Those Skillet Handled Aluminum Griddles

[Russell Ware]

You’ve seen them on ebay. Well, here is a year that can now be associated with them. It’s those crazy looking aluminum griddles with skillet handles. One is sold as a deep fryer, and the other is called a family griddle. Combine them together and you have a two piece roaster. At least you now know that they were available in 1976 from RV Accessories out of New Jersey.

[Roger Barfield]

Thanks Russell that's really cool.  I like the waffle iron with built in temperature gauges. Never seen that one before.

[Sandy Glenn]

That's neat... thanks for sharing!

[Dwayne Henson]

Thanks!

[Russell Ware]

I knew I forgot to mention something Roger. That aluminum stovetop waffle iron was made by Nordicware. It appears in many mail order catalogs throughout the 1970's and 80's

[Russell Ware]

Looks like Rome Cookware may have acquired the rights to these patterns.

NEW ROME Cookware Quetico Superior Large Dutch Oven Alumina Heavy Duty Outdoor
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313&_nkw=314246577065&_sacat=0

[Jim Fuchs]

Neat stuff. The other variation was the Aluma Super Cooker(s). Marked Aluma, with Pat. Pend. over Aluma, Rome Industries, Peoria, Ill. (pictures from a past e-bay sale)

[Russell Ware]

Thanks for the additional photos Jim. They help in showing the time line for this cookware.

[Jim Fuchs]

You are most welcome Russell.  This was an old link on the membership side on the piece. As a side note, most sites/people were calling them Aluwa, but, the name was Aluma, like the Aluma pie irons  Rome made , etc.. Think that's because the script writing almost makes the "M" look like a "W".   

http://www.griswoldandwagner.com/forum/index.php?topic=9245.msg82920#msg82920

[Jim Fuchs]

After looking a bit, many "sales" sites, and other internet sites have the Super Cooker listed as Aluwa. I have not read anywhere (as of yet) calling them Aluwa. As mentioned, their line (Rome Industries), was called Aluma. An advert on their pie iron, and part of an interview, with Richard O'Russa, President of Rome Industries (Rome Industries was founded by Lorence O'Russa (he passed away in May 8, 1991). The O'Russa Family has run the company through at least three Generations.  Think the name Aluwa is akin to other things we have seen in our hobby...the wrong information gets repeated by others who do not bother to do any research, but rather parrot others. Just wanted to post up additional data, F.W.I.W. The source for the interview was shown in The Jackson Hole News newspaper in 1993.

[Russell Ware]

You certainly can't argue with the name as listed in that ad from the company. The company has been around a while, so not sure how the urban legend pronunciation came about. But thanks again for posting some great information. It really adds perspective and clarity on something I have seen, but knew little about.