Buy This If You Love America

Published on Monday, November 8, 2010, by Joyce Slaton / Edit Post

It seems like every time a favorite brand of kitchen appliance or tool starts manufacturing its goods in China, quality slips. Chowhounds complain about cruddy new Swing-A-Way can openers and Weber grills, amongst other downgraded products. One oft-bandied-about solution to such problems is buying heavy old cookware in thrift stores and used kitchen shops. Another is supporting businesses that still do their manufacturing in the U.S., such as:

All-Clad: Get ready, I'm going to blow your mind—All-Clad makes all of its pots and pans and bakeware in the U.S.! However, it imports appliances, tools, and, um, lids. So you can buy a pan guilt-free, but make sure and feel bad every time you put on the lid.

Anchor-Hocking: Man, is it ever hard to find glassware not manufactured overseas. But Anchor-Hocking continues to hold onto its domestic status, with an enormous selection of plates, glasses, bakeware, and other drop-it-and-it's-dead items.

Lenox: Put Lenox's fine china on your wedding registry if you love America—it's still made here. Casual dinnerware, however, is imported.

Lodge: The maker of cast iron pans does import enameled cast iron, but its regular iron pans and Dutch ovens are still made domestically.

Nordic Ware: Don't let the name fool you; Nordic Ware is from Minnesota. This bakeware company is best known for its Bundt pans, but it makes a whole lot of other bakeware, pots, pans, and stuff for the grill.

Pyrex: Yeah, we know, the old stuff is sturdier. But you'll take what you can get, and you'll like it.

Naturally, most artisan producers make things like ceramic dishes, cutlery, and kitchen linens in the U.S.A. But what other big manufacturers are we missing?

Image source: Flickr member eviltomthai under Creative Commons

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POST A COMMENT |8 Comments

COMMENT

  • Try Olvida Cookware - nickel plated cast iron pans. Best stuff i ever cooked with and easy to clean. It can even be put in the dishwasher. I use it on my grill, camping and even on my induction top stove. You cant even scatch the surface of these pans. The griddle sears a steak perfectly even on the stove top. You can read about them on their website www.olvidacookware.com They make the stuff in...+READ

    Try Olvida Cookware - nickel plated cast iron pans. Best stuff i ever cooked with and easy to clean. It can even be put in the dishwasher. I use it on my grill, camping and even on my induction top stove. You cant even scatch the surface of these pans. The griddle sears a steak perfectly even on the stove top. You can read about them on their website www.olvidacookware.com They make the stuff in North Carolina.-COLLAPSE

  • And Nordicware! If you love baking, you'll LOVE nordicware. It lasts forever, has a wonderful selection of pans so beautiful that you'll want them all, and it's made in Minnesota.

  • I work for CUTCO Cutlery, the largest manufacturer of kitchen cutlery in America! We're practically the only cutlery still made in America.

  • FiestaWare is still made in the States.

  • Wisconsin Aluminum (wafco) Foundry.

    Amazing products and they make double sided griddle that conducts heat well and lasts for decades, with no worries of rusting (unlike iron).

    http://www.allamerican-chefsdesign.com/Product-Detail.asp?hProduct=19

    Can also find them at chefs catalog.

    Mine retails for over $50, my mom got it at a thrift shop for $2 - and I've used it for two years now, a few...+READ

    Wisconsin Aluminum (wafco) Foundry.

    Amazing products and they make double sided griddle that conducts heat well and lasts for decades, with no worries of rusting (unlike iron).

    http://www.allamerican-chefsdesign.com/Product-Detail.asp?hProduct=19

    Can also find them at chefs catalog.

    Mine retails for over $50, my mom got it at a thrift shop for $2 - and I've used it for two years now, a few times a month and am still in total love.-COLLAPSE

  • USA Pans Not only made in the US, but made from 65% recycled material.

    JK Adams woodware (Is that a word? Cutting boards, rolling pins)

    Preserve Products Mixing bowls, measuring spoons/cups, colanders, cutting boards, plastic plates/bowls/cups, toothbrushes, leftover containers - all made from recycled plastic.

    *Some* Calphalon (definitely not the stuff you buy in Target - if it's cheap,...+READ

    USA Pans Not only made in the US, but made from 65% recycled material.

    JK Adams woodware (Is that a word? Cutting boards, rolling pins)

    Preserve Products Mixing bowls, measuring spoons/cups, colanders, cutting boards, plastic plates/bowls/cups, toothbrushes, leftover containers - all made from recycled plastic.

    *Some* Calphalon (definitely not the stuff you buy in Target - if it's cheap, it's not made here)

    http://www.stillmadeinusa.com-COLLAPSE

  • I think LamsonSharp knives and other products are also made in the USA.

  • Don't forget Homer Laughlin. Made in the USA since 1871.