response 2 of 44:

Mar 22 14:53 UTC 1996

Call Kitchen Port at Kerrytown ask if they carry it.  Also call Hertlers.
If you're not successful in Ann Arbor, would you consider asking your mom to
call Bloomingdale's Housewares Dept. in NYC.  They seem to have almost
everything.

response 4 of 44:

Mar 23 01:55 UTC 1996

I've made them out of a wire hanger.  you get just enough air flow under the
pot to even out the temp.

response 6 of 44:

Mar 24 21:28 UTC 1996

Stores specializing in backpacking supplies/goods ought to have this item,
although it's apt to be on the small side.  Some backpacking stoves need them
because they don't simmer well.  I wonder also if a supply house that sells
chemistry products (flasks, burners, etc.) wouldn't have something that would
work.

response 8 of 44:

Mar 26 17:11 UTC 1996

You could use a cast-iron skillet.

response 10 of 44:

Mar 26 23:52 UTC 1996

Well, I bought a ridged-metal disk at the Bivouac here in AA a few
months ago, for my MSR stove that doesn't like to simmer.  As I said,
it's probably on the small side if you're thinking of rangetop use.
I can't recall if they had a larger diameter model as I was thinking
light weight at the time, but it might be worth a call to find out.
I guess I shouldn't be too surprised about the chem lab suppliers not
selling asbestos products anymore, but I remember those wire mesh ones
were quite nice.
 
The cast iron skillet idea sounds like it might be worth a try.  You
can often find such skillets at garage sales.  For that matter, a
cheap new skillet that isn't worth cooking in might be worth cooking
over...

response 12 of 44:

Mar 27 14:50 UTC 1996

We have a big cast iron skillet and it is great for making pancakes and such.
It even out preforms the fancy, high end, aluminum one.  We just recently
got a *huge* Lodge cast iron dutch oven for stews and such.
 
I think an aluminum or copper disk would work the best since those materials
are good heat conductors.  The thicker the better.

response 14 of 44:

Apr 7 01:11 UTC 1996

Congratulations! Please describe each style for us, so we can trace
the technological evoluation of heat diffusers.

response 16 of 44:

Apr 7 18:27 UTC 1996

I can understand the warning because you can melt, or oxidize, both copper
and aluminum, at high heat. Mine is 8 inches in diameter and consists of
two disks of steel - apparently a rust resistant alloy, although magnetic
- the lower one like a pan, crimped together around the top edge, with
three rings of holes (8, 16, and 24) in the bottom and three rings of
larger holes (12, 24, 24) in the top. It also has a bent steel wire
handle. (Say...how'd you like to come up and see my heat diffuser? B^})

response 18 of 44:

Apr 8 07:09 UTC 1996

Try a magnet. Aluminum is non-magnetic. Ordinary steel is magnetic, but
some stainless steels are not. If it is not magnetic, try scratching it.
Aluminum is soft, and stainless is much harder (compare to other steel
and aluminum items you have). You can put a hole in the bottom of a
dry aluminum pan in no time with a gas flame. Copper will take longer,
but you can see it turn black and flakey as it oxidizes. (Now, about
that heat diffuser assignation...........)

response 20 of 44:

Apr 8 14:53 UTC 1996

Yup. Please call ahead as I may have to do some deliveries.