I got the middle one from my in-laws. It still works and I am using it today, Memorial Day 2024! Amazing!

@cavalcadeoffood

Ай бұрын

Hi Patti! I'll bet those baked beans were wonderful and perfect for Memorial Day!

I have seen and use many of the appliances and dishes that you show. I have never seen a bean pot. I can not recall any of my family having one. I enjoyed learning about them. Thank you sir.

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

You are very welcome, Dean! Glad I could share these with you!

Many of the early crockery for West Bend was made by the Hall China Company of East Liverpool Ohio. Similar to the arrangement Hall had with Westinghouse Appliances in the 30's,40's,50's and 60's. The Hall China Company ended production at East Liverpool in February 20,2021. Hall is now just a brand owned by Steelite and production has been moved overseas.

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi TRAIN SHIPS - that's great information about Hall China. Thanks so much!

Believe it or not, the original Crock Pot started out as a bean pot called "The Beanery." But Rival Corp. revamped it and pushed it to it's limits to create the first "slow cooker" that would cook almost anything in the early 1970s. The Crock Pot was invented in Kansas City, MO, where I live. A few months ago the local NPR station produced a 30-min podcast about the Crock Pot's history. Interesting food history, especially the part about Rival's Test Kitchen. Long story short: About 90% of the slow cooking recipes used today were developed about 50 years ago by 4 Kansas City housewives to sell more Crock Pots: It can cook more than just beans.

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi RD M - great history on the Crock Pot! Thanks! I have some of those old slow cooker recipe books from the 70's and the recipes they offer are still the best one! A home economist named Mable Hoffman wrote "Crockery Cookery" in 1975 and I know it helped to sell a lot of slow cookers. Great to know the Crock Pot was invented in Kansas City! Thanks!!

Never seen nor heard of this little appliance. Thanks for enlightening me!

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome, peaches!

I don’t know why but time took longer in the 60s and 70s. No cell phones, home computers or microwaves to get in the way. We had the bicentennial edition we used it a few times. The beans it made were divine but, for a family of six, this appliance was inadequate. The pot rode out its days on buffet tables as a warming bowl.

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi Andrew - we sure lived at a slower pace when these appliances were made. I'm sure a batch of beans cooked in one of these didn't last long for a big family. Thanks!

I never knew these existed. I love glazed ceramic containers, which amps up the cool factor on the bean pots for me! Thanks for sharing. Oh & yes, please put me down for some stewed prunes & I'll skip the fiber tablets today! 🤣

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi curlyqstooge - the stewed prunes are coming right up! LOL - actually I love stewed prunes!

Love this ❤. Sooo educational. Gracias🎉

@cavalcadeoffood

4 ай бұрын

You're welcome, Anthony! Thanks for watching!

I graduated from high school in 1976. Our tassels were red, white, and blue with a “‘76” charm. I’ve never seen a bean pot before, but I’ve had many crockpots over the years.

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi Laura - it seems like so many things were red, white and blue back in 1976! Thanks!

@matthewfarmer2520

7 ай бұрын

I was born in 1976, im 47. Bicentennial baby

I'm buy one tomorrow they look so cute .😀

@cavalcadeoffood

3 ай бұрын

Hi Donna - I remember Graham Kerr always having a glass of wine nearby! He certainly had a style. There was an extra blade with that Veg-O-Matic - I'm going to have to try it out. Thanks!

The previous owners of my house left the brown one and I kept it but I did not know there was a bottom part to it. Now I wish I had that part.

There will never be another year like 1976. Even though I was a young kid, I will always remember how patriotic everyone was.

@giro6863

Жыл бұрын

It was a great time in my life too, and yes, I remember that feeling of patriotism in the air! It was great! I was 13 at that time.

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi Powerline Kid! Yes, 1976 was a pretty magical year in the USA! Thanks!

Oh how did I miss your video, I’m watching now❤😊

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi Meredith Lynn!! Glad you're watching - great to hear from you!

I immediately went online and found a beanpot with 3 individual crocks and a warmer soooo I bought it. Cant wait til it arrives. Never saw them before and I am bicentennial (and before, if I'm honest) vintage. Thanks Kevin.

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi Jane - so glad you found one you liked! Hope you enjoy using it! Thanks!

Kevin, i have one of those that is 200 watts. My dad gave it to me. it's the''Lazy Days slo cooker''! It has a non stick inside and a glass see thru lid. 5 temp settings, I'm excited to use it. Thanks for showing us the ones you have!

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi Sharon! I remember those "Lazy Days" slow cookers! Great that you still have yours and that it was a gift from your dad! Thanks!

KZread made me buy this 😂

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

LOL! Thanks Mary!

