VINTAGE Kinney Ware “Flavor Seal” Hammered Aluminum Chicken Fryer Skillet with Lid.

💡 Details
This beautifully preserved Kinney Ware “Flavor Seal” skillet was produced in Los Angeles, California in the 1950s — part of a boutique hammered-aluminum line known for smart engineering and exceptional performance. This deep, lidded skillet is what collectors often call a “chicken fryer” — essentially a crossover between a deep skillet and a small Dutch oven.
What makes this one special:
Gorgeous hammered aluminum with a warm mid-century glow
Rare integrated thermal foot that prevents scorching by adding mass where heat concentrates
Sits perfectly flat — ideal for modern glass, induction-plate adapters, gas, or coil
Includes the original matching lid
Nicely preserved surface with a smooth, even interior
Stamped “Kinney Ware, Flavor Seal, Los Angeles, California” (light strike, typical for this maker)
Kinney Aluminum Co. never achieved the fame of Wagner or Wear-Ever — but their cookware often outperforms them. This is a stunning example.
⚙️ Condition
Excellent vintage condition with only the lightest signs of use.
• Hammered body is bright and clean
• Interior is smooth with minimal marks
• Lid fits beautifully
• Sits dead-flat thanks to that engineered “foot”
No dents, warping, or structural issues. A tiny, professionally executed touch-up to the tip of a leaf on the handle — nearly invisible and fully secure.
💬 Auntie Nen’s Note
This piece surprised me in all the best ways. Kinney Ware isn’t a household name like Wagner or Guardian Service, but the engineering here is on another level. The pan has real heft — not heavy for heavy’s sake, but that confident, well-balanced weight that tells you the metalworkers knew exactly what they were doing.
My favorite detail is the thermal foot. Instead of curving the sides under (like most cookware of the era), the base has a subtle, integrated platform that adds material precisely where hot spots form. It keeps heat even, eliminates scorching rings, and helps the pan sit perfectly flat. It’s one of the smartest mid-century aluminum designs I’ve handled.
Pieces like this would have been right at home in those aspirational early-1960s kitchens — the kind Mary Tyler Moore might have opened on-air, or the sleek California-modern sets that showed cookware for people who cooked.
A genuinely distinctive find.
☕️ Measurements
• Diameter: approximately 11"
🚚 Shipping
Continental US shipping is included at no extra charge.
(If you’re outside the continental US, please message first — rates vary.)
Auntie Nen inspects, cleans, and polishes all items prior to listing, but vintage pieces may show signs of age, wear, and patina that are considered part of their charm. Please read descriptions and review photos carefully to ensure you are equally charmed! Your satisfaction is guaranteed.