2004 Volume X, Issue 3 - Coca-Cola Refrigerators, Chambers Episode, Serelco Stoves

Volume X, ‘HOT-Cha’ Issue 3 Highlights

If you are a new or soon to be new member of The Old Appliance Club, Red Hot Issue #3 of our Hot Cha Series for 2004 will cement the fact that 2004 was a huge year for antique appliance interest, but by all measure 2005 has swamped everything! Since these last 10 years that TOAC was first founded, movie and sitcom set designers, producers of cooking shows and interior designers all are calling along with private owners for resources and experts and guidance.

COCA-COLA Refrigerators

Double Feature

Works Great! plus…

Uncovering a New Species!

CHAMBERS, "A Work of Art"

SERELCO Stoves

FLORENCE EMBASSY RANGES - For the first time we are carrying a full page ad from 1951 of the Florence Embassy range. Florence made gas, LP and electric ranges in quite a few configurations. It was just as large as the Wedgewoods, O'Keefe and Merrits and other good ranges of the day. If you own a Florence and have never seen any advertising on them here is a rare piece of stove history.

Mike Arnold's 'I Remember' - "Number Please" - Everyone loves going down memory lane and when you have Mike Arnold at the helm, you will always enjoy a great piece of history about old appliances. This time around Mike shares his memories about post war telephone service, party lines and when the operator personally vocalized the phrase - "Number Please". Check out the old switch board and phone pictures too. It's a blast to the past you won't want to miss.

STILL ALIVE AND WELL - See a wonderful 1921 Gurney Electric Range. This is a very handsome and artfully crafted stove that any old stove lover will want to see. You will rarely see one like this anywhere. Next up is a gorgeously restored 1930s Universal with six burners, two ovens, broilers and upper warming oven from Colorado. This is the kind of eye candy that any old stove lover cannot resist drooling over. Crosley Electric stove owners usually feel left out as Crosley's are hard to find in good shape. Check out this early 50s Crosley in this issue. It really has survived in spectacular original condition.

COCA-COLA Inspiration Strikes Twice!

"WORKS GREAT!"

That's the title of Shane Weissman's feature article. Shane is the proud owner of a sharp late 30s SPARK stove and a 40s Frigidaire refrigerator. The restoration and repair make a great story we are sure you will find very enjoyable. The equipment really came out like new.

"UNCOVERING A NEW SPECIES"

An exciting feature article on old refrigerators arrives in this issue from Ray Folsom and Don Simoneau. This time around they show and tell

2004fallsm.jpg (42187 bytes)

a very rare Col-Temp refrigerator. These California Cooler men love their fridges. They restore them so well and so accurately you will think they just rolled off the assembly line.

CHAMBERS - "A Work of ART" - We love getting stories from the gals who have rescued antique stoves and we truly love getting feature articles that have a great twist to them. Here you have the best of both and even more. If you like Chambers stoves, you will want to see the complete kitchen design layout this lass did. Lydia Robertson tells her story in this issue of TORH and it is unlike any other we have ever carried. There is a great personal loss involved, but there is a great triumph as well. If you need to feel inspired, this is the story to read.

THE OLD, ODD AND UNUSUAL

New York City TOAC member Peter Mintun shares 2 wonderful old toaster articles and pictures we have never seen before. First the 1931 Toastermaster eight slice toaster and them the big Kahuna SAVORY RADIANT GAS TOASTER that can brown 1,440 slices an hour!
O'Keefe & Merritt full size stove from the 50s without a griddle? We've got it. Here is a picture of a stock factory O'K&M without and grease tray or griddle!

A GROWING CROP

Appliance detective Jim Apthorpe from Florida stops by with even more great finds he has just uncovered. Merit-Made Toaster model A, Westinghouse cat.No. TO-71 toaster, a canary yellow Sunbeam Model 12 Mixmaster, the Vita-Mix 3600 blender and the very collectible Sunkist Commercial Juicer Type 6. This is just a small part of the ever increasing collection of Jim Apthorpe's antique appliances.

WHO DOESN'T LOVE CAKE AND A PRETTY COOK! One of the most mouth-watering cakes we have ever tasted to date was presented to us from one

of our own models - Alana E'Dahlia. It's her Pastel Cuatro Leches (or, Four Milks Cake). It looks great and tastes even better. If you love cake as much as we do, you will surely want to make this for your next party. Sorry….Alana won't be able to deliver her cake personally except in this issue of The Old Road Home.

WHEN FUN WAS FREE - It's a Contest! Grand Prize Winner receives $25.00 credit towards any product or service from our core company, J.E.S. Enterprises, plus one past issue of The Old Road Home. All you need to do is to correctly name the one entertainer on the page that went on to a make a huge success of himself. Winner to be announced in the next exciting issue.

FREE STUFF? TORH always has free antique appliances. All you need to do is pick them up. There is even a free Chambers model B in great condition in this issue.

Not a member yet?

Join right away

and have any issue of The Old Road Home sent to you now!

