appliance genocide :-(

I almost feel guilty ... I am about to commit such a crime

when I moved into this residence there was and still remains a '75 GE freestanding electric range in avocado green ... works as it should, even the clock timer is still functioning, looks almost new it does with the only visible flaw being corrosion on the spacer between the oven door glass
... but after all these years the oven insulation has absorbed enough odors from baking that it really smells when the oven is operating ... time for an "upgrade"...

but what / which brand to purchase ... looked at all the usual places I have and it appears all electric ranges available today are essentialy the same ... only the names silk screened on the front are different ...

does anyone have thoughts on Premier brand ranges ??? ... expensive they are ... made here in the USA ... must be American labor driving up the price ... but I do like the 40" wide models

I dont blame you at all!!!!!! -- MUCH NICER :)

Is that a hard and fast rule, or just something that was said once and repeated so often that it is now darn nearly universally believed as fact? I've seen the prices on 50-inch-plus flat screens, and it does not seem right to me in the least that these sets will fail in two years or so -- after the owner has paid such a high price; same for smaller TVs. Plus, I'm not crazy about the fact that my own Insignia 19" flat screen, bought new in August 2011, may and likely will fail the day after the warranty expires. Are these sets intentionally made to fail after only two years? Do the manufacturers put some kind of timer in the set that causes the unit to become unusable after 730 days or after the warranty runs out? (I don't believe so, since Best Buy does offer an optional four-year warranty extension which goes into effect the moment the original warranty expires; I didn't buy the extended warranty for my flat screen, but I did get it for my Blu-ray player and my flat-screen computer monitor. Go figure. :scratch2:)

What is so darned special about this two-year failure estimate for flat screens, and who came up with that figure in the first place? As I said in a post to Insignia's flat-screen TV forum some time ago, if the makers of flat screens don't start turning out sets that last longer, a lot longer, than the warranty or two years (!), whichever comes first, a lot of these offshore manufacturers and the retailers that sell their TVs are going to find themselves out of business before too long. Insignia is a house brand for televisions and audio/video gear sold by Best Buy, and as such the longevity of these products reflects directly on BB's reputation. Again, if many more of these Insignia TVs are returned to the stores with chassis problems or broken panels, etc., Best Buy may well find itself out of business entirely before too much longer. I am not actually expecting my set to go up in smoke the next time I watch it (or any time soon, for that matter), of course, but this business of almost any flat screen developing problems within a short (sometimes very short) period of time makes me wonder just how long my TV will last before it develops a serious repair problem and will have to be replaced. I will use my 12-year-old RCA CTC185 19" table set with a cable box if this happens, so I won't be without TV, but still I am very disappointed that flat screens -- especially the big 60-70" sets that carry $1k+ price tags -- are made to be discarded after they fail within two years (!), if the failure occurs after the warranty. Don't these stores or the offshore manufacturers of the TVs realize or care that most people cannot afford to buy a new television every two years or less? I have read on other FP TV makers' message boards that some people are now without television since their flat screens went bad, and these people discarded or otherwise got rid of the old CRT set when the FP set arrived. This cannot be good (in fact, it could be disastrous) for TV networks and their affiliates, either, since every lost viewer works out to so many lost ratings points; if a station or network loses enough of its viewers, the programs' ratings will suffer, and in the case of local TV stations, particularly those in smaller cities, the stations' very existence could be in jeopardy as well.

I don't know about that. They'd probably just go to another brand, or have a spare CRT set around. Why? Sports. Take a football-filled Sunday away from most of the male population in the US, and they react like a crack addict jonesing for a fix :D

I dont think that business cares anymore about their product lasting beyond the warranty. Have a problem? Buy another one.

They are building this garbage as cheap as possible, with cheap labor, and selling it to unsuspecting buyers under the tradenames that we grew up with, back when these brands ment quality.

Is all that compressing causing the distortion in all the old repeats that are shown on the various channels, such as METV, etc? :sigh:

Is this what economists mean by the term "durable goods"?

There is a "trophy-class" Appliance store down the road that sells LG, Fisher-Paykel, Bosch, Amana, ASKO, Thermador, SubZero....... Ec

When I bought a Maytag dryer there, I got the "attitude" because I resisted the fashion upsell. They dont sell Maytag anymore. I often scope out their junkyard and surprised at how new some of the take-aways look.

I have a 2001 Maytag Dryer and 2004 Maytag Washer, both made in Newton Iowa.
These two replaced a posessed Kenmore propane dryer and ornery Kenmore Washer from 1993, bought then left by the previous homeowner.
These Maytags might be the last units i ever buy after reading some previous posts.

