Old Jake's Gravy Saviour

Web Generation Gravy Salt

Old Jake's Gravy Saviour is gravy salt for "proper gravy", as good as Granny's, and widely praised as a very good replacement for Burdall's Next Generation Gravy Block, which was manufactured until December, 2000 by Space Foods Ltd in the same village: Wymondham in Leicestershire.  In fact, particularly with the Stronger Stuff version, long-term users are saying Old Jake's is their all-time favourite!  Customers are also reporting their pleasure in finding an alternative to Comptons Gravy Salt but, as Gravy Saviour and Stronger Stuff don't intentionally contain flour or cornflour, any thickening of the gravy is left to the chef.  Some users reserve a portion of their Yorkshire pudding batter for this purpose.  The caramel colouring in the gravy salt simply browns the juices or liquid and adds aroma and flavour without recourse to the flavour "enhancers" which give a "factory made" flavour to so many foods.  With their origins in Victorian times, the products are nevertheless suitable for 21st-century vegetarians and will add that long-remembered touch to many savoury dishes.

Old Jake's products are made with sea salt and, having the consistency of dark brown sugar, they are easier to use than gravy salt pressed into a block.  The new versions of the old favourite are packed in a 250g plastic tub and will yield over 30 one-pint servings if made up as recommended.  (It's better not to add salt to the cooking water for vegetables, if you intend using it as the basis for gravy.)
 
The products are labelled as having a two year shelf-life, but will keep practically indefinitely.  Please use a round-ended knife or a spoon to divide up the gravy salt every now and then, and remember to snap the lid back in place.  When you've finished your pack the tub is suitable for use in a microwave, or to house a small child's collection of "things which could be lost if not put somewhere safe".  Some users donate their empty tubs to local primary schools.
 
The Stronger Stuff contains 50 per cent more caramel, for those who want a bit more oomph or a lower-salt alternative.  2/3 tsp of Stronger Stuff has the same caramel strength as 1 tsp of Gravy Saviour, but 1/3 tsp less salt.  You can use less and save money!  Some customers were under the misapprehension that the name for Stronger Stuff must mean the product is more salty:  it isn't!

Update, 4^th May, 2012:  Many thanks to customers old and new for your part in helping to keep these niche "heritage" products available, both of which are currently in good supply.  Mail-order and online ordering details are further down the page.
 
Shop outlets:  The most recent deliveries are listed below.  Clicking on the links will take you further down the page for opening hours and contact details and links to the shop websites, where available.  There should be a saving over the mail-order prices for shop customers, so please spread the word and ask your favourite butcher, grocer, deli etc. to stock Old Jake's!
 
    Bennett's Butchers of Sutton-on-Sea, Lincolnshire;
 
    Scott Barlow Butchers of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire;
 
    Mark's Family Butchers, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire;
 
    Village Greens of Oxton, Merseyside;
 
    J E Benson & Son Ltd. of Barton-on-Humber, North Lincolnshire;
 
    The Pork Shop, Loughborough, Leicestershire;
 
    Chilli & Chives of Lavenham, Suffolk;
 
    Derek Jones Butchers of Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire;
 
    Newells of Brigg, North Lincolnshire;
 
    Ian Bottrill of Hornsea, East Yorkshire;
 
    Mountain's Boston Sausage Shop of Boston, Lincolnshire;
 
    Hutson's of Pakefield, Nr Lowestoft, Suffolk;
 
    Tessa Barnes of Forgandenny, near Perth;
 
    Annie's Fruit Bowl of Howden, East Yorkshire;
 
    Beresford Quality Meats of Liscard, Cheshire;
 
    Howell's Superstores of Binham, Norfolk.
 
My stock of the last ever production of Burdall's Gravy Blocks has now been exhausted.  It found its way to Europe, North America, Iraq, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.  I'm keeping a couple of packs for myself as collectables, but that's it: all gone now, unless I'm made a ridiculous offer.  I do prefer my own products, especially the Stronger Stuff, and I trust you do, too!

