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!
Kathy Anderson says
Please help,
I’m hunting for parts for a Vintage 1920 Roper stove. It’s in very good condition. I need a part that controls the pilot burner. I’m not sure what type of control it needs. I would also like to replace the springs for the over doors. I’m also looking for an users manual of sorts. I want to be able to cook on this stove so I hunting for specifications like how many inches from the walls, does it need a stove pipe venting it to outside many other questions.
Thank-you to anyone that can offer me information!
Kathy
lee wright says
I have an original 1937 Kallamazoo stove. I has bubble glass window. large chrome handles and the ring that comes up for a stock pot. Do you know of anywhere that buys this sort of stove? Any help would be appreciated. I also am looking for some original vinyl for my 1950-1960′ kitchen table. It is dark green and soft gray w/the swirls. I can not find the vinyl.
lori says
We found an old apartment size Caloric stove/oven and would like to put in or retro fit in new propane parts. We need all piping and burners any help is appreciated
pam kueber says
lori, contact the sources listed in this story
Connie says
We have a vintage refrigerator and stove I would like to sell. What site do you recommend I post them on?
pam kueber says
craigslist
Donald Rye says
I recently saved a 1948 GM Frigidaire Refrigerator from being scrapped and would like to restore it. One item I am having trouble finding is the door handle. The latch on the side is there but the handle was removed years ago I’m told because of the fear of children getting locked inside. I’ve searched the internet, EBay and Craig’s list with no success. Does anyone know where I might find one? Antique Appliances said they don’t deal in those kind of parts. Any help will be appreciated.
Liz lanz says
Help! We have an early 60s Fridgidare double wall oven, house built in 1962and it is original. Size configuration prevents replacement without taking out cabinetry. Wiring issue rendered clock and timer inoperable years ago. Now oven temperature is way off (25 degrees), I believe due to door installation in need of repairs. Anyone available in Portland, Or.area to bring it back to it’s heyday. I would even go through the agony of cleaning it if new life were possible. ThNks
pam kueber says
Liz, you need to check with the resources listed in this article… also see our story on where to buy vintage stoves – one of those places may be able to help. Use Search box to get to article. Good luck.
Debbie Eden says
We have a 1964 airsream globetrotter trailor and we are trying to find someone to restore the stove/ oven it’s a magic chef
pam kueber says
Debbie, please refer to all the resources listed in this story, and you can also look here — https://retrorenovation.com/2011/11/04/13-places-to-buy-restored-vintage-stoves/
Bill says
Hi,
i been trying to find information on a older GE electric stove. I browsed through your page where you had pics of older stoves. I saw the exact stove pictured there that I own. I tried to contact manufacture and they could not tell me the year of stove. I think the stove is from the 50’s i have. I would like to find out the year.
Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thank,
Bill
pam kueber says
Bill, read this story – there are suggestions on Forums that may be able to help with this question. Good luck!
Debbie Altman says
Bill,
Perhaps this page will help you? http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?topic=5825.0
Good luck!
Debbie
JANTY YATES says
Please could anyone help?
I am Resident in the UK & own a O’Keefe & Merritt 4 ring, 4 oven Vintage Cooker. I Bought it in the States 20 years ago & shipped it to Britain & installed it in my London home
I now need it renovated.
Can anyone help me locate a Vintage Renovator in the UK?
Jay
jessica says
I was wondering if anyone knew where to sell my GE double wall oven. I’m not sure about the year. Maybe a 1950s-60s model. Its really cool looking I think. It has a copper brown enamel glaze on the doors with chrome around it all. It works great but like many others my kitchen is in dire need of an update (its really u*** [edited]… trust me!) Hopefully someone knows where to take it before my husband tries to take it and dump it.
pam kueber says
See our FAQs up in the navigation, jessica. We have a “where to buy” story – to sell, just consider the instructions in reverse. Good luck.
Kathy King says
Where are you located? My daughter goes to Vassar in the north east and lives in Noyes which is on the national register…from the same time period. The are looking for a replacement oven in the main student kitchen.
Kathy King says
Please get in touch…