Been buffing today

[jetcone]

Hans & Pat

Han, I can believe there were a ton sold in your neighborhood as each one weighs a quarter ton!! These things are massive and boy do they hold the heat not unlike cast iron mind you!

 

Pat I'd love to have met Dorothy Winkler-- how the heck did she get the lines full by 6 AM-  and with a Wringer too boot! She must have got up at 4! I bet it pissed your mother off -what a great story!

 

 

[wringer_clean]

Hey Jonny,

Fun that you read my profile story.

Yes, Dorothy set a rugged standard .... and yes, she was up at 4 am to start laundry.

I wouldn't doubt that she started with boiling the water, a real purest at heart.

However, we couldn't go near her house in the afternoon on wash day since she always took a nap.

Bless her heart, she's still rambling around at 90 some years old.

Can't wait to see you in the near term.

Pat

 

 

[hooverwheelaway]

Does she still use her wringer?

 

[packardmanken]

Hi Jetcone! Fascinated with the Minitmaid cooker. I would like to buy one. Any suggestions and what to look for , pros and cons? Also, HOW did you polish that aluminum? And what is the "ball" that does it "all"!
Beautiful collection!
Thanks, KEn

 

[packardmanken]

Hi Jetcone! Fascinated with the Minitmaid cooker. Also, HOW did you polish that aluminum? And what is the "ball" that does it "all"!
Beautiful collection!
Thanks, KEn

 

[wringer_clean]

Hey Fred,

Haven't seen Dorothy in several decades.

I'm guessing they've moved beyond the wringer.

One of her unmarried sons lives with her in the family home.

I would expect by this time, they finally have an automatic washer and that her son does the laundry under her direction.

Back in the day, she was one of 2 diehard wringer purest in the neighborhood.

All the other moms had automatics

psf

 

[jetcone]

Hey Pat

you're still on my Dance list at the Big Fete!

 

You can tell me all about Dorothy in person!!

 

 

[jetcone]

Ken

you want to look for one with some shine still on it, as I've found with most vintage pressure cookers ,the housewife tried it once got scared and put it back on the shelf!! Also look for one that has not had the valve taken apart as there are several little pieces in there that get lost quickly when handled by the un-initiated. Specifically the Hinge Screw, the Needle stem and the Control spring!

 

They were produced from 1939-1957 as late as I can tell. I prefer the 1957 models because they switched to the black bakelite handles and the cooker is much easier to pick up with these handles. Also be sure it has the two steamer racks with it. 
Gaskets are a snap with these as they use the same gasket as automobile head gaskets - any Auto Zone will carry sheet paper gasket material.

I'm trying to work up a quick template for cutting them. 

 

Below is one on ebay but it appears to me to be missing some key components, i have asked the seller I'll let you know what she says.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=291125944268

 

[jetcone]

KEN

this looks like a avery nice cooker, not my favorite handles but if you don't have monster hands like me then that really isn't an issue.

 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-8-Q...all_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item4d1aa7d87b

 

[jetcone]

this also looks like it

would clean up well.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Minitmaid-P...592?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2338e63df0

 

[packardmanken]

Thanks! I used to see these in the thrift shops all the time but having already having a presto pressure cooker I didnt pay them much attention. I am with you, I like the plastic handles of the last model the best. I like the one you picked out, but the shipping is almost as much as the price. I will look on Etsy, they are usually a lot cheaper.
I will run whatever I find by you first as I do not know what I am looking at or for.
Thanks so much!
Ken

 

[jetcone]

there is a really nice one

on Etsy, I can tell it was from a terrified housewife, its just new! But it is the older 1939-1950 model with the crucible handles.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/1656226...to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

 

[packardmanken]

she must have been scared to death!

That one does not even look like it was touched! Thanks for finding it for me. Ken

 

[packardmanken]

Found one!

Hi Jetcone… Found my MinuteMaid cooker today! They wanted $50 for it, but convinced them that it was cheaper on Etsy and Ebay, so got it for $30 with no shipping. This one has never been used. Belonged to the merchants mother. It has the gasket, racks, cookbook, warranty card and instructions still in it. Even still has the sticky spot where the price tag or company sticker was when new!
Mine is not the last one with the plastic handles, unfortunately, but I took a chance because of the shape it was in. I will keep you posted.
Where did you get that buffer?
Thanks, KEn

 

[jetcone]

Ken

The "Ball" is made by MOTHERS and you can get it at any Auto Zone its the mini ball. That one has the long handle so you can push down hard on the piece.

Can't wait to see your pics!! Nice find, when you mean merchant did you buy it from the door to door salesman and this was his mother's cooker?

 

[packardmanken]

merchant

Hi Jetcone! I bought it at an antique mall going from Scottsboro Ala to Decatur Ala. Have been on the road all week and needed to stretch my legs a little so stopped and went in. It was in a booth and the owner called the woman that had the booth it was in and discussed the price with them. She (the merchant) said it had belonged to her mother and didnt think it had ever been used. I think I can verify that by the condition. Not a stain or mark anywhere.Guess she had stared at it all her life and said she just wanted it gone. The recipe book is funny, a lot of food I have never had or wont eat for sure. So I will give it a try when i get home and let you know. The only thing is the gasket is rock hard and stiff, but the booklet said to let it soak for a minute or two and it would be fine. I just dont think they meant after 60 or so years! i know you said you could cut it out of cork or gasket paper, im just too lazy, so I will give it a try. May have "egg" all over my face AND kitchen when done, but will let you know!

 

[jetcone]

Ken

that's normal for the gasket, its paper, just soak it 10 mins and you're good to go. Age doesn't matter with these. I am working at making a rubber gasket out of viton as that will never need soaking.

 

I am curious what recipes would you avoid? The one for squirrel?? LOL

 

Here's  a gasket layout for cutting new ones:

 

[jetcone]

Here's another

terrified housewife new one, I think this is a 1939 as it has the metal saddle on top not the black saddle. Beautiful shape - honkin' price!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Min...366?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19ec1e3a3e

 

[packardmanken]

You asked….

Jetcone..this is getting to be fun. I do not eat anything I can recognize, unless I have been drinking and dont know the difference, but thats another story for another day.
Sooooo…that automatically rules out the Ox tongue, tails, also, never heard a good word about Gefilte fish. Then there is Kidney, Yuk. But this is all personal preference. Its all about what you were raised with. My mother did not like to cook, and you DID NOT LIKE for HER to cook. Still is true. Unless it involves ground beef, something out of a can or the freezer or box, we did not get introduced to it. But age and travel has improved my pallet. Just dont tell me what it is before I taste it and we will probably be ok.

 

[jetcone]

So..

I suppose smoked bluefish pate would be out of the question??