Allergy advice:  the products are mixed in a bakery, so may contain traces of gluten-containing flours (wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt), nuts, peanuts, sesame seeds, and soya.  I am confident that any flour contamination is below the Coeliac UK guidelines and the levels of contamination from other allergens are even lower, but if you are in any doubt about using the products due to dietary restrictions, please err on the side of caution.  The products contain no meat extracts and are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

There follows what may appear to be a surfeit of information on how to order and the service level you may expect for your payment.  Any queries I've received in the past should be covered, below.  For most customers it boils down to three aspects:
  • The more you order, the more you save.
  • Allow more time for delivery for the lowest prices, or pay more if you require your order more urgently.
  • This is a one man band so there'll be times when I ask you to bear with me: these should be signalled above.

Prices:  Including postage and packing to UK addresses, per single 250g tub -
Old Jake's Gravy Saviour:  £6.00 second class; £6.50 first class; £7.00 expedited; £11.50 next day.
Old Jake's Stronger Stuff:  £6.75 second class; £7.25 first class; £7.75 expedited; £12.25 next day.
 
For two 250g tubs, including postage and packing to a UK address -
Old Jake's Gravy Saviour:  £10.00 second class; £11.00 first class; £12.00 expedited; £18.40 next day.
Old Jake's Stronger Stuff:  £11.50 second class; £12.50 first class; £13.50 expedited; £19.90 next day.
 
For one tub each of Gravy Saviour and Stronger Stuff sent to a UK address -
£10.75 second class; £11.75 first class; £12.75 expedited; £19.15 next day.
 
For greater quantites, please use the prices stated below, for online ordering (including international orders), or print an order form (PDF version).  There's also a simple plain text order form which should fit on a single sheet of A4 paper if you choose to print it straight from your web-browser, with text size set to smallest (from the View, Text Size menu option for users of Internet Explorer) and with margins set to 20mm or less, but without a Header or Footer.  Recent versions of web-browsers should allow you to "shrink to fit", if necessary, in the Print Preview dialogue.  If opening the file in wordprocessor software, the text will align correctly if you select it all and change to a fixed width font such as Courier New.  If all that sounds too complicated, then the PDF version is your best option, provided you have a copy of Adobe Reader, which you most likely do, but if not then the Cool PDF Reader software (for Windows) is also free but, at less than 1MB, a much smaller download.

Prices are reviewed in March each year, but may be subject to change in the meantime so please don't rely on an outdated order form you may have saved at an earlier date.  Contact details are printed on the product labels and the current mail-order prices are stated on this webpage; information found elsewhere may be inaccurate or out of date.  You should be able to make a saving by buying in person from the stockists listed towards the foot of this page.

Please check the Posting Schedule below, and then make your payment payable to Old Jake and send your cheque or postal order, unfolded and with no staples or pins, with a note or order form and legibly written address(es) for delivery to:

I am not set up to take card payments over the `phone, and nor do I sell from the door at the address above.

For posted orders it helps speed things if you also send an email with your name and address, number of tubs ordered, delivery option and amount of payment to:  jake@oldjake.co.uk.  Then I can simply copy-&-paste your address into my label-printing program and have your order ready for dispatch.  To make it simple for all concerned, please do not indent the address or place it all on one line.  If the post code is omitted Royal Mail can take up to a month to deliver the package, and no compensation will be paid in case of loss, delay or damage.

I prefer to receive emails which are plain text (non-HTML).  For reasons beyond my control, it may be impossible for me to get an email through to users of Hotmail and MSN accounts, so please supply an alternative address or a non-mobile telephone number for a greater chance of contact, if necessary.  Please supply a contact number if ordering eight or more items.

Please double-check the value of your order before writing your cheque, as an underpayment may delay dispatch for you and possibly anyone else awaiting a delivery, simply because extra time is required to deal with anything non-standard.  I reserve the right to downgrade to 2nd-class postage or await correct payment for underpaid orders.  If you are unsure of any aspect, please email or phone 01572 787 676 and ask.  Failing that, send ample payment, and any excess will be refunded.

Posting Schedule:  Please consult the table below for when your order should be dispatched, under normal conditions.

