Jacqueline and hubby Glen have tracked down some impressive vintage goodies on Craigslist in the past — but their latest find really struck gold — Harvest Gold, that is. When the couple needed to replace the selectively operational 27 inch GE stove in their new 1972 ranch home, they thought they had found an almond-colored replacement. However, after some detective work and a bottle of Citristrip, it turned out their kitchen had a colorful new treasure.
Jacqueline writes:
Hi Pam! I’ve written in before about my thrifty turquoise appliance finds and my brown 40 inch GE stove that I needed help identifying the color name.
A lot of changes in Glen’s and my life since then — we moved into a darling 1972 ranch home in Arizona. We still own our other home that is pretty small, and it is being rented by my son now. My husband likes his space, and now that we are in here, I do too!
We went from just under 1,100 sq. ft. to almost 1,700, which is nice, and we have the added bonus of a swimming pool, great for the weather around here!
My story today is that even though I absolutely love the turquoise appliances that we collected to be put into a new house that we found, it wasn’t in the cards. They will be installed in the little house. Our new kitchen won’t accommodate them and I really don’t see the necessity in re-doing a perfectly fine kitchen for that reason. So, my DH (he really is dear) has been on the hunt for 70’s appliances, ever since we moved in.
We found out that in this big old kitchen, our stove opening is only 27 inches. The original 27 inch space-maker had been replaced at some point we believe, and an almond 27 inch updated GE put in its place. We had problems with the almond one — it was giving me fits — so we started looking for the replacement with more haste. Ha! Try and find a 27 inch space-maker. No appliance makers other than GE manufacture them, and to be honest we were at the end of our rope, the new ones are $1,300-$1,400!! AND I didn’t really want “new.”
Glen was on Craigslist, (his favorite past time) and showed me an ad for a free 27 inch stove in Phoenix, that said: “Remodeling, works great, don’t want it” (you know how they go.)
He called, made arrangements to get it the next afternoon, and brought it home. It’s almond…but the guy said it was a 1972?? (Same year as the house) I was puzzled, and so was Glen. It’s a P7 top of the line according to the model and serial numbers, but almond? Hmmm…
We got it inside and it looked like someone had patched a spot on the front with a badly matched porcelain paint. I rubbed at it a little and almond paint started to come off a bit. HOLY COW, I realized right then we had a stove from the early 70’s, that had been painted almond. We both looked at each other…..our stove was GE Harvest underneath all that almond!
I researched online to try to remove the paint, not a lot of info, but I remembered a post from your site, that some folks had used Citristrip to remove old paint from their bathtub and toilet in their vintage mobile home. They live close to us in Arizona, that is why I had their posting firmly in my mind!
[Precautionary Pam reminds that old paint may contain lead — be sure to consult with a properly licensed professional to assess what you have so you can make informed decisions. For more info see our Be Safe/Renovate Safe page here.]
Just finished this endeavor this morning, did the top yesterday, and the door this morning.
Oh Pam it is beautiful — and I am so happy to send you this and let you know how it turned out. It is perfect, no abrasions from sandpaper, it looks like it just came out of the GE carton. It shines, it’s full of chrome, and it is amazing. It was actually pretty easy, That stripping gel works so well (I’m so glad it wasn’t roughed up before they painted it.) We brought her back to her old self!
We do not have a Harvest gold fridge, and as you can see we are dealing with a black fridge, and a black dishwasher. Could be that is a quest for Glen..he is always looking!
The floors are a light VCT, we had it installed before we moved in… I love it, it’s Armstrong Imperial Texture, “Pebble Tan.” The walls are painted with Valspar Satin low VOC “Imagine.” I love the pinky orange color, it may not come through that well in those pictures.
I am in the process of painting the cabinets too, you can see the bare wood under the stove area but it’s not horrible, It’s just a little at a time. I have a few done which don’t show in the pictures, they are a little more white than the others — Sherwin Williams “Creamy.”
Here is a shot of our Whirlpool Laundry pair. We have grown fond of this color for sure!
I also included a picture of our “Roxy” She reminds me so much of Kate’s puppy! Only she is much older than he and kinda grouchy..it’s just age!
