BSR Tiny Skillet or Ashtray

[JBPoole]

Picked up a BSR tiny skillet or ashtray over the weekend. It has no markings and is otherwise identical to an advertising ashtray that I have.

When I was cleaning it, it appeared that a fair amount of carbon(?) was coming off. It did not have any thick crud. I realize that no one was frying chicken in it, but I wonder if the tiny skillets had any use in the kitchen other than a spoon rest?

 

[John E]

I realize this is stating the obvious, but... cigarette ash?

 

[JBPoole]

Maybe so, but when warm water, Dawn and steel wool did not work, the e-tank got it off...

 

[Ken Davis]

Just a thought ... I've seen old ashtrays that had so much crap stuck in them that you'd be tempted to use a jackhammer. Tar, nicotine and God knows what else all burnt down to a cement-like glob.

 

[Jay E.]

Flat black paint?

I believe a lot of these little novelty pieces are painted.