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SEE THIS ISSUE FOR New Chambers B fold-down top spring assembly, pilot replacements for vintage Magic Chef stoves, quality Safety Systems custom built for Chambers and older antique ranges, original mid-century and

older thermostat and rare safety valve rebuilding services. Restoration services or new porcelain enamel processing, ‘How To’ do-it-yourself antique stove manuals, custom burner head gaskets, plus new restoration and rebuilding companies that have just come on-line with TOAC!

OLD APPLIANCE SERVICE AND PARTS PROVIDERS – The best of the best classic appliance sales, service and parts suppliers appear in each issue of The Old Road Home. Need a thermostat rebuilt, dials made, porcelain services, refrigerator parts, even old t.v., radio and phonograph help? Just ask. All members of TOAC have free consultation, search and referral help available for a full year.

All this plus… It Came From the Mailbag, News From the Trenches, The Duck Brothers Fix-It Corner and Cartoon by Lou and Lee, all kinds of dealer products and services for old appliances, How To Manuals, classified and photo display ads and on the cover - Chris Hogan's Norm the Cat and his Magic Chef 1000 Series stovefriend.

'SPEEDY' Delivered ... Right to Your Door!

If you would like to see TOAC model Alana E'Dahlia (above) in more presentations please drop us a line at toac@sbcglobal.net.

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2004 Volume X, Issue 2 - Still Embracing THE FIFTIES...Fifty Years Later!

Volume X, ‘HOT-Cha’ Issue 2

If you are a new or soon to be new member of The Old Appliance Club, Issue #2 of our Hot Cha Series for 2004 will 'clue you in' to all the fascinating fifties facts relating to the vintage appliance field.

Since “Still Embracing the 50s – Fifty Years Later” was released, editors from newspapers and home magazines have contacted us to do more old appliance interviews this year. Their readers are thirsting to understand what is being collected, what can be restored, and the amount of antique appliances that are being bought and sold throughout the world. Yes, my dear friends, 2004 was a huge year for antique appliance interest, but by all measure 2005 has swamped everything these last 10 years since the TOAC was first founded and movie and sitcom set designers, producers of cooking shows and interior designers all are calling along with private owners for resources and experts and guidance.

Great 1947 Lauderall Ad displays features of the “Completely Automatic Home Laundry” with Top-Fil-Dor, Re-Verso-Rol action for no tangling and Roto-Drier.

TOAC Members Appliances On Parade - Still Alive and Well.

The always ‘Reliable’ six burner has a Vertical Broiler, ‘C’ curve warming closet, coffee warmer burners and is real pretty in light blue with cream all over – ahead of its time for the 1930s. Larry Boysen, SF, CA member owns some ultra cool old appliances AND audio equipment from 1928. The Magnetic Expression Piano was mad by the Mills Novelty Co. Fabulous ‘Wahful’ makers from Jim Apthorpe and a ‘Husband Tamer’ Universal Stroke Saver iron presses clothing as flat as a stamp (even if it wasn’t hot – it’s heavy!)

News from the Trenches announces the Toaster Collection Association club OcTOASTERfest 2004 listing at www.toastercollector.com, plus new dealer members special restoration experts announcements, moves and tips on purchasing a classic stove.

‘The Introduction of Color Television’ by Mike Arnold in his column “I Remember” makes 1953 history of TV for RCA announcement interesting and fun – first NTSC-compatible colour TV available to the public is pictured.

‘Make It Nice and Brown’ by James Apthorpe.

Three More Chrome Cuties … Happy Toaster fans – here’s an Estate #77 four slice, Dainty Maid #1 send more information or pix if you have them, and a Kenmore #874.63290 - almost an exact clone of the old Toastmaster 1B14 but with a slight difference.

Duck Brothers cartoon in ‘Positively Negative’ by Lou and Lee starring ‘Negative Nick’. Letters include: ‘She’d Trip Over a Cordless Phone’, Burned Down School to Get Him Out of Third Grade’, and He’d Starve to Death in a Supermarket’ picturing the GE commercial unit C-450 with glass doors and a mirror!

‘Home Sweet Home’ by Lynn & Jerry Sample

“We don’t waste the amount of food we used to with a frostless refrigerator.” Their 1920’s cottage kitchen is filled with fully restored large and small working antique appliances. The beautifully decorated home and kitchen pix with entertaining, home-spun stories of their move, the nice-sized 1937 Monitor Top purchase (plus it doesn’t dry food out!), Triumph stove, and Penninsular stove are truly an inspiration.

OLD ODD UNUSUAL

Must See: Located in a GARAGE SALE ... a $5,000 Toast-O-Lator! plus, one of the most massive Chambers ever - 1926 Fireless and..Frigidaire Fold-Back surface unit.

‘Majestic Refrigerators Don’t Move’ by Ray Folsom.

The story of a refrigerator. Unbelievable! That's what people said when they heard about it. The 'Three Majesticeers' overcome all the obstacles.

Embracing the 50s – Fifty Years Later…

by Jack Santoro.

