For only $15 at the thrift store

[kimball455]

Saw this electric fry pan at the thrift store for only $15. I have a few in my collection and as this is oil filled thought it would be unique to have. As I said the price was $15. When I searched the web I was rather shocked by the price $349 for a new one. Think I got a deal and it works perfectly. Used it last weekend to poach quenelles and they were perfect.
Harry

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Oil filled?

Never seen one before. How does that work?

RCD

 

[paulg]

Is that like a SALADMASTER

Oil filled?

 

[paulg]

You did say oil-filled

I have the SALADMASTER version which looks very similar.
If so this is an excellent quality pan.
I didn't know they sold for so much money!

 

[xraytech]

These are most definitely top quality electric skillets.
I have the RenaWare version and it is one of my favorite electric skillets

 

[kimball455]

Oil Filled

Apparently it used oil to evenly distribute the heat. It does work well and has far fewer 'hot spots' than the other fry pans that I have.
Harry

 

[turboace]

Oil is an ideal thermal transfer fluid. At work all of our high pressure/vacuum reaction vessels are heated by an oil jacket. The boiling point of oil under pressure is very high and it had a very high thermal capacity so it is ideal as a thermal transfer fluid. Also, it will heat evenly and you will have less recovery time from the thermal shock of putting cold food in the pan so it should brown quicker too.

 

[abcomatic]

I have a SaladMaster electric frying pan. I love it! Even heat and easy clean up. I would recommend it highly. Happy cooking. Gary

 

[a440]

I have a set of Oil Filled Cooking Ware made by Lifetime.
They are wonderful for cooking once you get the hang of using them. Very well built.
Great find you have there Harry!
Brent

 

[tomturbomatic]

Please tell us what you mean by "once you get the hang of using them". Thank you.

 

[petek]

I have the Webalco version. They were made by West Bend and sold under various names like Salad Master etc. If you hold it up and tilt it you can sort of hear the oil sloshing around inside. Very even, but take a little while longer to heat up. You got a great deal.

 

[kimball455]

Using the oil filled fry pan

The only thing I noticed was it took a slightly longer to heat up. Other than that I did not see any difference. Really steady temperature and great heat distribution.
Harry

 

[a440]

Hi Tom,
To mirror what Petek said...
They take a little while longer to heat up, however the heat is very even and consistent. A nice feature - it keeps it's temp without any heat source for quite awhile.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Thanks, so it is not really responsive because of the thermal mass. Well, there are tradeoffs to everything.

 

[kimball455]

Found the patent on the oil filled fry pan

Hi ... In the link below click on 'download patent PDF' to view the patent for this unique fry pan design.
Harry

http://www.archpatent.com/patents/4667085

 

[kenmoreguy89]

Nice, very nice, obviously that ebayer is mad, like many unfortunately.....

 

[mixguy]

What a great deal!

Stainless steel pot are prone to uneven heating. That is why you see higher quality pots having other material bonded or plyed to the bottom. Aluminum unfortuantely can melt if left on high heat, empty, for too long, especially if placed on a high BTU burner, like that of commercial or semi-commercial cook tops. Copper works well too but needs to be 1/16 thick to utilize its heat distributing properties as well. Having an oil filled core was thought to be a less expensive way of obtaining even heating. A stainless steel electric skillet is a very nice find in deed. One has to appreciate the ease in cleaning of stainless over aluminum as well as the durability too. The skillet, if kept clean on all surfaces, will stay new looking for decades!

 

[ovrphil]

nice find

I, too, am not familiar with Americraft Kitchencraft electric skillet. I'm always impressed with people find here. Saladmaster and Webalco, and Lifetime - when were these skillets made?

 

[petek]

These type of electric pans and their matching cookware sets were often sold by independent distributors at expo's, spring and summer home shows, state fairs. The distributor might have a storefront in one of the larger cities of a region sort of thing and may also have sold some other equally non-common thing like Rexair Rainbow vacs or Compact Vacs, or "air purifiers" type stuff. Which might also be shown at those same venues.