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The Kitchen Table

repairing an enamel pot

17 years ago

I have a Vollrath Kook King pot from the '30s. This cookware is enamel over steel. My pot, which I love, has developed a hole about the size of 1 or 2 pin heads in the bottom, where the enamel was chipped before I acquired it.

Does anyone know where or how to fix this pot? I have contacted the manufacturer, done some Google searching & called the one enameling company in my area (which does only aerospace work & doesn't know another company).

I have also posted this on the Cooking forum.

Here is a link that might be useful: A Kook King pot - different style than mine

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Comments (4)

marilyn_c
17 years ago
You used to be able to buy little washers to patch pots with. I have an old glass jar with a metal lid that has two, maybe 3 patches on it.

This is the top.

This is the bottom of the lid.

I don't know how effective the patches are on pots. I have seen old pots with patches but that was because people were often not in financial shape to buy a new pot.

I see little enamel pots like that at thrift shops very often. If you are attached to it as a keepsake, I'd just keep it and find another one to use. But...that's me. ;)
nodakgal
17 years ago
First thing I thought of was what Marilyn said. I have a huge roaster that was mended with them. They are called Mend-its or is it Mend-ets?? They are hard to find though...but I haven't done an online search for them, so you might try that.
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nodakgal
17 years ago
Boy! THey might be really hard to find! LOL
These are vintage,but gives you an idea of how they are or were sold.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mendets
kathleenca
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi Marilyn,
I just finished reading your post about the baby possums. Boy they are cute! I had no idea their ears were so big - they don't seem particularly noticeable on adults.

At one time I knew about those washers; I appreciate you making the effort to post the pictures. Yes, people used to have to repair many things. I saw a picture somewhere on GW showing a welded crack in a cast iron pot.

You've given me an idea, though; I'll take the pot to our local real hardware store to see if they have an idea. I like this pot a LOT - it's a wonderful green, looks great in my kitchen, & it's a good size for soups, etc. - 4 qts. Instead of handles, it has a bail like a bucket. I want to try to get it fixed before relegating it to plant-growing.

I didn't mention it, but the Kook King enamel pots all had pint & cup measure lines on the inside of the pots. Very handy.

Thanks, Marilyn
P.S. Congratulations on your house!

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