At the end of this story I link to four retro house bloggers with fun stories this week. Like Betty Crafter and her hand-made Cowichan sweater. So crafty, that Betty!
- What a super fun week on the blog. We had a time capsule house, Eva Zeisel, ceiling fans, Mom’s bathroom makeover, my trip to a Kentucky antique mall — and lots of great dialog — at last count, 334 comments this week! You guys are so fun — and have so much knowledge. Today, I want to share advice from Kate about buying vintage mixers like the Sunbeam I saw at the mall. Also, click on down for links to four great stories from retro house bloggers about their latest exploits. Go, Tribe!
Tips on buying vintage stand mixers? Kate writes:
I have several older mixers: a Sunbeam Mixmaster 10A and a Dormeyer Meal Maker (both 50s); and two 70s Sunbeams. Here is my advice when purchasing something like this:
1. Buy from an estate sale. Make sure it has all the parts (beaters, bowls, juicer) and that they ALL FIT that particular mixer. And that it runs on all speeds. Spend some time hunting through the kitchen gadgets because estate sale people often don’t realize mixers come with different attachments — meat grinders, shredders, mayo oil drippers, coffee grinders, ice cream makers, etc. — and just dump misc kitchen gadgets together. So look through the mess and see if anything else goes with your mixer. Do not expect that if a beater is missing you will be able to find one on ebay or at your local hardware store. (Although you will likely be able to find the instructions and cookbook on ebay.)
2. To research mixers, search WACEM (a chat group for those who are addicted to mixers). You can find people to restore your mixer on WACEM also, and at least one guy sells restored mixers.
3. If you fall for something that maybe has a little something wrong with it that could likely be repaired by someone, be cautious: unless you are that someone, you will pay a lot (as much as for a new mixer in many cases) to get it repaired. Also: death by electrocution is not something you ought to flirt with.
I am not a Kitchen Aid person, so don’t know about prices for them, but for a Sunbeam, you would expect to pay between $20 and $50, depending on model and condition. The colored 11s (esp pink, blue or chrome) are pricier. They made a million 11s, so it’s a good model to buy — you can still get (new) beaters and bowls that fit it.
Kate
Thank you, Kate. Now, I neeeeeed one of these!
More great reading from the retro house bloggers I follow on my blogroll:
- Betty Crafter (of fabulous knotty pine kitchen fame) knits herself a Cowichan sweater jacket. So 70s! So 2012! You are supa-cute, Betty, however, you need to learn how to make pretty permalinks, so that the google discovers your talent. Email me, dear, and I will explain.
- Cara over at Our Arts and Crafts House won herself a Shaw HGTV Home rug via the Shaw contest, which she read about on my blog. Doesn’t her new midcentury modern style area rug look great in her dining room?
- Retro Ruth and her blogging team at No Pattern Required are avid, hard-working bloggers. Sara is helping her mom renovate a time capsule condo. They recently got rid of an ancient 1959 heating system and replaced it with a new heat pump. Now, how sexy is that! You go, girls!
- Susan and Eric of Our Modern Mess found an original metal wall divider stored in the basement — and reinstalled it next to the front door. Now they need to repaint it. What color should they choose?
Do you have a house blog that’s not on my list? Let me know so’s I can spotlight your fab projects, too.
I do! I do! Have a house/DIY/design blog… http://www.akadesign.ca
Shannon
Oh, the timing of this post is uncanny, because I was just thinking about going on a hunt for a vintage mixer that would not only be functional, but look cool on my counter in between uses. I know nothing about them, however, so this advice helps. Now I have to make a decision: to hunt, or not to hunt? Hmmmmmm …..
I love Betty Crafter’s sweater! It’s gorgeous. I wish I had the patience to knit. Those are four great blogs that I follow regularly! I especially look forward to Thursdays on No Pattern Required, as Sara posts her mom’s condo renovation updates. It’s so exciting to see progress and it’s coming along beautifully.
Thanks for posting a link to the condo renovation Pam.
I’m glad you are enjoying it (and Jeanne too!), it was SO much work but we had a blast doing it.
I second Kate’s advice. At an estate sale you know why the person is selling. Often, if you can find attachments, they are priced dirt-cheap because people don’t know what they are, or can’t imagine anyone wanting them. I think, if you see a trash bag sitting in the garage, or a Dumpster out front, peak into it. Sometimes the more obscure things get thrown away, and that can include parts. And it never hurts to ask the people running the sale if they might have seen any attachments.
Dumpster divers unite!
Thanks for the info on the stand mixers. I bought a pink Mixmaster awhile back, and might sell it. The website you listed will be a great reference for determining what I have/what might be missing.
Sometimes when you buy a piece of vintage kitchenware like a mixer or canisters (you know the ones that say COFFEE, SUGAR….) you can really brighten up the enamel or chrome with a bit of automotive polishing compound and a soft cloth. I’ve cleaned up some white appliances that looked really yellow and they come out much nicer with this trick. Even plastic or bakelite-type knobs or buttons and even vintage radios can benefit. Have some q-tips on hand to clean up little nooks and crannies. Just stay away from the decals.
I was lucky enough to get my mom’s early ’50s Sunbeam mixer. I grew up with it, learned how to make chocolate chip cookies in it, and have always absolutely loved it. A few years ago it started running hot, to the point that the beaters got hot and affected batter, etc.
After some research, I found a guy in Canada who fixes Sunbeams, and shipped it to him. He refurbished the motor and thoroughly cleaned the exterior. The mixer looked great and runs like brand new again. This was several years ago and I think the total cost—including round trip shipping between Pennsylvania and Canada—was around $130. Well worth it! I expect that old mixer to last another 50 years.
