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how can you tell vintage enamelware

by Prof. Hellen Pollich Jr. Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Antique enamelware:

  • Is heavier than newer pieces
  • Has applied (rather than molded) handles and knobs–riveted, soldered or screwed into place
  • Bears dings, scratches, rust, and/or some dullness.
  • Has wooden handles (like the marbled bucket above)
  • Make a less “tinny” or hollow sound when clicked with your finger

You can tell the older pieces by the smoothness of the finish, riveted handles and spouts, and handles or knobs made out of wood instead of plastic. Weight also helps date a piece. In general, the heavier the piece the older.Oct 7, 2014

Full Answer

What is vintage enamelware?

Vintage Enamelware. Vintage enamelware, also called enameled ware, became popular in the 19th century, when manufacturers of kitchen staples such as pots and pans coated everything from heavy cast iron to lighter steel with enamel. When fired, the enamel glazed, creating a non-porous surface that was easier to clean than exposed metal.

How can you tell how old a piece of enamelware is?

Like many antiques, you can get a sense of the age from the overall patina. And even if it is light in weight & sounds "tinny" if you love it - get it. (Like I should have with the orange piece!)Do you have any enamelware?**

What are the different types of enamelware?

Much lighter than the average kitchenware, easier to clean and less fragile than china, enamelware was very popular.Enamelware usually came in blue, red, purple, brown, green, pink, gray and white.Patterns were as varied as the colors; besides the familiar swirls, mottles, speckles, shades, and solids.

How to reuse or recycle old enamelware?

They work well for picnics, cookouts, or a tea party on a wide porch. You can enjoy your old enamelware even if it is slightly toxic or chipped. Coffeepots and mugs can hold a flower arrangement. Use a mug to hold utensils. Place the forks tine side up like a flower arrangement.

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Is 1970s enamel cookware safe?

Answer: There are people out there who suggest that the enamel can be repaired with a food safe epoxy, but most experts and manufacturers will not recommend using it for cooking after the repair. Personally, I would not cook with vintage enamelware. Toxic metals have been used in the past to coat iron.

Does old enamelware have lead?

Lead and cadmium were often used in the production of the brightly colored trims and decorations on vintage enamelware. If the origin or date of manufacture of an enamel piece is unknown, it is especially important to avoid using it for any type of food preparation or service after it chips.

What is the difference between enamelware and graniteware?

Enamelware is a solid color (most often white) and usually has a colored trim. Graniteware has a pattern. There are several names for this stuff; agateware, speckled ware, etc., but I know it most commonly as enamelware or graniteware.

When did enamel enamelware come out?

The earliest known enamelled objects were 6 gold rings found in a Mycenæan tomb at Kouklia, Cyprus. These rings could be dated as early as 1230 BC but no later than 1050 BC and may be evidence of enamel being introduced to Ancient Greece.

Is it safe to use chipped enamelware?

0:091:44Is it Bad if My Enamel Dutch Oven, Skillet, or Pot is Chipped? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipQuestions. Today is it bad if my enameled pots and pans are chipped the enameled coating on yourMoreQuestions. Today is it bad if my enameled pots and pans are chipped the enameled coating on your favorite dutch oven is actually a glaze made from powdered glass that glaze is fired onto the cast iron

Is scratched enamel cookware safe?

The standard advice from most cookware companies is that pots and pans with chipped enamel are unsafe and shouldn't be used.

What is speckled enamelware called?

Graniteware~ Graniteware is a general name for speckled or mottled enamel nowadays, often used without meaning the original brand.

Can you put enamelware in the dishwasher?

Enamel dinnerware is easy to clean and dishwasher safe Enamel is also really easy to clean. It's dishwasher safe, so there are no hours of scrubbing or soaking required, although sometimes soaking can help! Just pop your items in the dishwasher and let the machine take care of the work.

When was Granite Ware first made?

