That is a beautiful stove, Brian. You're right, unless it's a vintage gas range from a very short list of "in vogue" brands (O&M, Wedgewood, Western Holly, etc.) there is a very narrow market for electrics and they don't bring nearly as much.
59 GE Stove
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danemodsandy
Well-known member
What Is That Dial?
Brian:
What is the small dial to the left of the convenience outlet on your range's backguard?
That is a beautiful range. As much as I love the late 1950s and early 1960s, there was a cleanness to late-1940s design (at its best) that was lost later on, when "space-age" themes became popular.
Brian:
What is the small dial to the left of the convenience outlet on your range's backguard?
That is a beautiful range. As much as I love the late 1950s and early 1960s, there was a cleanness to late-1940s design (at its best) that was lost later on, when "space-age" themes became popular.
northwesty
Well-known member
1948 Liberator double oven
The small dial is a timer. It can be used as just a timer but it also turns on the top of the outlet. The bottom is always on. So you can have another "automatic" timed appliance if you chose to.
This stove has quite a complicated burner set up - with certain parts of the element coming on depending on which button you push. And the pattern is different for each one even though there are two sets that are the same size, large and small. It really is necessary to have the instruction manual for these or do some tests to figure it out.
I noticed the exact same colored push-buttons on the early - mid 50s hotpoint washer.
It a daily driver of course but noteworthy I thought was that I have cooked a number of turkeys in this oven for the special occasions and they always have turned out great, while frankly the relative's turkeys are always dry. I am no chef and don't know why but I have always been pleased with the performance of the stove.
The small dial is a timer. It can be used as just a timer but it also turns on the top of the outlet. The bottom is always on. So you can have another "automatic" timed appliance if you chose to.
This stove has quite a complicated burner set up - with certain parts of the element coming on depending on which button you push. And the pattern is different for each one even though there are two sets that are the same size, large and small. It really is necessary to have the instruction manual for these or do some tests to figure it out.
I noticed the exact same colored push-buttons on the early - mid 50s hotpoint washer.
It a daily driver of course but noteworthy I thought was that I have cooked a number of turkeys in this oven for the special occasions and they always have turned out great, while frankly the relative's turkeys are always dry. I am no chef and don't know why but I have always been pleased with the performance of the stove.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Hmmm....
Does the timer work as a minute timer or as a delay timer? By that, I mean does it turn your coffee pot on for a given amount of time (say 45 minutes) and then off, or does it have the capability of turning the coffee pot on at a given time in the morning?
That burner setup sounds wild. I remember electric ranges with variations on that feature; you were able to heat only the portion of the burner that was under your pot or pan. With energy costs being such a concern these days, I wonder why no one seems to have anything like that now? It sounds like GE took it to an extreme on your range. Fantastic technology back then, eh? Especially considering that they did it all without suicidal electronic control boards....
Does the timer work as a minute timer or as a delay timer? By that, I mean does it turn your coffee pot on for a given amount of time (say 45 minutes) and then off, or does it have the capability of turning the coffee pot on at a given time in the morning?
That burner setup sounds wild. I remember electric ranges with variations on that feature; you were able to heat only the portion of the burner that was under your pot or pan. With energy costs being such a concern these days, I wonder why no one seems to have anything like that now? It sounds like GE took it to an extreme on your range. Fantastic technology back then, eh? Especially considering that they did it all without suicidal electronic control boards....
northwesty
Well-known member
Well you've made me get out the manual
I was wrong, the dial is just a timer. However, the top of that outlet is controlled by the Automatic Oven timer, so it is timed to turn on, stay on for a period of time, and off. I actually have never used it. I am sure when you are using this function the oven is not on too, but I can't actually figure out how that works looking at the manual
Yes the burner set up on only one of the burners is exactly like that. Only the portion of the burner that is under the smaller pan heats up. This burner can cause the most confusion for if it is on medium with a large pan only the center of that pan is getting hot.
Well, after 7 years of use the oven is not as pristine as once was. Actually the rings around the burners are still fine though they look discolored in the picture (those are two vintage "aristo mats" that do save the cooktop on the top there)
I was wrong, the dial is just a timer. However, the top of that outlet is controlled by the Automatic Oven timer, so it is timed to turn on, stay on for a period of time, and off. I actually have never used it. I am sure when you are using this function the oven is not on too, but I can't actually figure out how that works looking at the manual
Yes the burner set up on only one of the burners is exactly like that. Only the portion of the burner that is under the smaller pan heats up. This burner can cause the most confusion for if it is on medium with a large pan only the center of that pan is getting hot.