Orders with next day and expedited delivery are dispatched as soon as possible, subject to stock being available – no guarantee, but the same day for up to eight tubs, if ordered by noon on a Monday or Thursday or 9a.m. on a Tuesday.  The next day option is sent by Royal Mail Special Delivery Next Day by 1p.m. or a courier with delivery by 5:30p.m. (for larger orders), and will need to be signed for.  A contact number is required for Next Day orders for four or more items.  Delivery by 9a.m.; Saturday delivery; and consquential loss insurance can also be arranged, at extra charge.  As my local Post Office isn't open every weekday, or the courier will need to be booked, please allow up to five days for a "next day" delivery, or get in touch in good time if you'd like delivery arranged for a specified date or a Saturday.  In particular, for Royal Mail Special Delivery Next Day by 1p.m. ordered in time for dispatch on a Tuesday, the dispatch may be delayed until the Thursday, due to the collection arrangements at my local Post Office.

Delivery:  At peak times (Autumn/Winter) especially, please allow 28 days for delivery apart from next day, expedited and international orders, which are placed ahead of any current standard first and second class orders, for dispatch as soon as possible (subject to stock being available and bearing in mind that I can usually only post on Mondays, Tuesday mornings and Thursdays).  Any problems with production or dispatch (unless I should be very unwell, or my PC has given up the ghost) will be noted in the highlighted section above.  Orders for one or two tubs are the thinnest packages (65mm or 2½ inches thick), but probably too thick to go through many letter flaps.  Orders for several tubs are usually sent at the same time but may be split into packages of two or three tubs, with an indication of the total number of packages in the consignment on the address labels.  It's possible for such orders to arrive over the course of a few days, even though they were dispatched at the same time.  If Royal Mail cannot deliver to you, a card should be left and the package will be held at the sorting office for one month.  If it is not collected and so then returned to me, the same package cannot be re-sent and so no refund or free replacement can be given.  The current charge for re-sending two items with second class P&P is £4.95 so if you know you are going to be away, please arrange for your order to be delivered elsewhere or at a later date.  Please allow one week for UK first class and two weeks for second class orders to arrive, from the date of dispatch.  Claims for loss or delay can only be processed if full and correct address details have been supplied at the time of ordering.  If your order arrives in a damaged condition, please retain the items and packaging and a note of the delivery date, and let me know as soon as possible.  Royal Mail make it difficult for manufacturers to claim compensation, so customers are asked to pursue their own claims and refund me for their replacement items when possible.

Cancelled orders:  the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 allow you to cancel your order.  Should you wish to cancel, please inform me by email or by letter within two weeks of receipt of your order.  Please return the items, which must still be in unopened and good saleable condition, at your own expense using Royal Mail's Recorded Signed For service (standard first or second class postage plus 95 pence) and a refund will be issued.

Online ordering:  UK customers may make their purchase by credit or debit card or bank transfer using PayPal.  Non-UK customers, please see below.

PayPal should allow you to order with minimal fuss, and PayPal membership is well worth having for convenient and secure payments to online sellers, eBay auctions, and for your further purchases of Old Jake's Gravy Saviour!  Be sure to remember which email address you've used to open the account, so you can be sent a password reminder if necessary.  Just occasionally customers inform me of a problem using PayPal, so reports of how these issues were resolved would be appreciated.  If your first card isn't accepted, it's best to try again in a few hours, rather than try another card there and then.  If you still have a problem, you should delete the account you've attempted to set up, and start afresh.

Orders funded by Bank Transfer (an eCheque in PayPal-speak) will be delayed by a week or two for the payment to clear.  Banks quite regularly block such payments, no doubt to counter "phishing" scams.  This will further delay the dispatch of your order.

If you are having your order sent to a relative or friend and would like a slip enclosed saying who it's from, please leave a note in the "Add special instructions to merchant" box on the PayPal page, before clicking the "Pay Now" button.

Larger orders (e.g. four or more tubs) may be sent by courier, so please leave a contact telephone number in the "Add special instructions to merchant" box on the PayPal page.  This is necessary for booking the courier.  Orders to be sent to two or more addresses should be placed as separate PayPal transactions for each recipient e.g. two tubs each to three addresses is priced as three lots of two, not as six tubs to one address.

"Next Day Delivery" is also available, using Royal Mail Special Delivery Next Day by 1p.m., or a courier for eight or more tubs.  The package will need to be signed for, when delivered.  Saturday delivery; delivery by 9a.m.; and consequential loss insurance are available by special request, but cost more.