Graniteware, technically enamelware, traces its origins to Germany in the 1760's. A process was developed to coat metals with an enamel finish in order to stop metallic tastes or rust getting into the food as it cooked. Porcelain was the most common coating at that time. The earliest examples were solid in color.

What is Antique enamelware?

eBay. Vintage enamelware, also called enameled ware, became popular in the 19th century, when manufacturers of kitchen staples such as pots and pans coated everything from heavy cast iron to lighter steel with enamel.

How can you tell the difference between porcelain and enamel?

The difference between porcelain and enamel signs is their materials. Porcelain signs are crafted out of ceramic material formed out of clay, while enamel signs are metal with a glassy coating. You'll find a collection of antique and vintage signs on 1stDibs.

Is vintage enamelware dishwasher safe?

Pots & Pans Anything that's coated or enameled should stay out of the dishwasher.

Is enamelware safe to eat from?

Enamelware is food safe When you use enamel dinnerware, the steel is protected by porcelain, so you can be sure that there is no metal contact with your food. Although the porcelain can chip and reveal the metal underneath, it will naturally oxidise and still be perfectly safe to use.

What is enamelware used for?

Enamelware is metal, aluminum or cast-iron cookware coated in a porcelain lining that makes it easy to clean, safe to heat and long-lasting. Although it's best known for being lightweight, some say that makes it feel cheap or childish.

What Is Enamelware?

Enameled metal has been used for thousands of years in ancient Rome, Greece, and Persia for jewelry and in the decorative arts.

What is granitware?

Louis Stamping Company, it was originally called Granite Iron Ware. The term "granitware" eventually became a generic term for specked gray and white enamelware.

How to clean a frying pan?

Clean the pan. You can cover the bottom of the pan with powdered detergent, lay a wet towel over it, allow to set for several hours, then rinse clean. You can also fill your pan with a mixture of one part bleach to three parts water, allow to set over night, then clean in the morning.

What was blue spotted agateware?

In the 1890s, Agateware which was enameled nickel and steel, was marketed as a sanitary alternative to kitchenware that used lead and arsenic in its production. Granitware mimicked the look of granite.

Is enamelware expensive?

Of course, there are types of enamelware that are rare or in high demand that are quite expensive. Even chipped or partially-rusted vintage pieces can be attractive for those who like a rustic country look, though damaged goods are not advised for cooking or eating purposes.

What is Dolores' interest in antiques?

After inheriting her grandmother's collection of antiques, Dolores has maintained an interest in the care and sale of vintage items.

When did uranium stop being used in cookware?

US government regulations stopped the use of uranium-based compounds used in the production of cookware in 1938.

What was the purpose of enamelware in the 1700s?

During the late 1700’s, scientists in Germany searched for some kind of protective coating or layer they could apply to cast iron and other metal pots and pans. They hoped to develop a material that would protect food from rust and the unpleasant metallic taste that leached into it from metal pans.

When did enamelware start to decline?

Louis Stamping Co. But with the introduction of aluminum, stainless steel, Pyrex, and plastic into the market place in the 1930s, enamelware began a steady decline.

What are some examples of enameling?

Perhaps the most widely-known examples of enameling are the famous Fabergé eggs made by Peter Carl Fabergé. The jewel-like colors seen in enamel are achieved by grinding colored glass into powder that is heated to form a paste then further heated until it liquifies and is fixed to a base material.

What is enamel work?

Enamelwork is liquified glass in a variety of colors that , with the aid of heat, is applied to a range of materials , with metal such as bronze, copper and brass being the most common base for application. Almost any surface that can withstand the high temperatures necessary for fusing can be used, including a variety of metals and stone. Ceramics and even glass can be decorated with enamel although the application process is quite different; the enamel is painted on rather than fused. Enamels exist in three basic clarities: opaque (not transparent), opalescent (semi-transparent) and transparent.

What are the different types of enamel?

