Sunday, November 2, 2014

My 40-year-old Rena Ware Skillet


We had a family get-together this past weekend and found ourselves with more cooks than stove burners.  I dug deep into one of our cupboards and pulled out this electric skillet.  I hadn't used it in decades and wasn't even sure if it would work.

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The date stamp on the bottom of the pan shows that it was made in 1973. I remember clearly the day that I bought it.  A door-to-door salesman had come knocking on our door loaded with Rena Ware stuff.  He was a Japanese guy, tall and slender and around my age.  I really didn't need it, but I bought it because I felt sorry for him. 
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 I remember the guy's sales pitch about the uniform heating due to the liquid core.  I found the below info here.Screen Shot 2014-10-29 at 8.56.13 PM

Who knew that 40 years later it would come in handy? Didi used it to fry up some crispy gau gee.  It worked like a charm.  The next day, Wendell made some shrimp tempura in it.
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And the other night, we used it to make some shabu shabu.  I think it's amazing that it still works so well.IMG_8674

The pan reminds me of my younger days. I'm pretty sure that if it had feelings, it would be as happy as I am that it's being put to good use after all these years. Natsukashii.

懐かしい (-i inflection, hiragana なつかしい)
  1. dearbelovedcherishedsweet
  2. missedlonged foryearned after

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! That pan looks like it works so well. So lucky you did not recycle it when you cleaned house.
Linda

jalna said...

Linda, I was soooooo happy when I found it and realized that I hadn't given it away. It works super, super good. Too bad I can't let the salesman know that it's still working good after all these years, yah!

Anonymous said...

The older pots and pans are the bestest. My mom has a pot that is older than I am (60+) that she bought in Japan. Except for a handle change we are still using it! -N

K and S said...

so cool! I have a feeling things were made better back then :)

Mark Shelby said...

So Awesome Jalna! You know how much I love history and good old things! I have barley thrown anything away in my entire life! Good for you! This is a really fun story! I'm so glad that you and your friends had so much fun! That's what it is all about!

jalna said...

N, I inherited some pots from my mother-in-law that I think are that old too. They're awesome.

Kat, I remember that the skillet was over $100 back then which a pretty penny for me.

Thanks, Mark. I enjoyed telling the story!

Susan said...

Awww, I loved this post! I go to my parent's house and see all kinds of stuff that we had in our house in Okinawa too! (mostly kitchen stuff)

Erick said...

That pot is pretty cool. No worries you still look young.

Mark Shelby said...

I forgot to say last night that I actually prefer older appliances. I think they were built better back in the day and they last longer. Not long ago I found a like new chrome waffle maker from the 1960's just like my Mom used when I was growing up! I think I paid $3.00 for it! Every time I look at it I smile and remember the good old days! And that's part of the fun!

Nippon Nin said...

Glad it's still works! You were so nice.We rarely see door to door salesman these days...except under age representatives for Girl-Scout cookies...really? that much?....I will have a box of Thin Mints, please.

Shabu shabu sounds good tonight... getting little nippy here!

jalna said...

Feels really nostalgic yeah, Susan!

Awww, Erick, thanks . . . even though I know you lying.

I been smiling when I look at the skillet too, Mark.

Oooooh, Akemi, I love nippy weather.

Leslie's pics said...

awesome! That freakin pan is as old as me!

jalna said...

God, that's so unreal yah, Les!

Mokihana said...

We use our 30+ year old electric skillet all the time. Easy dinner: Pour in about 1/4 cup Aloha Mango/Pineapple teriyaki glaze. Throw in some frozen chicken wings. 325° for 45 minutes with the lid on. Them hemo da lid, turn up the heat, and let the wings glaze and the liquid is gone. So 'ono! I bet I could even do that with pork chops or chicken.

Mokihana

jalna said...

Ho Moki, that's da kine recipe I like! Thanks!

mmiissee said...

40 year old? and still in top shape!

jalna said...

Unreal yah, Mmiissee!