The Next Generation New Tribe Members are Loving Their Old Appliances and it shows! Great shots of Alana E’Dahlia with her appliance collection and having fun atop her Fostoria Tru-Heat Iron that is “Shaped for SPEED”. Interviews - What the New Generation is Noticing about the Good Ol’ Days and what they’re Saying is “They’re Loving ‘Em.”

FREE STUFF? TORH always has free antique appliances. All you need to do is pick them up. There is even a free Chambers model B in great condition in this issue.

Not a member yet?

Join right away

and have any Issue of The Old Road Home sent to you now!

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SEE THIS ISSUE FOR New pilot replacements for vintage Magic Chef stoves, quality Safety Systems custom built for Chambers and older antique ranges, original mid-century and

Join us in this 10^th Anniversary issue for all of the above and you will also enjoy - News From The Trenches, The Duck Brothers Fix-It Corner and Cartoon, It Came from the Mailbag, Classified ads, antique appliance dealer ads, Display ads and When Fun Was Free - ‘Sweeten My Coffee’, by Jack Santoro to wrap up everything in our fish wrapping of 40 not-to-be-missed pages of edutainment.

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2004 Volume X, Issue 1 - SUNBEAM Retrofit and THE MOTHERLODE of Stoves and Refrigerators

10^th Anniversary Year Begins

Volume X, Issue 1

SUNBEAM 1920’s Gas/Electric Stove Retrofit – By far this is an article that will finally tell the tale of how to get the best of both fuels ~ gas and electric. Rick Sharpe, TOAC member from Alabama, will walk you through how he actually turned his 1920s Sunbeam gas stove into a combination stove. Now he has gas burners and an electric oven. If you have an oven with a thermostat that cannot be rebuilt, or if your older range never had a thermostat at all, you must see this range to see how Rick pulled off a perfectly clean restoration and retrofit that proves it can be done!

NEW PRODUCTS AND BOOKS – The first release of the San Marin TS-7 Safety Valve; the first improvement in 50 years, the Western-Holly 1948 full line of stoves featuring all sizes and goodies galore and the new heavy-duty Chambers replacement legs.

A REAL DIVE – What the Heck was he thinking?. Alexander Graham Bell was a genius until it came to working on draining his swimming pool, turning it into a study and trying to air-condition it. The picture tells the whole, strange story.

You may have read about this unbelievable stove rescue in Jack Santoro’s Old Appliance Communique -

THE MOTHERLODE

THE MOTHERLODE OF OLD STOVES and REFRIGERATORS – Now, see the whole centerfold story of Chip Ruhl’s huge rescue in Pennsylvania. The panoramic centerfold showing hordes of great antique stoves and refrigerators resemble a very long train; all of which Chip personally saved from the crusher. This was a monster of a job, but Chip reels out his story with wit, fun and adventure that will capture everyone who reads it.

"A Tale of Panic, Excitement and Discovery!"

A HOT NEW BEGINNING – Mike Arnold’s 'I Remember' feature is truly a story that few people today have any knowledge of. Directly after World War II there was a big push to complete the natural gas pipeline bringing a standardized vaporous fuel to the entire country. Also included in the article are wonderful pictures from a variety of sources featuring trucks delivering coal and coke as well cartoons showing how imconvenient it was to have ashes hauled away to the dump or into the ocean. A rare look into how we heated homes many decades ago.

IRON FUN ON THE RUN – From 'The Apthorpe Files', Jim Apthorpe found something that we have never seen in 33 years in the old appliance business. A full suitcase that has a portable iron built right into the handle. Yes, it is electric, well made and positively unique. The asking price Jim later found out from the seller was $900.00!

FREE APPLIANCES and parts – Check through the classifieds and you will find FREE appliances in each issue of TORH If you are a private party with an old appliance or parts that you are thinking of tossing, hold on! We will stake you to a free ad as long as you are giving the item away at

no cost.

Remember we try and keep the landfills less stocked, especially of appliances. Someone might need exactly what you have and would be happy

to get it.

WESTINGHOUSE STREAMLINE REFRIGERATOR – A full page 1930s ad featuring one of the most sought after and beautiful antique refrigerators you could ever own. See the “Eject-o-Cubetray, the revolving steel shelf and the built-in Salad Crisper. The Streamline was well advanced for the era and even had a full drop down door tray. You will love it.

STILL ALIVE AND WELL – Yes, we have it ... The Miller Stove ...

(La Machina) complete with 6 burners, a huge warming oven, broiler and 3, that’s right 3 heat controlled ovens all in 72 inches. This is the first Miller that we have seen and now is completely restored. Love Toast-O-Lators (the conveyor style toasters from mid-century). Here is one of the cleanest that is totally original and works like a gangbuster. Also, you will see Larry Boysen’s collection of small antique appliances that look like they just came out of the showroom. If you like 60s Frigidaire bottom freezers in turquoise or a ranch house that housed a solid 1949 O’Keefe & Merritt range and a three burner Magic Chef in a one seat barber shop, we have that too!

