Learn about Favorite Piqua Ware, Miami, and Puritan antique cast iron

Do you have a piece of antique cast iron with the brand name Favorite Piqua Ware, Miami, or Puritan? This cast iron hollowware was made by a foundry called Favorite Stove and Range. In this article, you can learn the history of the Favorite Stove & Range Co. And how to date and identify your treasured antique cast iron, using logos and markings on your cookware.

This article will cover:

1. Who made Favorite Piqua Ware?
2. Collectability.
3. Is Favorite Piqua Ware cast iron any good?
4. The History of Favorite Stove and Range and the company’s predecessors
5. How to date and identify Favorite Piqua Ware, Miami, and Puritan logos.
6. Final thoughts

Company background

Company	Favorite Stove and Range Co. (successor to W.C. Davis & Co.,)
Founder	Willian King Boal
Operational dates	The foundry produced ironware between 1889-1935. However, the company ramped up and focused on hollowware between 1916-1935
Located	The foundry was located in Piqua, Miami County, Ohio.
Cookware line	The favorite Stove and Range Co. manufactured a full line of hollowware. This included: skillets, griddles, Dutch Ovens, kettles, Scotch bowls, gem pans and waffle irons
Cookware Brands	The company had serval lines of branded cookware which included Favorite Piqua Ware, Miami, Puritan (for Sears Roebuck)

Who made Favorite Piqua Ware?

The Favorite Piqua Ware vintage cast iron is often in great shape and still usable even on modern stoves, including induction.

So who made Favorite Piqua Ware? Favorite Piqua was manufactured by the Favorite Stove & Range Co.

Favorite Stove and Range Co, like Wagner Manufacturing Company, had a wide range of cast iron products that a highly prized by collectors and cast iron enthusiasts. 

Do you have a Favorite Piqua Ware skillet or Scotch bowl?

If you have a piece or two of antique cast iron? Well, these old pieces are still great cookware. And I have seen many Favorite Piqua Ware skillets with super smooth cooking surfaces. And they are equal to Wagner and Griswold skillets.

So, there’s no need to tuck Grandma’s skillet away in the bottom cupboard. Use these old-timers as your go-to pan, and they are also a lot of fun to use.

I think it’s kinda neat that you can cook in an old pan that someone used in the 19th century on their coal range. You can also use your vintage cast iron cookware on modern stoves. But I recommend preheating your pans first to prevent warping.

What factors affect the price of antique cast iron?

Many variables can affect the price of vintage iron. Such variables include:

• casting flaws
• hairline cracks 
• the smoothness of the cooking surface
• size
• movement on a flat surface

Favorite Piqua Ware is great ironware without the Griswold price tag.

Putting these variables aside, if you are looking for vintage cast iron, Favorite Piqua Ware is a good option. Piqua Ware is often less costly than the big two names in vintage or antique cast iron. The two being Griswold and Wagner.

So you may find a great Favorite Piqua Ware cast iron skillet or Scotch bowl for a lower price, especially if you find a larger size. 

Favorite Piqua Ware, is it any good?

If Favorite Stove and Range cast iron is cheaper than Griswold and Wagner. Then a question to ask is Favorite Piqua Ware any good?

Favorite Piqua Ware tends to be incredibly smooth and light.

You do not need a Griswold or a Wagner to have a great vintage pan.

Boonie Hicks

Finding a bargain

If you look on eBay, you’ll find many Favorite Pique Ware skillets in great shape. You won’t have to search for long to find one in great condition. Favorite Piqua Ware, Sidney Hollow Ware, are some of my favorites.

Often there are many listings to choose from, and new listings are regular. However, many cast iron enthusiasts enjoy finding hidden gems at antique stores and garage sales. You could attend cast iron auctions and meet cast iron enthusiasts.

The History of the Favorite Stove and Range Co.

Where was Favorite Piqua Ware manufactured?	Favorite Stove and Range Co made Favorite Piqua Ware cast iron. They manufactured a wide range of cast iron products, including cast iron stoves. Their foundry was located in Piqua Miami County in Ohio.
When was Piqua Ware manufactured?	Probably somewhere between 1916-1935. Hollowware may have been manufactured before this date. However, the dates between 1916-1935 stand out in a possible strategy change towards hollowware. Or when hollowware was first manufactured in the Favorite Stove & Range Piqua Ohio foundry.
The foundations of the Favorite Stove and Range Co. started in 1848	Before the first Favorite Piqua Ware skillet came off the line in their Ohio foundry. A different company called W C. Davis and Co was established in Cincinnati in 1848. W. C Davis &. Co. founded by William C Davis.

