One possible way to get your old appliances fixed is to find local suppliers — old time repair shops — that could help you out. But, readers also chimed in with some great comments. Here’s another idea: a list of 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:
The companies below may be able to help you — note, we do not do these services — click the bold blue text — those are hotlinks:
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 a growing number of companies that specialize in restoring vintage stoves — see our list here.
- 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.
- 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. For more info see our Be Safe / Renovate Safe page.
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!
jeri says
hello, I’m hoping someone can help me find a vintage refrigerator…I just bought a 60’s cottage and it’s still all original kitchen, except the fridge is modern….would love to find a nice good working one…..any ideas of where I can find one… i’ve thus far searched ebay , but none are available in my area of venice , florida…… any help to locate one would be appreciated… thank you … jeri
pam kueber says
jeri, see this category: https://retrorenovation.com/category/kitchen/other-stuff-such-as-appliances-accessories/
in particular also look at the story on where to buy vintage stoves – some of these places also do vintage refrigerators.
also watch craigslist like a hawk, use the blog’s search bar for our story on tips to search craigslist. good luck.
Patrick Coffey says
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.
Kathy King says
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
Kathy King says
Patrick,
I had a friend come out and with the help of the manuals I got form the other web sire you recommended, we got the stove working but we had to bypass the hot pot…
thanks so very much!
Kathy
Kathy King says
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
Patrick Coffey says
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.
Kelly says
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
pam kueber says
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.
Heart says
I suggest take it to an auto body shop, let them do it 😉
Linda Finch says
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!!!
pam kueber says
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.
Maile Lakely says
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
pam kueber says
Maile, please contact the sources profiled…. Pam
Bobbie Ann says
Maile, I’m in the same boat. I recently bought an antique/ vintage stove and want to know the year and operating instructions. I started googling vintage stoves to find one like my Gaffers & Sattler. I didn’t have much luck, the few I found that were very similar just said 30’s or 40’s. I found some patent numbers on some of the stove parts (burner, clock) and searched the US patent website. Based on the date of patent issuance I know the stove was manufactured afterward (1936-1938) so late 30’s. I’m still searching for more info. Good luck!
http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.htm
Lori O'Neil says
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!
pam kueber says
YAY! Thanks, Lori!
Chicago Char says
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?
Dave Ludenberry says
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.
pam kueber says
YAY!!!!
Glen Swangren says
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
pam kueber says
Glen: We can’t give you tips here. Go to the links suggested in the story. Good luck.