DISPLAY ADS – If you are trying to find some of the best and most rare old appliances, see this issue. An entire 50s GE kitchen in turquoise is for sale and it is totally complete! Also on the block are 1933 model #30 Maytag washer, a 1938 double door G.E. refrigerator (fabulous), ’38 restored Frigidaire refrigerator, combination Moore Bros. Stove, Chambers ranges, O’Keefe & Merritt, Magic Chef, Sears Country Kitchen electric range, Big built-in Western Holly, Ropers and much more.

WHAT’S FOR SALE? WHAT’S WANTED? Did you know that an old appliance or part that you have sitting in your garage, house or shed could not only save someone else’s unit but bring you money as well? Everything and anything is needed and hopefully you can supply it, make a few bucks and maybe even

make a new friend!

FREE STUFF? TORH always has free antique appliances. All you need to do is pick them up. There is even a free Chambers model B in great condition in this issue.

Not a member yet?

Join right away

and have the first

10th Anniversary Issue of The Old Road Home sent to you now!

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SEE THIS ISSUE FOR Ads for New pilot replacements for vintage Magic Chef stoves, new Safety Systems for Chambers ranges, original thermostat and safety valve rebuilding services, restoration services like premium plating, new porcelain enamel processing, ‘How To’ do-it-yourself antique stove manuals, custom burner head gaskets, plus new restoration and rebuilding companies that have just come on-line with TOAC!

Join us in this 10^th Anniversary issue for all of the above and you will also enjoy - News From The Trenches, The Duck Brothers Fix-It Corner and Cartoon, It Came from the Mailbag, Classified ads, antique appliance dealer ads, Display ads and When Fun Was Free - "With Enough HOT Sauce It Tasted Just Fine!" to wrap up everything in our fish wrapping of 40 not-to-be-missed pages of edutainment.

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Summer 2003 - The 'SIXTIES' - An Appliance R(E)volution

Appliance Revolution Feature

How the 'Sixties' refined appliances developments to

ease our lives.

A Sixties Issue for

People in Love and at Peace with their 60s Stoves.

Volume IX, Issue 3

The 60s

First Feature – SIXTIES Appliance Field Trip – If you have never had the chance to see some of the advance design appliances from the 1960s, we have some of the first and best you can ever see. Brands like Revco, Marvel and even Gaffers Sattler with built in double wall ovens and in the counter appliances. ALL are original to the home and covered in chic stainless steel still in exceptional condition. The 1960s appliances started a significant change and now you can see where the evolution began.

Second Feature – Mike Arnold’s “I Remember” series brings back vivid memories of the 60s appliances when refrigerators and stoves started appearing with square corners, magnetic door closures and totally frost free systems.

There’s a nice vintage cover shot of Admiral built-in appliances for the home as well as the Philco Frostless double door refrigerator/freezer.

Third Feature – PHILCO STOVES FOR 1964 – See the Philco 1964 stove models with every sort of feature and color available. The famous Tilt-Top, the Quick-Chef and Galaxie electric range line with double ovens are fully displayed in this piece. A must see for all 60s Philco stove fans.

HOTPOINT HALLMARK RANGE – 1963 – Here is a full page ad of the then “state of the art” Hotpoint Hallmark Range. This is one heck of a stove with all the bells and whistles of the day. This was a significant design breakthrough that was truly a sight to behold.

THE HOOVER SPIN DRYING WASHER – For small homes or apartments this washer/spin dryer was all the rage in the 1960s. Both light and efficient many people today are still big fans of this washer similar which can be likened to the little Crosley cars from many days gone by.

We have all the info for you in this article including the color charts as well.

STILL ALIVE AND WELL – What a line up of wonderful treats in this bi-fold bevy of vintage appliances. See an ancient GE Monitor Top clock, a 50s O’Keefe & Merritt gas range with left side heater (northwestern edition), a 1930s Buck Rogers style Premier Vac-Kit with Anaconda type hose, a built in stainless steel G.E. drop in electric stove with built-in wall controls plus two slick chrome and white small appliances that look almost identical except the one is a hand mixer and the other an iron!

GENERAL ELECTRIC TABLE TOP ROTISSERIE OVEN – Before the Showtime cooker, wonderful table top roasters like the Roto-Broil and the G.E. Rotisserie were available. It’s a wild but sturdy looking unit that perhaps is still around in some kitchens today.

KITCHEN-AID mixer COLLECTION – Part of the great collection of small older appliances from Jim Apthorpe of Leesburg, Florida. Displayed here is a lineage of the wonderful old time Kitchen-Aid mixers from the 3-A up to and including the 4-C models.

Few people have ever seen the domestic style Kitchen-Aid from decades ago. They were both good looking and extremely rugged.

STILL AMAZED BY EUREKA – Jack “White Sox” Corwin presents his 1922 Eureka sweeper that is still working today at his home in Orlando, Florida. Jack has been a long time fan of old appliances and this is one piece he has had for many years. There’s a great picture of the original ad featuring old “White Sox” in a magazine ad too all from many, many years ago.

