Comments on: Cast iron crepe pan on Kickstarter http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 25 May 2013 10:33:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Joseph Andrew Sandor http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1523604 Joseph Andrew Sandor Sat, 01 Sep 2012 21:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1523604 as an electric maker.  I want to offer something like traditional cast iron.  I saw one of these in an antique shop in Saint Malo once, that sparked the idea. as an electric maker.  I want to offer something like traditional cast iron.  I saw one of these in an antique shop in Saint Malo once, that sparked the idea.

]]> By: Mathieu Le Corre http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522952 Mathieu Le Corre Fri, 31 Aug 2012 19:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522952 Someone from France marketing the same product would use stereotypes of Brittany where the crèpe tradition is from (and the reason for the triskell on the back of the pan?). You'd have some old woman with a tall white "coiffe" do all the talking with a Breton accent (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigouden – the place my ancestry comes from)… So I suppose using stereotypes for marketing is common and not that irritating here! There was a company in my grandparents village of Pouldreuzic that made this sort of pan, they've become high-tech and left… It is called Krampouz (crèpe in Breton). Someone from France marketing the same product would use stereotypes of Brittany where the crèpe tradition is from (and the reason for the triskell on the back of the pan?). You’d have some old woman with a tall white “coiffe” do all the talking with a Breton accent (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigouden – the place my ancestry comes from)…
So I suppose using stereotypes for marketing is common and not that irritating here!
There was a company in my grandparents village of Pouldreuzic that made this sort of pan, they’ve become high-tech and left… It is called Krampouz (crèpe in Breton).

]]> By: allenels http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522724 allenels Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522724 Your idea is awesome. If I weren't cash poor at the moment I would invest. I hope to see your product soon because I am a cook and love gadgets that work. Really, good luck to you! Your idea is awesome. If I weren’t cash poor at the moment I would invest. I hope to see your product soon because I am a cook and love gadgets that work. Really, good luck to you!

]]> By: awjt http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522434 awjt Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522434 My friend was an exchange student from Mass to southern France.  When he first got there, his French was terrible, so the host family asked him just to speak English.  Then he said, "What if I talk like zees?"  in a super-fake over-the-top Frenglish accent, and guess what... they said they could understand him better!!!  LOL. My friend was an exchange student from Mass to southern France.  When he first got there, his French was terrible, so the host family asked him just to speak English.  Then he said, “What if I talk like zees?”  in a super-fake over-the-top Frenglish accent, and guess what… they said they could understand him better!!!  LOL.

]]> By: alphatesla http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522387 alphatesla Fri, 31 Aug 2012 11:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522387 Here in Bretagne, It already exists for soooo many years ! http://www.krampouz.com/fr/crepieres-gamme-familiale/129-crepiere-billig.html Here in Bretagne, It already exists for soooo many years !

http://www.krampouz.com/fr/crepieres-gamme-familiale/129-crepiere-billig.html

]]> By: wrybread http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522308 wrybread Fri, 31 Aug 2012 04:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522308 You're a saint for keeping your patience in the face of some of this nitpicky criticism. I'd have blown a gasket 10 comments ago. And for my part I think $95 (shipped!) is downright cheap for a small production product like this. And a nice bonus is that you get to nurture a worthy small business. And it strikes me that people looking for a good deal might be misunderstanding what Kickstarter is all about? Maybe they're looking for Etsy? Anyway, I'm excited to try my pan out. And for the record my French stereotype is way more offensive than yours. And don't worry, every time a handmade product appears here you get 20 people pointing out that they can get something vaguely similar much cheaper at Costco. You’re a saint for keeping your patience in the face of some of this nitpicky criticism. I’d have blown a gasket 10 comments ago.

And for my part I think $95 (shipped!) is downright cheap for a small production product like this. And a nice bonus is that you get to nurture a worthy small business. And it strikes me that people looking for a good deal might be misunderstanding what Kickstarter is all about? Maybe they’re looking for Etsy?

Anyway, I’m excited to try my pan out.

And for the record my French stereotype is way more offensive than yours.

And don’t worry, every time a handmade product appears here you get 20 people pointing out that they can get something vaguely similar much cheaper at Costco.

