Youngstown Kitchens were the #1 brand of steel kitchen cabinets across America in the postwar period. As a result, we see lots of these “fitted kitchen” sets come available for sales – with lots of choices of cabinets pieces.
While I am still in the early stages of gathering the history of these cabinets, I do know that the company seems to have been originally called Youngstown Pressed Steel Kitchens, and was a division of Mullins Manufacturing Corp., of Warren, Ohio. Ultimately, Youngstown Kitchens (at least) was purchased by American Standard, which also had metal kitchen cabinets. Presumably, this was part of consolidation that ultimately occurs in any industry.
Here are some great reference pieces from 1957 – the year that I consider the absolute peak of the postwar consumer frenzy — when EVERYTHING was available.
And, BE SURE to watch this incredible, bouncing-ball sing-along, 1953 video of the “Mullinaires” singing about Youngstown Kitchen, presumably for a dealer convention. Thanks to reader Jackie for finding this.
Ann says
I have a 1950s Spotless deluxe dishwasher and an air conditioner in working condition. Where and how can I find the value?
Pam Kueber says
Hi Ann, I don’t do valuations.
Chris says
Where can I find door latch hardware?
Wall cabinets r Youngstown series e, but I need door catch/latch hardware for the sink cabinets which have a ‘murray’ emblem. I found the model number on an inside door, but am not near them now to post, but I think it was 550? Was gonna refinish old cabinets, but also want new ones instead. Cannot afford, that is why I am refinishing, but need door hardware. Porcelain in the sink is pretty bad. Was gonna try the refinishing stuff at Home Depot, but idk
pam kueber says
Hi Chris, too many designs for us to know the answer to this… not sure if this is what you are talking about –> https://retrorenovation.com/2015/02/05/door-pin-ball-stud-catch-steel-cabinet-door/
Otherwise, you need to search search search online, or find old stock and harvest workable hardware from that.
Rhonda says
I keep looking on EBay and Craigslist. The drawer pulls you can find. The door latch to the Youngstown mullin’s cabinets are almost impossible to remove from the cabinets! It is metal and has a long prong on both sides you can twist it to the right and get one prong out but the other 1/2 of the latch does’t budge from the hole. Then for the pastic prong that catches to the latch it can be very brittle. So when you ‘”wiggle” it side to side, it can snap. In otherwords, I wouldn’t waste time looking for cabinets to use these two parts.My suggestion is to glue two magnets one to the door and one to the shell to keep it shut and use the pull of the magnets to keep it shut. Don’t use too much superglue as it may need to be redone years in the future and make sure you donT put the wrong side of one magnet which repells the second magnet away.
Chris Knuckles says
I have a “Youngstown Kitchens Jet-Tower Dishwasher Treasure Chest” wooden box. I’m trying to search on the internet for any information about it but can’t find much. All I’ve found, so far, are some newspaper advertisements from Sandusky and other northern Ohio cities announcing a Treasure Chest key promotion/contest. It seems that if you went by the store and saw the demo, you got a key to the “Treasure Chest”…if your key fits the lock, you win it. However, I don’t have any other information or pictures, etc. on what those Treasure Chests looked like to verify if the wood box I have is part of that promotion.
Does anyone know anything about this? I’d be happy to email pictures of the box if anyone is interested…
Thanks.
Rhonda says
I haven’t heard of the wooden box but I did find this archive of Youngstown cabinets and there is a page about their dishwasher. This brochure is really helpful because it has all the cabinet dimentions! Good luck.
Chris says
Can anyone tell me where I might find one of the Diana the Huntress Emblems? The Red One…. HELP!
Jenn says
Watch ebay…I’ve seen them on there several times.