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 –>
Kathy writes:
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!
Lois Corwin says
Unfortunately, we made a hasty and regrettable decision to part with our 1972 GE electric versatronic double oven/range combination when remodeling our kitchen. Am not happy with the new cooktop look that replaced it and would be overjoyed to find my “old one”, in white if possible. (model J896). Any ideas?
pam kueber says
see out story on where to find vintage stoves – use search box or categories. yes,’hasty’ often leads to ‘regrettable’
Debbie says
I found this while searching for a part for my cooktop, which I have yet to look up the serial number on and find out the year, but thought I’d pop over here and share real quick. Hope this helps someone! http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?topic=5825.0
mark says
I own a 1959 Yellow GE Automatic Wall Oven, just like the one pictured on site. I’m having trouble locating model/serial number… I need to replace lower heating element. I did find the following numbers on a metal plate which reads (J720T3YE 38 ZT080482A) but, when I search I receive a “NO RESULTS FOUND” Any suggestions?
pam kueber says
mark, I think you need to communicate with the TOAC on their site… good luck
Joe Crawley says
We have the identical unit in our home and it still works and I have ordered parts in the past to keep it running. It’s performance is outstanding.
Mary Roberts says
Oh Kathy…you have no idea how much you helped me! We bought a vintage Westinghouse Wall Oven at a garage sale that fell in love with. It looked perfect! We were crushed to find out the elements were burned out after a service company checked it out for us. This meant we could not use the unit since there were no parts to be had anywhere! We went back to the people we purchased it from just to ask if they tried to get the elements. It was their mom’s and after checking with her, that was the reason she sold it. I happened to stop by this wonderful web site (big thank you Pam) and saw your inspiring pictures and information. We did contact The Old Appliance Club on the web. They made brand new elements for us and our Westinghouse oven is up and running again like the day it was manufactured. You and Pam get all the credit. We had no idea where to turn until we read your story. This is the best, best site on the web. I’m so HAPPY! 🙂 THANK YOU!!!!!!!
Annette Lamoreaux says
Oops. Obviously that should have been ” we bought” from the original owner.
Annette Lamoreaux says
I love this yellow kitchen. I recently moved into a 1965 mid-century atomic ranch in Houston from the original owner – it is not quite a time capsule house, but has most of the original stuff and your blog has been super helpful already. We have an original Hotpoint stainless steel wall oven which cooks perfectly, but the timer/clock doesn’t work. Online I found a website called http://www.appliancetimers.com which will repair the timer if I ship it to them after removing it from the oven. I was wondering if any of your readers have experience with them? I did a search and didn’t find anything. Thanks!
pam kueber says
Jamie, why don’t you try The Old Appliance Club and see what they suggest? You can also try Rust-Oleum, they have great customer service and might have an answer for you. Good luck.
natalie says
i’ve got the same cabinets and knobs in my kitchen!
Kathy says
Natalie, I actually replaced mine with something smaller and “antiqued” brass look to try to go more country years ago. Thank goodness I saved all the original knobs because the new knobs kept falling apart and the screws were not as long so the knobs would pull off when you tried to open the cupboard doors! 🙂 I cleaned all the old knobs and put all 60 of them back and haven’t had a problem since.
They kind of remind me of flying saucers. I wonder if anyone knows if this style of knob has a name?
Jana (Berniecat) says
Kathy,
I am not sure if the style of the knob has a name (in a May 2011 RR posting, they are referred to as the “radar dish” knobs). https://retrorenovation.com/2011/05/17/inexpensive-hardware-for-1950s-and-1960s-kitchen-cabinets/
I know that Amerock made the same style of cabinet knob in various sizes as part of their Stratoline series in the 50’s & 60’s . You can see a picture of the catalog from 1952 at: http://www.stantheoldhardwareman.com/images/catalogs/scan0058_amerock213_cover_600.jpg.
pam kueber says
Yes, I mentioned these in my Comment — I like them with the diamond backplate…http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/dish-star-backplate?category_id=4dfa4a8e9a866569d700000c
Jeff says
Wow, gotta love Kathy’s kitchen! I have a turquoise version of this kitchen and love it. Don’t know how anyone buying a home with a kitchen such as Kathy’s could even think of altering it in any measurable way. It must drive Lowes and Home Depot crazy to see these things, but too bad!
Kathy says
Well, Jeff, I’m learning to love the kitchen I’ve got as long as it is functioning fine. I hope to someday un-do the fake wood-look counter tops that went in sometime in the 80’s before we bought the place. Been learning about what might be a nice retro look (white w/gold flecks, or pale yellow). Wood cabinets and wood-look counter tops don’t thrill me. Oh well.
The flooring has seen better days too. Starting to come apart at the edges. Maybe when the kids are out of college!!!
Jeff says
Kathy, definitely a yellow, or yellow / white combo countertop with stainless edging would really pick it up.
Flooring in a neat vintage looking linoleum or cork would be great.
I installed cork and it’s been the best thing- having the dropsies as I do, things don’t break! It also stays warm in cold weather.
The original floor was cork under six layers I pulled up, sub floor as well. Now it looks as it did when new. Best of luck!