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Post by tinnie on Mar 21, 2007 20:54:31 GMT 10
Hi, Can anyone help me with an estimate on the age of this: It is a Superchef Hotplate Barbeque, Manufactured by Mackay Convair Heaters (Aust) Pty Ltd.  Appears to be the "Non-gas" type that run by burning a mixture of sawdust and metho? If anyone can give me some pointers on how much to use that'd be great too. Also should it have an insert to light the fuel in or does one simply do that in the base? It also came with a Herald in the case from 1976 layered in between the parts, I'm guessing it is considerably older than that, 50's perhaps?? Note the different coloured stoppers on the legs. Pics below:     And yeh, I know it needs a good clean!  Waddaya expect for 5 bucks at the local opshop. Cheers, Tinnie  |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Mar 21, 2007 22:39:00 GMT 10
Gee Tinnie,
The box is worth $5!! They don't make them like that any more. We bought a gas fired barbie in the mid-70's - similar in size, shape, legs, rack, etc - but the box was much more flimsy and distintegrated very quickly. The coloured stoppers on the legs have got to be original as well, otherwise there's probably be two of one colour and one of another.
I imagine you could use a variety of fuels in your BBQ apart from sawdust and metho - charcoal, Heat Beads, etc. There'll be an expert BBQ'er out there who'll give you a run down. In the meantime - look after that box!
Don Ricardo
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Post by fcdriver on Mar 25, 2007 17:38:39 GMT 10
Hi All, Purchased the same BBQ a few weeks ago.....Not for $5. I paid $48.........  I was (still am ) happy to pay that amount. Mine is the same but a different pic on the box. Now it came with instructions, original cook book as described in the instructions. It also has an aditional handel to lift the hot plate witch doubles as a bottle opener. Now to date it......... Mine has had very little use and the news paper that the hot plate was wraped in was dated 1963. I believe it to date from the early to the mid 60s. Good buy $5...... Good on you!!! Bruce |
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Post by Franklin1 on Mar 27, 2007 10:14:48 GMT 10
G'day tinnie, Here's a photo of the instruction book that went with your bbq. (refer ebay item 320075283261 from Jan 07...$30 start, no bid.)  From the stylised sketch on the front cover, I'd agree with others above that late 50's/early 60's is close (clothing style, hair style, head band on mother, plus the fact that it is a sketch rather than a photo can also help date it). Also check out this thread from the FE-FC Holden forum back in 2005...mentions the sawdust... www.fefcholden.org.au/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=rant;action=display;num=1130471857Just for interest, mine is the gas version (also refer ebay item 160098050045 ending 30 Mar soon, same as mine) with additional words "Hindmarsh S.A." on the box. Mine travels everywhere with us...great for boiling the billy or making some toast on the way. Got mine for ten bucks from the Salvo's a couple of years ago. The previous owner bought some 3 inch cuphead bolts to screw into the leg nut fittings...converts the bbq into a tabletop bbq, and looks like the bottom half of a flying saucer. Very clever!! See photos...  Happy cooking... cheers, Al. |
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Post by aussietanker on Mar 28, 2007 18:01:06 GMT 10
Hey Tinnie .... Thanks for starting this thread ..... and also thanks to Franklin1 for the "heads up" re the ebay listing ..... I am now the proud owner of one "mint condition" - never even been used - BBQ ... how cool is that reading this post originally bought back so many great memories .... ;D ;D ;D my dad had one of these old BBQ's many years ago - EXACTLY THE SAME, RIGHT DOWN TO THE COLORED LEGS AND BOX - we had many happy parties with him using it - in fact - he cooked a BBQ on it for both my 13th ( Beatles had just released Abbey Road - i think that was the title - the one where they are all walking across the road on the zebra crossing - that should date it pretty well for those of the era) and my 18th birthday ... he was, and still is an expert cook on it - every one in town loved his bbq's - he was so disappointed when it was badly damaged in an interstate move ... in fact the last time that i ever saw one of these was his old one so many years ago .... he will be so excited when he next visits and i pull this out to cook him a BBQ on his 78th birthday - so thanks guy's - this is going to make my old dad's birthday a special one - he loved that old bbq so much - thanks again .. only thing is - i just realized .... the one that i just scored thru franklins tip off has never been used 
... mmmm ... what a decision ... maybe i had better get another one that has already been "worn in " a bit so as not to "spoil" something that is still so pristine after all these years  ... what do you think gang regards A|T |
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Post by Franklin1 on Mar 29, 2007 21:49:45 GMT 10
G'day again, tinnie
I've sent you a personal message with links to the old threads about my Franklin van.
It's been a pleasure sharing helpful info about the bbq. That's what I like about this website...!!
cheers to all,
Al.
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Post by urkel1965 on Jan 4, 2008 16:01:20 GMT 10
Howdy all,
I have one of these bbq's (same coloured legs etc) that dad gave to me about 10 yrs ago.
In all the years we have had it, I have never seen a speck of sawdust used in it. We have only ever used twigs/sticks. Just keep feeding them in the side. Never had a problem.
Cheers
Urkel
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Post by tinnie on Jan 15, 2008 0:12:56 GMT 10
Hi guys, Col I'm not that silly mate ;D ;D (not quite anyway) I am really curious about the instructions and would like to have a copy for mine (even if it's a "xeroxd" copy). I have used mine with sawdust/woodshavings and some metho to get it humming. Perhaps the metho wasn't a great idea coz I ran outta sawdust before the snags were dun, added more sawdust to keep her going. Interesting idea bout using twigs.... Cheers, Gristy I will be bringing the Superchef to the Mount, along with a bag of sawdust |
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Post by urkel1965 on Jan 21, 2008 17:53:14 GMT 10
Hi Folks This is what a well worn "wood fired" Superchef BBQ looks like. Have no idea how old mine is, although am wondering whether the wire rack underneath some of them was a newer addition. Cheers Urkel  |
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Post by tinnie on Mar 5, 2008 20:06:14 GMT 10
Hi Rod,
best way to stop the plate warping would be to use sawdust, it is a much slower heat than gas (or a big pile of twigs. Not surprised they warp as mine is really light weight alloy.
Cheers,
Gristy
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Post by foo667 on Dec 10, 2016 16:51:42 GMT 10
Hope this forum doesn't have a rule against necromancy, because I am very late to this thread. Found it through a google search, and thought some more info might be handy to anyone passing through. We picked up the gas version of this BBQ up today from a garage sale, in great condition. Here's photos of the user manual, instruction sheet, and all the equipment: imgur.com/a/lQyMTlinkIt looks like the manual is the same for all 3 versions of the unit.    |
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