GE Pot Belly Percolator Model 33P30

[louvac]

Hey Guys!

I need some help with a GE pot belly percolator model 33P30.

The percolator looks brand new, but the inside is worn to the point of showing what appears to be copper accents (?). Is this made out of copper? And, is it still safe to use or will one get copper poisoning?

Can anyone tell me perhaps why this happened? Was it not cared for properly? Or, is this normal? What should I do with this pot? Toss it?

I have found out that some tarnished copper pans and various other types of pans or cookware can be in fact re-tinned. I did the magnet test and there is some magnetism present with a strong magnet. In other words, if I put a strong magnet in the pot and turn it upside down, the magnet will not fall out. So, there is some steel in this baby even though I see what appears to be copper.

I also know that some of the Sunbeam Coffeemasters did the same thing and I thought they were underlined with brass.

If anyone can shed some light on this I would greatly appreciate it!

 

[turquoisedude]

Sadly, the pot was probably used and well-scrubbed frequently.... That's what took off the plating inside the pot and this will cause the coffee to have an odd, metallic flavour alas...  

 

If the lid, glass knob and basket are good and the price is low, grab it.  These pots do come up to the surface fairly often so you may find one with nice insides but missing parts.  

 

Avoid eBay and keep looking in your local thrift stores and garage sales!

 

[louvac]

Pot Belly

Thanks Paul!

It's weird how new it looks on the outside yet so worn on the inside. I paid 3.99 for it less 25% so I can't complain. The guts alone are worth it to me. The cover is also mint and so is the cord.

Your thoughts were the same as mine!

Louis

 

[tomturbomatic]

Yours has the brown plastic trim, right? The next model in this style had a stainless steel interior and can be spotted by having black plastic trim. All of the interior parts as well as the lid are interchangeable.

 

[louvac]

Pot Belly

This 2nd one of mine looks like it can be brown but it's also strange how it doesn't look exactly black either. My other pristine one is definitely brown with a beautiful brown bake-o-lite handle and red cloth cord with a gold chaser.

This 2nd one I think I am just going to trash since it is not safe to use.

 

[tomturbomatic]

It will heat water just fine for instant coffee, cocoa or tea, although I believe water should be boiling for tea. It's just the reaction of the coffee and the copper that makes for the bad taste. Copper is not dangerous. Your water pipes are probably copper.

 

[louvac]

So then...

It's safe for just boiling water?

 

[launderess]

Metal plating worn/scrubbed off

Have seen this with Sunbeam metal vacuum coffee pots as well.

Some persons are a bit heavy handed with scrubbing the thing clean after use, and over the period of time the plating inside is literally taken away. Some coffee makers used thicker plating than others, but still repeated hard scrubbing over the years will wear off the metal, especially if steel wool or some other harsh abrasive was used.

 

[tomturbomatic]

There used to be copper-lined water heaters. Copper is very safe and is actually needed for eye health. It is one of the elements included in so-called eye vitamin formulas. There are old teakettles made of solid, unplated copper that were perfect for boiling water for tea.

 

[supersuds]

Indeed, I've got one of those all copper kettles, Revere brand, that I bought in the 80s. And most stainless steel kettles used to have copper bottoms as well. It doesn't affect the taste of tea or cocoa, and I'm alive. So far.

 

[louvac]

Thanks Guys...

...for your input and knowledge! I just may use this one as a parts pot.

 

[petek]

Late to the party

I still have my mothers GE Potbelly, granted it's a Canadian made one model P400 from about 1956 or thereabouts. I can remember it for as long as I've been alive (1956) There's no wear inside and it looks pretty much new.  I'm just wondering if the one you  have is one of the re issues from the mid 80's. GE brought out a retro line in and around then. They were identical in look but half the weight, they definitely skimped somewhere. 

 

[louvac]

Lightweight you say?

Believe me guys, this one isn't light by no means! I think this is the real thing. Too bad the strong-armed woman who owned it didn't know when to stop when she was washing it! Perhaps she even used Brillo or SOS.