Vintage stoves will always have a very special place in my heart, because the first story I ever wrote about homes was about vintage stoves, for the (now defunct) Ann Arbor News in 1995. My neighbor Dave had salvaged a 1940s Magic Chef from his grandmother’s barn and sent it to Macy’s Texas Stove Works for restoration. My story was about why folks were starting to treasure vintage stoves — and where you could buy them. Hey, even then, 17 years ago (gulp) I was all about the where-to-get-the-stuff and where-to-get-it-restored. Do you think that after all this time I ended up right where I should be — writing this blog? I think so! Last uploader, when readers shared 234 pictures of their vintage small appliances, readers also asked to share their vintage large appliances. Above: A photo that came in early from reader JoAnn. Pretty!
This uploader is now closed — check out the 208 photos that readers submitted — they’re pretty darn amazing!
Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… move forward or back via arrows below the photo… you can start or stop at any image:
Want to buy a vintage stove? See this story – 26 places to buy restored vintage stoves. Or, do you want help finding parts, service or advice to fix old stoves and appliances? See this popular story (click photo to get there):
Debra K says
We own a Tappan 400 as in image 18 above that is (I believe) in working condition but not in perfect (or clean) condition. We recently bought a house with a fairly ‘vintage’ kitchen and had the tappan replaced with a range closer to our needs. Any ideas where we could sell this?
pam kueber says
craigslist
Terry Dooley says
I also have a Tappan 400. With the rotisserie on the left. With a smaller oven on the right. Mine is in mint condition. The oven was never used. All she ever used was the far right burner. I’m trying to sell mine too.651-352-7372
pam kueber says
please take these over to our buy/sell forum https://retrorenovation.com/forums/
no buying/selling here on the main blog or it becomes chaos
i will delete this thread momentarily
Jacob Hecksel says
Hi there! A friend of mine gave me this link to see if anyone could help me find information on a Roper “Charm” stove and oven. My wife and I recently bought a house that was a Parade of Home house in the 1960’s. The house still have a lot of antiques to it like lights, stonewall fireplace, real hardwood floors and a Roper “Charm” stove. I have looked pretty much anywhere and everywhere that I could google and I have come up short on infomation and and any pictures that come close to it. Any information would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
Tyler says
I believe the appliances in my 1957 knotty pine kitchen were replaced in the 1970s. The current appliances are a 27″ gas wall oven and a matching 4 burner stove both in bisque and produced by Caloric. The original stove had separate knobs that mounted to the front of the lower cabinets just below the countertop. When the cooktop was replaced, they slapped a false drawer over the holes. It drives me crazy because the false drawer is off center and is a completely different color than the rest of the cabinetry. Are there any companies that manufacture cooktops with front of cabinet knobs like this? Also most of the wall ovens that I find that are small enough to fit my space are electric. Any suggestions?
Tyler says
I’m needing something like picture 156 of 208 above
Gerry Boucher says
My brother wanted a gas wall oven but was told they do not make them anymore, only electric
Sandy says
They DO make gas wall ovens but they are larger than the comparable electric ovens because they have to make room for the separate broiler at the bottom. I was having my cabinets refinished at the time so carpenter took off the cabinet door, cut it down and turned it into a drawer instead. Is it worth it to your brother to pay for custom cabinet work?
karen says
I have an old frigidaire side by side double oven that I have had for years. I really do not want to part with it. I am told that I need a thermostate for the oven on the right side and can not locate one. The model # is RCD71L and the Serial # is 62C022090 or an alternate that can be used. Please help!!!!!!!! Thank you
pam kueber says
Try this story, Karen: https://retrorenovation.com/2011/08/29/parts-service-and-advice-to-fix-old-stoves-and-other-vintage-appliances-a-list-of-9-online-resources/
Celeste says
I am renovating my first home, and as a student/artist/counter of pennies I am on a serious budget. But I have an old house and I refuse to get new appliances and ruin it. So, I have some questions about mid-century refrigerators. I love them, and a quick search found several working models that I love on craigslist. (One is $60!) My question is about functionality and utilities costs. I know they cost more to run – but how much more? If its a matter of a few bucks, the charm is worth it, but obviously I can’t break the bank for aesthetics. It seems like lots of tight-budget people on this site have old fridges… how can I make it happen in mine?
pam kueber says
Big discussion on another post about energy costs. If there is no auto-defrost, energy to run the fridge may be less than you think. It’s auto defrost that was the big energy suck in the vintage fridges that, earlier on, featured it. The only way to know for sure: Get an electricity meter and put it on the fridge. Also, read this, from my favorite writer on home & energy issues: http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/choosing-energy-efficient-refrigerator
PAtrick Coffey says
I wish people would stop perpetuating the myth that all vintage fridges cost more to run the the modern pieces of junk that manufacturers and our government foist on us, the buying public, today. As I stated in a previous post, the only time vintage fridges are less efficient than modern ones is when you have a vintage fridge that has a fan to push the cold air around the food (Westinghouse introduced that in 1958 as the Cold Injector) and/or frost free models that use electric heaters to keep themselves frost free. The fan and defrost heaters in the early units are what make them less energy efficient and the fan also makes the fridges noisier and make the condenser coils get dusty quicker as well which also makes the unit run longer. Basically if you stick to a model with condenser coils on the back of the fridge the and that have the cooling coils in the ceiling of the fresh food compartment (models prior to 1958-60) you will have a very quiet and economical fridge. Oh and btw I speak from the experience of having had a pink 1957 GE Fridge in my kitchen for over a year now and my electric bill has gone down noticeably even with the addition of a small manual defrost chest freezer to my kitchen.
Pat says
I didn’t even know you were collecting pics, darn, I have a gorgeous stove that I use every day. Sure was fun looking at all the pics.
Ann-Marie Meyers says
I really think if we all are patient, and keep our eyes and ears open, eventually we all luck out and get the appliances of our dreams. At least, I hope so.
It has worked out for me in the furniture department. It’s gotta work for appliances sooner or later.
Now, I just have to sell my poor little (former) dream home in Wisconsin, my mid century split level, in The Town Where Mid Century Went to DIE. In other words, where no one appreciates it.
Diane in CO says
Ann-Marie, which town in WI is it?
DonnR says
philq, same problem here…didn’t get my act together fast enough to upload my 1947 GE. But it’s still great to see so many other folks saving and appreciating the old appliances. I had to let go of my beloved 1947 O’Keefe & Merritt but am now on the lookout for a late 50s/60s wall oven/cooktop combo.
philq says
Closed. Rats! I so wanted to post a pic of my 1957 GE Combination wall refrigerator…
nina462 says
I’m in love with them all. My sister wants my black appliances (flat top range & fridge) – I’d be so glad to give them to her, if I could only get replacements like those pictures. I always wonder what my kitchen would look like with white appliances – as the black ones came with the house. Brand new – but ugh! Thanks for brightening my day everyone 🙂
Meanwhile – I talked with an old tv guy today – and he does indeed put new tvs into old cabinets!