A DAY LONG IN COMING: New, retro-style stoves with an authentic vintage look. Big Chill is now taking pre-orders for fall delivery of these 30″ ranges, which run on gas or propane. Eight colors. This stove has a far superior look to all previous attempts, which have been too caricatured, in my opinion. The Big Chills seems to mimic real stoves from back in the day. For example, the backsplash (or whatever you call it) is pretty similar to vintage Magic Chefs, from my recollection. Even at $4,295, I think they should do quite well — not just in the retro renovation market, but among all homeowners. Cozy comfy granny retro will continue to be hot hot hot for years to come, extending deep into the mainstream marketplace, I predict. Many thanks to reader Lisa for sending me this hot off the presses info to share with all! Big Chill website here.
Joni Trojacek says
Great Retro look, but what about a more fashionable “RETRO” price with today’s current economy trend? Apparently, this slump is not effecting the owner’s of The Big Chill. Oh well…
mid.century.girl says
PalmSpringsSteven….we are looking for a modern 60’s gas stove. Please share the companies you’ve discovered that refurbish the originals. We just purchased a white ’65 GE fridge in MINT condition (for a $100!) and need a stove as well. Any suggestions for a source would be greatly appreciated.
pam kueber says
Yes, mid.century.girl,
The Kohler Tahoe sink featured in this bathroom post; there is also a round model: https://retrorenovation.com/2008/02/22/retro-bathroom-sinks-still-available-from-kohler/
And this kitchen post: https://retrorenovation.com/2008/10/08/retro-kitchen-sinks-from-kohler-cast-iron-metal-framed-my-new-1-choice-if-you-are-buying-new/
pam kueber says
FYI, I spoke with the folks at Big Chill yesterday. The stove is not a shell – they designed it and have it made for them with the goal to provide modern performance cooking…the knobs are cast-metal and emulate vintage originals…and the backsplash (or whatever that’s called) emulates Chambers, not Magic Chef as I incorrectly said (I am not a vintage stove spotter quite yet!)
girlhende1 says
Hiya pam!
Did you ever find out if the Big Chill ovens have a self cleaning function? I have been lusting after these appliances for months, but don’t want to call BC myself because I’m nowhere near ready to buy yet. (I don’t even have my own house yet!)
MrsErinD says
I agree with PS Stephan, I would rather have an original, and for that price you could have one fully refurbished!!!
We bought a 1950’s Tappan Deluxe stove for 80 bucks, Hubby is going to refurbish it, yes, you do need to know about the pilot light, and you can get a doohicky to make it safe, there is a website that sells all the parts you could need, I THINK it was antiquestoves.com, I think, there may be another too.
Thankfully Hubby knows how to do all this stuff safely. We have found so many vintage items cheap and have been able to restore them ourselves.
pam kueber says
Another tip for readers if they’re going vintage: Before you buy a vintage gas stove, know whether it features an Automatic Safety Pilot. And, check whether your local code requires it. It is illegal with a capital “I” in my state, for example, to hook up a stove that does not have an automatic safety pilot. A safety/legal issue you need to be knowledgeable about.
Jeff says
I agree that restored originals are best-
I just bought a 1949 Roper 6 burner/double oven/double broiler junior Town & Country model in excellent condition for 150.00.
I am having one of the California companies reporcelain the burner grates and heads to freshen them up, but otherwise it’s a great working gem. This same stove is available at one of the restoration companies for 8200.00!
Keep checking your local craigslist for great gas or electric stoves. If they are properly serviced, there is really not much on them that can go wrong, they’ll last forever.
The old appliance club is a great resource for ordering parts, so if your local stove repair person can’t find parts, this is where to go.
Palm Springs Stephan says
Thanks, Tappan Trailer Tami, for the reference, though I was actually already aware of them. They are already re-porcelaining my range-top grates and burner heads.
I mentioned Sears in my first response, Pam, because they do indeed have some very affordable stoves that will work nicely if someone wants a newly-built “close enough.” And their Kenmore line used to include a very authentic looking refrigerator, though sadly that model line seems to have been discontinued. Sears was actually one of the first to jump on the retro-renovation bandwagon, well over a decade ago.
pam kueber says
Thanks, Stephan. Yes, Sears and JCPenneys – these are always great places to start looking…
pam kueber says
I need to repost this possibility: https://retrorenovation.com/2008/03/25/retro-looking-appliances-at-closer-to-retro-prices-too/
And, Sears makes a 40″ range, with two ovens, that I always thought could do the trick for a retro renovation if someone wants new and is happy with “close enough.”
Finally, I think that Tappan makes a very very basic 40″ model. I don’t know about the quality…with this model, or the Summits….
Genevieve says
Hmmm… I like the overall look and colors, however, I have to say I am very put-off by the nobs. They are so undeniably *now*, and kinda cheapy looking at that. It’s like running the 400 m dash and then deciding to walk the last ten meters. The devil is in the details for me.
I am in the last stages of buying a home and rubbing my hands in anticipation of getting in to the kitchen. The house was built 1941, and the kitchen has what looks like original cabinetry – and a vintage stove (I think it is a Magic Chef? I have a terrible memory) that the original owner had restored before she died – so it’s already been refinished and refurbished quite well. Unfortunately, it also has mis-matched wall paper, linoleum, and Formica counter tops (not from the forties). Ah well, you win some, you lose some.
pam kueber says
Welcome, Genevieve. We’ll all be eager to see pics when you’re in. Good luck with the close!
Tappan Trailer Tami says
Ah, Pam! I bought a 61 GE Pushbutton from the estate of a little old lady – pretty immaculate. I ended up giving it to my mom, and she loves it! They are a great stove, I hope you enjoy yours~
Now, you can all pray for me……since I last posted this afternoon, much has happened. I’m not really ready to tear out my kitchen yet so don’t *really* need a refrigerator just yet….but, a minty all original working 1956 Kelvinator Foodarama has come my way. Oh, how I LOVE these! It isn’t cheap, but then I DID get all of my kitchen cabinets for free…..oh what to do!! I wish someone else could decide for me.
Here is what a Foodarama looks like:
http://tinyurl.com/r654f3