I have one! I found it at Goodwill several years ago and loved the look of the ceramic pot. I've used it to heat beans rather than cook beans. I'm 73, but my mother never had this appliance, nor did I ever see one until I found the one at Goodwill. I believe mine is a 50s model because the original instruction booklet was inside the pot, the only difference is mine came with a ceramic lid, perhaps a replacement because the instructions show the metal lid.

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

So glad you found one at a thrift shop! Maybe these were made with a ceramic top at some point, I'm not sure. Enjoy yours!

I found the middle one with no lid or base at a thrift store. The design caught my eye. I googled to see what it was. I use it to serve my homemade bbq beans. Aloha from Hawaii 🌺

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Aloha, Mooniboo!! Glad you found one - they work well inside of an oven, too. Thanks!

@mooniboo1570

Жыл бұрын

@@cavalcadeoffood Oh my! Didnt think of getting a response! I would love one day to visit your "shop". ❤ your channel it's very educational. Here in Hawaii slim pickings at thrift stores in finding mid century stuff. Treasure my mom's 4pc colored pyrex mixing bowls and Guardian service ware. Mahalo for responding. 🌺

These bean pots must've been more popular up north and not so much down south. I never saw one before. I've made baked beans many times in a Pyrex dish in the oven and they turn out great and only take an hour or so. I graduated high school in June 1976 and got my first car in July 1976, so yes I remember the Bicentennial. Wish I had the car back. A 1969 Olds Delta 88. Thanks, Kevin and Maryann, for showing us the bean pots.

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi Jonathan - these were fairly common here in the midwest. Maybe there wasn't much of a market for them in the southern states. I remember those big Oldsmobiles - great car with lots of power! Thanks!

@grandcanesque

Жыл бұрын

family from northern Louisiana had them since '50s, we used them well into the 80s for beans etc....searching youtube today for how to use, as i prepare to cook beans...

Good video :) I only recently found out about this brand going to a goodwill. Needless to say the HotPot ( orange ) they put out was amazing! Simple to repair, and nothing on the market is as easy as that. Let alone I use it to cook all my soups and hot pot meals / ramen on my truck ( cdl-a driver ) best purchase I've made in ages :)

@cavalcadeoffood

11 ай бұрын

Hi Ryan - those old Hot Pots were great!! Wish they still made them. Thanks!

Thanks for sharing these, Kevin! I have never seen one before. And also being very much alive in 1976 I can attest that my mother also had bicentennial fever. I still to this day have all kinds of Bicentennial memorabilia that she collected. Thanks for the memories!

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi John - great that you have all those Bicentennial souvenirs from your mom! Thanks!

The electric bean pot is new to me, I've never seen one before. Not an electric one anyways. I have an old one that belonged to my grandma. It was a give-away from a grainary in Sandusky, MI or there abouts. I enjoyed learning about the Westbend. Thanks!

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, WishyWashy! I've seen a lot of nice bean pots that were just made to go into the oven - some of them are really beautiful.

You have the greatest stuff in the world!!!

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

I owned more than one of these and loved them. I had the one with the measuring spoons on it and the dark brown one.

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

LoveIsAll - the design with the one with the spoons is really great. Thanks!

Enjoyed your video very much... I will be tuned in...

@cavalcadeoffood

7 ай бұрын

Thank you, empress!

I come across these bean pots all the time at the thrift store but never really knew what they were for- thanks for sharing!

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome, PatchworkVintage!

This video is so helpful. I have been going through my folks' stuff, and I just found one, but without the warmer. It jogged memories of my Nana putting this on her iron heater/stove. Thank you for your video.

@cavalcadeoffood

7 ай бұрын

You're welcome! Glad you found it helpful!

@ashleyforlife2277

Ай бұрын

I was wondering if this would be okay. Can I safely put my bean pot on and electric stove?

I have one just like the one with the measuring spoons and fork. I've had it since the early 70's, never really used it but just had it for display. Now I use it for melting cheeses for like Queso dip to keep it warm. Works great for that! Thanks for sharing these cool little bean pots!😋🙂😋

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

What a great use for these - melting cheese!! Thanks!

Wow, I'm surprised I've never seen one of those before either!! I'll be looking for them now at the thrift stores. My favorite is the bicentennial colonial pot. Thank you for sharing 😊

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome, Gi Ro! I often see them around so you will hopefully find one!

I was thinking what a wonderful vintage way I bet Boston Bake Beans possibly was made back in the day...Mmm yum. I remember those Bicentennial Days. Brings back some great memories indeed. At 60 since 2022 I am enjoying so much your beautiful channel Kevin. Thank you for sharing great history of your vintage collection. Love from Ky. 🎆🎆🎆

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi Tamson - thanks so much - glad the videos bring back great memories!