]]> By: Joseph Andrew Sandor http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522303 Joseph Andrew Sandor Fri, 31 Aug 2012 04:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522303 I got a degree in French and spent many years abroad.   It's not so much a stereotype as it is a voice for a character.  Think of Lucky Luke coming out of France.  I've encountered many Francophiles who think of Americans as cowboys and associate a southern accent.  And when I tell people, I'm from Chicago, all they think of (from a European point of view) is Al Capone and bang bang machine guns.  And when I tell people that I'm really from Northern Wisconsin and a little bit of my "Fargo" accent comes out, then I get to hear it.  I'm a performer and doing voices and characters are part of it. I got a degree in French and spent many years abroad.   It’s not so much a stereotype as it is a voice for a character.  Think of Lucky Luke coming out of France.  I’ve encountered many Francophiles who think of Americans as cowboys and associate a southern accent.  And when I tell people, I’m from Chicago, all they think of (from a European point of view) is Al Capone and bang bang machine guns.  And when I tell people that I’m really from Northern Wisconsin and a little bit of my “Fargo” accent comes out, then I get to hear it.  I’m a performer and doing voices and characters are part of it.

]]> By: wrybread http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522300 wrybread Fri, 31 Aug 2012 04:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522300 Then this isn't for you? For my part, the maker references San Malo, which is where I've had the best crepes of my life. And they were indeed awesomely big. I can definitely see me talking myself into buying one of these in the next couple of days. EDIT: it only took 30 minutes. Ordered. Then this isn’t for you?

For my part, the maker references San Malo, which is where I’ve had the best crepes of my life. And they were indeed awesomely big.

I can definitely see me talking myself into buying one of these in the next couple of days.

EDIT: it only took 30 minutes. Ordered.

]]> By: ryuthrowsstuff http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522277 ryuthrowsstuff Fri, 31 Aug 2012 03:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522277 We never made them with buckwheat actually. But as I understand it the crepes from an Acadian  tradition are eggier than their continental counterparts. My family recipe is borderline noodle like. We never made them with buckwheat actually. But as I understand it the crepes from an Acadian  tradition are eggier than their continental counterparts. My family recipe is borderline noodle like.

]]> By: xiagang http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522274 xiagang Fri, 31 Aug 2012 03:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522274 You're right; the spinning plate is a bit unusual, but I liked it so much that I had to post it. The video you posted is the more common variety for sure.  You’re right; the spinning plate is a bit unusual, but I liked it so much that I had to post it. The video you posted is the more common variety for sure. 

]]> By: blah http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522269 blah Fri, 31 Aug 2012 03:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522269  From my experience at a crepe shop, about 10.  So not nearly as many as you'd think.  I could easily eat more than ten per year.  Probably get to 4 or so a month (sittings of crepes, with other people, so much more than 4 individual crepes per month).  From my experience at a crepe shop, about 10.  So not nearly as many as you’d think.  I could easily eat more than ten per year.  Probably get to 4 or so a month (sittings of crepes, with other people, so much more than 4 individual crepes per month).

]]> By: Arnaud Clermonte http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522263 Arnaud Clermonte Fri, 31 Aug 2012 02:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522263 Yes, ze stereotypes are very irritating. So is using the quebec word "tabernac" when talking about the french, who never use that word. FIY, ze french would typically use a convenient, much lighter and cheaper "crepiere electrique" at home, as opposed to the heavy-duty cast iron pans used in catering (which are usually electric too). Yes, ze stereotypes are very irritating.

So is using the quebec word “tabernac” when talking about the french, who never use that word.

FIY, ze french would typically use a convenient, much lighter and cheaper “crepiere electrique” at home, as opposed to the heavy-duty cast iron pans used in catering (which are usually electric too).

]]> By: ashypete http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522247 ashypete Fri, 31 Aug 2012 02:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522247 If you're talking les ployes (buckwheat pancakes), I prefer the standard 12inch cast iron skillet. The high sides keeps my messy but sure Acadian hands from splashing everywhere... But I've certainly have known people who've preferred a rectangular griddle with short sides (electric or otherwise). Scandalously, my Mémère preferred the electric (likely because it got ungodly hot)... so go figure. If you’re talking les ployes (buckwheat pancakes), I prefer the standard 12inch cast iron skillet. The high sides keeps my messy but sure Acadian hands from splashing everywhere… But I’ve certainly have known people who’ve preferred a rectangular griddle with short sides (electric or otherwise). Scandalously, my Mémère preferred the electric (likely because it got ungodly hot)… so go figure.

