VINTAGE THERMADOR built-in ovens and stove tops are really beautiful and leading-edge collectible. I see them at the Re-Store occasionally (such as the cooktop above), and am *so tempted* to add them to my collection of cool stuff, now stuffed into my attic. Over at the Eichler Network, Adam Martin wrote an interesting article in 2006 about Thermadors in Eichlers. The occasion was the 50th anniversary of a famous Thermador built-in wall oven, the WO-16A. It was top-of-the-line with straight from WWII aircraft – notice all the cockpit dials. The history indicates that Thermador was first to innovate wall ovens separate from rangetops, in 1947. In ’52, they gave us a cooktop with a griddle. From my immersion into midcentury marketing materials, I am going to guess that by the mid-50s, half of America was still choosing the stand-alone oven/range combo. The other half: Separate cooktop and built-in oven. I am guessing the latter was more expensive – but more “modern” not only because the technology was newer but also it allowed you to have an uninterrupted run of base cabinets – also a very cool and modern thing. Thermador also seem to have stuck close to their brushed stainless steel finish. So, if you are looking to go retro, but want stainless steel rather than white or a color – these vintage ovens and rangetops are worth watching for.
Vintage Thermador built-in ovens and cooktops
Posted by: • July 7, 2009
Oven and gas cooktop for a mid-century modern kitchen: ala vintage Thermador 
Vintage coppertone cabinet pulls for Julie, along with clues to her Heywood Wakefield-esque built-ins 
George creates a built-in oven enclosure with brick veneer 
Become a fan
They’re super cool, and like you said, pacify the trendiness of today’s stainless steel while remaining true to the period.
Hard to come by, though? I haven’t done any research on them.
The picture of the wall oven above is the exact model we have in our 1956 ranch. Although the heating function works perfectly (if a tad slow to warm up) the clock and timer are no longer functional. But we love it in spite of its flaws and feel very lucky to have it! [If you want to see it in place, read Pam's entry from March 6, 2009 under Reader Homes in the Expanding Categories (second page.)]
dear elvis aka Jane,
pls do you have an owner’s manual for that oven, as i bought an old house also because of this splendid oven and do no know how to make it work
thanks for answering me
diane
drdianedoucet@yahoo.com
a desperate and proud owner of a thermador WO 18A
We don’t live in an Eichler but we do have a wonderful vintage Thermador cooktop with griddle (as well as a Nutone food center and a wall mounted pull-out toaster by Swanson). Sadly, the double oven had already been taken out when we bought the house. We have located a Thermador double oven in Kansas City that the owners (my sister-in-law and her husband) don’t want. So, when they get around to taking it out, we will be flying to Kansas City, renting a van, and driving back to Las Vegas with the oven. Can’t wait!
That cooktop alone is to die for! I love that griddle feature!
When we first moved into our house we looked forever to learn what an L&H oven was? Now you have the info! We are so lucky- we have that same oven X’s 2 & the 6 burner cooktop (no griddle). These ovens have been to Georgia & back to be updated & made into working condition. They are so great!!! We love them!
Hi, We have L&H double ovens from the early 50′s. Today I just broke the handle of the top one! YOu wrote that yours had been to Georgia and back, restored? Do you have the contact information for the Georgia restorer? If so, I’d like to contact them for restoration information for my ovens!
Thanks so much!
Carla,
This may be coming to you late, but I had the same thing happen to my upper L & H stove. Through Pam’s website, I found http://www.antiquestoves.com and found just what I was looking for. A blade style handle, 13-1/2 inches long and an exact match to my other one. It just arrived (within 2 days of ordering it!). It completes my wall oven! Now all I need is an L & H insignia which fell off awhile ago and can’t find.
Hope this helps.
I almost bought a set of these that came up on Craigslist here in Atlanta a few months ago, but I prefer cooking with gas. Sometimes I wish I had enough money to buy the cool stuff that I find on CL to sell to people who would actually appreciate it. Incidentally, I happened to pick up a Thermador gas cooktop from the late ’90s that still has a nice vintage look, and I only paid $50 for it! CL deals strike again.
