Hi to all fellow Classic Stove enthusiasts. I would like to share with you a very exciting find, which I collected today. A dodecagon or 12-sided Condrup Tripod Stand #75.!!! It would appear to be dated 1930 to 1939 judging by the information already collated on previous threads as compiled by Shagratork. I could not believe my eyes when I saw this find on a local buy/sell site. It was described as a vintage cast iron plant pot stand! No cracks No repairs No excessive rust Having seen examples sported and owned by @prescall, @Spiritburner and @David-st-clair I always believed they were rare as hens teeth and not within the budget or scope for the likes of me! The example I have is identical to the one owned by @David-st-clair as detailed here. Owner said it belonged to his mother and may even have been owned by his Grandmother before that. Also can any one advise if it would be safe to heat pans/kettles on it or would the cast iron be too brittle due to age. Best regards, Brassmonkey
Collected yesterday less than 40 miles from where I live. The seller said the advert had 286 hits over the three days it was put on the site. I feel very lucky! Brassmonkey
Great find! Age doesn't affect durability. Up to you, but it would be back in daily use if it were mine...
@Blackdog. Thanks Blackdog. I needed some reassurance as I have heard cast Iron can become brittle with cyclic heating and cooling over time. I very much want to put to daily use! or at least regularly as and when circumstance allows.
@Afterburner Never give up trying. You are so close to the heartland of Primus paraphernalia. My experience is - you just never know!!! Keep looking and best of luck. Brassmonkey
Somebody may well correct me, but I was under the impression 'Condrop' products were UK produced for the UK market (partly due to the import duties and costs of things like tripod stands and ovens) whereas mainland Europe got purely 'Primus' branded equipment? So these stands are common in the UK but very rare in Scandinavia, whereas the Scandinavians tend to have the waffle irons, 1100 range stands, coffee roasters and other Primus domestic delights we can only dream about over here! Cast iron certainly 'seasons' with cyclic heating and cooling but as it's not under any real stresses it shouldn't become brittle. Your call though, ornament or user, but these are chunky and robust things!
@Blackdog Thanks for clarifying the Condrup products relationship with UK and Europe markets. Makes sense. Will give mine a run this weekend and see how it performs. Brassmonkey
Can someone please advise on best course of action regarding newly acquired Condrup? It has had several coats of paint during it's lifetime. Not sure if some could be lead paint! Or the paint may be original? See attached images. Either way I would like to use the Condrup as intended. So should I - Place lighted Primus (roarer burner) underneath and see what happens? Remove paint and use stove black or other suitable finish? Not use it at all? What finish would you advise/use? I have a friend who could sand blast paint off which would be safer than a wire brush. (Lead paint). Any advice would be appreciated. Regards, Brassmonkey
Very light-medium sandblast (or ideally sodablast) would strip it back quickly and fuss-free. I would then VHT Black or Dark Grey and bake the components for an hour or so. That would give them their best chance of being heat resistant and remaining looking presentable for as long as possible. Superb find, love these trivets. A friend has one as a coffee table, also with umpteen coats of black paint.... I haven't been able to persuade him to part with it but do have first refusal I'm going to polish up a stove for his birthday and donate it so that it really looks the part in his living room Alec.
Sandblast and stove black would be most durable and least effort. There are plenty of high temperature paints out there but very few are durable without curing properly at a very high temperature. None mention this on the can. Simply using the tripod stand won't cause the paint to cure properly and vessels will soon damage it.
Now that it's already painted, one might consider removing paint from the flat top surface and 3 round plates only. Repeat ONLY the flat surface not the edge, not the inset areas , just the top surface that is flat. I would leave the 3 inset areas painted as well (Con - Tripod - Stand). Doing removal being careful around those 3 spots and all around the edge to keep the painted borders looking good. I do not recommend a method for paint removal. I might try just using a wire wheel. It is a guess, but i would guess with paint removed from entire top/flat surface... you could be ready to use it. You asked re paint (or not), suggestions were made, it's your choice. If it will be kept in dry space I would treat the top surface and 3 round plates no different than cast iron pans (so no paint). BIG caveat, I've never had/used one of these. you asked... good luck
@z1ulike Finding a 3 burner stove will probably be easier than finding a Condrup!!! I have been searching high and low for one for years. Still can't believe I have acquired one in such good condition and for the small price of just £30!!!! Brassmonkey
Thank you one and all for your replies and advice. I will post some pictures once a get underway and either run it before paint removal or after. If and when I do remove paint I will most likely go with Stove Black. Judging by the views and advice it is easier to apply, long lasting, not affected by heat, less likely to chip or flake, easy to reapply and does not require annealing in an oven like High temp Paint. Gratefully yours, Brassmonkey
