Earlier this year I wrote a story with ideas about where to get your vintage appliances, including stoves, repaired. My focus was on helping you find local suppliers — old time repair shops — that could help you out. But, readers also chimed in with some great comments. I strongly encourage you to read that original post, along with all the Comments. In particular, though, I wanted to call out the online resources suggested by reader Patrick Coffey. He seems to have pulled together a great list of both companies and community forums that can help you connect with parts, service and instructions to help get your vintage appliances and stoves back in tip-top shape if you are unable to find local repair shops that can do the work for you. Patrick writes:
There are a host places to go on the net that can definitely help you with vintage appliances….both major AND small.
- Repairing vintage washers, dryers, dishwashers and other major appliances — For advice and help on repairing vintage major appliances…try asking for advice at my favorite website — Automatic Washer – believe it or not there are a A LOT of people (some of which frequent this site) who post on that site that have actually restored vintage major appliances from the likes fo early automatic washer and dryers to dishwasher, stoves and fridges. People at the site are always willing to give advice on where to find parts and even tell you how they fixed problems like ones you might be having. Also you can see pics and videos of some of the awesome restored appliances.
- Repairing vintage stoves — Also there are sources like The Old Appliance Club that can help you find parts.
- Repairing vintage stoves and refrigerators — There is also Jowers Antique Appliances that restores vintage stoves and fridges and has some replacement parts for stoves and fridges (check their site for specifics).
- Repairing vintage toasters and waffle irons — Now for small appliances like toasters and waffle irons there is Micheal Sheaffe in New York who runs Toaster Central. He restores and sells old toasters, waffle irons, and Sunbeam Slow Cookers.
- Repairing Sunbeam toasters — If you have a Sunbeam Self lowering Radiant Control Toaster that needs a adjustment take a look at this web site Automatic Beyond Belief. This web site is dedicated to the self lowering toasters that Sunbeam made from 1949 to 1997.
- Repairing vintage electric mixers and coffee grinders — For vintage mixers and Kitchen Aid Coffee Grinders there is Deco Dan. Check out his site.
- Repairing vintage vacuum cleaners — For advice about vintage vacuums there is Vacuumland.org, which is the website for the Vacuum Cleaner Collectors Club. This is actually a sister site to Automaticwasher.org, and you will find as many knowledgeable vintage vacuum folk here as you will find anywhere.
- Repairing vintage ceiling fans — Last but not least if you have a vintage fan that needs a hand (sorry couldn’t resist getting cute) go to FanCollectors.org, home of the Antique Fan Collectors Association.
- As for me I am lucky I have a tv guy, a radio guy, and a small appliance repair shop all with in a half hour of my pad that will fix my vintage stuff……..
Last but not least some important reminders:
- I do not have personal experience with these resources, so I am not endorsing them.
- Please make sure that you do your own research to verify that you are working with safe, experienced, licensed professionals.
- While some of these sites may include information focused on Do It Yourself projects, Retro Renovation.com is not a DIY site. So please –>
- –> Do your own research — consult with licensed professionals — regarding the environmental and safety issues related to using or repairing vintage appliances — there can be vintage nastiness like lead and asbestos in vintage materials including appliances — and then of course there are the wiring issues and lord knows what else. Be Smart, Be Safe.
And, as Lara Jane commented in the original story:
To follow up on Pam’s post, I know a lot of people on other home improvement sites were scammed by a guy restoring vintage stoves (some they’d sent to him, some were advertised on his site). Be careful who you give your money to, and if possible, use a credit card with buyer protection!
Many thanks to Patrick for this great contribution to the blog, and to Julie, Lara Jane, and all the others who provided additional ideas on the original post. Keep ‘em coming!
These are great resources! Reading this made me think about the awesome Tappan range we had in our 1959 rambler while I was growing up. It had side-by-side ovens with French doors (one oven was larger than the other). The burners pulled out and were lined up side-by-side as well. And when the burners were pushed in, what remained was a cutting board surface, which came in handy when the burners were out and on, too.
http://uglyhousephotos.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/phx50skitchennational1959fabulous400tappan.jpg
I saw the same one in the kitchen in Graceland!
Ours was probably around 30 years old when it could no longer be repaired and my parents had to remodel the kitchen to fit a “normal” range into the configuration.
But if you notice the URL in that link, it led me to a site that included that picture in its section on “Ugly Kitchens.” You don’t want to see what the site owner considers an ugly kitchen. Sigh.
http://uglyhousephotos.com/wordpress/?p=4459
Antique Stove Heaven in CA has kept my 1928 Magic Chef in top shape. They also did the original restoration on it. These are the kind of guys who won’t do a bad repaint and will urge you to keep original finish- they really love old stoves.
I have the exact toaster on the home page of the Sunbeam toaster website! I had no idea it had a following. I found it in my parents’ basement – it belonged to my great-grandmother.
