Types of Vintage Waffle Iron Cords


Vintage waffle irons come in a variety of appealing shapes and designs; unfortunately, so do the cords, which gets confusing.
Vintage waffle irons at Laura's Last Ditch Vintage Kitchenwares
This post takes the mystery out of the types of vintage waffle iron cords, and will help you figure out what kind you need for your waffle iron, coffee percolator, or other vintage small appliance. 


There are three basic types: 


Left to right: 11/16" spade type (it has oval holes), 11/16" prong type (round holes), 1/2" prong type (round holes). Note: There's also an uncommon cord with 1/2" space for flat spades; it's a very uncommon style and is not shown, but I do see them once in a while.










How they look and how to measure:  

 

 Measuring is done from the center of one prong or spade to the center of the other. 

11/16" prong spacing

11/16" spade spacing (the left spade is a little off-kilter, so it's not quite 11/16", but you get the idea)
1/2" prong spacing


How to measure the cord ends:


The cord ends are also measured center to center.
This is the 1/2" cord. Because the holes are round, it only fits prongs that are round. It does not fit spades. 


Here's my YouTube video, Types of Vintage Waffle Iron Cords, How to Tell What Kind You Need:


I hope this helps. If you have other questions about small appliance cords, please ask!

Need vintage waffle iron cords and replacement parts? Find them here: 

And here: 




Save the Googlewhacks, Kitchen Edition

This delightful book introduced
me to googlewhacking.
Googlewhacking. Enter two words into Google. If you get just one search result, congratulations! You've found a googlewhack!

Dwindling habitat endangers animals; a growing worldwide web endangers googlewhacks. While finding a googlewhack represented a challenge 10 years ago, now they're nearly extinct.

But, I'm working to save them.
A funny little ladle by an undocumented company, at Laura's Last Ditch Vintage Kitchenwares.

Researching this ladle, I couldn't find a single reference to the company that made it, a manufacturer by the Dr. Seuss-esque name of Smarp & Smith. 


So, for you googlewhackers - or anyone who likes hard-to-find vintage kitchenwares - Smarp & Smith! It existed, sometime, somewhere, creating nice, sturdy little ladles, and who knows what else? And perhaps I've created a googlewhack for the next person researching this forgotten company.

Mix-and-Match Antique Silverware Draws a Friendly Neighbor

I would be less surprised if something were headed to United Arab Emirates. I sell all over the world, but last night a sweet lady from my town contacted me to ask is she could see my silverware sets in person before deciding which to purchase. She's so close to me that she walked, which helped her avoid the extensive road construction our neighborhood is enjoying this summer.

She brought along some pieces of her grandmother's silverware to see what sets would make a nice mix-and-match arrangement. She settled on an Art Deco set and a more traditional, understated set that would complement her pretty floral silverplate pattern.

The walk home must've seemed longer than the walk here, since she left with two silverware sets and chests under her arm!

She's so happy to be able to use her silverplate when entertaining a larger group and is delighted with the look.

Don't be afraid to mix together multiple sets of silverware - it's just as lovely, and a lot more interesting!
Mismatched silverplate teaspoon sets, $14.99 & up.





Taplin's Dover Pattern Improved Egg Beater


I hurried to a moving sale around the corner this morning and found this Taplin's "Dover Pattern Improved" egg beater lurking in the bottom of a box. Even though I know vintage kitchenwares are usually better than new ones, I still didn't expect it to work - after all, it's about 100 years old! How long has your mixer lasted so far? Do you think it might still work in 2116?