The predecessor to the Favorite Stove & Range Co. The W.C. Davis & Co.,

W.C. Davis & Co	W.C. Davis and Co. and Anchor Iron Works. The company focused on the manufacture of ironware. They also had interests in another foundry called Anchor Iron Works, located in Cincinnati. Like many foundries, W.C. Davis & Co. did not focus on any one product. Instead, they manufactured a wide range of metalware. W.C. Davis and Co. and Anchor Iron Works together manufactured a wide range of metalware. W.C. Davis manufactured metal coffins called the Fisk’s Metallic Burial Case under license.
W.C. Davis Hollowware	Look for W.C. Davis Co., made cast iron. Although you can still find W.C. Davis cast iron, it is much harder to find. If you have a piece of cast iron made by the company, you have a real piece of history. However, W.C. Davis & Co. cast iron can still be found occasionally for sale. Pots and skillets may have a distinctive single pouring spout instead of the double pouring spouts standard today. And keep an eye out for kettles that occasionally come up for sale.
Renamed to Great Western Stove works	Restructuring The W.C. Davis & Co was renamed Great Western Stove Works. And underwent a series of ongoing restructuring efforts. Davis also sold his interest in Anchor Iron Works to Chamberlain & Co. Iron and the casket business to Martin Hale Crane and J.R. Barnes in 1853.
The Great Western Stove Works to Favorite Stove Works	Willian Boal takes control. After the retirement of Willian Davis in 1880, a partner named Willian Boal had a controlling financial interest renames the company from Great Western Stove Works to Favorite Stove Works.

The rise of the Favorite Stove & Range Co

The move from Cincinnati to Piqua	Boal moved from Cincinnati to Piqua and formed the Favorite Stove and Range Company on the 1st of July, 1888.  By 1889 the foundry become operational and began production
The growth of Favorite Stove & Range Co.	The Favorite Stove & Range Co. became the largest manufacturer in Piqua. The city also became affectionately known as the Favorite City.
Scaling	Even by today’s standard, the company’s foundry was on a massive scale. The foundry was located on ten acres of land. It also employed 550 to 600 people when the foundry became established. Favorite Stove and Range had such an impact on the area. That several other companies adopted Favorite in their company name.
New leadership and expansion of manufacturing hollowware	In 1916 Willian King Boal passed on. And the son of Willian Stanhope Boal took over his father’s interests. It was Stanhope Boal who ramps up cast iron hollow ware production.

The fall of Favorite Stove and Range

Labor Strikes	In 1919 a labor strike hit the firm. During this strike, workers demanded an extra 25 percent increase in wages. The strikes lasted for eleven days.
Management turnover	Stanhope Boal remained president until 1923. For the next five years, the company had three other presidents. Willian C. Katker became the final president for Favorite Stove & Range Co. in 1928.
The Great Depression	Sales declined in the 1930s because of the Great Depression. Unfortunately, Favorite Stove & Range were not alone, and most foundries during this time struggled.
The passing of Willian Stanhope Boal	On December 17th, 1933, Willian S. Boal dies.
Favorite Stove & Range Co. liquidates	In 1935 the company liquidated. And patents, trademarks, and tools were sold to Foster Stove Company of Ironton, Ohio. And Chicago Hardware Foundry bought the patterns and machinery.
Post WW2 and the drop in demand	After restructuring, Katker renamed the company to Favorite Manufacturing Company. However, the company operated on a much smaller scale. They produced coal and wood ranges, gas cooking stoves, and hollowware. But molding was outsourced to the Champion Foundry Company, also located in Piqua.
Production stops	In 1958 the company stopped operation due to the post WW2 decline in demand.

Learn how to date and identify Favorite Piqua Ware, Miami, and Puritan cast iron using logos.

Favorite Stove and Range used eight logos for its cookware range. And made between 1916-1935 seems to be the general consensus among collectors. Did they make cookware before this date? Yes, there are republished catalogs to indicate hollowware being produced before this date. Most likely, it was early cookware such as Scotch bowls and caldrons.

We know W.C. Davis & Co. produced skillets, so it is not unreasonable to think Favorite Stove and Range did as well.