Thank you for ALL your time and energy that you and Kate put into helping us through our projects, and all the good advice.
Wow Jacqueline and Glen, not only did you guys save a bundle ($1,400) sourcing a stove for free on Craigslist, but kudos to you for restoring this stove to its former glory. Mega thanks for sharing your success story with us.
Read more about Harvest Gold —
our 2014 Retro Renovation color of the year
.
la573 says
I found an even earlier ’60s-looking turquoise one of these at an independent appliance shop that refurbishes old appliances and resells them. The chromey pushbutton control panel was in front on this one which gave it an even more retro look – there was no back panel on this one. Jacqueline is correct, only GE ever made these 27″w drop-in stoves (meaning a single piece oven and stovetop that sits in a cabinet toekick, not on the floor as usual).
I’ve had to update kitchens with these, and while the new GE 27-inchers are only available in white and black (and aren’t as nice as the older ones), 27″ separate ovens are commonplace from many manufacturers, and 27″ cooktops, while less common, still offer many good choices. You’ll need to fill the space between them with some improvised trim pieces that match either the appliances or the cabinets. It’s easier if you’re also replacing the countertop.
Ginger Beene says
I admire your job. Have a question did you or do you know how to find a manual for using the self cleaning. Can’t find one on internet
Thank you
Mary Elizabeth says
Here’s another source for trouble shooting. Go to appliantology.org and search for your problem in there. There is one string by a guy whose oven wouldn’t unlock after his 2-year-old locked it in the clean cycle. The things he tried are almost hilarious, but he got it unlocked finally.
As I said in another post (which is being checked out before it appears, because there is a link), the problem may be that the clean cycle button is on, or the timer is broken and left in clean cycle mode. Locked latches usually have to do with the clean cycle.
Mary Elizabeth says
This link will get you to a website for free online manuals for GE ovens. Even if you don’t have a model number, you could look up the directions on other ovens and see how the latch release works. You can look at the trouble shooting sections of several manuals and see if your exact problem comes up.
http://kitchen.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/ge_appliances/164d2966p126.html?p=2
One problem with oven latches is that they latch when you set the controls on clean and then set a timer. They won’t release until the time is up on the clean cycle and the oven has cooled off. If for some reason the timer isn’t functioning, it may still be set on the clean mode, even if the oven is off.
Hope you find the information you are looking for and are able to unlock the oven before Thanksgiving! Have a good one.
Matthew says
Hello,
I was wondering if you know your GE cooktop/oven model number and other information? My parents have a slightly newer version of your restored oven. Their oven door latch will not move from the locked position and, of course, the model information is on the inside of the oven. I would greatly appreciate this information so I can fix the problem before Thanksgiving!
Matthew
pam kueber says
Matthew, see our list of resources for help with vintage appliances in Kitchen Help / Appliances & Accessories subcategory. It’s right at the top in the first feature box
nina462 says
I went to an estate sale yesterday….and saw this same stove in olive green. With a matching fridge! The house was a time capsule home….I was so in love with it while going through it, looking for treasures. Short of new carpeting in some rooms, it was move in ready –
I kid you not – I saw the stove & matching fridge!!
nina462 says
I also took pictures, should you want to view.
Suzy says
Jacquie & Glen … did you see this post I added yesterday? This refrigerator may still be available here in Phx …
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/gms/4631221916.html
Mary Elizabeth says
Forgot to share that my daughter’s kitchen has DOUBLE harvest gold wall ovens from the 1970s. All they have ever needed was new elements once in a great while. She hosts Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve every year, and those ovens work great–25-pound turkey in one and vegetable casseroles in the other. I have figured out that my knotty pine kitchen once had one or possibly two wall ovens, and I’m very sad they were taken out before I got here.
Kit says
Your 27″ harvest gold built in is gorgeous! You did a fantastic job and I am so happy for your lucky discovery. My very first shiny newly we’d kitchen in 1972 sported a space saving 27″ harvest gold stove, fridge, and trash compactor, a popular appliance in new homes for a short time.
Melanie says
Wow, that baby is GLEAMING! What a fantastic find and amazing job downdating it back where it belongs!