Appreciation post: That $7 thrift store pan that taught me about budget cookware

I used to think you had to drop $50 on a new nonstick pan to get good results. But last month at the Goodwill in Phoenix I grabbed a beat up Calphalon skillet for 7 bucks. First time using it the handle got hot and the coating started peeling. So I sanded it down and seasoned it like cast iron, now it works better than any cheap pan I bought new. How do you guys fix up thrifted finds when they fall short of the brand new stuff?

2 comments

2 Comments

thomas.tyler20d ago

Oh man that's exactly the kind of thing I love doing. I found this old Revere Ware pot at a garage sale for like 4 bucks and the handle was all loose and the bottom was warped. I tightened the screw on the handle and put a piece of foil under the bottom to level it out and now it's my go to soup pot. The best part is when you fix something up yourself you get way more attached to it than if you just bought it perfect. I've got a whole shelf of thrift store pans now that I've sanded down or re-seasoned and they all cook better than anything I could grab from Target.

benc5320d ago

Tightened the handle on a thrift store cast iron skillet with a washer and some locktite, thing's been solid for three years now. Little fixes make those old pieces way better than new junk.