Keep An Eye Out For This Classic Vintage Kitchenware When Thrifting

Spend some time thrifting, and with any luck, you'll score thrift store finds to boost your kitchen's aesthetic appeal and its functionality. One way to do this is by purchasing high-quality preowned cookware from your local thrift shop. When browsing the racks, one standout brand to look for is Revere Ware, which offers a vintage product line that's hard to match elsewhere on a budget. Although some vintage Revere Ware kitchenware, like skillets and sauce pans – particularly those made before 1968 with thicker copper layers — can command close to $200, it's still possible to snag some of this cookware for a song with some smart sleuthing. 

Founded in 1939, the brand takes its name from Paul Revere, the American patriot and silversmith who established one of the nation's first copper mills. Today, Revere Ware's American-made, copper-clad pots and pans are prized for their quick, even heat distribution — something both professional and home cooks appreciate well. 

Because brand-new copper-clad cookware can be very expensive to get one's hands on, spotting Revere Ware in a thrift store can be a real steal. With changes to production after the 1960s, any vintage pieces you find will be especially worth grabbing. So the next time you are thrifting, keep your eyes peeled. If you don't look carefully, you might not readily distinguish Revere Ware pieces from other, less valuable brand names. Once you do snag some quality pieces and get them home, you'll want to utilize at least a few tips and tricks to organize your cookware in your kitchen cabinets to show them off.

The first step to buying Revere Ware is knowing what to look for. Start by scanning for pots and pans with a thin copper band around the bottom — this is the brand's signature look. Once you spot one, flip it over to check the logo. Classic pieces made before 1968 feature a left-facing profile of Paul Revere with "Revere Ware" below and "Copper Clad Stainless Steel" around it, surrounded by a circle. You might also see the numbers "18" and "01," a nod to the year Revere established his copper plant, and phrases such as "Made Under Process Patent" or "Pat. Pending." Additionally, classic Revere Ware models may also include a smooth, black Bakelite handle that resists heat. 

Thrifted Revere Ware can be polished by sprinkling salt on the cut side of a halved lemon and using it to scrub the copper or by making a paste of vinegar and salt and gently rubbing it with a soft sponge until it shines. Similarly, the stainless steel portion of a Revere Ware item can be spiffed up to remove light scratches and streaks with a bit of stainless steel cleaner. So don't worry about those slight imperfections you spot on the cookware in the thrift shop; you can make it look like new again and love that this once-dated kitchen staple is now a must-have collectible.