that I bought 34 years ago.  I've been happy with it.

[GrailSeeker]

Yes!  My brand of waterless, $600 pots and pans, is Ecko.

The young men selling them talked us into having a home party.  I remember one of them saying how embarrassing it was seeing his mother's cookware, and that these would last us a lifetime.  That part was not a lie. 

Purchased in 1976 for an outrageous price at the time, we also got with purchase a "free" set of China, stoneware, or a Lane Cedar Chest. 

My future husband paid them off, saying he wanted me to have them.  Wish now I would have taken the cedar chest, but took the China, which I have only used one time.

Yes, the cookware was not really waterless, but I am still using those pots and pans to this day, nearly every day. 

With the exception of buying non-stick skillets through the years, these are my every day pots and pans (they said for us not to call them "pots and pans", but that's what they are). 

[Emmaline]

I'm very interested to read your post and responses!  Just before I was married almost 45 years ago, a door-to-door salesman came to our door in western NY and sold me a set of Vollrath stainless steel cookware with vented lids. My mom sat with us as he showed the pieces and she was so impressed, she encouraged me to buy them.  That was not typical for her to sit and listen to a traveling salesperson, but I'd say after 30 years of marriage and cooking every day, she knew the importance of quality cookware. The pans came with a lifetime guarantee and a bonus set of 8 full-tang steak knives and a nice set of stainless flatware.  The set of six covered pans with a few accessories and the extras mentioned cost $350 in 1975 - a fortune!  But, oh my, have they been worth it!  They've been in daily use ever since - pans, flatware, and steak knives. Occasionally I've bought a nonstick frying pan but they've not held up like these sauce and frying pans. Vollrath is a restaurant equipment supplier based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In about 1995 I needed a handle replacement, and even pre-Internet, I easily obtained a replacement from the company, I think for $3.50. The vented lids, by which you bring vegetables to a boil, then close vent and let stand briefly to finish cooking, were fairly innovative then, and effective. I'd say Wisconsin produces some mighty long-lasting cookware!  

[spiderw]

I have pots from the fifties, stainless steel, my mother used!  I would never get rid of them because they have certainly survived the test of time and are in great condition!  I too, have bought new pots and pans, not whole sets, and they do not last.  When you still have and use appliances and pots from the fifties, that speaks volumes about the quality!

I always hear people say how much better things were made long ago, it stands true with my pots and pans!

[RedTop]

I’m still using the Club Aluminum cookware my parents bought me 45 years ago.   I also have the Club Aluminum chicken fryer that belonged to my grandmother.