My dad is an engineer who worked his way through college as a repair man at an electronics shop in the late 60s and early 70s. I keep telling him he should get back in the business because there’s such a demand for vintage electronics and appliances. For now, he’s my personal vintage repair guy.
I’d like to repeat a recommendation from the earlier post on local shops by Maria. http://www.davesrepair.com has been my online store, and he has a lot of parts, so it’s great for people who like to do it themselves.
Have you guys ever visited http://www.antiquegasstoves.com? It is a very cool, very fun site to check out. I can only imagine how much the restored stoves must cost — but they are gorgeous!
Timely post. I just discovered a 30″ Roper gas range at our local habitat store. Would love a bigger vintage stove, but only have space for a 30″ unit, so this one is tempting, even though it’s in rough shape. Not sure what vintage, I’m guessing 1960s because of its size? Pam, any ideas when Roper started making 30″ ranges? I’m having a hard time finding anything online.
Also, anyone know if these older stoves can be retrofitted with electronic ignitions so we wouldn’t have to worry about those pesky old pilot lights going out? Would love to buy and fix up this stove, but also love the safety and ease of our current 5 year old gas range.
Hi Lauryn, I don’t know when the 30″ stoves started … maybe someday I will get a timeline going. As per retrofits, I think it *can* be done. But it can be expensive, I think. You are right to be thinking: Safety.
Yeah, safety is good. Our current stove really looks fine (and actually doesn’t look that much different than the $4000 Big Chill, except for its digital display). I really was okay with it until we brought some things to donate to our Restore and my husband made the mistake of saying, “Did you see that old gas stove back there?”
I bought a gorgeous 1950 Magic Chef gas range (I think it was 36 inches wide) at an auction about 18 years ago, for $5 bucks! I waited three hours for it to come up for bidding, and no one else wanted it. It was in near-mint condition, but—it ran on a propane tank.
I called a local gas utility provider and they retrofitted it to use regular “house gas,” and ALSO insisted on installing some sort of electronic safety ignition system, which did prevent the pilot light from going out except in very rare instances.
We used that stove for many years, it was perfect. I loved it but had to leave it when I sold the house. Total cost was about $350 for the complete retrofit and professional installation. I thought that was a bargain even way back then, considering the stove only set us back $5 bucks to begin with!
I’ve got an old in gas gas heater I’d like to restore or re-chrome and repaint. Any Suggestions on Chroming the Grill? Would it be pricey … if so any DIY options? The brand is Custom-Aire with a cool retro font on a label inside (but the logo came off of the front where it looks like there use to be one). It still works great, I’ve got a carbon monoxide detector too in case it doesn’t.
How about this: http://retrorenovation.com/2008/08/07/how-do-i-re-chrome-or-replate-my-metal-bath-hardware/
Thanks for posting my info Pam…I am glad that it will be a help to everyonhe and I also think that it is cool that other people are adding business’/clubs they know of that can help too. We Retro Hounds gotta stick together LOL. As for the introduction of the 30 inch range…Frigidaire introduced the 30 inch range in 1950 (the same year coincedentally that Westunghouse introduced the first totally Frost Free Refrigerator)…PAT COFFEY
Thanks for the tip on the 30″ stove, Pat. I’m thinking this stove is from either the 50s or possibly the 60s, hard to tell. Here’s an interesting ad from a 1938 kitchen that shows what looks like an even smaller than 30″ stove: http://www.antiquehomestyle.com/inside/kitchen/1930s/gallery/page11.htm
Not quite MCM, but a good reference for us (our house was built in late 1939, but I still think the Roper would look appropriate).
Thank you so much for this great list, Pat! And now: For the history on the intro of 30″ ranges. I get to do another post on this!!
Here’s a good starting image. Damn good thing it says sold or I’d be driving to California right now.
http://www.antiquegasstoves.com/pages/30wedge.html
Our 60′s ranch is still sporting it’s original avocado green GE drop-in stove – which clocks in at a teeny 27″ wide. The size worried me at first but the interior is almost the same as a 30″ oven. Heck, I just roasted a 16 lb. turkey in it yesterday! I love the push button burners too. Now I just need to find filters/covers for the matching hood. I don’t know how long it has gone without one but man, it is gross up there!
Hi, this is not quite an appliance tip, but I found out today that a plumbing shop in Gardena, CA (Reback’s) carries new dishmasters! I tore out the ad for our kitchen wish list. Did I miss the dishmaster memo? I am so happy to find these, the only ones I have seen “in person” at time capsule open houses were all broken (or so the realtors said). This is worth a road trip to investigate in person. They opened in 1950 – a good sign!
Yes, you missed it — I have done EXTENSIVE Dishmaster coverage. See Kitchens / Sinks & Faucets category ….