@tamsondarland8951

Жыл бұрын

@@cavalcadeoffood Enjoying very much

Those look like great little cookers! I love the original's design. . . looks so homey! With their lack of moving parts, they probably lasted FOREVER. The "Colonial Cooker" , while not as long-lived as the others perhaps, is certainly more-versatile. 1976 was a VERY important year for me. I was 21 and discovering a new lifestyle. Excellent video!, . . . again! Thanks for sharing Kevin.

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi Jake - these really are great little cookers. There's not much to wrong with them unless you drop the crock! 1976 was a milestone year! Thanks!

I had a bean pot with the measuring spoons on the side. It was really good. I don't know what happened to it; I was in the Air Force and moved a lot. Hmmm, now I might have to go look for another one!

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi Lynne - hope you find one...they are out there! Thanks!

Wow, you got me on this one! I have never heard of these. I’m assuming it’s a northern thing because I have never seen this living in the South all my life. Very interesting video and as always, thanks for sharing Kevin. Please keep the great videos coming!

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi Jason - these were fairly common here, at least in the midwest. Funny how certain things sell better in certain parts of the country. Thanks!

Fascinating, I have never seen an electric one. Perhaps those were more popular in northern states. Finding on used, would they be safe to use after all those years? The first model, the brown with metallic lid is by far the most attractive one.

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

I've used mine a number of times with no issues. I guess you would want to test it first to make sure it was safe. Thanks!

Another great viddy! Do you realize how cool that Black Label beer pot is Kevin? I have never seen such a thing 😳

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, DD! That Black Label beer pot is pretty cool. I'll have to find an old Black Label beer bottle or can to go with it. Thanks!

My grandma had the middle pot complete with the patio servers. I remember her making chili in it and serving it in the bowls, yes sometimes even on the patio on summer evenings! I think she may have used the bowls more than the pot to be honest, I remember her serving soup in them that she had actually made on the stove. But it was used quite a bit. I think it disappeared when she downsized and moved to an apartment house.

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi bdh70 - glad your grandma had the set. I can see how the serving bowls could be used for many other things. Thanks!

I bought one of these. It’s great! It makes excellent chicken thighs. Throw in an onion and a couple of carrots with it and cook until tender. It forms apart nicely. Unfortunately, my brown pot got a crack in it. I kept the lid, but I use a different pot on the burner.

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

I'll have to try cooking chicken in it! Thanks!

We. use ours all the time. Chili comes out great, but when I have the time, I make the spahgetti sauce and meatballs. from the booklet. So good with a splash of the suggested port wine. We have the bun warmer too, and used it to keep burger buns hot on the patio. But use tongs, or you'll burn yourself.

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Longhairbear! I'm going to try that spaghetti sauce recipe! I might also have the bun warmer tucked away someplace, but not certain that I ever used it. Thanks!

Interested in all the information on bean pots

I was very much alive in 1976, in 5th grade in fact and yet, I have heard of these, but never seen one in the wild. That spring, we did celebrations at my school, then the oldest school in the district. Initially built in 1916, and added onto in the late 20's, early 30's, and twice in the early 50's with 2 annexes and we had a celebration day in May I think and it took place (much of it) on the old blacktop playground. Since then, the really old section was condemned the previous school year, outside of the cafeteria area and the old gym for rainy days and was replaced by 1980 with a huge annex, by the 2000's, the entire school was razed and rebuilt on what was the play field and the location where the original school was became the new playground. My Mom had a crock pot, though it technically was not what we know from Rival, but was a West Bend enameled pot with lid that sat on a hot plate, which the modern equivalent is the Versatility, I think it was called that is sold currently. Back then, (late 70's), it never worked well and I think burnt stuff. Anyway, She got a Rival crock pot with the ceramic insert (I have that) and gave my middle sister the West Bend. What I recall was it was dark brown and I think got it at an garage sale when it was still fairly new. I have cooked many a pot of Hoppin' John in mine over the years, though this year, it ended up in the Le Creuset Dutch oven and cooked on lowish heat for what, 3 hours and was quite tasty. Had to use salt pork (pork back) for the meat instead of a ham hock as I could not find a hock, but did find the salt pork, threw in a diced onion and it was mighty good.

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi John - those West Bend enameled pots that sat on a variable heat burner were prone to hot spots and burning some foods. They didn't have the gentle indirect heat as a traditional slow cooker where it was almost impossible to burn anything. I'll bet the Hoppin' John was tasty! Thanks!

@johnhpalmer6098

Жыл бұрын

@@cavalcadeoffood Thanks Kevin, As to the West Bend pot, that's what I thought. Yes, the Hoppin' John was mighty tasty, some of the better batches I've made actually.

I had the middle pattern, sadly the pot broke. I wrote the company for a replacement but sadly they sold me the brown pot! So I have the base, a brown pot and the white lid.

