562 replies to this topic

[blue_dolphin]

I have a yard sale "3" skillet that looks very similar. Mine says "6 1/2 inch skillet" on the reverse with a letter "P" below and on the reverse on the handle but no other makers mark:


I like to use it when a recipe calls for gently warming spices or aromatics in oil. I find it much easier to control the temp and prevent over-browning in this little pan, even if I end up transferring the contents to a larger pan for the rest of the prep.

[Genkinaonna]

I'm hitting the thrift stores today (it's my birthday so the kids will just have to come along and not complain) to find some little cups for soup for Thanksgiving, as well as some interesting serving pieces. We'll see how it goes and I'll post if I find anything really interesting! I'd LOVE a bitty cast iron skillet like that! The only one I have is pretty large and unwieldy, so I don't use it as much as I probably should.

[ScoopKW]

I am going to TEACH my wife not to send me on her errands. I needed to run to my wife's bank to day, and put some cash in to cover a math error. The used kitchen supply place is on the way home.

Ten, count 'em, TEN gigantic, heavy, thick, copper pots and pans. (Stainless interior, thick copper exterior.) The cost was anywhere from $20-50 each. The smallest pan is twice the size of my largest copper All-Clad saute pan. Bought them all. I'll post a picture when I shine them up. I could use help with ID'ing them. No markings whatsoever.

[KatieLoeb]

Did you have to back to the bank/ATM again to cover your finds? That's the motherlode score but dangerous to the newly corrected bank balance as a side errand. Just sayin'...

[ScoopKW]

No, no bank worries. My wife forgot to carry the six when deciding how much to transfer into the "pay the bills" account.

[Anna N]

Continuing the Japanese theme of the latest Ladies Who Lunch adventure click, Kerry and I visited a thrift store where she spotted this suribachi for $2.99:



I am now its proud owner!

Edited to add link.

Edited by Anna N, 08 December 2011 - 05:24 AM.

[andiesenji]

I love it, Anna. The black is unusual.

[jrshaul]

I bought a big cast iron frying pan from Target for about $16. It's the best pan I've ever owned - I've used more butter on "nonstick surfaces." I don't think it's going to warp anytime soon, either.

About 90% of what I own is secondhand, mostly from eBay and garage sales. Curiously, I now own better stuff than anyone else I know.

[Anna N]

I bought a big cast iron frying pan from Target for about $16. It's the best pan I've ever owned - I've used more butter on "nonstick surfaces." I don't think it's going to warp anytime soon, either.

About 90% of what I own is secondhand, mostly from eBay and garage sales. Curiously, I now own better stuff than anyone else I know.

A great deal of my kitchen is also second-hand and it is amazing what one can find, often unused and still in its original box, at garage sales and thrift stores for a fraction of the retail price.

[Anna N]

I love it, Anna. The black is unusual.

Thanks. It appears to be hand made as it is quite rough and ready and there are no manufacturer's marks of any kind.

[Darienne]

The fact that the 2nd hand pieces are often quite old is all to the advantage. Often the pieces are made out of...now wait for it...you can remember it...METAL. Like our very old sandwich and waffle grill. You can buy decent Pyrex with all the original ingredients in it...often quite dirty, but I can wash it up very well. The pots and pans can be from Korea or even Japan if you can find them that old.

And then there is the cry of discovery!!!

[Kerry Beal]

Today in the Serendipity shop in the basement of a church in Buffalo - I found a Rosle food mill - same one I own (that apparently sells for $115 online now). It only had one sieve - a mid sized - but for $18 I can pick up the 1 mm which is the most desirable in my view because you can get fine fruit seeds out with it for purees. $15 minus 20%.

[Darienne]

Back in the land of incredible second hand stores.

Got a brand new bread machine for $2 on 50% off Sunday for old guys. Not the best brand, but for $2 who can complain.

Also found these two sieves for 50 cents each. I just love 'em.

[boilsover]

Hi, ScoopKW:

Are there any photos forthcoming of your copper trove?

[Anna N]

So Kerry and I slipped into a Value Village today and I bought a $1.99 bag of gadgets. Included was this:



That is an ordinary teaspoon in front for scale.

Any ideas on the purpose? Each little "hat" comes off.

[andiesenji]

They are like the little spice tagines, only much smaller. Possibly a toy, My spice tagines are 4 inches in diameter.

[Anna N]

They are like the little spice tagines, only much smaller. Possibly a toy, My spice tagines are 4 inches in diameter.

Thank you, Andie. I was certain I could count on you to know its purpose. It may well be a toy or perhaps individual spice tagines for restaurant use. Either way I shall hang on to it.

[KatieLoeb]

Thrift store finds:

Tupperware Deviled Egg holder - $2
Temperature probe Meat fork, new in package - $3

Good scores.

[prasantrin]

I love it, Anna. The black is unusual.

Thanks. It appears to be hand made as it is quite rough and ready and there are no manufacturer's marks of any kind.

Was it marked as a suribachi? It doesn't look like a traditional suribachi to me--too shallow and wide, and the ridges are going the wrong way (the surikogi is usually used in a circular motion, and if the ridges are horizontal rather than vertical, the sesame won't get ground very easily).

[Anna N]

I love it, Anna. The black is unusual.

Thanks. It appears to be hand made as it is quite rough and ready and there are no manufacturer's marks of any kind.

Was it marked as a suribachi? It doesn't look like a traditional suribachi to me--too shallow and wide, and the ridges are going the wrong way (the surikogi is usually used in a circular motion, and if the ridges are horizontal rather than vertical, the sesame won't get ground very easily).

No, it was not marked as such but definitely appears to have been used as a "grinder" of some sort. Whatever its original purpose it now serves as an unusual fruit bowl so I am still quite happy with the find. Thanks for your acute observations.

[prasantrin]

I thought it looked African, so I did a little research. It's an asanka. Much more interesting than a suribachi, imo!

[Anna N]

I thought it looked African, so I did a little research. It's an asanka. Much more interesting than a suribachi, imo!

Wow! That is so interesting. Thank you for doing that research. It is surely the same thing. Maybe I will have to take up African cuisine now.

[Darienne]

I thought it looked African, so I did a little research. It's an asanka. Much more interesting than a suribachi, imo!

Wow! That is so interesting. Thank you for doing that research. It is surely the same thing. Maybe I will have to take up African cuisine now.

How exciting. Wonder how it turned up in southern Ontario.

 

 

 

[Moderator note: This topic continues in Yard Sale, Thrift Store, Junk Heap Shopping (Part 2)]

Edited by Mjx, 14 May 2013 - 12:11 AM.
Moderator note added