Eureka – We Found It!

As a member of The Old Appliance Club, you get The Old Road Home magazine for FREE! See all of our 1960s tribute issue plus It Came From The Mailbag (see what happens to a Monitor top fridge when it blows out of a pickup truck at 65 mph. It ain’t pretty! View a balltop X-4 G.E. fridge from the 30s and learn how to move a Chambers stove the way the movers do it. And there is more……

Vintage Appliance News From The Trenches, display ads of all kinds of old appliances for sale, antique appliance dealer ads for parts, service and information, new retro-parts, safety systems for your antique stove, and the Duck Brothers Fix-It Corner and Cartoon. Rounding up the whole issue is When Fun Was Free – The Wheels of Justice Grind

Slowly but Surely.

Join us for a swing through the 1960s once again.

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Fall 2003 - Exciting ROPER Issue Featuring Both 1948 and 1955 models

2003 Fall / Winter, Issue 4 of The Old Road Home

Exciting ROPER Edition

Covering 1948 and 1955 Models.

The last installment of our yearbook is just about crammed into the suitcase.

Yes, it is another extended 40 page issue.

Yes, it is filled with sensational old appliances, news, fun, services and pictures.

And, yes this is the issue that all mid-century Roper owners will want to keep for years to come.

ROPER RANGES -

If you are a Roper fan that owns a range from the 40s or 50s this feature article is bigger and longer, and filled to the brim with information than any other stove piece to date. There are plenty of pictures of Ropers, details, history, specs, parts and even the advertising used way back 50-60 years ago. Ropers are coming back strong and are still a terrific investment. It is time to discover the magnificent Roper.

IS A TREND ABOUT TO HAPPEN? Our core stove business that sells rebuilt operating systems (safety valves, thermostats, pilot assemblies, etc.) has witnessed a sharp rise on older Roper equipment. Is a trend about to happen??? Watch out for the

big Town and Country Roper in the article too. You know the one. It has eight burners and multiple ovens and sort of looks like 3 – 20” stoves welded together. Yes, it is definitely time to rub your chin Finn and take another look at Roper – a company that started all the way back in the 1800s.

BELT DRIVEN Refrigeration –

Here is another fine article penned by none other than old appliance guru Mike Arnold of Twentieth Century of Troy, New York. Mike not only has wonderful facts on the belt drives (once the most popular of all units) but archive photo’s of the 1935 GE belt drive, the Norge Rollarator unit and the model AW used in belt driven Frigidaire refrigerator models AP-18, AP12 and Multi-Cold Frigidaire’s. A must see for all antique refrigeration buffs.

LOTS OF NEW PICTURES OF OLD APPLIANCES –

Fresh from our members’ homes around the country we have pictures of the following for you: a fully restored late 1920’s Hotpoint electric range, Universal Coffee Urn (1924), a HOOVER Iron – model 4001, fully chrome plated Sunbeam model 12C, 1949 Youngstown double sink cab/combo in perfect condition (remember them?), a strange steam iron set up with a huge plastic water tank and direct patch H20 line to the side of the iron for steam and last but not least, a most unusual one burner Nestle Hot Chocolate cooker for the winter time. Even Frosty the Snowman is on it. Sure makes me feel like having hot cocoa again.

You want one too? I think this contraption is from the early 50s. It’s so cute you'll want to pinch the page when you see it.

FROM NIGHTMARE TO DREAM STOVE – Do we have any Oriole stove fans out there? If you want to see one of the finest restorations on an early range this is it. From a crumbling hunk of rusting metal, see this transformed 6 burner, double oven with warming closet reborn into a fully functional safe piece of kitchen art. This is truly a knock out!

A MAJESTIC REFRIGERATOR - Model 150 was saved from the junkyard many years ago and
sat quietly waiting on a porch in Florida for someone to find it and restore it. This is the first leg of a journey that old appliance sleuth Jim Apthorpe conducted. This is one fine and absolutely unique looking 5 cu. ft. fridge. The second leg of the story was getting the fridge ready for a trip across the USA to California for restoration. The third leg upcoming in 2004 is the finished product from Paso Robles, CA. Revivals like this bring hope to all old appliance lovers. It can be done! Time and patience is the key.

TOAST CATCHING CONTEST WINNER FROM NAPLES – The Oldy-Coffee Shop from Switzerland sent in photo’s of Carole, the blonde Toast-Catcher winner from Naples. Oldy-Coffee uses all older appliances for cooking in their shop and sponsors the Toast Catching Contest for fun. Their 1952 toaster shoots toast out like a cannon.

If you catch the toast, it’s free. Pictures of the toasters, owners (Edith and Paul) and Carole are in

News trom the Trenches.

