Grand Rapids Business Crafts Durable Steel Kitchenware
Candice Kortesmaki Williamson produces custom kitchen steel tools at a specialized facility in Grand Rapids.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Cooking
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Candice Kortesmaki Williamson operates Finnginuity LLC, a kitchenware business based at The Forge in Grand Rapids. The company manufactures baking and grilling steel products designed for long-term kitchen durability.
Why it matters
The business prioritizes lasting tools over disposable kitchenware while offering the owner a flexible schedule to manage family needs. Most customers served by the operation reside outside of Minnesota.
Finnginuity utilizes A36 hot-rolled steel in 10-gauge, quarter-inch, and three-eighth-inch thicknesses. The operation handles raw steel sheets weighing up to 300 pounds to produce final products, with the largest projects reaching 60 pounds.
The players
Candice Kortesmaki Williamson
She is the owner and operator of Finnginuity LLC who runs the manufacturing facility in Grand Rapids.
Finnginuity
This is a custom steel kitchenware manufacturing business that sells products through Etsy, eBay, and a dedicated website.
The details
Using a ShopSabre CNC plasma table, Williamson cuts steel into shapes like pizza steels and grill plates. Each item undergoes a multi-step finishing process including a vinegar bath, hand grinding, surface conditioning, and an avocado oil coating.
Timeline
September 2026: Article publication regarding Finnginuity business operations.
Culture Shift
The emergence of bespoke metal kitchenware highlights a broader societal move toward sustainable consumption and heirloom-quality household goods. This trend positions small-batch manufacturers against the ubiquity of lower-cost, disposable alternatives in the modern home kitchen.
Residents seeking durable, American-made kitchen tools can access these products via the company website or online marketplaces. Buyers should be prepared for the maintenance requirements of raw steel, which differs from standard non-stick cookware.
The takeaway
Opting for high-quality steel kitchenware requires a commitment to proper surface seasoning and cleaning to prevent oxidation. These tools serve as long-term investments that prioritize material durability over the convenience of modern coatings.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in home culinary tools by visiting the Cooking section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Grand Rapids Herald-Review.
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