1956 GE Kitchen Center

[deltadart48]

Hello all,

We bought a house with its original pink GE kitchen center still in place. While the washer-dryer is long gone everything else is working, although it's getting a little worn. My wife loves the thing and I would like to find another one to use as parts or replace my existing one if it's in better shape. If anyone has a lead on one of these please let me know!

Thanks,
Ed

 

[dishwashercrazy]

Ed,

Welcome!

Our member, Paul (turquoisedude) has a Turquoise Kitchen Center.

Please see his video of it. In order to read his comments, please be prepared to press PAUSE on your computer.

Mike

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[gansky1]

I forgot what your kitchen used to look like, Paul! Wow, what a transformation!

Keep searching the ads and Craigslist, ebay, etc. around your area - another will show up and the guys who have them or have worked on them quite a bit should be able to help you keep yours going for a long, long time.

 

[turquoisedude]

Hi Ed!

 

OOH!  A pink version of the Kitchen Center sounds very cool!!  I have an Original GE Manual for the 1956 Kitchen Center, it describes mostly installation instructions but if you think this might be useful,  please let me know and I will scan it for you.

 

Finding a working washer-dryer may be a tall order - I know one of our members here sold a turquoise one some time ago, but just keep yours eyes out and you'll be amazed at what you can find!  

 

If you are having issues with the dishwasher unit,  you could very likely swap out another unit (Mike - dishwashercrazy - who also replied to you post) found just the pull-out part of this type of machine.  Changing the front panel is a snap!   I also happen to have a 1955 GE Stand-Alone version of the dishwasher if you can't find just dishwasher unit....

 

Parts for the range are still out there - I got some newer, but compatible push-button surface unit switches from Modern Parts in Parma, Ohio last year (they were New Old Stock) and if you are willing to invest some time in searching at places like Habitat for Humanity Re-Stores or the Salvation Army Thrift Stores,  burners do turn up!   

 

I could go on all day about the Kitchen Center (I love mine, what can I say!) so please feel free to email me if you have any questions!!

 

One question for you - could I bother you for a photo of the electrical box connections under the sink?   When I got mine, this original hook-up was long gone...

 

All the best!

 

Paul

 

[firedome]

Kitchen Centers

are sooo groovy! And I've wanted to find a good GE wall fridge for over 25 yrs.

I had to watch that video & again again, wow that KC find has to be the greatest appliance scoop of all time! And I'm in love with the Turq Kelvinator it replaced... if hubby dictates that a range has to go, let me know! I've got yellow, soon pink, I need a Turq!

 

[deltadart48]

Thanks, everyone, for the rapid replies!

Attached are some pictures of our unit. The louvered doors now hide a small avocado-colored dryer(!) As you can see, the original faucet is gone and the paint is wearing thin on the dishwasher. I don't think I'd want the washer-dryer but finding the cabinet that GE made to fit in its place would be cool.

The dishwasher is still in working order, but I worry about the pump housing and pump motor. Those seem to be unobtainium in the parts world.

Paul, thanks for the leads on the switches. I have so far not been able to locate the right ones. Thanks also for the offer to copy the installation manual, but fortunately I have it.

Attached are some pictures of the electrical panel. I plan to remove this and re-wire to current code. I don't think you could get an electrician to install a panel under a sink these days.

 

[deltadart48]

Here's a picure of the kitchen center.

 

[circlew]

That GE Kitchen Center is very nice. I had no idea that they had a circuit breaker panel as part of the unit. I agree that under the sink is not such a great location for the panel. Perhaps if it were a rainproof panel wired with liquidtite conduit it would be acceptable.

I was surprised to see that there were four double-pole breakers. I would expect one for the range, and one for the washer-dryer. Do the cooktop and oven have separate circuits? What are the others for?

 

[turquoisedude]

Thanks for the pictures, Ed!    I guess I am glad that did re-wire mine - wild that they would put a circuit breaker panel under a sink...

 

The center looks in great shape - that is an interesting replacement faucet solution.

 

I think I know which kind of switches you are looking for - the kind with two embedded bolts on the top right and lower left side of the swtich and with the red indent on the 'off' button.   NOS versions of these might be harder to find, but you may be able to find a cooktop of a similar vintage on craigslist, at a second-hand store, or a garage sale that you could use as a 'parts donor'. 

 

Is your oven in good working condition??   I need the door light switch for mine and the clock/timer is kaput, alas....

 

[deltadart48]

Tom, on the circuit breaker panel, GE designed in some extra capacity so that it could be used as a load distribution center. One double breaker is unassigned, so it can be used to service another small subpanel elsewhere. In this one it runs my garage.

Paul, our oven works but it's missing one rack. You're right, those are the switches I'm looking for. I can still find pushbutton switches, but not the ones with the red off button.

I plan to pull the clock out and ship it off for repair. I thought I would try these guys: http://www.stoveclockrepair.com/

stove clock repair WB19X5231

Repair Digital oven clocks and controllers, Rebuild microwave timers and Fix ERC electronic range control and Stove top timers. Rebuild G.E. motors.Repair WB27K5040,WB27K5123 and WB27K5073 Boards.Repair oven control board WB19X5231.

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