Yes, it can be done: You can get replacement parts for your vintage stoves, ovens, ranges and other old appliances. Kathy did it — using a resource that readers pointed out here on the blog. Oh, and so cool: Kathy’s kitchen was originally used by a professional cook in the Betty Crocker Test Kitchens! Continue on for Kathy’s happy ending story –>
I just wanted to say thanks for such a great web-site. I was able to get the broiler parts for my original with the house, yellow 1959 GE wall oven that the local Service Plus plan (through local gas company Center Point Energy) repairman said they “couldn’t” get anymore. I found your mention of The Old Appliance Club, and they hunted down the parts twice! I didn’t order soon enough the first time.
Gets better! My repairman said since they told me the parts were not available the first time they came out, they would REIMBURSE me. Wow! Saved $150.I was really happy to keep my oven and cook-top since they are great, original, and the original owner was a professional cook in the Betty Crocker test kitchens in Golden Valley, MN at General Mills near my home. They have some history connection.
My broiler works great. Only cost me the monthly svc fee of $17.50 and I don’t have to remodel and get new appliances. I got an estimate on the remodel. Minimum of $1,500 and then buy the appliances to boot. Thanks again. I’m hooked now that I know I can do this! On to the teal bathroom! (The pink bathroom is in the basement.) 🙂
One happy girl!
Way to go, Kathy. And thank you, The Old Appliance Club!
Steph says
Out of curiosity, what’s the thought on energy efficiency? I love the look of retro appliances, but I’d also like to be energy conscious. It’s probably not a huge issue with stoves, but refrigerators? Eep!
pam kueber says
We have had big discussions about this in the past. Put an electric meter on your fridge. That is the only way that you can see how much electricity it really uses. You can then compare this number with new fridges and make an informed choice based on the facts. See this story for an excellent discussion: http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/choosing-energy-efficient-refrigerator?utm_source=email&utm_medium=eletter&utm_term=energy-efficiency&utm_content=20120523-energy-efficient-refridgerator&utm_campaign=green-building-advisor-eletter
judy h. says
Hey! I have a wall oven and range top just like this! Mine is a few years older, but still works fabulously! Never have had to have it repaired. But, (don’t be jealous)mine is a double oven!!
Kathy says
Just when you think you are the only one out there dealing with these old appliances you find lots of new friends who appreciate them too!
Chutti says
Great kitchen-and yes, it looks like you can actually use everything-Yay!
Lived in and loved is the best.
I had neighbors that had a similar oven to yours growing up. Does the broiler rest right in the top? So you could put a rack down low and broil something really tall?
I can’t do that with my glorious 1930s gas oven.
I long to make a childhood favorite cake we used to make at neighbors house….Orange Sody Pop Cake with Cornflake Frosting. You cream butter and brown sugar, then mix it up with smashed cornflakes. Pat this all over your nice orange cake, pop it under that tall broiler and….
3 minutes later you have this amazing crunchy caramelized delight.
Miss those.
Can’t make it in a non Mid Century oven!
Kathy says
Chutti, that does sound yummy!
Kathy says
Chutti, oh, and yes the broiler is a coil in a metal pan that slides into the top of the oven and plugs into the back wall.
Jana (Berniecat) says
Kathy,
You have a wonderful kitchen! So bright and cheerful and those cabinets are awesome! I am so glad your commitment to keep & fix the original appliances was so richly rewarded! I have all vintage appliances in my kitchen and utility room (a 1949 Coldspot refrigerator, a 1969 Avocado green Coldspot and a 1955 Westinghouse electric stove). They aren’t matched perfectly, but they all work great and I wouldn’t trade them for the world! You can see my appliances in a 2011 Retro Renovation post: (Readers and Their Kitchens) https://retrorenovation.com/2011/05/03/janas-cheerful-yellow-red-and-white-kitchen-a 1268-delight/
Is that a pocket door I spy just past the refrigerator? Love it! Just like we had in our kitchen when I was a kid. Congratulations on a beautiful kitchen and that gorgeous oven and cook top!
Kathy says
Jana, I’ve seen the article on your cheery yellow kitchen! It inspired me to love the kitchen I have and just play up the retro-ness instead of fighting it trying to go country or primitive etc. I never get tired of yellow!
Kathy says
P.S. yes, that is a pocket door. I had one growing up too!
Susie says
I’m so in love with those cabinets. Exactly what I imagine in my future kitchen.
Elaine says
I have that same tablecloth with the yellow roses, nice to see it in your beautiful yellow kitchen! I don’t have a table it will fit on but can’t give it up. I have one with red roses too.
As for the Old Appliance Club, I am going to join up and see if they can scare up parts for my wall oven. It is newer with digital panel, maybe early 90s, but I am told some parts are not available. Same problem with my 1980 ish Jennaire cooktop, parts not available to fix the timer or replace damaged knob. Great strategy to get us to buy a new one, right?
Kathy says
Elaine, yes contact Old Appliance Club. They have contacts and search warehouses all over the country. Their web site explains how to request parts with mdl/serial number, photo of broken parts etc. They are also very helpful on the phone. I’m sure they would be happy to try to help you!
ChrisH says
What a beautiful cheerful kitchen!
Jane / MulchMaid says
You are singing my song!!! I just had my original 1956 Thermador stainless steel wall oven fixed by a local company here in Portland. Luckily, they found a replacement element and points but they are getting harder and harder to find. We were so despondent thinking we needed to find a replacement, not to mention the extensive remodeling that would have been necessary. You can see a picture of my beautiful oven in this Retro-Renovation post from 2009: https://retrorenovation.com/2009/03/06/janes-1956-retro-renovation-kitchen/
Way to go, Kathy – your kitchen is gorgeous!
tenny says
i ADORE mid-century wall ovens ………
there’s just something about them.
🙂
Brian T says
That brings back memories — I grew up in a kitchen that had this wall oven in aqua, with another one above it that had the window. The same stove top too, and aqua formica. Looking at the control panel, I get the sense memory of how, when the timer was done, it would buzz continuously until you clicked it to zero — haven’t thought of that in decades.