Ah, I went back and searched this blog, and found the entries, sorry to repeat! Excitement got the best of me
not to worry!
Hi Pam,
The link you have to Deco Dan doesn’t work. But on the flip-side, for quite some time, when you go to his website, he states that he is “not taking any new work at this time.”
Jan
After retiring from 30 years in field service for the gas company I continue to work on vintage stoves part time. The best parts and rebuilding company I have ever dealt with is http://www.theoldappliancelclub.net. Appliance companies, like myself, send their work in to them yet you as a consumer can do the same. They can make new elements for old electric stoves, rebuild gas thermostats, gas safety valves, old stove regulators – you name it. What I like about them is that if it’s not quite an antique they will still run a courtesy search for you to find your part. All you do is send a photo of the part and the number on it. No matter how busy they are they always try and help find an answer for you. Their e-mail is: toac@sbcglobal.net.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Thomas!
I wanted to thank you for posting this the other day. Believe it or not, the day after you ran this, the baking element in my gorgeous 50′s GE electric range burned out. I tried every local place to no avail. Then I contacted the old appliance club and they are hand making me another one! Plus, I found it’ll only take about a week, plus a little extra time for shipping. I figured I’d be lucky to have a working oven before Thanksgiving, but it’ll be on line much sooner. I could not believe my luck. Pam, you are a life (and old stove) saver!
yay!
Hello! These websites are just swell! I was wondering if you knew any good vintage television and radio repair? I’ve lots of them, and I sure would like to get them all back to working order, you know? Thanks if you do.
The thermostat in my 1951 Tappan Range has been dead for over a year, and I can’t find anyone in the Twin Cities (MN) who will work on it. I don’t want to get a new stove (I looked, and I find them all to be atrocious), but baking season is again upon us.
Is there a database of repair people?
Karen – check the links provided. Good luck.
Does anyone happen to know of a ‘vintage’ appliance/stove repairman or company in the Palm Springs area? Surely as many mid-century homes as are there, there’s a repair service that has capitalized on the desire that must be there amongst many home owners!
My reason for asking is that I have a very good friend there who has a wonderful Westinghouse electric Terrace-top stove (circa probably around 1962, when the house was built). His brother did not realize that you had to push down oven knob in order to turn it on… He just kept trying to turn it, and broke it off the knob’s metal stem. Now the oven cannot be turned on. I know that this can’t be a difficult repair for someone with some old-stove savvy, tools, parts. I’m afraid my friend, who is impatient with repair quandries like this, will just pull out the stove and replace it with a new one (which will also require some kitchen remodel to fit a new stove in the space). The vintage kitchen and its stove are so perfect for each other. I know if my friend knew who to contact, there in the area, he’d give the repair a chance.
Any suggestions from folks in the area? Thanks in advance!!!
Ken
If you are in the San Diego area, I highly recommend RMR company for vintage stove repair: http://www.rmrcompany.net/Vintage_Stove_Restorations/RMR_Company,_Inc..html
I have a 1953 O’Keefe & Merrit and the owner, Mike, has been extremely helpful and priced reasonably in getting my beloved stove up and running. They are extremely professional and knowledgeable.
Thanks, Lindsay! I will contact RMR about the Westinghouse Terrace-Top repair. Perhaps Mike may even know of someone he could recommend in the Palm Springs area to do a minor knob fix like the one we need.
Hello!
Just have a silly vintage stove question and thought someone might have an answer. We bought a house and it came with it’s orignial 1955 Westinghouse electric stove. The ‘front left’ knob has a red lightning bolt on it. What does that mean? Can’t find anything on Google about it. Thanks!
I broke the glass door to my beloved countertop Maxim oven. I think this stove is from the 70′s. Do you have any idea where I can buy a replacement?
Thank You
Check the links featured, Pam. Good luck.
In the Berkeley area for stoves there is Reliance Appliance. They do complete restorations and are nice folks: http://www.relianceappliance.com/contact.html. For stove repair on the SF Peninsula Low Cost Appliance Repair Service
(650) 366-3572
I need a refrigerator door seal fora 50′s model Frigidaire-and someone in the SF Bay Area tat will paint and rechrome my little darling. Any ideas?
I should have added that Low Cost also does restorations and Reliance also has stoves for sale.
Thanks for any help on the refrigerator and I also need some SF Bay help with a 1930′s radio and record player. Thanks Pam!
Have a Roper instamatic Stove that needs repair. The oven will not come on. Probably the heat sensing probe. Also need some parts for the automatic stove turn on and off. One of the burners will not light also unless you do it with a lighter. The piolit light will not light it.
Please send me any comments that will help. glen Swangren
Glen: We can’t give you tips here. Go to the links suggested in the story. Good luck.
