Thrift find: Presto Skillet Model S-30 - question about electric cord

[ovrphil]

This was a Goodwill find - I love the design, and it was just missing the cord. At home, I used a percolator coffee cord that fit perfectly. After adding a little water and Cream of Tartar, I turned it up til it started to boil and backed off to below medium. Before any time accumulated, I turned it off as the plug was smelling like burnt bakelite(ugh!). Now the plug is permanently stinky and I believe, not safe to continue usng for our coffee percolating. I removed the bottom of the skillet (two screws) to find that one prong was not firmly attached by the nuts and all metal needing cleaning at these posts. After cleaning and using the plug, I didn't detect any problems, but the cord did get warm near the spring shield and the cord area near the plug. I know that there is usually some warming of these vintage older plugs, but I'd like to hear what anyone with experience with these vintage skillets and cords might have to say.

Does anyone have this skillet with the original cord who can tell me, 1)is it bigger and clothed covered than the one I used, pictured? (sorry, couldn't delete larger image) 2). How much heat is normally transferred to these older plugs - some heat is normal, at the plug ends, isn't it?

Thanks all.

Phil

(Photos attached show before and after(not finished, though)cleaning and details of prong attachment area where I removed and cleaned those two prongs and wires that attached and all metal areas where contact was previously dirty and/or nut was loose).

 

[norgeway]

I bet!

The prongs are corroded, if they are they ,do not make good contact and even may arc ,try cleaning them with sandpaper, you may have ruined your cord, but try cleaning the prongs then try it again.

 

[retro-man]

Current Ratings

I see on the cord you have current ratings and on the bottom of the skillet there must be current usage also. Do these match up, or is the skillet higher than the cord? This would cause overheating if it is not up to what the skillet uses.
Jon

 

[ovrphil]

Hans, Jon and calling Petek

Hi Hans - I took it apart as I explained in my text and sanded, cleaned and sanded all areas of contact, not just the prongs. The problem was the threaded side has 2 nuts that hold the bare metal wires that feed the heating element. I made sure I cleaned all those areas. I think you're right, though - best not to use it. It STINKS so bad, ugh!

Hi Jon - the plug is rated for 125v and 10A , the pan is 115v and 1000 watts- plenty of headroom for the voltage on the plug, but 10Amps…and 1000Watts …don't know if this plug is telling me I used the wrong one. LOL!

Petek has this Presto skillet ; I wonder if he had a cord with his set? I don't think my cord was a bad choice, but it never hurts to ask about it.

Thanks guys!

 

[ken]

That cord should be okay.

The conversion of Watts to Amps at fixed voltage is governed by the equation Amps = Watts/Volts

So the pan rating of 1000 watts divided by 120 volts = 8.33 amps

 

[ovrphil]

Hey Ken - thanks, basic electricity I have learned and forgotten. I appreciate your help here. Well, now to find another cord.

 

[turquoisedude]

Phil, the prongs on the skillet look as if they are misaligned, too.  That could also cause a loose connection and arcing.  You should be able to realign them with a pair of long-nose pliers (I've had to do this a few times on my ancient percolators!).  

 

[ovrphil]

Hi Paul,

I did align those before replacing the lid. Those 2 stiff wires that attach to the threaded post-side of the prongs actually do all the influencing to provide alignment. I will go back in there and move those stiff wires(seen in the removed bottom photo), AGAIN. The problem is that the piece that holds these prongs is a little worn. Once in the slot that holds this piece, there's rigidity. I didn't understand arcing happening with this small variance of alignment, but I will make it perfect and then….find another cord to use, to test.

My question still stands, what degree of warming occurs on these vintage plugs? Isn't it normal to have some warming on the plug ends? The newer products have none of this happening.

Thanks Paul and anyone else reading my questions.

 

[turquoisedude]

Phil, those older plugs can get pretty warm (the higher the wattage draw, the warmer they seem to get) but they should not get so hot that they can't be handled.   I've had a couple of vintage cord sets that got really hot.  The sockets inside the connector were rusty, but once I cleaned them off they were fine.   

 

Hope this helps!

 

[ovrphil]

Ah-hah!

Paul, that's exactly what I wanted to do. How on earth do you get these plugs apart? It looks like this plug I have is assembled with a metal rivet, but the opening that it is set into on the plug is hex(?) in shape, as if it could be removed. Does this thing come apart and if so, is it a special tool? That's what I first tried to do.

[this post was last edited: 3/23/2015-11:49]