Non-expedited orders are placed in a queue and at peak times you should allow 28 days for delivery.  Even this cannot be guaranteed, but any problems with production or dispatch (unless I should be very unwell or have a computer problem) will be noted in the highlighted section above.  Under normal conditions I dispatch according to my Posting Schedule and you should receive an email notification via PayPal after your order has been posted.  Please allow one week for UK first class and two weeks for second class orders to arrive, from the date of dispatch, before assuming a package may have been lost in the mail.

Please note that if paying by credit or debit card, your payment is completed as soon as you have clicked the "Pay Now" button on the PayPal page:  I have not taken payment from your card account (you have offered it), and nor do I have any knowledge of your account details.  If you change your mind about your order, please get in touch so a refund can be arranged.

To order by credit card, or Switch or Solo debit cards via PayPal, select the number of tubs of the product(s) required and then choose the postage option below.  Clicking the price button will take you to a secure PayPal page for payment processing.  Alternatively, please make contact by email, 'phone or mail with your order and address details if you would prefer to make payment by bank transfer.

Right-ho, take a firm grip on that mouse...

Number of Gravy Saviour, 250g	x1	x2	x3	x4	x6	x8	x12	x16
Price each, 2nd-class	£6.00	£5.00	£4.90	£4.80	£4.70	£4.50	£4.30	£4.10
Total price, incl 2nd-class P&P
Price each, 1st-class	£6.50	£5.50	£5.40	£5.30	£5.20	£5.00	£4.80	£4.60
Total price, incl 1st-class P&P
Price each, expedited	£7.00	£6.00	£5.90	£5.80	£5.70	£5.50	£5.30	£5.10
Total price, incl expedited P&P
Price each, next day delivery	£11.50	£9.20	£8.50	£7.90	£7.35	£6.80	£6.40	£5.95
Total price, incl next day delivery
Price each, airmailed to Europe	£8.40	£7.65	£7.55	£7.45	£7.30	£7.15	£6.85	£6.55
Total price, airmailed to Europe
Price each, airmailed beyond Europe	£10.65	£9.75	£9.55	£9.40	£9.25	£9.10	£8.95	£8.80
Total price, airmailed beyond Europe
Number of Stronger Stuff, 250g	x1	x2	x3	x4	x6	x8	x12	x16
Price each, 2nd-class	£6.75	£5.75	£5.65	£5.55	£5.45	£5.25	£5.05	£4.85
Total price, incl 2nd-class P&P
Price each, 1st-class	£7.25	£6.25	£6.15	£6.05	£5.95	£5.75	£5.55	£5.35
Total price, incl 1st-class P&P
Price each, expedited	£7.75	£6.75	£6.65	£6.55	£6.45	£6.25	£6.05	£5.85
Total price, incl expedited P&P
Price each, next day delivery	£12.25	£9.95	£9.25	£8.65	£8.10	£7.55	£7.15	£6.70
Total price, incl next day delivery
Price each, airmailed to Europe	£9.15	£8.40	£8.30	£8.20	£8.05	£7.90	£7.60	£7.30
Total price, airmailed to Europe
Price each, airmailed beyond Europe	£11.40	£10.50	£10.30	£10.15	£10.00	£9.85	£9.70	£9.55
Total price, airmailed beyond Europe
Gravy Saviour & Stronger Stuff, 250g	1 each	2 each	3 each	4 each
Total price, incl 2nd-class P&P
Total price, incl 1st-class P&P
Total price, incl expedited P&P
Total price, incl next day delivery
Total price, airmailed to Europe
Total price, airmailed beyond Europe

PayPal send me a confirmation email on completion of your payment, so please disregard the request above, to those ordering by post, for your address and order details, unless you particularly want to let me know about some aspect of your order. 

International orders may be paid for by bank transfer or other means in UK currency only.  The PayPal payment buttons above handle the currency conversion for you and allow payment by credit or debit card.  International orders are treated as expedited, and sent as soon as possible.  Postal insurance is not included in the prices above, and any claim for loss or delay can only be commenced four weeks after dispatch of an order, and is limited to £46.00, so splitting higher value orders would be advised.  Please email:  jake@oldjake.co.uk if you would like a tracked and insured delivery or have any other queries.
USA customers:  Please be aware that increased security measures in your country are delaying postal deliveries to the States.