I know what Holmesuser1 means when he speaks of shortened programs. One of my favorites, on MeTV weeknights, is "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", which was on CBS-TV in the 1970s. This program has been shortened as well, and I think much of that shortening was at the end of the show. I remember how most of those programs ended, and that part of the show was cut out. (I bet those MTM shows, once close to 30 minutes in length less commercials, are now no more than perhaps half that or less.) Takes almost all the fun out of watching these old shows, which were real comedy -- not like a lot of what passes for comedy and humor on TV nowadays. At least they didn't fiddle much with the DVD releases of these programs. The DVD versions may not be totally uncut, but at least there are no commercials, which is why I now have a collection of many of my favorite 1970s TV series on DVD and VHS.

I believe those shows are shortened for one and only one reason: so the network can squeeze in more commercials. I remember when there actually was a limit on commercial time in any given hour; I don't remember exactly what the limit was, but it certainly was less than two minutes an hour. (Well, at least cigarette commercials were banned in the early 1970s.) Now, TV stations and networks cram as many commercials as they think they can get away with (!) into an hour of programming -- and radio is even worse. I've all but given up on terrestrial OTA radio for that reason.

Welp, gonna rescue another one :sigh: :D

Picking up this GE on Saturday, I believe it's a 1941 or so. Looks VERY similar to my 1938 GE. It's been sitting under a covered carport for years, and still works fine. Best of all, it's free :)

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9...rld/fridge.jpg

Hello very cool looking fridge good luck on your deal.. keep us posted...Timothy

My aunt and uncle had the same one. They bought it when they got married in 1939. It was in use untill 1986. It was a shame that it went to the scrap yard, when my uncle went to the nursing home.
That quiet, beefy compressor only ran 1800 RPM and they didn't beat themselves to death, like the newer 3600 RPM ones.

We ARE not amused by this story
 

At the beginning of this thread I posted a utility's PR firm promo for a mean spirited contest. This is the result. Attachment 176723
I have emailed the newspaper editor explaining how the point was totally missed here. we really need a contest for the biggest energy hog which could be a 1960s-vintage window AC or a 1970 GE side-byside 24cf Refrigerator like my parents had for 25 years before it was a victim of a kitchen remodel, still working. I would be INSULTED by a mere $250 check for a 1938 General Electric:tears: a working piece of history. I wonder how many WORKING pre-1955 units were sacrificed for the $35 the rest got.
For shame!:thumbsdn:

Thanks for the (non-cfl) lightbulb moment Dieselljeep! I always thought these old timers sounded very different running. Lower speed, less heat, longer life.:yes:

And working when the "recyclers" came to pick it up. Kind of like someone from the morgue pulling up to your house and asking you to get in a body bag :(

Turns out the GE I got is a 1941. It was sitting in the dirt on a covered carport-type thing for many years, and surprisingly, has no rust on it, even underneath. Good ole lead paint :D

I don't know why, but these things seem to come in sets ;) . I'm picking up this old Kelvinator stove for $25 to save it from the scrap heap this week. It's going to go in place of the Chinese GE washing machine in my basement, that I'm giving to a friend :)

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9...rld/stove1.jpg

If you look at the nameplate on a GE, it's not a refrigerator but A " Refrigerating Machine ".
Of all the pre-60's refers, GE made the best. :yes:

There are many of the GE 'football' compressors still running just fine today after 40 or so years. I have 2 of them. One in a side by fridge, and the other in an upright freezer. I've replaced the fans in both of these at least twice, and an occasional cleaning of the coils under there.

I had a 2001 GE fridge with a Panasonic compressor that died weeks after the warranty ran out at 5 years. Never a GE will cross paths with me again!

Hello my first apartment had a stove like that one that is pictured and a ge fridge that was made in 1949 I wish I would have taken those with me when I bought My house but that was years ago.. good luck on your stove please keep us posted.... Timothy

I picked a 1951 Hotpoint apartment sized fridge, as a freebee a few years ago.
It has a crazy looking compressor, that you can't hear run. It also has 11 oz of R12.
The reason it was tossed is because the gasket is deteriorated. I'm trying to make one up. They used to be available as a universal kit. :sigh:

In the mobile home I bought awhile back (1952 Detroiter) there's a 1941 Kelvinator apartment sized fridge in the kitchen. It still works fine. I'm still looking for a early to mid-50's apartment sized stove to install in it.

I re-gasketed my 1953 Kelvinator with a universal kit about 17 years ago, which still keeps the frost out. The curves required a bit of heat to re-form. For hard angles,cut it and miter the corners together, which I joined with a soldering iron.

I 'm sure these guys have a parts source. AntiqueAppliances.com

In my opinion it doesnt matter how much of an ENERGY HOG it is... IT IS MUCH BETTER!!!!!

