After six years, my yarn steamer has died.

Last weekend, when the kids were here I noticed a sizzling sound underneath the steamer.   I assumed it was condensation or something dripping down.

Today I went to do another steamer of yarn and it continued to sizzle.

I emptied the water, dried it inside and out, and set it on a sheet of paper out on the porch.  Then I carefully filled it with almost 3 quarts of water (carried in the 3qt pan), just to ensure it really was leaking.

An hour later I went out, the paper was  wet, the porch had a puddle and the pan was nearly empty.

I flung out the remaining water and held the bottom up to the light outside.   There were THREE little holes, about the size of mechanical pencil leads; they weren’t big enough to see as I filled it in the sink, but I clearly saw light through them outside in the daylight.

Knowing it would be wickedly cruel to leave it in the trash for someone to take and use it, as is, I decided to make sure it was clearly NOT suited for holding anything liquid.  Standard carpenter’s hammer, put to good use.  And around here, people do a lot of their “holiday shopping” on Wednesdays and Saturdays by the side of the road.  As a side note, I was surprised how easily this aluminum stock pot caved in — it was either weakened by many years of use, OR my frustration was greater than I dare admit!   hahaha   Even so, a metal collector may snatch it and turn it in for fifty cents at the scrap shop.  I don’t mind.

Thanks to a regular patron, customer, and friend, a new one has already been ordered and should arrive in 3-5 business days.

In the meantime I have a smaller insert-type elevated steamer rack that fits into my 8 quart stock pot.  The pan above is 32 quart, so you can imagine my frustration.   I can steam 4-6 skeins at a time with this make-shift method, but in the real steamer I could do 14-18 at a time, depending on whether it was singles or twins in the pouches.

Ahh yes…. the Life and Times of Knitterman, indeed!

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