I use mine to keep beans and soup hot while we serve or wait for guests.

@cavalcadeoffood

11 ай бұрын

Hi David - what a great way to use your bean pot! Thanks!

I've never seen one of these bean pots either. It's one of those specialty appliances, like a popcorn popper, with one use. I can see how it morphed into the crockpot. Btw, was that 12 hours for soaked or unsoaked beans? Thanks for the tour. I learned something new 😊

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi Julie - I believe it was for pre-soaked beans. Yes, these were slow cookers before there was such a thing!

I don't think Mary Ann was amused you asking her if the Black Label Beer was her brand but I was, or at least by her "NO" response.😆🤣

@DuaneInMich

Жыл бұрын

It definitely WAS my dad's brand, and it made a regular appearance in the beer and apple pancakes he would make for us. That also may be the only way that I would find it tasty lol

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi Scooter! LOL! My sister is a good sport with my teasing - she's not a beer drinker!

@scooterdover2771

Жыл бұрын

@@cavalcadeoffood I sort of thought that. I hope all is well?

I have the brown one, must of been my MIL's. don't have the base. Are they microwavable? Using it today for Easter dinner.

I just got one but it has a ceramic lid. Unfortunately i didn't get it with the hot plate. Can I use a Pamper Chef's slow cooker base to use the pot to cook in?

@cavalcadeoffood

10 ай бұрын

Hi - I'm not familiar with the Pampered Chef's slow cooker base, so I don't know. Sorry. Thanks!

Is that a West Bend bean pot tie you have on? The color matches perfectly😅! Never seen these bean pots and I was very much alive in 1976!

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi Karen! I wish I had a bean pot tie! Thanks!

Just got the original with 4 small pots and warmer. In a box at an auction. Can the p ot go in the oven?

@cavalcadeoffood

5 ай бұрын

I'm not sure if these pots are oven safe or not.

Greetings Kevin, I was just wondering if when you have cooked beans in these electric bean pots, do they require any stiring in order for the beans to get throughly cooked, or do the beans all come out fairly well eveningly cooked without any tending or stiring?

@cavalcadeoffood

2 ай бұрын

Hi fingerstoes - the recipes I've seen specifically say not to stir or remove the lid. The first recipe I tried, which came with the cooker, turned out beautifully. Thanks!

@fingerstoes316

2 ай бұрын

@@cavalcadeoffood Thank you so much for responding. I appriciate the information and am enjoying your channel very much. Many Blessings!

Hi Kevin, I just ordered a West Bend Buffet Server /bean pot from EBay. Do you know the temperature of this cooker? I’m looking for lower temp cooker/ around 180-200 Degrees Fahrenheit. New cookers are too hot! I love your collection. Thank you!

@cavalcadeoffood

2 ай бұрын

Hi Grace - I'm not sure of the temperature of the old West Bend bean pots, but they are only "on/off" with a 95 watt (I believe) warmer. The heat comes only from the bottom, so there may be a temperature variance within the pot, being hotter at the bottom. I've only made beans in them and they do a wonderful job. Enjoy yours! Thanks!

@gracechen7615

2 ай бұрын

@@cavalcadeoffood thank you Kevin, can’t wait for mine to arrive 🥰

@gracechen7615

Ай бұрын

@@cavalcadeoffood I received my bean pot… I measured the temperature after 6 hours, it reached 175 degrees Fahrenheit.

@cavalcadeoffood

Ай бұрын

@@gracechen7615Hi Grace - thanks for letting me know. That's helpful information!

@cjoyce9459

10 күн бұрын

Hi! Just found your videos after searching about bean pots. My mom had one and it was always beans or beans and franks in it. I found several years ago and couldn’t pass it up, even though it didn’t have the base. I cooked in the oven with it. Found another brown one with mini brown bowl set (no base) so I passed my first one on to my son. Yesterday I found the element only at my local thrift store and was super excited after I tested it at the store and it worked. After watching your video I realized it’s the latest version as its temp is adjustable. I love vintage appliances and am going to check out your other videos. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and collection!

I have one...Can you use these on the stove top or inside oven?

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

I think they would be alright inside the oven, but I would not use these on the stove top. Thanks!

@heavenisreal7058

Жыл бұрын

@@cavalcadeoffood thank you for the advice!

PS-for years I owned and used two different brands of Bicentennial slow cookers. Remember how Nixon renamed AF-1 to "Spirit of '76"? We needed that boost then.

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi LoveIsAll! Glad you had a couple of the Bicentennial slow cookers - they were great!

Would you ever sell one of your vintage appliances.

@cavalcadeoffood

Жыл бұрын

Hi Dorothy - no I don't sell anything. I just collect. Thanks!