50's Tappan Gas Range

[rp2813]

Hey guys, where are the burners on this thing?

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[frontaloadotmy]

where's the thing?

link won't display

 

[rp2813]

Pix

Let me see if I can load the pix I lifted instead . . .
Here's the first one:

 

[rp2813]

More Pix

It's actually white. It looks as if all 4 burners are across the back, but in these pix they don't look like burners. Never seen anything like this stove.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Those are burner grates above the burners. That oven looks like the Black Hole of Calcutta. When it is plugged in, there is a light. The 6th knob is for the waist high broiler next to the oven. That was their top of the line range somewhere in the mid 50s, but the burner arrangement only appeared again in the Fabulous 400 40" ranges. Tappan ranges reached their pinacle of beauty about 1960 with the TOL models that had the shadowbox control panel with the centered rectangular box housing the clock and oven timer controls. The Caloric ranges kept developing their V-shaped control panel (similar to the 1962 Frigidaire Custom Imperial laundry pair) which was on their TOL models through a good part of the 60s and was very striking with the full width lighting and the black background with red and turquoise in the clock, meat thermometer and oven guide. After that, it just all sorta went to hell. There was some styling to the CROWN ranges which did not change much over the years until a fire at the factory put them out of business. I do not know why the high styling continued in electric ranges so much longer than in gas ranges.

Is anyone familiar with the early 50s Roper ranges with the 4 or 6 burners in staggered back to front arrangement?

 

[rp2813]

They're asking $350 for this one and say it's original to the home. I suspect it's been well-maintained by a little old lady homemaker much like my mom's '49 Westy and would be an ideal replacement if gas could be accommodated and it isn't more than 38" wide. It's looking more and more like I should tackle the false ceiling issue and get the kitchen vented again so gas would be an option. Nice gas stoves from the 50's show up on Craig's List fairly often. There are just no electrics out there up for grabs other than 30" modern junk and I'd like to get something more sturdy.

So Tom, what's your opinion on this beast? Is it a desirable unit or one to avoid? I'm partial to the more unusual when it comes to industrial design and this one sure qualifies in that respect.

Ralph

 

[gansky1]

I remember a Roper with the staggered burner arrangement you mentioned, Tom. A friend of mine that ran a group home/assisted living home had a 6 burner model in the kitchen. A couple of the valves for the burners were non-functional and one of the grates was broken, but when clean, it was a beautiful range.

The pictured Tappan looks very nice as well, probably a 40" model though so it may be just a hair too large for your kitchen, Ralph.

 

[rp2813]

Agreed, it's probably 40" and not a contender. I have no wiggle room with the space the stove will occupy. I have so many projects at my own house that it doesn't make a lot of sense to tackle another one at my mom's just to accommodate a gas stove but if I'm going to be successful in locating a sturdy vintage replacement, I may not have any other option.

 

[alr2903]

Tomturbomatic, I would certainly agree, Caloric had the "look". One of my favorite Aunt's had one, just as you described, I always admired it. arthur

 

[dalangdon]

My Tappan Fabulous 400 has the in-line burners, but I think the control panel lacks the pizzazz of a Flair. Tom, do you happen to have any pics of the 1960 Tappan?

 

[tomturbomatic]

Dan, I might be able to find one in an old magazine. I will look. The range made an impression on me because a furniture store near our house decided to get out of the appliance business and had one of these (in gas) in the window. I am so glad we did not get it because then I would not have been able to push and push for the 40" GE we bought in 1964. I have seen a magazine ad for the electric model also. Several months ago, a family was trying to sell a 30" electric one on Ebay.