Champlevé, cloisonné, niello, guilloché, gripoix, taille d’epergne, basse taille, vitreous enamel, pli que-à-jour, shippou-zogan and cold painting are different types of enameling that are often misidentified, yet easy to distinguish. With the exception of Basse Taille, these types of enamels are readily available in the antiques marketplace, ...

Where did the earliest cloisonné enamel come from?

found in present day Cyprus.

Is champlevé good for decorating?

Champlevé is quite satisfactory for decorating large items such as chargers, vases and plaques. pinterest-pin-it. The enameling in cloisonné is overall, whereas the enameling in champlevé is done in well delineated areas. In this pair of large cloisonné vases, the base metal is clearly visible at the base and rims.

Who practiced enameling?

The ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Romans, Georgians and Celts all practiced different forms of enameling.

Is cloisonné enameled?

The enameling in cloisonné is overall, where as the enameling in champlevé is done in well delineated areas. In this pair of large cloisonné vases, the base metal is clearly visible at the base and rims.

What is Antique Enamelware ?from fooddevise.com

Antique enamelware refers to the old enamelware that has got some beautiful design and color pattern. Many collectors collect them for their aesthetic beauty.

How old is enamelware?from delightedcooking.com

Although the production of enamelware grew considerably in the 19th century it is an age-old process. It is not known exactly where or when enamel first originated but the process is thousands of years old. The process of making enamelware is very similar to the process of making glass.

What does enamelware consist of?from fooddevise.com

Enamelware is actually a material made of powdered glass. They are made of two types of different enamels, namely Agateware and graniteware.

Why is enamelware so popular?from delightedcooking.com

The popularity of enamelware in kitchens is due to the enamel’s strength and heat conductive abilities. Enamelware can be subjected to very high temperatures without cracking or fracturing. A thin coating of enamel will also give it a greater degree of flexibility. The enamel becomes super tough and will not break unless the base material does.

What color was Le Creuset's first color?from collectorsweekly.com

An orange color called Flame was Le Creuset’s first hue; yellow followed in 1956. In the 1960s, a Belgium line called Descoware (called Bruxelles Ware when the company was founded in the 1940s) gained acclaim when Julia Child used the cookware on her TV show.

What color enamelware is used for mugs?from collectorsweekly.com

When fired, the enamel glazed, creating a non-porous surface that was easier to clean than exposed metal. White was a standard color on enamelware since that gave plates, mugs, ladles, and coffee pots a bright, sanitary appearance.

What was the purpose of enamelware in the 1700s?from adirondackgirlatheart.com

During the late 1700’s, scientists in Germany searched for some kind of protective coating or layer they could apply to cast iron and other metal pots and pans. They hoped to develop a material that would protect food from rust and the unpleasant metallic taste that leached into it from metal pans.

What is antique enamelware?

Antique enamelware: Is heavier than newer pieces. Has applied (rather than molded) handles and knobs–riveted, soldered or screwed into place. Bears dings, scratches, rust, and/or some dullness. Has wooden handles (like the marbled bucket above) Make a less “tinny” or hollow sound when clicked with your finger.

How to clean enamelware?

How to Clean Vintage Enamelware. Use hot soapy water to clean with a rag or sponge only, never steel wool or scrubbing pads or any abrasive cleaner as it will scratch the surface. Don’t wash in the dishwasher as this will remove gloss and encourage rust. Dry immediately to prevent rust from developing on any dings.

What was enamel coating used for?

Later it would be applied to the entire surface of steel pots and pans, tableware, coffee pots, pitchers, basins, soap dishes, chamber pots, and road signs. Color and pattern would come later on in the century. The enamel coating put an end to metallic tasting food and prevented rust from contaminating food.

Why is enamel coating better than cast iron?

The enamel coating put an end to metallic tasting food and prevented rust from contaminating food. In addition, enamel coated steel products are much lighter than cast iron and also easier to clean.

What is enamel used for?

Manufacturers applied enamel to all manner of kitchen wares, including utensils like this straining ladle.

What is a brown covered pot?