Its built better,it performs better than ANYTHING MADE NOW!!!!!!!! (Hands down)

Wow she is beautiful my friend,I HOPE YOU CAN KEEP HER RUNNING FOR MANY YEARS!!

Got it home, took the door and front off and brought them inside. Right now, it's in my garage, but for the heck of it, I plugged it in and it chugged to life......

You think TV collecting takes up room? Try working on vintage appliances. Holy hell am I getting packed in once again.....geez.

Hey lets see some pix of that vintage mobile home, does it still have the original tv and radio in side? let us see...Timothy

Yes i reckon you are my friend BUT ITS REWARDING,makes one feel good inside when they are surronded by the garbage of today TO HAVE SOME GOOD STUFF ABOUT :)

Peace and love to you my friend!

Well yes, but come get some of mine. And bring a truck and friends :D

My friend just had his appliances tested for power usage and his 1956 freezer was more efficient than his 2 year old frig........go figure!

That's what I use my Watt-Watcher for. Some of that old equipment can really surprise you. Chest freezers are the best for operating economy.
As long as the door seal is good, those things should last forever. :yes:

Well, another one dropped into my lap. I got a Servel from around 1940 or so for free from my boss. We're cleaning up around his shop and it's in his way, so I'm gonna take it.

OMG :eek: . I have been looking for a Servel for YEARS!!!!!

Pictures, please!

Does that Servel run on natural gas? :D

That name to me synonymous with nat gas fired AC units.

It does run on natural gas. Servels aren't hard to find around here, as some homes in rural areas near me didn't have electricity till the early 50's. The one I got is an apartment sized model, but I know where there at least 3 of the larger ones that I could probably get pretty cheap. It's funny, I started out collecting AA5 radios and records, and the things I got into have gotten bigger over the years. I'm even looking at a second 1950's mobile home now!

Wow what a treat!!!

Please if you get a chance,post some pics of it :)

Those things command a premium on ebay, IF you can find them.

I'll try to get a couple of pics when I get it home. I'll be taking them with a cell phone so I don't know how they'll turn out.

I did the exact opposite at work, sold off a new refrigerator which liked to kill off the icemaker with it's PC board every power surge. Replaced that one with a 1950 Frigidaire. Which with care, keeps on cooling.

Westinghouse rescue II
 

Lookee what I saved from the "to scrap" pile at the Harrisburg Salvation Army.
Attachment 177104Attachment 177105
This is a roasting-braising pan. These were fixtures in church basement kitchens, now its in mine, next to its 1947 cousin, the extremely efficient refrigerator.
I have seen these in Ant-eek stores for some$$$, so I gave SA $10. Its missing only one knob on the timer-clock and a its cord.

I remember as a little kid back in the late '50s some family friends we used to go visit, had one of those. Used to mystify me what it was for as I never saw it in action.

I would think cords for these old appliances should be easy to find, if you do some searching. The roaster you refer to uses the same type of cord as was (and probably still is) used on electric irons; however, the cord you're looking for should have a large female AC plug at the end opposite the line plug. This is the end that plugs into the mating male socket on the roaster. These cords are well covered by asbestos and other fire-resistant materials, due to the high current requirements of appliances using heating elements and/or large motors; they must be replaced, if necessary, with the same type of cord as originally supplied with the appliance, as a standard cord (such as a plastic-insulated extension cord) will overheat, melt and short, tripping the circuit breaker, soon after the appliance is switched on.

I would be extremely leery of using a 50+-year-old roaster, unless the appliance was overhauled first. The roaster probably has crumbling wiring to the heating element, thermostat, etc. and may be anything but safe to use. This is the same advice as is always given here on VK's forums before using an old radio or TV, except that with antique appliances there are usually no capacitors to replace; however, the wiring and thermostat may well need to be replaced before the roaster can be safely used. The usual warning regarding leaving an antique appliance (especially one with a heating element) unattended when in operation -- after the appliance is properly restored, of course -- applies here as well.

Hello congrats on the new digs wish I was that lucky my grandmother had one of those roasters before she died my crazy uncle threw it away after I asked to take it...Timothy

Sounds like some of the uncles I had.
One died owing me money, instead of me getting some of his. :sigh:

You're only partially right on some of your observations.
50 years is not old for an appliance. Furthermore, they didn't use rubber insulated wire on the inside of the roaster. They used asbestos insulated wire. All you have to do is remove the bottom cover and inspect it. You'll find a layer of fiberglass insulation. The t'stat is probably OK.
The power cord should be available in the older type hardware store, such as long established Ace stores. The plug used is known as a JUMBO plug.
I bought a few of them at thrift shops. The newer ones are neoprene rubber and 16 AWG, as these units are 1000 watts and better. :scratch2: