Jacob Bromwell: Classic Tools from America’s Oldest Kitchenware Manufacturer
Would it surprise you to learn that the maker of the flour sifter or cheese grater your great-great grandmother may have used is still in business? Jacob Bromwell is the oldest housewares company in America, and one of only a handful of kitchenware companies that still manufacture all their products in the US.
The company was founded in 1819, which means they’ve been producing kitchenware products for 194 years! They’re the oldest manufacturer of tin and stainless steel products in the United States, and the original manufacturer of the flour sifter, those old-fashioned metal popcorn makers, and the flat metal cheese shredders. In fact, many of the materials and designs of some of the classic kitchenware products we use today have remained unchanged since Jacob Bromwell’s initial design and development in the early part of the 19th century.
All Bromwell products are non-electric, and handmade out of tin, stainless steel, aluminum, or copper in the company’s Chattanooga, Tennessee factory. Every product also comes with a lifetime guarantee, and a detailed description about the materials used, the product’s history, and the manufacturing process. In fact, if you read some of the product reviews at the website, you’ll see that a few people had a Bromwell tool passed down to them from their mother, or grandmother, and that the tool is still in perfect working condition — a tribute to the product’s quality and design.
One thing I’m sure you’ll notice about all the products listed below: they’re quite expensive, especially compared to what you’d find at a Target or other big-box store. But given Jacob Bromwell’s long company history, the quality materials used, and the fact that everything is still made in the US (all of which you can read about on their “Made in the USA” page), the prices are understandable. These are certainly heirloom-quality pieces, and would make very special gifts.
Visit the Store → Jacob Bromwell
TOP ROW
1. All-American Flour Sifter, $64.99: the world’s first flour sifter, patented by Jacob Bromwell in 1819. The handle is attached to the sifter using old-fashioned metalworking techniques, as it has been for over 200 years.
2. Gourmet Food Processor, $64.99: the hardwood pestle is sized to match the depth and taper of the cone.
3. Morgan’s Famous Grater, 34.99: the cheese grater was invented by Bromwell in 1819, and this grater is probably the same design your great-great grandmother used!
4. Healthy Popcorn Popper, $74.99: amazingly, this popcorn popper — still the original design — is in its 190th year of production.
5. Legendary Colander, $74.99 (currently out of stock): this “light as a feather” silver-anodized aluminum colander is one of the oldest products in Bromwell’s product line.
BOTTOM ROW
6. Heritage Cookie Sheet, $34.99: made of commercial-grade, heavy-duty aluminum.
7. Homestead Rolling Pin, $54.99: this extra-long rolling pin features maple barrel and handles, and is hand turned and joined using traditional woodworking skills.
8. Genuine Pyramid Toaster, $34.99: Going camping? This non-electric pyramid toaster toasts bread over any open flame (a fireplace, or a campfire) so you can “live like a cowboy or prairie pioneer but still have toast with your morning bacon and eggs.” Sounds good to us!
(Images: Jacob Bromwell)