BRINGING THE OLD STOVE HOME – A very sweet gal by the name of Reatha Thran from Nevada shares one of the nicest old stove stories you could ever read, pardners. When I received Reatha’s letter, the first thing I thought was, “The kitchen rangers have to know about this.” After reluctantly giving up a one of a kind Wedgewood gas range, Reatha finally decided that this was one item she could not do without. She also has other old appliances and Grandma’s Wedgewood all of which you will see in her article. The way she blends older equipment in a newer home is something that works like dew on morning grass. Check it out! I will not spoil the tale by snitching here, but this is the first time I have ever heard a stove story like this. You’ll love it.

WHAT’S WANTED? Did you know that an old appliance or part that you have sitting in your garage, house or shed could not only save someone else’s unit but bring you money as well? To restore old appliances, parts or sometime entire units are desperately needed. Quite a few people pour over the classifieds in TORH for goods that are needed by others. If you are seeking to reduce the tonnage on your plot, check out the wanted column. Much is needed and hopefully you can supply it, make a few bucks and maybe even make a new old appliance friend!

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Spring 2003 - BUILT-INS and Oven Styles of 1955

The Old Road Home Quarterly

Spring 2003 – Ninth Year Anniversary Issue

First Main Feature - BUILT-INS AND OVEN STYLES OF 1955 – This is a true blast from the past. Normally you will see freestanding stoves in The Old Road Home. That goes without saying. However, a lot of our pals across the miles have built-in units. Classic built-ins are coming back and big! In this issue, you will see the newest and coolest features stoves had to show off nearly 50 years ago. Quite a few people have fond memories of these units. They were such a radical departure from the freestanding units. As time went on, some of the designs got pretty “out there”, but you have to remember that’s part of the process of progress.
Features like rotisseries, swing out French style broiler doors, "see-in" glass oven doors, “grilling clamps”, lift-away oven doors, disposable oven liners, roast-meter ovens, double side by side built-ins with ovens up to 24” wide were text book built-in features.

Colors offered in enamel were rainbow-like. There’s even an antique copper Chambers displayed, which although was a freestanding stove, still adds to the sassy blend of equipment and finishes available. Again, many of these units are still around today with the demand definitely increasing. In the past 15 months we have noticed that orders for supplies, rebuilt original thermostats, elements and safety systems for classic built-ins have greatly increased. TIP: If you think you are in the market for a older built-in, make sure all the parts are there and check for damage. Some models could have very low original parts availability.

Second Feature – HOW TO MAKE A WATER HEATER LAST OVER 60 YEARS !
For almost a decade The Old Road Home has displayed just about every type of antique appliance one can imagine. Let’s face it pardners, we all have our favorites, but one thing everyone would like to know is how to

make the appliance last as long as it can!

This year we have had more people than ever before joining The Old Appliance Club; everyone wants to see, learn about or share their old appliance experience. And thanks to wonderful members like

Handywoman Laura Wolf in Michigan, we became aware of one heck of a brilliant guy – Dr. Bruce Graves. Bruce is a PHD Consultant in Physical Electro-Chemistry. Like the rest of us, Bruce likes to save money! If you have ever had water heater problems, you will not want to miss this article. You won’t believe how he cured his tired out, leaky water heater so it can last, last, last. Dr. Bruce has paved the way for you to outsmart the old water heater and be able to say to it “Ah HA” once and for all. This should keep your heater going for decades.

THE OLD, THE ODD AND THE UNUSUAL – “Calling all Monitor Top refrigerator fans!” The summer can be hot, but years ago without air conditioning it was downright brutal. Way back

in 1928, a New York doctor utilized an experimental water chiller designed by Frank Faust of General Electric. You will see an incredibly rare picture of 6 Monitor Top household refrigeration units suspended in a basement water tank with all sorts of gizmo’s, blowers etc. to cool the offices above, way down.
Bernard Nagengast, TOAC member and expert refrigeration historian shares this one of a kind photo with our tribe. Bern never ceases to amaze us when it comes to the history of refrigeration. He shares so many rare pictures and stories with TOAC, and this picture is a blockbuster!

I REMEMBER THE GRUNOW, Part II – In the last issue of The Old Road Home, there were 2 feature articles on the Grunow refrigerator. Not having enough room for all the Grunow goodies, this time around more photos were shared by TOAC members Bernie Nagengast and Mike Arnold.

Carrene was the refrigerant used in the Grunow refrigerator and it was thought to be absolutely SAFE! That was until the EPA found what it could really do to humans! The publicity photos showing a “taste test” (God forbid) and more. Mike Arnold via Jim Stulga sent in the photo of the huge William C. Grunow Mausoleum nestled just above the Des Plaines River. So much of the background on old companies and inventors disappears over the years. Thanks to people like Mike and Bern we are able to show you what it was like when the products were new!
THE GENERAL ELECTRIC PRODUCT HIT PARADE FOR 1932 – Thanks once again to Mike Arnold for sending a potpourri of G.E. appliance pictures for your eyes to behold. Here you will see 1930s products like genuine General Electric Mazda light bulbs, the G.E. sewing machine, the semi automatic single slice side dispensing toaster, the “dog-bone” handle iron, G.E. Washing machine, and the fabulous General Electric

cooking range for 1932.