Well, after 7 years of use the oven is not as pristine as once was. Actually the rings around the burners are still fine though they look discolored in the picture (those are two vintage "aristo mats" that do save the cooktop on the top there)
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Convenience Outlet Secrets....
Brian:
I'd be willing to bet that the way the oven timer controls the convenience outlet separately from the oven is by turning the oven temp control all the way down when you don't want the oven to come on, just the outlet.
Brian:
I'd be willing to bet that the way the oven timer controls the convenience outlet separately from the oven is by turning the oven temp control all the way down when you don't want the oven to come on, just the outlet.
The Range has two controls for each oven. At each end of the control panel there are 4 push buttons for Oven Set: Bake, Time Bake, Broil & Off. The dials next to the clock are the oven thermostats. Both ovens can be used with the clock controlled Time Bake. They can even be used at the same time at different temperatures, but would both cook for the same period of time. You can set the clock to turn on the outlet and still use either or both ovens to bake or broil. The ovens are not clock controlled unless the setting Time Bake is used.
The elements were heated with both coils energized on HI, MED & WARM. 2 and LO used only one coil, but depending on how the element was wired, it could be either the inner ring or the outer ring that was heated depending on the feature of the surface unit. One 6 inch and one 8 inch element would heat the inner ring on those two heats to provide for narrower pans so that a percolater could be placed on the 6 inch element without wasting heat by heating the coils not covered. The 8 inch element would heat in the pattern of a 6 inch element. Each gave essentially HI & LO for the inner section. The other 6 & 8 inch elements heated the outer ring on 2 & LO to provide the best heating patterns under frying pans. It was not until after the mid 50s that GE & Hotpoint went to interwound coils on their surface units so that 2 and LO gave a spiral pattern of heated coil from outside to center, like the other 3 settings. Most of the models still had one of the 6 inch Extra Hi Speed Calrod elements that allowed an inner heated coil for use under small pans.
The elements were heated with both coils energized on HI, MED & WARM. 2 and LO used only one coil, but depending on how the element was wired, it could be either the inner ring or the outer ring that was heated depending on the feature of the surface unit. One 6 inch and one 8 inch element would heat the inner ring on those two heats to provide for narrower pans so that a percolater could be placed on the 6 inch element without wasting heat by heating the coils not covered. The 8 inch element would heat in the pattern of a 6 inch element. Each gave essentially HI & LO for the inner section. The other 6 & 8 inch elements heated the outer ring on 2 & LO to provide the best heating patterns under frying pans. It was not until after the mid 50s that GE & Hotpoint went to interwound coils on their surface units so that 2 and LO gave a spiral pattern of heated coil from outside to center, like the other 3 settings. Most of the models still had one of the 6 inch Extra Hi Speed Calrod elements that allowed an inner heated coil for use under small pans.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Tom:
Thanks for the description! These old GE's are so incredibly cool. My only reservation about them is that the pushbuttons make for some cleaning difficulties; I likes me a clean stove. I've seen some of these in second-hand stores and thrifts where the pushbuttons were damn near septic from built-up grease and fingermarks. If well maintained, however, these stoves are still a visual delight, and nothing performs like them. GE was always a superior baker, and they didn't shed knobs and trim like some other brands. When I see a nasty GE, it's usually completely intact underneath the schmutz.
Thanks for the description! These old GE's are so incredibly cool. My only reservation about them is that the pushbuttons make for some cleaning difficulties; I likes me a clean stove. I've seen some of these in second-hand stores and thrifts where the pushbuttons were damn near septic from built-up grease and fingermarks. If well maintained, however, these stoves are still a visual delight, and nothing performs like them. GE was always a superior baker, and they didn't shed knobs and trim like some other brands. When I see a nasty GE, it's usually completely intact underneath the schmutz.
frontaloadotmy
Well-known member
While your at it Tom
Clarify for Sandy and myself, and others too, the difference
between Liberator and Stratoliner. Thanks
Clarify for Sandy and myself, and others too, the difference
between Liberator and Stratoliner. Thanks
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Stratoliner vs. Liberator
Yes, some info on the differences would be great!
