Country Charm Electric Skillet

ChuckP

Member
Here is an interesting piece that I picked up at a local auction. The lid strongly resembles a Lodge, but I don't think that they had anything to do with making it. The casting quality is a little rougher than one would expect to see from Lodge.
 
Not ever having known Lodge to do a tab lid handle (BSR did before they figured out how to do loop handles on automated molding machinery), I'd suppose some old-school copying going on. That sloppy grind to the left of the skillet handle probably not something Lodge would let pass in the era this was made.

Found this from an email inquiry to the company in 2008:

"The skillets were made from about 1960 through 2001. They were cast by a foundry in Phoenix City, Alabama."

and:

"This piece was cast by the Phenix Foundry, Phenix City, AL. Phenix is the correct spelling. The foundry [was] is still in operation and will cast anything you want. They still have the patterns for this skillet which the owner said was difficult to cast, with a lot of rejects, primarily with the heating coil attachment. It is a heavy skillet which could do with an assist handle. Owner said its weight, at about 25 pounds, was a big negative for this item."
 
I did some checking and what I found pretty much mirrors what you have stated. I believe this is one of the later skillets, as it does have an assist tab. Good eye on the horrible grinding, a chimp could have done better. Some other info... these were also manufactured under the name American Heritage. A bulge style bean pot and a three leg kettle, both with lids, were also produced.
 
I am with you anything CI I love, I found this old cast iron safe someone had removed the door I just had to have it solid iron it's so heave it takes a couple of guys to move it, but I love it. Ran across this electric pot a few years ago glad to know the foundry is right here at me and I didn't know it, I need the AC cord for it. IMG_8954.jpgIMG_8953.jpg
 
They have the power cord available on their website.

I picked one of these up from FB a few months ago. I called the company to ask about the skillet and I got a slightly different story than Doug. I spoke with a woman named Rita Nadine. She stated it was designed by Roy (Webster) in the early 1970's. She said it was made by Jacobs foundry and the electrical was finished at House of Webster. They also made stoves and a bean pot.
She was stating this from memory, and it sounded like she was there Roy designed it. I'd say the emailed info is probably more accurate.
 
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