It’s also impossible to give an accurate date of manufactured cast iron by looking at the logos. And what logos are older. But if we look at the style and font used on the cookware, we can estimate what logos are older. But without evidence, collectors usually date all of Favorite Piqua Ware between 1916-1935.

Identify and date your Favorite Stove & Range cast iron.

Block Favorite Piqua Ware	Circa: 1916-1934
Favorite Piqua Ware the best to cook in	Made between 1916-1935
Favorite Piqua Ware smile	Manufactured from 1916-1934
Stylized Favorite Piqua Ware in block writing	Circa:1916-1934
Sunrise logo, Favorite Piqua Ware, Favorite Stoves and Ranges	Made around 1916-1935
Favorite = Piqua Ware	Manufactured around 1916-1935
Vertical diamond Miami	Circa 1916-1935
Favorite Piqua Ware smiley with vertical diamond Miami	Made between 1916-1935
Puritan logo (private label for Sears Roebuck)	Made from 1916-1934

Favorite Piqua Ware Block logo

This is considered one of the older logos. The Favorite Piqua Ware block logo is simple but has plenty of charm.

The word Favorite is slightly arched and placed near the top of the skillet, and Piqua Ware is stamped straight underneath. The lettering in this logo is capitalized in block form.

Favorite Piqua Ware Best To Cook In Block Logo

I love the best to cook in, logo. It must have been pretty good marketing for the time.

Similar to the block logo. The word favorite is arced at the top of the skillet. This is similar to an early Lodge or Wagner skillet. Piqua Ware is written under the word Favorite and is embossed straight. Finally, The best to cook in is written beneath. The lettering again is in block form and in the same size font.

Sunrise with Favorite Piqua Ware

I’ve only seen this logo on waffle irons.

The Piqua Ware Sunrise logo looks fantastic. A circular logo in the center containing Favorite Stove and Ranges with the Sun rising and sunshine rays. Surrounding the logo are two banners. The upper banner has the words WE GUARANTEE. And the lower banner has the words BEST IN THE WORLD. The circumference has familiar wording of “FAVORITE-PIQUA-WARE.”

Favorite equals Piqua Ware logo.

I’ve only seen this logo a few times on waffle irons. Favorite equals Piqua Ware logo is not an official name for the logo. I haven’t found any information about this logo to name it differently. The logo lettering is arced with FAVORITE=PIQUA WARE written in upper case and in the same sized font.

Stylized Favorite Piqua Ware in block writing

This Favorite Piqua Ware logo is more stylized than the previously mentioned logos. Again Favorite is arced, and the F and E FAVORITE is in a larger font. Piqua Ware is written in a smaller font than favorite. Lettering is all written in upper case.

Favorite Piqua Ware smiley logo

Do you have a soft spot for the smiley logo? I sure do. Although it’s very similar to the stylized logo, the lettering is thinner. Underneath is ever-so-friendly embellishing that resembles a smile. And it’s not uncommon to find a Favorite Piqua Ware with this logo.

Vertical Diamond Miami logo

This logo was made by Favorite Stove & Range. However, sometimes it’s referred to as Miami cast iron. The diamond is vertical, with the word MIAMI written in the center. Although the lettering is capitalized and the font size varies to contain the wording within the logo.

Favorite Piqua Ware smiley logo and vertical diamond logo

This logo has both the smiley and the Miami logo. The Maimi logo is in the center, while the smiley logo is in the 12 o’clock location.

To learn more about Miami cast iron click the highlighted link for an in-depth article.

Puritan logo private Sears Roebuck logo

The Puritan logo was an in-store private label made for Sears Roebuck. The store is commonly known as the “Sears” department store.

Favorite Piqua Ware

Favorite Piqua Ware cast iron tends to have smooth cooking surfaces like other manufacturers of the time. However, a Favorite Piqua Ware skillet is likely cheaper than a Wagner or Griswold skillet. 

Furthermore, the skillets are fantastic to cook with. There are some great bargains at a garage, estate sales, and auctions. Online stores are also a great option. Although you tend to pay internet prices, you also have more choices to find a skillet that suits your needs.

Look for Favorite Piqua Ware ironware if you want a skillet at a reasonable price. These pieces are or nearing one hundred years old, and they cook just as well today as they did all those years ago. And this is the reason Favorite Piqua Ware makes my top vintage cast iron skillet list. Click the link to learn about the other foundries on the list.

Happy cast iron hunting.