STILL ALIVE AND WELL – A brace of pages loaded with more pictures sent to us from all of you old appliance lovers across America. Early single slice Toastmaster Toaster trio, the all copper Universal “coffeematic” coffee maker, 1950s Westinghouse Frost-Free fridge, a suit-sharpe 30s electric range and a ancient Quick Meal gas range still cooking up a storm in the town of St. Louie where it was born.

APPLIANCES IN THE WILD Want to see what appliances look like way, way back in the woods, y’all? Refrigeratin Jim Apthorpe conducts a long, hot safari in Florida. Just when it looks like all is lost, he rescues an early GE DR Monitor Top and lives to tell about it and the amphibian he discovered living inside. What an adventure!

OVER FIFTY AND STILL GOING STRONG – With great anticipation we are always delighted to receive your stories and pictures with personal tales of old appliance restoration and use. The Old Appliance Club broadcasts the “news across the miles” so you

can see what is going on coast to coast so hopefully it will inspire you to do the same. We were thrilled to get a lovely pack of pictures and a terrific story from TOAC members Tammy Scitar and Joe Gentile on what they have been up to. Some of the appliances they own are a Ritz Black Angus Electric Barbecue from the 50s, a Chambers B

model, a 1948 Dixie gas range, 2 G.E. refrig’s from the 40s and 50s, toasters, classic metal kitchen cabinets and more!

Find out their secret on how they get their kitchen goodies. The technique is a winner and the dollar outlay is very modest. Tammy said, “Battery powered tools are a must take-a-long.” Tammy and Joe will tell you all about it.

WHAT’S FOR SALE? Glad you asked dear friends. This issue The Old Road Home will carry more ads than ever before. See 2 rare and fantastic looking

Reliable ranges (American Stove Co.) 4 and 6 burner models with multiple ovens -- restoration fresh. Chambers gas ranges – model B’s, model C’s, Ropers, Universal Oxford, 1930s O’Keefe & Merritt, Monarch Maleable Electric/Wood combination range, Smith and Anthony Heater, 50s GE fridges, Wedgewoods, Western – Holly, Maytag Dutch oven range, parlor, log, combo and wood heater stoves, 2 Super rare 1955 GE Wall mounted triple door refrigerators and even a golden GE Monitor Top just restored.

WHAT’S WANTED? Did you know that an old appliance or part that you have sitting in your garage, house or shed could not only save someone else’s unit but bring you money as well? To restore old appliances, parts or sometime entire units are desperately needed. Quite a few people pour over the classifieds in TORH for goods that are needed by others. If you are seeking to reduce the tonnage on your plot, check out the wanted column. Everything and anything is needed and hopefully you can supply it, make a few bucks and maybe even make a new old appliance friend!

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Issues or 'Combos' Below

Winter 2003 - The GRUNOW REFRIGERATOR

Double Feature of … The GRUNOW REFRIGERATOR

I Remember the Grunow – Part I by Mike Arnold

Ace vintage refrigeration expert Mike Arnold steps into the spotlight to deliver a super-tight history on the Grunow refrigerator.

The rare Grunow fridge, which used the unusual refrigerant “Carrene” was in production from 1933-1937. Mike shares history, pictures, a chart full of technical information and his point of view on why this elder cooler should not be scrapped. The good news is that it can be revamped for modern use.

If the name Grunow sounds familiar, it may be because the company was well known for the finely engineered radios manufactured within quality furniture cabinets.

THERE’S A GRUNOW IN THEM THAR HILLS

If you like search, salvage and restoration adventures, wait until you read about the antique Grunow refrigerator Ray and Don from Paso Robles, California saved! The fridge was found sinking in mud inside a dilapidated shed. Their restoration pictures and tale are amazing. Included is a full page vintage ad on the Grunow entitled, “What’s Inside The Coils”.

‘JILL’ of All Trades – Laura Wolf handywoman at large up Michigan way shares pictures of her favorite vintage appliances that she

has acquired along her journey in restoring old houses. There’s a 20 inch Philco gas range, a handsome 1939 Frigidaire electric fridge and a stout G.E. Monitor Top that are in need of a new home. Maybe it could be sitting in your kitchen soon?

THE APTHORPE FILES – Old appliance sleuth Jim Apthorpe from Florida uncovers an AMAZING TOASTMASTER TOASTER. This 1930 model is an all cast aluminum 4-slice model with mica windows. It slurps down a whopping 2,750 watts of power too! Original advertising on this model and other Toastmaster Toasters (including the 3, 4 and 8 slice models) are featured.

POSTWAR APPLIANCE ASSEMBLY LINE – Mike Arnold sent us this 1945 production line full pager featuring APEX WASHING MACHINES. Production was so heavy that over 1,000 workers were added over the company’s previous peacetime peak to keep up the demand.

STILL ALIVE AND WELL – Here’s a mix that can’t be beat. This time around we feature a KitchenAid mixer with all attachments, which actually sold for $89.50 during the Depression! Also featured are a Chambers 1100 pound Imperial 6 burner gas range, A tuxedo sharp Magic Chef 1930s range, a rarely heard about JACKSON hand iron, a 1940s Knapp-Monarch dual beating mixer and one of the prettiest waffle bakers ever made – The Porcelier.

