Retrosink | Beyond The Kitchen Sink

I Want to Live in the SMEG Virtual Showroom

Did you know SMEG stands for Smalterie Metallurgiche Emiliane Guastalla? Me neither. Of that, “Guastalla” is the name of the town in Italy where the company got its start. “Emiliane” refers to the province and the rest translates to “Metallurgical Enamelling Works.”

The company was founded in 1948 and now combines retro vintage aesthetics across their appliance line and is available to peruse in the SMEG Virtual Showroom. You can click around and zoom in on appliances in a decidedly modern way.

The Original Gluten Free Pizza Mmm 1971 Burger Crust!

Burger Pizza Bettyy Crocker Recipe Card

Oh, wait. There are bread crumbs in the hamburger meat. Also, eww. Reminds me of the ramen pizza that was going around.

Continue reading The Original Gluten Free Pizza Mmm 1971 Burger Crust!

Endurance Vintage Nutgrinder

Endurance Vintage Nutgrinder grinder for nuts

Kitchen prep work requires some elbow grease; chopping, slicing, mixing and cutting can be hard work. Ah, but the work is worth it when a delicious meal is the result. Still, sometimes cooking can seem like a marathon. One that requires endurance. Such as the Endurance Vintage Nutgrinder.

The 1.25-cup glass jar has a stainless steel hopper and a hand crank for manual nut grinding. It even has measurement markings along the side, so you can keep track of the progress — assuming you don’t stop for a ground nut snack along the way!

Retrosink: Glorette Toaster Oven Skillet

Check out this vintage combination appliance found on eBay. Combining a skillet and a toaster oven, the Glorette is an all-in-one countertop appliance solution for the discerning cooks of the 1920s and ’30s.

Described as “working and fully functional,” the Rare Glorette Jade Green Porcelain Tabletop Stove Skillet Oven / Toaster Oven is a current auction that is set to end March 11.

For comparison’s sake, check out the MaxiMatic EBK-200 Elite Cuisine 3-in-1 Multifunction Breakfast Deluxe Toaster Oven/Griddle/Coffee Maker, Blue.

Just imagine what the retro griddle oven combo would look like if they had the coffee craze back then!

Retrosink: 1970’s Salton Peanut Butter Maker

1970's Salton Peanut Butter Maker

It’s not available anymore, but check out this 1970’s Salton Peanut Butter Maker that was up for sale on Amazon. Dig that orange and yellow palette! I can almost taste the 70s on my palate. They probably used to make so many of these things that they had to ship them on a pallet. Wouldn’t you agree, pals?

*** UPDATE 12/11/13 ***
It would be pretty hard to hunt down one of these vintage peanut butter makers again, so in the meantime, here is a new one: Nostalgia Electrics NBM400 Electric Peanut Butter Maker. Not colorful nor highly rated, it won’t evoke the same memories, but hey, it’s less than $30. Just imagine how many bags of peanuts that could buy in 1970!

Retrosink: Nicknames Of The States Map

Nicknames of the States according to H.W. Hill & Co. Decatur Illinois sole manufacturer of Hill's hog ringers. Date Created/Published: c1884. Click on image to see a larger version. — Nicknames of the States according to H.W. Hill & Co. Decatur Illinois sole manufacturer of Hill’s hog ringers. Date Created/Published: c1884. Click on image to see a larger version.

Every cook loves pig. Every eater loves pig. As Homer Simpson learns, it is “some wonderful, magical animal!” (Check out more bacon-related Homer quotes).

Above find an old-timey map from 1884’s sole manufacturer of Hill’s hog ringers, H.W. Hill & Co. Decatur Illinois. And if you are looking for the subject matter, you can pick up some hog ringers here.