1950s Harwick Gas stove or Dixie?

[ladorosh]

HI,
I've been lurking for a while, enjoying learning about vintage appliances. I'm taking the plunge to buy my first big vintage appliance and was hoping for some advice from any stove experts out there.

I'm looking to pick up one of these two stoves to replace my modern Frigidaire POS with fried OEM board and peeling no-smudge stainless steel coating.

Does any one know anything about them? Is there anything I should look out for?

One appears to be a Harwick from the 50s,

http://providence.craigslist.org/atq/5209877622.html

the other a Dixie from the 60s

http://providence.craigslist.org/app/5211514133.html

but I could be wrong about the dates.

 

[wayupnorth]

Either one should serve you fine. The Dixie was similar to one we had with a match light oven and separate pilots for each top burner. That Dixie has the griddle in the middle that the Hardwick lacks.

 

[ladorosh]

Umm I meant HarDwick....

That should be HarDwick

 

[rp2813]

I think the Dixie is the better of the two, even if the oven requires a match to light.  It's in much better shape, too. 

 

The big plus I see on the Dixie's cook top are the two full length grates that offer more flexibility with positioning and moving pots and pans around, as opposed to the four individual grates on the Hardwick, and the porcelain enameled black drip pans on the Dixie are superior to the cheap white treatment on the Hardwick.  The Dixie is much better looking all the way around.

 

In addition, the griddle on the Dixie offers another heat source when required, even if only to keep something warm.

 

Are you sure you don't want to look for something a bit newer with a self cleaning oven?   Having to clean the oven tends to be a deal-breaker for me on a daily driver range.

 

[ladorosh]

Stupid Massachusetts....

Thanks for the advice! My problem is I have to deal with evil Massachusetts gas laws that won't let anything without a standing pilot be installed and only licensed pipe-fitters can do the installation. In fact, I was told that the rules may have changed so that only natural gas stoves with electronic ignition and a solenoid switch can be installed which means I might be SOL if I want a vintage gas stove. Well, unless I want to spend $2500 redoing the gas lines to install the modern equipment and who the heck wants a solenoid switch on a gas stove - I LIKE that I can use my stove when the power go out!
Anyway if the Dixie doesn't at least have a standing pilot, I may have to go with the Hardwick even though I agree that the Dixie is nicer.

 

[wayupnorth]

I would doubt the Hardwick at that age has a pilot light in the oven.

 

[rp2813]

Unless you have nosy neighbors, switch out the stoves yourself.   There might be a grandfathering loophole you can use to your advantage.

 

And here I thought California had some of the most asinine laws on the books.

 

[norgeway]

There are WAYS!!!

Of getting around stupid rules....Buy the Dixie, Hide it, borrow or buy a  newer POJ stove...have it installed and inspected....then switch it out yourself.....NO ONE will tell me I cant have something in my own house!!!LOL

 

[wayupnorth]

We have those stupid laws here in ME too. And if I found the perfect old stove, like that Dixie I know how to make sure its safe. Check it outside with a bbq tank as it has to be propane as we dont have natural gas here, make sure every connection is fine and use lots of soapy water to detect any small leak before installing and more soapy water after.

 

[norgeway]

I worked in

The heating industry in the 80s, so I have had plenty of experience in hooking up gas and oil burning equipment, but if anyone isn't sure, get help!