The repair guy was Phil’s Appliance Science in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. I think he’s still in business, but I haven’t needed him since he fixed my Sunbeam.
Pretty sure they made millions of Model 12s, not 11s. The 12 was produced from 1957 thru to 1967 with hardly a change, while the 11 was from 55-56 I believe before they added a speed and changed the body style.
I have a Model 9 and a Model 12 myself – you can change the grease on the gears yourself, instructions can be found in the manuals or online, and you can pop off the speed dial and clean out the backend as well. It usually gets quite full of flour over the years. Both those are easy steps that should improve performance before you ship it off across country.
I’d suggest caution with well-used estate sale mixers. Often use and age have diminished or worn away the laminents on the motor’s rotor assembly. Oil also often migrates to contact parts too. The result is a burning or oily smell when the item is powered up.
Martha Stewart brought back great vintage kitchen colors like turquoise, jade and pink in her Artisan 325-watt KitchenAid mixer line. Everything is new, looks great and runs without issue.
Here’s THE MAN for reconditioned Mixmasters, plus everything you ever wanted to know on the subject but were afraid to ask. Really, there’s not one type of antique appliance that doesn’t have people who are obsessed with them, are experts at reburbishing them, and are members of CLUBS for devotees.
http://www.decodan.com/
Thanks, Dan, great resource!!!
I bought one of those mixers at an estate sale, mainly because it was the same type my mom used years ago. But when I tried using it, it smelled like it was burning. So be cautious when using these older appliances.
I purchased a 65 year old Sunbeam stand mixer for my wife, who does a lot of baking. It’s the same type my grandmother used to use. It works great, and best of all, it’s made in the USA, unlike most stand mixers today.
I feel bad because I haven’t posted anything for weeks but yet I still get a shout out
) I better get my tushy in gear and do something interesting around here. I’ve been anxious to get back into my brother’s new house which has retro goodness from all eras plus some extra appliances which we probably will post to the forums here.
I love vintage mixers and have thus far restrained myself since I know I would just buy one (pink) for looks and I don’t have any sturdy enough or empty shelf space. I currently have a shiny new Kitchenaid which I love how it looks but my $5 estate sale 1970′s Sunbeam I used to have (before a roommate put the beaters in wrong and broke it) was less awkward and worked better…
As for my furnace, it is from the 50′s and I love it because it has a fun streamline look, is strong enough to blow air throughout my 2 story house and is fairly efficient. No worries, we had an inspector, furnace guy and my dad look at it and they all agreed it was in great shape and will probably last a long time. Safety first! If any one of them had been afraid to light it up I would have replaced it in a heartbeat. I grew up all electric and this gas stuff makes me nervous!
Keep up the fun retro work everyone!
Well, welcome back to comment-land, Cara, and GOLD STAR to consulting with licensed professionals, yes: Safety First.
I have a 1968 Sunbeam Mixmaster that my husband purchased for me! I love it! I just used it to make a cake yesterday, as a matter of fact. It runs really well on all speeds, but unfortunately I don’t have any of the extra attachments for it except the basic beaters and the two mixing bowls. Contrary to what the blogger above said, though, I have seen these attachments listed on eBay quite frequently.
Thanks for the mixer post. I have a 50′s sunbeam I bought at my favorite antique shop years back. I used it for a long time and then the switch went out, so I bought a brand new sunbeam and boxed the old one up, promising myself I’d find the information someday to fix it.
Now I’m motivated again!
In the meantime, the new sunbeam died and I got a commercial kitchenaide, but I still want my sunbeam!
Oh, and Betty, that sweater ROCKS!!!! I’m a knitter too, but haven’t tackled anything that big yet.
I have my grandmother’s Hamilton Beach stand mixer and was able to replace the beaters when the originals had an unfortunate accident involving a young neighbor who was learning to bake and didn’t believe her mom about not putting a spoon in the bowl especially when the mixer is borrowed… This was almost 10 years ago so I’m not sure whether the parts are still available, but just thought I’d throw it out there since the discussion has been all Sunbeam so far.
The mixer still runs great, although it is true I only use it a half dozen times a year. I have a food processor and just don’t need a mixer all that often.
I have enjoyed and regularly used my aqua Sunbeam Mixmaster for years and years, even though recently the smaller pyrex bowl broke, and I slightly bent one of the beaters (still useable though!) After some heavy hints I got an aqua Kitchen Aid for Christmas this year and I must say it fits right in with my vintage kitchen and works like a dream.
And thanks for all the kind words about my sweater!
Here’s the link for WACEM
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WACEM/
(it stands for “We Actually Collect Electric Mixers”). One of the best things is, there are PICTURES so you can look and see what kind of attachments your mixer might have. There’s also a site (it’s an angelfire site) that has a whole history of Sunbeam. I can’t remember if it’s DecoDan’s site or someone else’s, but it’s interesting.
And I think that reader up above is right, it’s the 12 they made so many of … to see what model you have, pop the top and the model number is on the underside, where the mixer attaches to the stand. The guy who redid my grandmother’s (which works like a charm now) is the Mixermaster. He did a great job and is in New England and also sells refurbished Mixmasters if you don’t want the angst of the hunt for the perfect one.
Old mixers ARE great! I happen to have two right now and I’m selling one on craigslist if anyone is interested!
https://post.craigslist.org/manage/2820929115
Thanks for the shout-out Pam! It’s always exciting to see someone mentioning our blog. Makes me happy we are doing it.
I agree with all that you said. Good job. I restore and repair vintage Mixmasters on my web site. It is worth the extra money to buy one that has been gone through and had service because they will last another 60-70 years. An estate sale find may work when you buy it, but for how long?
I’m just saying.
http://www.nelsonezy.com is the web site.