Vintage 1940s Poloron Medi-Aire Electric Steam Vaporizer Glass Jar Medical For Sale

Fully functioning late-1940s to early-1950s Medi-Aire electric steam vaporizer manufactured by Poloron Products, Inc. of New Rochelle, New York. A video is included with the listing demonstrating the unit heating and producing steam.
The Medi-Aire was designed as a household sickroom appliance for producing warm, medicated steam during colds, congestion, and other respiratory discomforts. Its 500-watt immersion-style heating element heats water held inside the substantial molded-glass reservoir, while the surrounding ventilated aluminum guard protects the glass and provides two convenient carrying handles.
An important safety feature built into the heating assembly is an automatic low-water shutoff. When the water drops below the element’s operating level, electrical power to the heater is interrupted. This helped protect the element from continuing to operate after the reservoir ran low—an advanced and practical feature for a home vaporizer of this period.
The round medicament area incorporated into the upper assembly was designed to work with the vaporizer’s steam. Period liquid inhalant or therapeutic vapor preparations could be placed in the provided cup so the rising warm steam would carry the vapors into the room. This kept the preparation separate from the primary water reservoir. The unit is shown with its original operating components, including this built-in vaporizing feature.
The heavy glass reservoir is permanently embossed with minimum and maximum water-level markings. The original label identifies the appliance as an Electric Steam Vaporizer, Catalog No. 504, rated at 500 watts for 110–120-volt AC operation. Its detachable electrical connection is marked Leviton and Made in U.S.A.
Poloron began operating in New Rochelle in 1937, producing metal and household goods before becoming widely recognized for its colorful mid-century picnic coolers, beverage containers, toys, and later holiday decorations. The Medi-Aire represents a much less commonly encountered chapter in the company’s history, when Poloron also applied its metalworking and household-product experience to practical home medical appliances.
The combination of its streamlined ventilated guard, script nameplate, red pharmacy-style Rx emblem, molded glass, and black electrical components gives the vaporizer a distinctive postwar medical-appliance appearance. It would make an excellent addition to a collection of vintage medical equipment, pharmacy memorabilia, early electrical appliances, or uncommon Poloron products.
Approximately 9 inches tall when assembled and approximately 8 inches across the body. Includes the molded-glass reservoir, ventilated metal guard, heating assembly, medicament/vaporizing cup area, and electrical connection shown in the photographs.
Although the unit is fully functioning and its operation is demonstrated in the accompanying video, it is an approximately 75-year-old electrical appliance. It is offered primarily as a collectible and should always be operated carefully, attended, and with the water maintained between the marked minimum and maximum levels.

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