Sunday, May 12, 2013

The Saucepan

A broken saucepan make me reflect on the term throw away society.

Things happen. They always do. I guess if they did not we'd have no way to measure time. Before I digress, what happened was a saucepan was dropped in my kitchen. Some people might think of it as old by today's standards. The sauce pan was close to thirty years old.
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 The bottom of the pan states:
HORIZON
Stainless Steel Cookware
A Product of the
Johann Haviland
China Corporation
Manufactured in Spain by
Magefesa

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The pan was durable, well made, and easy to clean. Unfortunately the plastic handle broke off when the pan fell. Small bits it the plastic (well, I think it's plastic) broke, so if it were as simple as reassembling the pieces that I have, water would seep into opening into the inside of the handle. Not a good idea.

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The good thing is that I have another saucepan, so don't truly need another. I really did like this particular one, though, as it was a good stainless steel and the bottom was extra thick so that the pan would spread heat evenly and things that were hot seems to stay hot longer.

So here was my initial project:
Can I can a proper fitting handle at a modest price to repair the sauce pan, or do I need to junk it? Would anyone have suggestions?

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Initially, I thought the repair would be an easy fix. Perhaps it is an easy fix, but not a practical one. Before the "industrial revolution" I imagine a handle would have been engineered by a local tinsmith or blacksmith. Perhaps the pans owner would even have the skills for a decent repair.

I have the skills to get a new handle on there, but it would not be of the standard of the original. I see handle available that can be ordered through the mail, but their individual cost plus delivery fees don't see justifiable against the value of a totally new replacement. I find new meaning to the phrase throw away society. It seems that even quality goods often just get thrown away.