Is there such a thing as a cool gas cooktop that would compliment one of these ovens? I want one!!!! Anybody have ideas?
I have a original Thermador cook top like one shown. Do you know if and where I can get replacement eye?
I got replacement parts for my cook top @RepairClinic.com. They are very nice & helpful. Just make sure when you contact them that you have a model # or age.
these are my current stove and oven! original to the house…
we even have the handbook! the counter tops are mustard yellow swirl with metal edging….I know hard to believe, imagine my surprize that any others are still being used. Heidi
We just removed the same Thermadore cooktop electric range as pictured above…except that it has an off white enamal? finish. I loved this stove and used it extensively for 23 years. The built in griddle was great and will be missed a lot as we used it all the time, especially to cook “pigs in a blanket ” for my grandchildren when-ever they stay overnight. It also had a grill for grilling that was used occasionally. It looked beautiful still as I did take good care of it all these years. It had to be replaced as we were down to just one burner that would work properly and only when you manually plunged it in and another burner that stayed on “high” all the time and would not turn off unless unplugged. A pain. We did try to replace the burner elements but they still would not work properly. We figured the problem was with the connections that you plugged the burners into. It really became what we believed to be a safety issue. Also my husband loves to cook. Anyway, I thought someone might want it so I just called my husband to see if he could salvage it from his dumpster at work but he said “no”. I do have the instruction manual if anyone wants it? I also have a nutone food center that we are most likely going to get rid of soon. It still works and I have lots of the different appliances that came with it, like the mixer, food processor, can opener and lots of others. I also have the instruction book. I love all things vintage but my husband-not at all. We try to compromise. In the kitchen renovation I am keeping my big 15X17 Nutone intercome that I still use when my grandchildren are here. Still works great. My husband thinks it looks aweful. I am also keeping my vintage oak icebox refrigerator that was in the basement of a house that my husbands family bought when they came from Italy in 1956. They used it to store cheese for many, many years. Did it stink! My husband did not think it would look good in the new kitchen but it’s staying. I have lots of other vintage stuff in my kitchen like a small but heavy pasta maker that I love. Those I get to keep but as far as appliances we are replacing them. I actually just bought another Thermadore cooktop. It’s called a hybrid conduction and I have to admit it is awesome to cook on. Put it in yesterday even though it left a space in the counter as we have not really started the renovation as yet but needed something to cook on! I do love it. This is the compromise. My husband likes new, I like old. I never really knew old till I went to Italy the first time. Now that’s vintage stuff. Old, beautiful and still works like a charm. I have a very old, portable bidet that I plan to being home next time I go. My friend in Sicily is holding it for me. My husband says “no way.” We’ll see!
Hi, I am looking for parts for my electric stove top made by Thermador in or around 1950. The two sets of two burners are set side by side. I believe the Model # is 5820 and I think the serial number is 2917 and not sure if the last number is 4. If anyone can be helpful I appreciate it. Take care……….Jay
Hi Jay, we do not really have vintage appliance parts expertise here.
Hi, I have a 50′s Thermador wall oven in a rental property. It’s been great, looks fabulous, and really “fits” the vibe of the house, but it has had some issues. It is working fine now but I feel like I should put something a little more functional in there for my tenants.
Has anyone replaced their vintage Thermador with anything they can recommend? I would love to be able to put something in the existing hole but it looks like the cabinets were probably built around the oven!
Does anyone know the dimensions of the opening it fits in? My guess is around 19.5″W x 23″H. I guess the model is the WO-16A. Any help would be much appreciated!
Mark,
Are you still trying to replace your 1950′s Thermador oven? I have the same one in excellent condition. It must go out of my rental properties retro kitchen due to new updates after many years.
Thanks.