THE OLD, THE ODD and THE UNUSUAL – If you would like to see what an “egg coddler” used to look

like in the early days of electric cookery there is a fine copper coddler by Heinrich. Pay special attention to how the cords used to look way back when. If you wish to see a spectacular 1925 eight burner, three oven gas range built by Reliable range company see page 17 of this issue. It is an astounding piece of kitchen machinery!

Remember to Consider, the VEHICLES that Did Deliver

This time around we have a picture of the first Ironrite Ironer that was Air-Expressed to New York City. The delivery plane looks like the old DC series. Also pictured in this series is an early appliance parade float on the back of a 1920s flatbed truck. Hotpoint stoves and Frigidaire refrigerators are the featured appliances.

WHAT’S FOR SALE? Some of the goodies for sale this time around are a 6300 eight burner Magic Chef gas range, O’Keefe & Merritt stoves, Chambers B, C and the rare Martha Washington models. See a super sharp ’56 G.E. refrigerator, a 40” 1950s Universal gas range, a Spark combination range, an Occidental gas/wood combo stove from the 30s and more including FREE APPLIANCES just waiting to be picked up.

WANTED ADS – All sorts of items needed here. If you have them these appliances or parts hanging around you can earn some bucks and help to save someone else’s old appliance too.

Like Reading The Latest News about Old Appliances?

Check these features out: IT CAME FROM THE MAILBAG, NEWS FROM THE TRENCHES. THE DUCK BROTHERS FIX IT CORNER AND CARTOON and to leave you with a laugh, WHEN FUN WAS FREE!

NEWS FROM THE TRENCHES – Find out the latest in the world of old appliance news.

IT CAME FROM THE MAILBAG – Your letters from across the world about old appliances. Watch for an especially interesting letter concerning vintage range thermostats.

THE DUCK BROTHERS FIX IT COLUMN AND CARTOON – Lou and Lee never disappoint. This time around it's entitled 'Life Sentence In TWO WORDS'.

OLD APPLIANCE SERVICES AND PRODUCTS – See the first new product release of the model 90-C Chambers eyebrow light replacement.

DEALER ADS AND SERVICES – There are many great specialists to choose from in The Old Appliance Club. Talk to one, talk to all for expert services.

OLD APPLIANCE SERVICE AND PARTS PROVIDERS – The best of the best vintage appliance services and parts suppliers.

And finally…

NEW! OLD APPLIANCES PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

SEE IT in The Old Road Home … NEW antique-style refrigerators!

These are custom-built to look just like the wood and glass styles of past decades … comes with interior lighting, too! These brand-new versions are a pleasure to use! Also - Now Available … NEW Pilot Replacements for vintage Magic Chef stoves, new Safety Systems for Chambers ranges, original thermostat and safety valve rebuilding services, restoration services like premium plating, new porcelain enamel processing, ‘How To’ do-it-yourself antique stove manuals, custom burner head gaskets, plus new

east and west coast restoration and rebuilding companies that have just

come on-line with TOAC!

Everything you need

is right here

in this edition of

The Old Road Home!

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Issues or 'Combos' Below

Fall 2002 - The Wonderful World of the 50s WEDGEWOOD Stoves

JUMBO Extended Edition

The Wonderful World of Wedgewood Stoves – For the first time The Old Road Home presents a full lineup of Wedgewoods for 1952. Wedgewood stoves, from post WWII to the mid-50s were very much alike except for minor body changes. See all of the styles that were NEW in ’52! Check out the features of each model, measurements and pictures of these most sought after antique ranges. If you are looking for a Wedgewood this information will chart out everything you need to know.

Second Feature – EASY Washing Machines – Appliance specialist, Mike Arnold of 20th Century Restorations, recalls the old Easy Washing Machine. Mike donated rare ads and pictures of the Easy for this piece from his own archive. He also gives us a birds-eye-view of his 40 year career in service and sales of vintage electronics and appliances.

Third Feature – “Don’t Judge A Rusty Refrigerator” – Why would anyone want a rust-freckled ‘50s fridge from a burned down gym? An Arkansas gal by the name of Launa Morphew did. Wait until

you see what the cooler looks like after she rescued and restored her cathedral-style old Philco dream machine.

WESTINGHOUSE APPLIANCES for 1932 – A sensational dual-page of Westinghouse home appliances. See the Flavor-Zone Range. The Dual Automatic Refrigerator (looks like a huge radio cabinet), the Deluxe Automatic Iron, and other goodies like a Westinghouse Fan, Vacuum, Washer, Electric China Coffeemaker, plus the Westinghouse flip-flop toaster. A gorgeous group of domestic equipment any old appliance lover would love to own.

ROYAL VACUUM CLEANER 1945 – A full display of the latest in bullet-style vacuums from Royal for post WWI. You wil