Elizabeth’s first entry in the Found Objects Found Art contest.
Elizabeth writes:
Hi Pam,
This is … the user manual for my 1967 GE 40″ range. I picked this object because the idea of “how people lived in your house” resonated with me and this certainly relates to that notion as I FOUND it in a manila envelope full of instruction materials left by the people I bought the house from. And, it is invaluable to me as I live in this house.
As you will see, it had been lovingly tended by the previous owners. By my estimation that would be the people I bought from as well as the original owners of this house. The house was built in 1946 and my research into
the age of the range — called GE and finally found a nice young man who knew to go into the microfiche files. First he determined it was not from 1946 and then found it was a 1967 product. Since the house passed to the second owners in 1986, this would seem to be the second stove purchased by the original owners and if so it has now lived twice as long as the first one did, as has its User Manual.(This) picture … is the outside of this manual as I found it — covered in aluminum foil. The foil is what is holding it together and I have never dared to remove it for fear I would not be able to get it, or new, back on. So, I have yet to see the actual cover. Picture 2 (top photo) is the inside cover. On the left is the table of contents (hidden by foil) and the list of features for the ranges. Right side shows the 40″ inch, which I have, and the smaller 30″ version.(Another) picture … shows the two pages devoted to the Sensi-Temp burner, located on the front left. Similar detailed instructions are included for every feature as well as many pages devoted to cleaning.
This booklet is 30 pages long and has so much information. Before buying this range and house, I had never used an electric stove. If this book had not been available I don’t know what I would have done — probably not the quality of cooking and baking I was used to, and which I can manage to produce most of the time with this stove, although not all the time, I have to admit.
Anyway, I remember that your range is similar and if you did not get a good user manual when you bought it from the fellow in Troy, and would like me to copy this one, just let me know. BTW, the fellow in Troy seems to be gone. I tried to call to see if he would be someone who could keep mine going and could not find him. And, the website given in the Berkshire Living article also is no long a way to find him. Makes me very sad as I want to keep this one going forever, if I can.
Elizabeth
Liz says
Is the GE Sensi-Temp stove manual published anywhere? My Sensi-Temp element works wonderfully at times, but most often does not come on at all. The control which is supposed to regulate the temp just spins ’round and ’round. The correct sized pan with a very flat bottom seems to help, usually. I want to keep this stove! Thanks for any help.
pam kueber says
See Kitchens / Appliances category for our list of nine online resources. This also is in FAQs / Appliances
Danyelle says
Hi
I have a 1962 GE 40″ range with pristine manual – the ovens don’t seem to be heating properly and our “trick” for making sensi-temp work is to start with the 8″ burner on high and lower it once the burner is on. Starting with the burner on low and gradually turning up doesn’t work, nor does removing the pan from the burner. Finicky.
I’ve just been poking around trying to find out what part needs to be replaced to fix the ovens — maybe not the elements as I originally guessed.
I’m happy to scan my manual to PDF and post on an FTP site if you like.
Let me know.
D
pam kueber says
Hi Danyelle, try this story: https://retrorenovation.com/2011/10/03/finish-what-you-started-monday-weigh-in/
Good luck.
Monica Henson says
By chance did you post the PDF of the manual. I have this lovely range… but I am down to one (back right) burner. I would sure love to get a copy so that I can get the parts and learn how to turn on the light! You have no idea how difficult it is to cook for a large family on a mini oven and one burner. I’ve learned to be creative…
pam kueber says
nope – sorry. see my other posts on appliances, there is one with links to lots of resources. good luck.
Brenda Heard says
Dear Danyelle, I am very interested in your Manual for the 1962 GE 40? range. Have you yet posted it on a website? … [edited]
pam kueber says
guys: take this over to the Forum, pls. I would really like to not have buying/selling/email addresses etc here on the main blog. https://retrorenovation.com/forums is where exchanges should take place. good luck!
Dorothy says
Greetings Danyelle!
I have the 30″ Sensi-temp model and would also love a copy of your manual. Have you posted it anywhere in the 3 years since your original post? If you reply here, I’ll receive an e-mail update. Thanks so much!
Dorothy says
Ooops, Elizabethe or Pam. Was this manual ever posted anywhere? If so, would you mind providing a link? The manual is not readily available online. Thanks!
Lisa Hope says
I would love a copy too. I have this stove and love it. The sensi-temp burner doesn’t work and I am having an extremely difficult time getting it fixed. Maybe this will help some clever repairman.
Thanks
Brenda Heard says
Dear Elizabeth, I just happened upon this site while looking for the manual for my 1967 GE 40″ Range. This is simply terrific, as this is the exact stove that I have owned for over 5 years now. I bought it at an auction. Everything is in perfect condition, and I use the stove daily. I have contacted GE…but they have said by my discription that the stove is 1963. now that I see the picture on your manual I believe that it is in fact the 1967 model. My original guess was that it was pre-1966. Is there by chance a way for me to recieve a copy of your manual as well? Desperate in Ohio.
catherine says
I am currently problem solving the Sensi-Ttemp issue with the front burner, already replaced the transformer, now am looking for parts. I would love to have a copy of the owners manual, as this is one cool stove!
I will post my findings as I go along.
George says
I have this GE 40″ Range with the double oven and the “Sensi-Temp” front burner. Everything works great except the “Sensi-Temp” burner, any suggestions anyone?
Branik says
I have the same 40 inch stove as pictured, though not sure of its exact year of manufacture. It has the sensi-temp burner which just tonight burned out (hence why I am googling it) and a thermometer in the large oven with the readout on the backsplash. Very fancy stove really.
I grew up with an older white GE 40 inch with fewer features (my grandmother’s). I searched for one like it because I just loved the small oven and the workspace and finally I got this one from my other grandmother’s estate when she passed away (they were desperate for someone to haul it away). I remember the first time the buzzer sounded it was just like going back home.
I wouldn’t trade it for anything, but I sure wish they’d had the owner’s manual with it!
Joyce says
I own a 40 inch stove just like this. I would love a copy of the owners manual
Alison Hover says
Hi there. We just bought our first home, it was a 1950 house they built themselves, and we bought it from the daughters. It came equipped with an old GE stove, that looks like it might be the 1967 40″ version, but I can’t seem to figure out which year it actually is. I can’t find anything on it, to learn how to use the controls, and I’m thinking maybe this would sure help. I would LOVE a copy of the book. There’s nothing wrong with our stove, and we would hate to get rid of it, since it’s been in the house forever, not to mention it looks so good. Please contact me at hubbnal@verizon.net if you are interested. Thank you so much. Alison, California
Jeanne says
That’s great. I have the manual to my 1963 Philco “galaxie” electric range. I’ve used it quite a bit, just to figure out how all the parts come apart for cleaning.