Amanda — no buying/selling here. PLEASE head over the forum. http://retrorenovation.com/forums
I have the same question. My WO-16A is about done. I’m wondering where to find an oven with the same dimensions.
Dear Kathspat- If you still have your manual for the cooktop I would love to get it from you. Please let us know.
Thanks!
We have the same built-in Thermador oven pictured above (WO-16A). We also love it. Our kitchen is still mostly original stuff from the 1950s. Unfortunately, the oven stopped working recently. The problem is the ceramic receptacle that the element plugs into (actually the metal contacts inside the ceramic receptacle). We’re looking for a replacement (not available at RepairClinic.com). Any thoughts?
Hi Michael, this site isn’t focused on DIY or fix it… I would recommend you talk to stove renovation places….good luck, pam
Michael,
Please contact me. I have same Thermador double ovens in a house we are renovating. While I had hoped to continue using them (they both work), it is looking less like that can happen. Perhaps you could buy them for parts.
Jeanette and Michael – you need to do this trading via the Forum, please. RetroRenovation.com/Forum
I can’t help but wonder on the parts issue…
There are certainly times and places where a certain amount of substitution and reverse-engineering of sorts can go a long way.
Certainly, no one should monkey in places they are unsure or uncomfortable when it comes to items that could cause fire, shock or injury.
One thing I have observed, experienced and often engaged in…whether with boats, obscure foreign and antique cars, old equipment, appliances, etc…is a certain amount of mix-and-match and/or artful adaptation. Where there is a will, there is often a way.
I am often leery myself of too much advice bantered about via the internet as one really can’t see, meet or know the source and get a solid feeling for the person’s real acumen.
I’m a big fan of solid, experienced, local people if they can be found. I am an even bigger fan of the “old guys”–most of whom are by now retired or gone on away–who collected the tribal knowlege and also came from an era more imbued with need and willingness for make-do. Heck, most of the ‘ability’ or ‘knowlege’ that I have? Whatever it is that tends to put me in the topkick roles professionally? I learned it from old guys who are now gone, most of it…or at least the foundation that I’ve had to build my own on.(Before my head sounds swelled, let me say that when I get compliments, extra respect or whatever in these jobs, I hold private feelings of unworthiness…because I know who the real hotdogs were, and that I’m not half of them. Just that they’re gone, and that I listened to some of them when they were still around.) The sad part is that I only learned bits and pieces of what these fellows spent decades learning!
My point here–and I do have one–is that in dealing with obscure and obsolete things it can often be best to seek out the retirees or the guys that just keep their hands in part-time…if at all possible. These fellows are usually of the type to know both what TO do and what NOT to do, but also have the historical background to say ‘Hey, I bet I could make the kanooten valve from xyz item work in here’.
If you can find this sort of ‘professional’ help, it’s likely the best of all. There can be some great personal benefits for everyone, too. Good luck with those appliances, I sort of envy your present challenges as I don’t yet have my own cool kitchen to cope with!
Dave
My grandmother has the L&H oven featured (the cook top was replaced a couple years back). Does anyone know where we might find parts for said oven? No one local has any and new ovens aren’t the right dimensions and would require an overhaul! any help is appreciated, she really loves that oven!!
The Thermador cooktop in the picture is the exact one I am trying to replace. Could you tell me how to contact Re store or anyone else that might have it.. I am in Vermont and not sure where Re store is located. Regardless I’ll go anywhere to get the replacement.
Thank you
Carl, Re-Stores are located all over America. This one was in Springfield, Mass. However, this post is quite old. I have been back since, and the cooktop was long gone. Don’t think I don’t regret lugging it home myself, it sure is/was a beauty.
Just closed on a 1956 home. It is equipped with the original Thermador wall mounted oven (looks just like the picture but with black knobs/handle) and warming drawer.
