First, just in time for Halloween, a JC Penney catalog #4559 (slow) cooker/deep fryer combination.
Thrifting Finds, and a couple of questions
- Thread starter rp2813
- Start date
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The cooking guide and temp control selector.
Here's my question.
Might these two aluminum studs be meant to hold a fryer basket? It didn't come with one. They are only on one side.
Might these two aluminum studs be meant to hold a fryer basket? It didn't come with one. They are only on one side.
Item 2
Just in time for the Halloween party buffet table, a Danish modern chafing dish. Seven pieces in all. I'm amazed they remained together by the time it hit the shelf.
Just in time for the Halloween party buffet table, a Danish modern chafing dish. Seven pieces in all. I'm amazed they remained together by the time it hit the shelf.
The Heat Source
Here's my question. This does not open up. Does one add liquid fuel of some type?
Here's my question. This does not open up. Does one add liquid fuel of some type?
Item 3
A Leviton sliding dimmer and on/off control. I'm going to use this in the guest room.
No questions here. I tested it and it works as it should.
A Leviton sliding dimmer and on/off control. I'm going to use this in the guest room.
No questions here. I tested it and it works as it should.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Answers:
1) Yes, that slow cooker/deep fryer combo had a frying basket insert when it was new; it hung onto the two studs by means of two "keyhole" slots on the side of the basket. If I were you, I'd check back with that thrift store to see if the basket has made it out onto the sales floor - it may have gotten separated in the sorting area. If you don't find it, it's possible that whoever donated it didn't know where the basket was at the time of donation (if a young person was donating leftovers from Grandma's estate, it's also possible they didn't know what the basket was - some of today's young people are nearly feral about stuff like that).
2) The chafing dish uses liquid Sterno fuel; you pour it in to saturate the Fiberglas "wick" material inside. Liquid Sterno comes in a squeezy bottle and is found alongside the canned Sterno. The bottle is bright yellow.
Nice finds!
1) Yes, that slow cooker/deep fryer combo had a frying basket insert when it was new; it hung onto the two studs by means of two "keyhole" slots on the side of the basket. If I were you, I'd check back with that thrift store to see if the basket has made it out onto the sales floor - it may have gotten separated in the sorting area. If you don't find it, it's possible that whoever donated it didn't know where the basket was at the time of donation (if a young person was donating leftovers from Grandma's estate, it's also possible they didn't know what the basket was - some of today's young people are nearly feral about stuff like that).
2) The chafing dish uses liquid Sterno fuel; you pour it in to saturate the Fiberglas "wick" material inside. Liquid Sterno comes in a squeezy bottle and is found alongside the canned Sterno. The bottle is bright yellow.
Nice finds!
Thanks for the info!
We basically don't deep fry at all so I'm not concerned, but will poke around at Savers next time to see if the basket might be there. Alas, I'd never be able to convince them that the basket should be free since it belongs with something I already bought.
I'll be purchasing some liquid Sterno when I find it. A far more civilized arrangement than opening a plain can and lighting it on fire.
We basically don't deep fry at all so I'm not concerned, but will poke around at Savers next time to see if the basket might be there. Alas, I'd never be able to convince them that the basket should be free since it belongs with something I already bought.
I'll be purchasing some liquid Sterno when I find it. A far more civilized arrangement than opening a plain can and lighting it on fire.
polkanut
Well-known member
That dimmer control will come in especially handy for those special "moments" in le boudoir.
norgeway
Well-known member
Deep Fryer..
This is a Sunbeam product.
This is a Sunbeam product.
After plugging the dimmer switch in last night, I found that it has a small neon lamp inside so it's easy to find in the dark. It works out nicely in the guest bedroom . . . er . . . boudoir, as it's much easier than reaching for/trying to locate one of the dual pull-chains on the bedside lamp.
Fuel
I've successfully used denatured alcohol in these burners. Pro/cons alcohol vs Sterno anyone?
