Jim Nolan's Blog

Buffalo Forge Grill for Sale

Sometimes I get messages from folks wondering where they can buy a Buffalo Forge Grill, and other times asking how they can sell one and how much they're worth. Well, here is one that is for sale. Sure, it has some rust, but that is a given for these grills (including mine). Looks like it has its hubcaps, which isn't always the case. If you are handy at restoring, like my super-talented friends Adam Gibson or Howie Mook, it could end up looking  pretty great.

If you are interested, reach out to me and I will connect you to the seller (who lives in Orchard Park). 

Adam Gibson's Awesome Buffalo Forge Grill, Canada edition

Wow! Look at this beautifully restored grill by Adam Gibson. As usual, Adam knocks it out of the park with this creatively restored beauty. It's a salute to the Kitchener, Ontario, Buffalo Forge plant.  

Here's Adam's report:

"So because Buffalo Forge expanded to our neighbor's land, I wanted to do a tribute piece. I spent a long time trying to find the blower and the pendent piece on the blower shield. Both of them came from an eBay seller in Vermont who lives close to Canada. The cover caps are from Howie Mook off an old wagon and I came up with everything else. The colors and the ideas are mine. This grill was an old barn find here but I just added on the parts that I found. It is not one hundred percent perfect and still shows some signs of when it was used. I just wanted to have fun and do something different while honoring the Kitchener Forge plant."

This is an incredible, one-of-a-kind grill, Adam. Just fantastic. Best of all, it's for sale to someone who appreciates its uniqueness. Beyond being completely practical, this is folk art, in my opinion. And a nice display of cross-border friendship and economic interdependence. As Adam writes:

"Hopefully someone finds it cool and wants to buy it."

If you want to learn more, shoot Adam an email at: [email protected]

Brazier Grill by Eclipse Metal Mfg. Corp., Eden, NY

Photos of this grill were sent to me by a reader named Brent. It's a mid-century beauty. I'd never seen one, but Adam Gibson had. Here's what Adam says about it:

"This is a brazier bbq made in Eden NY in the 1950’s. That is all I really know about it. The company dissolved but these were very popular back in the day and were used at many camp grounds across the country. I have seen some for sale as far away as Washington State and California. The last few I have bought or seen sold average between 50-200 bucks for the type of grill and condition. This is an excellent piece and I would love to own it."

Thanks, Adam. For more info on Eclipse grills, check out more from Adam. He has a few nice ones himself (and lives close by to Eden).

An awesome grill, with an electric rotisserie, yet. I love the red handle and red plastic wheels. Brent is willing to sell the grill at the right price. If anyone is interested, let me know and I will put you in contact. Here are some more photos, thanks for sending them, Brent! 

 

Adam Gibson's 1950 Eclipse Model 400 Portable Grill

One of the great pleasures of writing this blog is corresponding with people like Howie Mook and Adam Gibson. These guys have so much interest in Buffalo Forge products and Broil-Air grills and are terrific craftsmen, bringing them back to life. Now Adam has found a portable grill made in Eden, NY (next door to Hamburg, where Adam lives). It's an Eclipse Model 400, and a beauty. This one has never been used. As Adam says, "It doesn't get any better or any more American than this." The photo is from the Lake Erie shore. 

I love the idea that this grill has been waiting 65 years to grill some amazing food by the lake—and thanks to Adam, it's getting its chance.

Canadian Blower & Forge Company Badge No. 210

photo: Adam Gibson

Sent to me by Buffalo Forge aficionado Adam Gibson. Adam intends to put it on his in-progress Canadian Forge tribute grill, which he's making to celebrate when Buffalo Forge opened its Canadian factory. You can see an old sketch of the Kitchener, Ontario factory here.

Canada was an important market for Buffalo Forge. Here are two quotes from a 1952 speech describing the history of the company, that can be found at the awesome VintageMachinery.org website:

"In 1905... a Canadian company was formed at Montreal the Canadian Blower & Forge Company, Ltd., to manufacture similar lines for Canada and British possessions. This company enjoyed a healthy growth, and, in 1914, was moved to a modern new plant at Kitchener, to take care of the ever-growing Canadian industrial needs. In 1931, Canada Pumps, Ltd., was organized to same lines at Kitchener."

"Incidentally, our Canadian companies are enjoying an excellent market in the rapidly developing Canadian industry. Most of us here tonight are aware of the tremendous upsurge in every phase of industrial activity in Canada, and we anticipate no decline. Particularly in the pulp and paper field and in the chemical industries, our Canadian companies have made rapid progress. In precious metal and other mines, “Canadian” fans and pumps are widely used, and for much of the new industrial and commercial building north of the border we are supplying air conditioning, ventilating, heating and pumping equipment."

The speech also mentions that, "During the Second World War, Buffalo Forge Company furnished to the U.S. Navy more than half of all ventilating fans required aboard the fighting ships, while Canadian Blower and Forge Company supplied a considerably greater proportion of those bought for the Canadian Navy and Maritime service."

So the Kitchener plant, like the Buffalo plant, played an important supply role in World War II.

Thanks for sending this, Adam. It's gonna look awesome on that tribute grill. 

Frying on the Beach

Another Eclipse grill photo sent to me by expert Adam Gibson of Hamburg, NY. Maybe it's a Model 200? Such a wonderful summery photo. Thanks for sending, Adam.

Eclipse Grill: Made in Eden, Used in Eden

Hope your Labor Day weekend involves a beach and a barbecue! Photo from 1940s sent to me by Eclipse Barbecue expert Adam Gibson. Check out this beauty. 

Buffalo Forge Grill Canada Project

Buffalo Forge Grill expert restorer Adam Gibson has bought this Canadian-made Buffalo Forge blower on ebay, and has plans for it. Adam writes:

"I recently purchased this for my collection for 46 dollars from a lady in Vermont on EBay. It has no handle but I am going to paint this red along with adding some of our northern friends' touches to a parts forge grill of mine for a nice special tribute. I'll keep you posted on the maple leaf and red transformation. Should be pretty special when it is all done. I was thinking about outlining the letters in black to make them pop."

Can't wait to see what Adam does with it! It'll be cool, that's for sure. Thanks for sending, Adam.

 

Brady Gibson Qs Some Chiavetta's Chicken

Adam Gibson's son Brady workin' some nice-looking chicken on the Broil-Air on a warm day on the Lake Erie lakeshore. Adam recommends Chiavetta's Barbeque Marinade, which I haven't tried but will. And there's a take-out location in Lockport, NY. That chicken looks really good, Brady!

Buffalo Bolt Co. Wooden Boxes for Sale

Nice boxes for sale on craigslist, spotted by Adam Gibson. Adam remembered that I had spotted some earlier at a farmer's market. They were nice and sturdy.