Piqua, Ohio · c. 1916–1935 (cookware)
Favorite Stove & Range Company
Favorite traces back to a Cincinnati stove works of 1848 that William King Boal took over in 1872 and renamed Favorite Stove Works; he moved it to Piqua, Ohio, in 1888, and it traded as Favorite Stove & Range Co. from 1889. Stoves were the main business, but around 1916 the company expanded into cast iron cookware under the Piqua Ware name, also making a budget Miami line and Puritan-marked ware for Sears. After the company wound down in the mid-1930s, its cookware tooling and patterns were sold in 1935, so Favorite cookware comes from a short window and is far scarcer than Griswold or Wagner. Favorite's cooking surfaces were milled smooth. Common marks include the Favorite Piqua Ware block logo, the "smiley" logo, the early "Best to Cook In" mark and the Miami diamond; collectors generally date all of them to roughly 1916–1935.
Identification marks
FAVORITE PIQUA WARE in an arc or block layout, often with a curved "smiley" line underneath, plus a size number that may carry a letter (8A); some pans add BEST TO COOK IN, and some carry the MIAMI diamond. Puritan-marked pieces were made for Sears. The bare word Favorite without Piqua is not proof of this maker.
Favorite Stove references in this catalog
5 hand-curated Favorite Stove reference pages — every one with identification marks, common defects to inspect, and typical used price bands.
Skillet1918–1945Favorite Piqua Ware No. 8 Skillet
typical $90–$250
c. 1916–1935
Skillet1918–1945Favorite Piqua Ware No. 6 Skillet
typical $70–$160
c. 1916–1935
Griddle1918–1945Favorite Piqua Ware No. 9 Round Griddle
typical $80–$180
c. 1916–1935
Dutch Oven1918–1945Favorite Piqua Ware No. 8 Dutch Oven
typical $110–$280
c. 1916–1935
- Muffin Pan1918–1945
Favorite Piqua Ware 11-Cup Muffin Pan
typical $70–$150
c. 1916–1935