I've successfully used denatured alcohol in these burners. Pro/cons alcohol vs Sterno anyone?
I've revived this thread because . . .
I may be using the chafing dish on New Year's Eve. Two questions:
1) Is denatured alcohol OK to use as was mentioned by Sarah directly above?
2) Whether it's liquid Sterno or denatured alcohol, how much is typically required to fill the burner assembly?
P.S.
I discovered a hairline crack in the bottom of the crock on the Penncrest cooker/fryer. I don't think it's safe to use, and wouldn't count on finding a replacement any time soon. :-(
I may be using the chafing dish on New Year's Eve. Two questions:
1) Is denatured alcohol OK to use as was mentioned by Sarah directly above?
2) Whether it's liquid Sterno or denatured alcohol, how much is typically required to fill the burner assembly?
P.S.
I discovered a hairline crack in the bottom of the crock on the Penncrest cooker/fryer. I don't think it's safe to use, and wouldn't count on finding a replacement any time soon. :-(
Sterno, gel or liquid
IS essentially denatured alcohol, though I think liquid Sterno is slightly deodorized (I may be incorrect.) With either one, gel or liquid, the fumes of Sterno make me want to vomit, so if I am at a function where it is being used, I stay away from the warmers unless I am actually getting something to eat.
My former fondue set's burner took a generous half cup of the stuff.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
IS essentially denatured alcohol, though I think liquid Sterno is slightly deodorized (I may be incorrect.) With either one, gel or liquid, the fumes of Sterno make me want to vomit, so if I am at a function where it is being used, I stay away from the warmers unless I am actually getting something to eat.
My former fondue set's burner took a generous half cup of the stuff.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
polkanut
Well-known member
Denatured alcohol will burn faster than Sterno. The Sterno is jellied denatured alcohol, and thus a bit more solid making it burn longer. As far as how much to use, I would make sure the Fiberglas wick inside the burner is well saturated, but make sure there is no standing alcohol inside before lighting it to be safe.
ovrphil
Well-known member
Excellent chaffing dish - love that Danish style.
Your slow cooker find w/o the basket is the same thing with the one I found a few months.
I like that top on your unit - has me thinking now...mine isn't original. I call it bittersweet, instead of Halloween orange.
So, Sunbeam made these for Penneys, eh?
Your slow cooker find w/o the basket is the same thing with the one I found a few months.
I like that top on your unit - has me thinking now...mine isn't original. I call it bittersweet, instead of Halloween orange.
So, Sunbeam made these for Penneys, eh?
ovrphil
Well-known member
uh, this is my unit in whole - yours looks more mid-century. If you locate a basket, are you going to use it as a fryer? Ours has a problem- doesn't reach more than 155F. (thermostat problem).
Hmmmm.
Phil, I think that even though the glass lid isn't original, it would perform better than the lightweight one that came with these cookers. My experience with slow cookers has taught me that lighter weight lids tend to spit moisture and make a mess. I bought my mom one that behaved that way.
I haven't tested my cooker's thermostat, but you've given me the incentive to do so. How did you test yours? I'd be aiming an infrared instant-read thermometer gun at mine. If it checks out OK, perhaps we need to discuss making one good unit out of the two we have. I'm not all that attached to mine if you're wanting a functioning one to use as a slow cooker (or deep fryer if you ever locate a basket).
Phil, I think that even though the glass lid isn't original, it would perform better than the lightweight one that came with these cookers. My experience with slow cookers has taught me that lighter weight lids tend to spit moisture and make a mess. I bought my mom one that behaved that way.
I haven't tested my cooker's thermostat, but you've given me the incentive to do so. How did you test yours? I'd be aiming an infrared instant-read thermometer gun at mine. If it checks out OK, perhaps we need to discuss making one good unit out of the two we have. I'm not all that attached to mine if you're wanting a functioning one to use as a slow cooker (or deep fryer if you ever locate a basket).