I just bought a duplex. It’s a 1950s Florida style with a front and rear unit. While the house was empty mice attacked one of the great old O’Keefe & Merrit stoves that came with the property. The smell when I turned on the oven was beyond disgusting!!!!!! The real shot in the foot was I had rented out the front unit and had only 1 week to get the rental ready. I thought I would have to throw the stove in the junkpile, but thanks to you and your website, I got in touch with The Old Appliance Club http://www.theoldapplianceclub.net and they sent me brand new stove insulation within 72 hours, some range wire that the mice were chewing on and great advice on how to keep them out of the stove. You are my lifesaver times ten. I want to use your site for some plumbing suggestions now too. Sensational…..bless you!!!!!! Love you.
YAY!!!!
I live in a rental that has metal cabinets and a double ceramic sink. I replaced the 21 handles but have kept the others (which are like twisted brass logs so fun but I wanted the silver) for when I move. The cabinets have been painted and I swear a patch that was underneath shows a wood grain! Did they have metal faux wood grain styles? The tiles are slim rectangular brown and cream faux stone. The walls are painted over wallpaper but the landlord left one wall untouched and it is a Paris scene mural. The sink is discolored so I am looking for a restore cleaner I used in past old apartments.The bathroom is pink and gray.
All this has little to do with my question, though. I have tried many resources but I cannot locate a manual for the Crown stove that is plopped into the kitchen. When I move in a place I look at all the appliances and create a folder with all the manuals and leave it for the next renter but this manual has been elusive. Maybe someone has a pdf?
Hi Pam,
Our purchase of an older refrigerator for a second garage unit was a good one. The newer one ran all the time. Now our electric bill is down and I can barely hear it run. Every three to four months I defrost it. The water is good for our plants too. We named it “Happy”.
We bought an old stove from our church rummage sale. It needed some parts which we bought from a seller on ebay. The parts were cheap enough and looked spotless but they didn’t work.( big waste of time and money.) Your readers turned us onto the people over at The Old Appliance Club
http://www.antiquestoves.com/toac/index.htm. Gina took the time to guide us through everything. They supplied the safety equipment our antique stove needed to pass inspection (which we had to have and didn’t know it.) We ordered their super stove insulation and an oven thermostat. Our Thanksgiving Day dinner was such a success. I just know we will be passing these appliances down to our kids. They are so well designed and inexpensive to run. Thank you Pam. Your site is truly awesome!
YAY! Thanks, Lori!
Oh joy! I just bought a vintage Magic Chef gas stove. My problem is even though I’ve got the model number, I can’t seem to find out any info about it, i.e., what year, features, manual, etc. I’m thinking it could be as old as 1940, but not too sure. If anyone could direct me to a site that would help me identify my new baby, I’d be so very grateful. Remodeling on the kitchen is starting soon, I found a cast iron porcelain single tub sink, too!
Thanks, Maile
Maile, please contact the sources profiled…. Pam
Loved exploring your site and found so much great stuff!!…however, not what I’m currently struggling with. I have a ‘not-quite-vintage’ (I guess) 1983 Litton-Aire combination Microwave Range that is still working, for the most part, and I don’t really want to replace it, but get it tweaked….any ideas?? I cannot even find any references to it on the web…anywhere!!!
hmmmm…. i don’t know about this one…. i guess i’d suggest talk to the other sites that focus on old appliances (listed in the story). good luck.
Hi all-
I am trying to re-paint my glorious wall fridge that I bought from my neighbor. It came with the original 1954 Instruction Manual too! It’s had years of love but I needs repainting. Pam directed me to best paint for the job, but I lack knowledge and skill. Can anyone tell me HOW to repaint it? Do I need to sand it? Prime it? It made my Dad cry when he saw it- we grew up with one out here in West Texas. Please help!
Kelly
I am not an expert on this. However, I do advise: Please remember that old paint can contain lead — be sure to consult with a properly licensed professional before you proceed so that you know how to handle.
We purchased a 1940′s Frigidaire double oven electric stove Model RJ 70 and used it for about 6 weeks…super nice and wonderful until an electrical problem erupted behind the burner knobs. I can’t figure out how to get the top off without possibly removing the sides which is what the oven is standing on. Does any one know of a reputable repair person for old electric appliances in the Kansas City area? We are located in the southwestern part of Johnson county Kansas. Thanks so much, Kathy
Kathy what you need to do is go to automaticwasher.org and join the group (its free) and post your brand & model # of you range… the gang there should be able to help you and someone there might even be able to get you a service manual for your stove.
Oh and Kathy I also for got to say how awesome I think it is that you have the stove in the first place and that you want to try and fix it instead of instantly wanting to throw it on the scrap heap…I tip my hat to you dear lady.
Patrick,
Thanks so much for the advice and super kind words! I will join the website right away! Hope you have a wonderful day
I’ll let you know what luck I have on getting it fixed.
Kathy