]]> By: Jonathan Roberts http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522232 Jonathan Roberts Fri, 31 Aug 2012 02:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522232 There's a place next to my school that has this, although they don't use a spinning plate. You can choose the basic ingredients and add whatever filling you want (sausage, different vegetables etc.) They are excellent in the winter and the use of building materials (paintbrushes and wallpaper scrapers) to make them just adds to the appeal for me (as long as that's all they're used for, of course!) I don't know what I'll do when I go back to Europe; eating food in China is a fascinating experience, even if the cleanliness is not always great. Having said that, food poisoning isn't that common where I live, and it often comes from eating western food that was improperly cooked rather than the more common Chinese dishes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knOhLrXcxhc  There’s a place next to my school that has this, although they don’t use a spinning plate. You can choose the basic ingredients and add whatever filling you want (sausage, different vegetables etc.) They are excellent in the winter and the use of building materials (paintbrushes and wallpaper scrapers) to make them just adds to the appeal for me (as long as that’s all they’re used for, of course!) I don’t know what I’ll do when I go back to Europe; eating food in China is a fascinating experience, even if the cleanliness is not always great. Having said that, food poisoning isn’t that common where I live, and it often comes from eating western food that was improperly cooked rather than the more common Chinese dishes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knOhLrXcxhc 

]]> By: Joseph Andrew Sandor http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522220 Joseph Andrew Sandor Fri, 31 Aug 2012 01:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522220 I first saw this design in Saint Malo, France which is a town that sent a lot of immigrants to PEI.  Interesting connection. I first saw this design in Saint Malo, France which is a town that sent a lot of immigrants to PEI.  Interesting connection.

]]> By: Joseph Andrew Sandor http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522197 Joseph Andrew Sandor Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522197 Not intentional but I get the the connection.  Probably something buried deep in my memories.   Not intentional but I get the the connection.  Probably something buried deep in my memories.  

]]> By: xiagang http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522178 xiagang Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522178 Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Mark. And to Joseph, good luck.  When I clicked on the Kickstarter page I immediately recognised what you're making. I see this sort of cast iron flat pan all over China. It's used by street vendors to make several very cheap and delicious crepe-like snacks. They are usually part of a push-cart (like a hot dog cart in the US) or at the front of hole-in-the-wall shops. Sometimes the flat pan (I don't know what word to use to describe it) spins. Also, I note that Chinese use the same kind of wooden implement. Here is a video showing how the spinning hot plate is used to make a jianbing (a delicious snack I have eaten for years): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOcmUl8c7Sc You can find many variations on this; just search on YouTube for "China street vendor" or something like that.  Just one last observation: the number of street vendors selling snacks using the hot plate (and there are many variations on the one shown in the video) has diminished significantly over the years as cities prevent them from doing business. In some places it's hard if not impossible to find them. Perhaps one day it will take someone like you in China to bring back what has become a lost art.  Once again, good luck with your project. Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Mark. And to Joseph, good luck. 

When I clicked on the Kickstarter page I immediately recognised what you’re making. I see this sort of cast iron flat pan all over China. It’s used by street vendors to make several very cheap and delicious crepe-like snacks. They are usually part of a push-cart (like a hot dog cart in the US) or at the front of hole-in-the-wall shops. Sometimes the flat pan (I don’t know what word to use to describe it) spins. Also, I note that Chinese use the same kind of wooden implement.

Here is a video showing how the spinning hot plate is used to make a jianbing (a delicious snack I have eaten for years): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOcmUl8c7Sc

You can find many variations on this; just search on YouTube for “China street vendor” or something like that. 

Just one last observation: the number of street vendors selling snacks using the hot plate (and there are many variations on the one shown in the video) has diminished significantly over the years as cities prevent them from doing business. In some places it’s hard if not impossible to find them. Perhaps one day it will take someone like you in China to bring back what has become a lost art. 

Once again, good luck with your project.

]]> By: Joseph Andrew Sandor http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522174 Joseph Andrew Sandor Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522174 Yeah, it has a lot of uses, but selling it as a crepe pan simplifies it and simple is best when trying to get a product out Yeah, it has a lot of uses, but selling it as a crepe pan simplifies it and simple is best when trying to get a product out

]]> By: Joseph Andrew Sandor http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522173 Joseph Andrew Sandor Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522173 I've spent much time in France and have many French friends.  I lived in Paris for a while and spent a summer in St. Malo.   That's where that all came from. I’ve spent much time in France and have many French friends.  I lived in Paris for a while and spent a summer in St. Malo.  
That’s where that all came from.

]]> By: ryuthrowsstuff http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522162 ryuthrowsstuff Thu, 30 Aug 2012 23:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522162 Food carts and stands, small restaurants without a full sized griddles, catering. Any place where space is a premium and mobility is needed would be a natural match. What you've made is also very similar to a comal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comal_(cookware)  Without the subtle bowl shape. So it need not be limited to a crepe pan either.  Food carts and stands, small restaurants without a full sized griddles, catering. Any place where space is a premium and mobility is needed would be a natural match. What you’ve made is also very similar to a comal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comal_(cookware) 

Without the subtle bowl shape. So it need not be limited to a crepe pan either. 