Wholesale inquiries are welcome.  Please email:  jake@oldjake.co.uk (or `phone 01572 787676) with details of the number of 250g packs you would be interested in.  If you are a personal customer who would like to buy the product locally, please suggest it to the proprietor of your favourite shop.

Stockists:  it's best to check availability before travelling far, but Gravy Saviour and in several cases the Stronger Stuff may be found at the following shops:

Mark's Family Butchers of Sherrard Street, Melton Mowbray.  Tel. 01664 565 594, closed on Mondays and from 4pm on Wednesdays.
Regular deliveries of both products.
 
Robert Lockwood's Melton Stall, also selling Pork Pies, Blue Stilton and Flavoured Cheeses, at markets in Boston, Gainsborough and Sleaford, along with Game Fairs and Country Fairs during the summer.
Stocking both products.
 
Derek Jones Butchers, 51 King Street, Melton Mowbray.  Tel. 01664 565 328.
Stocking Gravy Saviour (Stronger Stuff to order) - delivery on 10^th January.
 
The Pork Shop, 57A Churchgate, Loughborough, Leicestershire.  Tel. 01509 263 484.
Stocking both products - delivery on 30^th January.
 
Scott Barlow Butchers, 182 Nuncargate Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.  Tel. 01623 753 267, open weekdays 7:00am - 5:00pm; 4:00pm Saturday closing.
Stronger Stuff specialist - delivery on 24^th April.
 
Beresford Quality Meats at the Cherry Tree Centre in Liscard, Wallasey, Cheshire.
Stocking Gravy Saviour - delivery on 9^th September.
 
J E Benson & Son Ltd., Butchers - Bakers - Delicatessen, 23 King Street, Barton-on-Humber, North Lincolnshire.  Tel. 01652 632 053, open weekdays 6:00am - 5:00pm; 1:00pm Saturday closing.
Stocking Gravy Saviour (Stronger Stuff to order) - delivery on 22^nd February.
 
Newell's Of Brigg, Family Butchers & Delicatessen, 17 Wrawby Street, Brigg, North Lincolnshire.  Tel. 01652 653 111.
Stocking both products - delivery on 5^th January.
 
Uncle Henry's Farm Shop, Grayingham Grange Farm, Grayingham, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.  Tel. 01652 640 308.
Stocking both products - delivery on 15^th December.
 
Bennett's Butchers of Sutton-on-Sea, Lincolnshire.  Tel. 01507 441 434, closed on Monday afternoons during the winter.  Drop by the nearby Sea Breeze Restaurant and ask for a dish made with Old Jake's!
Stocking both products - delivery on 2^nd May.
 
Mountain's Boston Sausage Shop, Bridge Foot, 13 High Street, Boston, Lincolnshire.  Tel. 01205 362 167.
Stronger Stuff specialist - delivery on 21^st December.
 
Howell's Superstores, Field Dalling Road, Binham, Nr Fakenham, Norfolk.  Tel. 01328 830 786.
Stocking Gravy Saviour - delivery on 2^nd August.
 
Hutson's of Pakefield, 3 London Road, Pakefield, Nr Lowestoft, Suffolk.  Tel. 01502 574 020.
Stronger Stuff specialist - delivery on 29^th November.
 
Coddenham Food Store Ltd, School Road, Coddenham, Nr Ipswich, Suffolk.  Tel. 01449 760 227, open 7:30am - 6:00pm, Monday - Saturday.
Gravy Saviour delivered on 1^st April.
 
Chilli & Chives, George Street, Hintlesham, Suffolk.  Tel. 01473 652 020.  Closed on Mondays.
~ and ~
16 High Street, Lavenham, Suffolk.  Tel. 01787 249 028.
Stocking both products - delivery on 20^th January.
 
Tully's of Rothbury, High Street, Rothbury, Northumberland.  Tel/Fax: 01669 620 574, open 8:30am - 5:30pm, Monday - Saturday.  Specialists in all good things to eat, including Northumbrian, Vegetarian, Organic, Dietary, Ecological, Fairtrade & other Ethical Produce.
Stocking both products - delivery on 14^th December.
 
Village Greens, 2 Rosemount, Oxton, Prenton, Merseyside.  Tel. 0151 652 1738, open 7:30am - 5.30pm Monday - Saturday, and 09:00am - 1.00pm on Sundays.
Stocking both products - delivery on 6^th March.
 
Sari Sari, 27-28 Market Hall, King Street, Southport, Merseyside.  Tel. 01704 539 200, usually open 9:30am - 5:00pm Monday - Saturday.
Stocking both products.
 
Annie's Fruit Bowl, 30 Market Place, Howden, East Yorkshire.  Tel. 01430 432 374, open 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday - Saturday.  Greengrocer - Herbs - Spices.
Stocking Gravy Saviour and just starting with the Stronger Stuff - delivery on 14^th September.
 
I K Bottrill, 36 Cliff Road, Hornsea, East Yorkshire.  Tel. 01964 532 116, open 8:30am - 5:00pm Monday - Saturday except Wednesday: half-day closing at 1:00pm.
Stocking Gravy Saviour - delivery on 29^th December.
 
Tessa Barnes, The Whins, Forgandenny, Perth, PH2 9ET, Scotland.  Tel. 01738 813 104.  Home-made cards, too.
Stocking both products - delivery on 22^nd November.  Please contact for details of craft fairs.

 
Many thanks to East Anglia's Let's Talk! magazine (subscribe here); The Daily Telegraph; The Guardian; and The Dundee Courier for their mentions of the product.

 

 
 
 
Simon Hughes dropped by from
Melbourne, Australia to collect
his consignment of Gravy Saviour
(and advise on how to accomplish
the Tim Tam Slam).

 
Mr Keith Oldrey writes:

Jake's put the zest back in our dinner.
His gravy salt a certain winner.
On Burdalls we were bred and raised
Meat and two veg - God be praised.
For us a little fat but no cellulite
With Jake's Gravy Salt we'll be alright.
Add some mint sauce and a spoon
Sunday lunch can't come too soon.

Thank you, Keith!

Sending my Gravy Saviour far and wide
To join dishes roasted, boiled or fried
Like Santa, I could use the help of elves
But it's nice to hear from fans like yourselves.
 
For without you, and others between here and the USA
We wouldn't be enjoying gravy salt today.
To all of you, I raise my gravy boat in salute,
But please:  Don't pour it on your fruit!

 
Mr Paul White of Illinois, USA writes:
 
We put some gravy salt with some water in the roast pan and cook the
roast in it.  It makes even a mediocre piece of meat taste super grand,
and makes great gravy.

Thanks, Paul!  And thanks for reminding us that a richer flavour can
result from cooking all the ingredients together from the outset.

 
Mr C. O. writes:
 
I grew up with Burdall's gravy block so when my Mum discovered your
Gravy Saviour I was delighted, after some years in the wilderness!
Happily, my girlfriend is now a convert too.

 
Mrs A. P. affirms:
 
Definitely the only good gravy salt around.

 
Mr J. C. writes from Dorset with an old Yorkshire dish for Tomato Bread:
 
Fry up tomatoes with a little oil till they become mushy and water is
driven out.  Add a little gravy salt and then dip slices of bread in
the mixture.   We've had it all our lives and it deserves publicity.

 
This page is at: www.oldjake.co.uk and www.burdalls.co.uk.

Last modified:  4^th May, 2012.  Errors & Ommissions Excepted.

    Like all Jake's pages, this one was hand-made with care.

If you can read this, you may be using a browser with no support for Cascading Style Sheets, in which case this page will display without many of its design elements.  Nevertheless, I hope you find the page informative and usable.
 
Text for search engines (it's amazing, the variation of spellings for "Burdall's"!): Burdall's Gravy Salt, Burdalls Gravy Salt, Burdal's Gravy Salt, Burdals Gravy Salt, Burdle's Gravy Salt, Burdles Gravy Salt, Brudal's Gravy Salt, Brudals Gravy Salt, Birdalls Gravy Salt, Burdall's Gravy Block, Burdalls Gravy Block
 
Here's a consumer's opinion of Uncle Roy's Gravy Salt.
 
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