Pictures of old Hasty Bake Cookers

[Morey]

I was wondering if there was a possibility to add a photos/images to the Board Index. I would love to see pictures of old HB's that are still in use. I currently have a 40+yr old Gourmet and a recently aquired Ranger, does anyone know the appoximate year of the Ranger? Here's a pic...or a few...Thanks for the site!

[rkerlin]

If Dr. Temperance Brennan had a TV show on the "Bones of Hasty-Bake ovens" this would definitely be an episode:
I was collecting firewood at a friends lake property the other day, and ran across the following crime scene pictured here.
There I was, in a thick forest of scrub oak when suddenly I came upon this frightening sight. My guess is that it was once a late 60's early 70's Legacy model. But that was just about the only thing distinguishable of this abandoned Hasty-Bake.
It was at first, funny to see the wheels clearly rusted and fallen off their axle right where it stood. But that is where the comedy ended and the sadness began. You can see where this poor Hasty-Bake had given up the ghost more than once, as evidenced from the patch job around the base. Oh, the stories this char-grill oven could tell... but there is no saving it now. The weather and neglect has all but fully reclaimed this Charcoal Chariot back to the earth.

[miketx]

Here's a pic of my Hasty Bake. It's a Pioneer model 464. My dad gave me this grill in the early 80s, but he actually bought it in the early 60s, so it is approx. 45 years old. The adjustable firebox is partially rusted out, the wood front shelf broke 30 years ago, and it could use new wheels, but otherwise it works fine and I use it a few times a year for smoking.

Edit: I do plan to start a refurbish of it: I repainted the body in the 80s, but it needs it again. I also plan to fix the firebox, install a new wood shelf (I still have the underside brace for it), install new wheels and maybe a thermometer.
I have hesitated to paint the top, because it had a different paint on it (has sparkle/flake in it), but it is starting to rust a bit so I have no choice. Guess it will be black like the rest of the grill.

[rkerlin]

...It's a Pioneer model 464. My dad gave me this grill in the early 80s, but he actually bought it in the early 60s, so it is approx. 45 years old...

They really are tanks, aren't they.

[Bassett]

Morey that Ranger looks like it is in great shape. My first Hasty Bake was actually a Ranger a lot like that. I have no idea how old it is though. Mine had been refurbished. I gave mine to my brother when I upgraded. I wish I could say it was in as good shape as yours. I have had thoughts of getting it back and giving it a restore. How long have you had yours?

[rkerlin]

Hey Mike,
Not long ago I picked up what I thought was an old Legacy (missing hood logo) at a garage sale. After seeing your post, I believe it could've been a Pioneer model instead. The reason I say this is I discovered the firebox is riveted directly to the lift mechanism. Is that true for your model?
I had never thought about it before, but I guess the sliding firebox was a later development. It's still a helluva smoker after all these years. Some restoration purists may object, but I recently upgraded it with a new lift mechanism that gives me easier access to the firebox.

[miketx]

Hey RK!
Yep, my firebox is riveted to the chain-pulled lift mechanism (I don't see much reference to a chain pull lift, so it must have been specific to the Pioneer and maybe other old models, but I don't know). The firebox itself is a single box with round holes drilled in it, but the middle area of mine is rusted out. I'm probably going to cut the center/middle of the box out and lay some standard grill mesh steel in the bottom of it....should work for now. I just pulled mine out this morning and started prepping it for a new outer paint job. I bought an aftermarket thermometer, but it will require me to cut the thermo hole out by about 1/8" (purists are cringing right now), but I haven't done it yet. I'm also going to put some new wheels on it.

Mike

[rkerlin]

Hey Mike,
Oh yeah, the chain the chain. Well, I guess my HB is probably a Legacy because it doesn't have the chain lift. The original owner told me his parents bought it in the 60's when Hasty-Bake had a store in Utica Square. Any Hasty-Bake Historians out there that can chime in?

[miketx]

Ok, so here is the result of the "clean up" this past weekend. I gave the Pioneer a new coat of paint, a new thermometer, new wheels, and some steel grill mesh in the bottom of the firebox (it was rusted out.....cut out everything except ~1" to hold the mesh). I have the shelf mount, but haven't decided what type of wood to use (it originally had a wood shelf).

[rkerlin]

Hey Mike,
That looks terrific. You did a great job with it. Do I see a Hasty-Bake refurbishing service in your future?
Keep the ash pan regularly cleaned, and you'll be handing that Ol' Pioneer down to your grand kids...