]]> By: ryuthrowsstuff http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522158 ryuthrowsstuff Thu, 30 Aug 2012 23:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522158 They make an excellent replacement for the noodles in manicotti, at least my family's recipe does. They're fairly noodle like to begin with.  They make an excellent replacement for the noodles in manicotti, at least my family’s recipe does. They’re fairly noodle like to begin with. 

]]> By: ryuthrowsstuff http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522153 ryuthrowsstuff Thu, 30 Aug 2012 23:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522153 Glad you're getting some useful info out of it.  Glad you’re getting some useful info out of it. 

]]> By: RobDobbs http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522150 RobDobbs Thu, 30 Aug 2012 23:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522150 No worries. Just know that not all French people are puppets okay? No worries. Just know that not all French people are puppets okay?

]]> By: cubby96 http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522148 cubby96 Thu, 30 Aug 2012 23:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522148 Interesting, glad to hear it.  No response to the Captain Caveman?  Hmm... Interesting, glad to hear it. 

No response to the Captain Caveman?  Hmm…

]]> By: cubby96 http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522145 cubby96 Thu, 30 Aug 2012 23:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522145  Indeed, any cast iron cookware requires seasoning for proper performance.  But I also find that seasoning held equal, a smoother pan releases cooked foods better / acts more like a non-stick surface.  Indeed, any cast iron cookware requires seasoning for proper performance.  But I also find that seasoning held equal, a smoother pan releases cooked foods better / acts more like a non-stick surface.

]]> By: Joseph Andrew Sandor http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522143 Joseph Andrew Sandor Thu, 30 Aug 2012 23:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522143 Not on my pan.  You can spread it really thin. Not on my pan.  You can spread it really thin.

]]> By: Joseph Andrew Sandor http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522142 Joseph Andrew Sandor Thu, 30 Aug 2012 23:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522142 Yes, I actually had a review by a chef at Julius Meinl Coffeehouse in Chicago but had to take the video down due to some licensing.  Finding my target market is part of this whole Kickstarter project. Yes, I actually had a review by a chef at Julius Meinl Coffeehouse in Chicago but had to take the video down due to some licensing.  Finding my target market is part of this whole Kickstarter project.

]]> By: Joseph Andrew Sandor http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522141 Joseph Andrew Sandor Thu, 30 Aug 2012 23:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522141 Thank you.  The pan I'll be producing in the foundry will be completely flat and sanded down.  Once it's seasoned though, it'll be even smoother as the oil fills the pores. Thank you.  The pan I’ll be producing in the foundry will be completely flat and sanded down.  Once it’s seasoned though, it’ll be even smoother as the oil fills the pores.

]]> By: Joseph Andrew Sandor http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522138 Joseph Andrew Sandor Thu, 30 Aug 2012 23:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522138 Thank you for sharing that link, I 've spent a lot of time digging for crepe pans like that but never could find anything.  I do plan on making a design with a detachable handle but that's for future version.  And ideally, based on the success of this, I can get it to a much lower price point but for the sake of the Kickstarter and since this is technically a "project", the award levels are higher to fund the entire project, which will then allow me to provide an affordable product. Thank you for sharing that link, I ‘ve spent a lot of time digging for crepe pans like that but never could find anything.  I do plan on making a design with a detachable handle but that’s for future version.  And ideally, based on the success of this, I can get it to a much lower price point but for the sake of the Kickstarter and since this is technically a “project”, the award levels are higher to fund the entire project, which will then allow me to provide an affordable product.

]]> By: novium http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/cast-iron-crepe-pan-on-kicksta.html#comment-1522135 novium Thu, 30 Aug 2012 23:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178827#comment-1522135 Nifty thing, but I think I'll stick with my grandmother's old cast iron pan. I'm not sure I need crepes larger than ones with a 12 inch diameter. (My waistline certainly doesn't). I've never seen a crepe made with the little wooden thingy though, so that was interesting. I usually just make the batter a little thin and swirl it around the pan. Nifty thing, but I think I’ll stick with my grandmother’s old cast iron pan. I’m not sure I need crepes larger than ones with a 12 inch diameter. (My waistline certainly doesn’t). I’ve never seen a crepe made with the little wooden thingy though, so that was interesting. I usually just make the batter a little thin and swirl it around the pan.

]]>