This is a vintage Chambers gas range. I am seriously in love with it, and want it so much that I could burst. For now, though, it is staying in the time capsule house. I am guessing — 60s. Any experts out there who can tell me for sure?
This is the built-in, pop-up griddle. And yes, folks, those are stainless steel (or aluminum?) 4″ tiles behind the stove.
I am so seriously in love with this stove I cannot stand it.
Here is the vintage Chambers range upstairs. I am dating it 1952 — because that is when the kitchen went in.
Here is the porcelain cover folded down over the burners.
And here is the built-in stove. It’s all so wonderful, and there is still more to come from this house, I’ve barely made a dent.
Mandi H. says
I would KILL for a vintage stove from the 50’s to put in my kitchen! My kitchen is completely original except for the stove and refrigerator and I have about a foot of extra space where my “modern” stove sits now. I have had no luck in finding great deals on vintage stoves…everything I’ve looked at has been in the $5-9K range! Any suggestions??
Richard @ The Bewildered Brit says
I want… no I *need* this stove! It’s just perfect.
SaraTinkelman says
The basement kitchen was a phenomenon of, primarily immigrants who had, at most, been here for one full generation, or less. All canning was done down there, the sauer kraut, the tomato sauce (virtually any ethnicity will do), anything even remotely messy, because your upstairs kitchen was your pride & joy. I have met many, many people who love telling the stories of their Nona (Yaya, Bubbie, babzca – no idea if that’s the right Polish spelling!) in the basement cooking up a storm, never dreaming of dirtying her “fehncy, fehncy” (that one’s yiddish) dream kitchen. Throughout this central region of Upstate New York you’ll see loads of ’em if you’re doing any serious house hunting.Like the time capsule-type kitchens we’re occasionally lucky enough to see, those basement kitchens are part of the social history/fabric that enriches all Americans..
pam kueber says
You are absolutely correct, Sara. Our perhaps best example of this phenomenon: The amazing St. Louis time capsule: https://retrorenovation.com/2009/01/20/a-1950s-ranch-bungalow-time-capsule-in-st-louis-frozen-in-time/
To clarify, though, in THIS house when I say “downstairs” kitchen, I mean first floor. The upstairs kitchen was on the 2nd floor. For all intents the house could have been duplexed – but it was lived in by one family. I think the second kitchen was put in as a convenience because the house was so large. Almost like Jackie Kennedy’s “family quarters” kitchen here: https://retrorenovation.com/2009/09/04/the-white-house-kitchen/
Maggie says
A friend of mine recently found the upstairs Chambers (that Mark identified as a Model B) at a Salvation Army for $200, in perfect condition — so it CAN be done! It’s staggeringly wonderful, esp. the ThermoWell.
A few years back I lived in a rental house that had separate Chambers components (gas cooktop with the lift-up broiler/griddle, and double wall ovens), and I can vouch for their appliance perfection. They were dreamy to cook with, and I’d give almost anything to have them again. That house also had a baker’s-station marbletop counter — but as any baker would tell you, you do NOT want to place that marbletop as near the stove as the above photo shows, because the whole point of a marble is to keep doughs and pastry cool. Sure looks good, though!
G.G. says
My 1948 Anderson stove has most of the same features as a contemporary Chambers Stove- It has a cooking well & oven that cooks with the gas turned off- It doesn’t have the cool flip up griddle though.
Love both of those kitchens, but especially the great 50’s kitchen.
Glamorlux Nancy says
Oops, if that link doesn’t work, just go to thehomemarketplace.com and search on metal wall tiles.
Glamorlux Nancy says
Just gorgeous! Again, if someone tears this out, it would be a crime! This is museum-worthy. Hey, let’s all pitch in and buy it to preserve it =) If my husband and I had seen a kitchen like this when we were house hunting, we would have signed a contract on the spot!
Annie B. – Here one place where they sell stick-on metal wall tiles.
http://www.thehomemarketplace.com/HomeMarketPlace/Shopping/ProductDetail.aspx?CID=Storage+%26+Organizers&SCID=Kitchen&CollectionID=DC0000010&SiteNum=0
gavin hastings says
Those tiles are great! I have them behind my cooktop, where they have hung since the early 50’s. Indestructable, timeless, still available- yet pricey. Go for the brushed stainless-they really are: “stainless”.
Pat says
Patty,
I have had 3 different 1950’s era stoves that I have used in all of my 3 previous homes. I never had anyone look at them, just connected them and used them, had to leave 2 with the houses we sold, the 3rd I brought with me this time. I’ve never had any problems at all. But I’m sure any appliance repair person could check it out to see if all is okay.
Annie B. says
Thanks for the info on the tiles, Pam. They are fabulous. I wonder if the upstairs of this home was used as sort of mother-in-law quarters?
Might explain the second kitchen. That’s the set-up at our house.
I think if I were connecting any gas stove, I would ask my gas supplier for advice on the stove and for the name of a reliable professional to check it out.