This brown covered pot with white speckles is a good example of a newer piece of enamelware. Not only is it very lightweight, but the lid is not a typical early shape. It should be flatter with no dimples (see examples below). In addition, the handle is molded onto the lid rather than applied separately.

What are some early coloring agents?

Even if in pristine condition, early coloring agents like cadmium and uranium, were frequently employed and they too can leach contaminants. Use your pieces for decoration only.

What color enamelware is used for mugs?

When fired, the enamel glazed, creating a non-porous surface that was easier to clean than exposed metal. White was a standard color on enamelware since that gave plates, mugs, ladles, and coffee pots a bright, sanitary appearance.

What are the advantages of enamelware?

The advantages of enamelware were its low cost, light weight, smooth surface, and glossy finish.

What color was Le Creuset's first color?

An orange color called Flame was Le Creuset’s first hue; yellow followed in 1956. In the 1960s, a Belgium line called Descoware (called Bruxelles Ware when the company was founded in the 1940s) gained acclaim when Julia Child used the cookware on her TV show.

What color is enameled cast iron?

The rims of lightweight steel enamelware were often trimmed in a solid band of red or blue, while enameled cast iron, designed for the stovetop and oven, was usually white on the inside but colored on the exterior, most classically in orange.

When was the enamelware coffee pot made?

For example, an enamelware coffee pot from the beginning of the 20th century is noticeably heavier than one made after World War II. Sound can also be a clue. If you tap the bottom of a brightly colored enamelware mug with your fingernail and it sounds tinny, it was probably made in the 1970s.

When was graniteware invented?

Patented in 1848 by New York inventor Charles Stumer, graniteware—also known as agateware and speckleware—enjoyed a long run in the United States, filling kitchen shelves and cabinets from the 1870s until the end of World War II .

Who makes graniteware?

Among the many U.S. manufacturers of graniteware were the St. Louis Stamping Company, which marketed its products under the Granite Iron Ware brand, Lalance and Grosjean, whose Peerless Gray Ware was sold by Sears, Roebuck and Company, the Bellaire Stamping Company, and Vollrath.

How to clean enameled cookware?from prudentreviews.com

Method 1: Water & Soap. In most cases, water, dish soap, and some elbow grease is the best way to clean enameled cookware. I recommend starting with this method because it involves ingredients you already have in the house and only takes a few minutes. If this doesn’t work, you can move onto other methods.

How to keep enamel clean?from wikihow.com

Clean your enamel before and after every use to avoid build up, and the need for scraping and abrasive cleaning. After bathing, it is best to rinse the tub and dry it with a clean towel. Coat your cookware with oil, cooking spray or butter before cooking to avoid sticking.

How to clean enamel pans with dish soap?from prudentreviews.com

Instructions. Fill the cookware with warm water and a teaspoon of dish soap. Use a sponge to gently scrub off the stains and discoloration. Make sure to use a gentle sponge or scrubber, as metal or tough ones can scratch the enamel. Rinse the pan.

How to clean a stain from enamel pan?from wikihow.com

When you are cleaning a stain from inside your enamel glazed pot or pan, you can speed up the process by boiling water in the pan. You only need enough water to cover the surface covered with the stain and allow for evaporation when boiling.

How to get a stain out of enamel?from wikihow.com

Scrub salt and lemon juice into the stain. Use as much table salt as needed to cover the stain in your enamel. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice over the salt to soak it into the stain. Continue squeezing lemon juice until you have covered all of the salt and made a paste over the stain.

How to protect enamel from scratches?from wikihow.com

Protect your enamel from chips and scratches. Don’t use abrasive sponges like steel wool, or metal objects such as spoon and forks with your enamel. If you are stacking enamel cookware, separate the items with rubber bumpers or another soft layer to avoid friction.

How to clean cookware?from prudentreviews.com

Wearing rubber gloves, use a sponge or cloth to wipe the cookware. Any dirt, grime, and stains should lift.

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