I recent acquired this oven & range:
http://bit.ly/bujzdZ
I’ve identified the range as model SU-4, but I can’t find anything that shows which model the oven is. Can anyone help?
ooooh, pretty, zach, i am jealous
I was quite surprised when I saw these sitting on the curb down the street. We’re not doing our kitchen for a while, so these might be going to another Indiana MCM homeowner.
I’d like to know what model it is first, though. I see a lot of talk about the WO-16A, but this is different. I think it is dated 1954, but it’s hard to read. I’m not sure if that would make it older or newer. Hopefully one of your readers can help.
I have both of those. The model number for the oven is at the base of the door, visible when the door is open. Mine is worn too, but I think it says WO-16 made into the aluminum label, but then it has an A stamped just above and to the right of the 16, like it was added on.
I have a l960 Thermador kitchen, “dbl. wall ovens, cooktop”. All in
perfect working order.
The lower oven has a built in rotisserie.
Pink is not my favorite color but wouldn’t trade these appliances
for today’s appliances.
Thermador means quality.
Glad to see your pictures of the stainless appliances.
T
We just bought a 1956 house and the original L&H wall oven is what we use. We are considering selling it to put in a larger unit. Where do you suggest we start looking to sell? Do you think online or antique shops would be better?
Pam, I have several stories in the FAQs that speak to this question. See: http://retrorenovation.com/tag/faq/ . Good luck.
We just purchased a home built in 1947 in Iowa City, Iowa. It hase the original thermador oven and cook top. Does anyone know of a place to get parts?
Thanks for your help in advance.
rlove6862@gmail.com
HELP, I am looking for a Thermador replacement for my present Vintage Stainless Steel Cooktop range, EXACTLY like the one you have photographed. Where can I possibly find a replacement??? I live in Portland, Oregon. Would be willing to have one shipped. Any recommendations are welcomed as I do not wish to change my kitchen area and am looking for an exact replacement.
HELP!
We have a 1950ish Thermador electric cooktop just like the one shown at the top of this page (small difference in the knob style) taking up room in my garage. All in working condition and cleaned up. I’m thinking of getting it appraised. Any suggestions? If you email me, I can send you some pictures of the stove.
Hello All,
)
I cook on and in these beautiful vintage 1950′s Thermador Ovens/Range Tops every single day!!! I bought my grandparents’ home and the range Top and Oven are the ones that My grandfather installed himself (he built the house himself) and I intend to leave the house to one of MY 5 granddaughters When I “go”…and I pray the oven and range top are STILL here and STILL working
God Bless,
Michelle
I just aquired a L & H electric cook top / oven. I was wondering if you could tell me anything about it?
Hi, I have an Identical Cook-top to that in the picture, its never been used, and its still in the box, recently found it in the attic of a friends mom, not sure about how old it is, or how much its worth, any information? anything will help.
you can post stuff for sale on our forum, Claire (no buying/selling here on the main blog). head over to: http://retrorenovation.com/forums good luck -
Did you get a price on the cooktop?
No. And it’s long long gone.
I am doing research on the value of my 1950′s, stainless steel Thermador wall oven & 6 burner stovetop. I have been unsuccessful in finding a comparable price. I do know that they are collectibles and unique. Do you have any suggestions?
I look forward to your feedback.
A, you can take this over the to Forum and see if you can get help there — http://retrorenovation.com/forums/
Thank you for commenting Pam.
You’re welcome, Amanda. All buying/selling — to the Forum. http://retrorenovation.com/forums
Have Thermador appliances.
45″ stainless steel four burner w/center griddle cooktop (model SU4-G), works.
24″ wall oven (model WO-18AR,) element having shorting out issues.
Would like to sell both for $200.
Ken, over to the forum please! http://retrorenovation.com/forums/
Announcement: I have closed this post to comments as it has descended into buying/selling and there is no buying/selling here on the main blog or it would be pandemonium. But we DO have a Forum for this: http://retrorenovation.com/forums
Good luck!
Karen and others: All buying/selling goes on the Forum, please: http://retrorenovation.com/forum