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!
Linda says
We have a 1958 house with a 1958 Westinghouse Electric Oven with a thermostat that stopped working. Toac does not have the part. Who rebuilds thermostats?
I bake 750 cookies each month for the local commodities, and love this oven.
pam kueber says
I do not know the answer to this.
Kathy T says
Sadly Toaster Central will no longer work on old Waffle irons. If you know of someone else let me know. I have a brand new Twin -O-Matic that needs rewiring to modern code. Other than the wiring being dated the thing is immaculate. I am afraid to use it without modern wiring.
pam kueber says
I do not know, Kathy…
James says
I have a older 1953 Tappen model TV 63X16 natural gas stove in MINT condition trying to convert it to LP/Propane
Can’t seem to find anyone who knows how this can be done.
pam kueber says
James, consult directly with the resources profiled in this story… Good luck.
Bobbie says
James, I have several vintage gas stoves in various stages of restoration. I got hooked after the first one. It can be difficult to find someone near to work on them. I have converted mine to use propane and it is usually simpler than on a modern stove. Propane burns hotter than natural gas and the orifices where the gas comes out at each control knob need to be smaller. My stoves are late 1940’s and older and the orifices behind the knobs are adjustable to get the right size flame. (newer stoves are different) The air /gas ratio also must be adjusted to get the right color flame. These adjustments are very simple. The technicians at your propane supplier may be able to make the adjustments for you. Especially if they have been in the business for a long time. Good luck!
Birgitte says
Our house came with a working Hotpoint electric range and oven. How do I date it and find a user manual for it? It is self-cleaning with a window on the top right oven door, and stylewise looks to be about mid-60s. I have tried googling and searching your site but I need a photo in order to identify it.
pam kueber says
Consult the resources identified in this story
Megan says
We have a kitchen of St. Charles cabinets that we plan to refinish and use when we renovate later this year but when we redesign the layout I think we will need a lot more. Any ideas where to find some to purchase? Thanks!
pam kueber says
craigslist – try using a utility like searchtempest to search a larger expanse.
kathy says
We have some Kenmore mint appliances from the 50’s and are wondering if they can be used somewhere. They have hardly been used. We have two ovens and a stove top. We are renovating and don’t want to throw them out. I can send pictures if you would like
Thanks Kathy
pam kueber says
Kathy, you can list these on craigslist, ebay and/or on our buy/sell forum: https://retrorenovation.com/forums
Good luck.
Rachel Rojas says
I recently purchased a 1959 home with the original wall oven but it does not get hot. I really want to keep it but need a repair man that works on older appliances in San Bernardino area.
pam kueber says
Rachel, check the resources outlined in this story. Good luck.
Candi says
Looking for someone to clean an O’Keeffe Merritt 1950’s Gas Stove in Houston TX area.
Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
pam kueber says
Bob, we do not do valuations here.
Joanne says
Does anyone have referrals for small vintage appliance repair for a “greaseless donut machine” or known as a brown bobby machine.
It scan be shipped so location is not an issue.
Joanne