You know, as I look at the photos posted here, I can see that GE made an effort to address the issue of grime collecting on the pushbuttons. Brian's '48 has them right on the backguard, where they're prone to getting hit with splatters and grease. Greg's '57 has them arranged as a console on top of the backguard- a little more protected, but still just above the burners. But then when you look at Lawrence's 1961 Liberator, you see that the pushbuttons are moved to the opposite end of the console, where they're much less likely to collect schmutz. The '61 version also uses a flat panel of glass for most of the backguard, so that it's easier to wipe clean than the '57 arrangement.
Looking at this, I get the feeling that GE kept close tabs on consumer feedback, probably polling salesmen in appliance stores to see what they'd heard from women who'd bought the product. There is a LOT of progress on the cleanability front when you look at these three examples. I well remember the '49 Raymond Loewy-styled Frigidaire range I grew up with. It was handsome to look at, but it was not easy to clean, courtesy of embossed trim on the range timer tower. The shade for the fluorescent light also caught an incredible amount of grease.
Yes, some info on the differences would be great!
You know, as I look at the photos posted here, I can see that GE made an effort to address the issue of grime collecting on the pushbuttons. Brian's '48 has them right on the backguard, where they're prone to getting hit with splatters and grease. Greg's '57 has them arranged as a console on top of the backguard- a little more protected, but still just above the burners. But then when you look at Lawrence's 1961 Liberator, you see that the pushbuttons are moved to the opposite end of the console, where they're much less likely to collect schmutz. The '61 version also uses a flat panel of glass for most of the backguard, so that it's easier to wipe clean than the '57 arrangement.
Looking at this, I get the feeling that GE kept close tabs on consumer feedback, probably polling salesmen in appliance stores to see what they'd heard from women who'd bought the product. There is a LOT of progress on the cleanability front when you look at these three examples. I well remember the '49 Raymond Loewy-styled Frigidaire range I grew up with. It was handsome to look at, but it was not easy to clean, courtesy of embossed trim on the range timer tower. The shade for the fluorescent light also caught an incredible amount of grease.
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"Unrestored condition"? Then why the heck does the little oven door have a black front and the big oven on the right a white front?
danemodsandy
Well-known member
It Ain't Black
Hi Appnut:
There's a heck of a lighting problem on that stove's photos, I'm thinking. If you'll look very carefully at the photos, you'll find one taken from a right three-quarter view (it's the second thumbnail from the top in the left-hand column of thumbnails, you'll get a better look at that panel. What it is, is a chrome-finished accent panel matching the backguard. I know where one of these ranges is, but it's not for sale. I wonder if the chrome accent panel was the difference between Stratoliners and Liberators?
Hi Appnut:
There's a heck of a lighting problem on that stove's photos, I'm thinking. If you'll look very carefully at the photos, you'll find one taken from a right three-quarter view (it's the second thumbnail from the top in the left-hand column of thumbnails, you'll get a better look at that panel. What it is, is a chrome-finished accent panel matching the backguard. I know where one of these ranges is, but it's not for sale. I wonder if the chrome accent panel was the difference between Stratoliners and Liberators?
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Burner With a Brain
I'm also seeing a temp sensor on the left front burner of that eBay Stratoliner. That was a very upscale feature then; Stratos must have been very expensive.
I'm also seeing a temp sensor on the left front burner of that eBay Stratoliner. That was a very upscale feature then; Stratos must have been very expensive.
northwesty
Well-known member
Stratoliner and Liberator
On my vintage the Liberator was the top of the line - double oven. The statoliner had only a single oven and storage on the other side. There might have been a plainer double oven BOL that I think I have seen.
I have the service manual for GE stoves, but a little older vintage 1932-1942. Names: "the Studio", "the Statesman", "The Master", "The Airliner", "The Page", "The Leader", "The Chancellor", "The Stratoliner", and the top of the line for that era, "The Imperial 60", which had the two ovens.
On my vintage the Liberator was the top of the line - double oven. The statoliner had only a single oven and storage on the other side. There might have been a plainer double oven BOL that I think I have seen.
I have the service manual for GE stoves, but a little older vintage 1932-1942. Names: "the Studio", "the Statesman", "The Master", "The Airliner", "The Page", "The Leader", "The Chancellor", "The Stratoliner", and the top of the line for that era, "The Imperial 60", which had the two ovens.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
AHA!
Brian:
NOW I geddit- the Liberator was nicer than the Strato. It sounds like it should be the other way 'round, doesn't it? The eBay auction for the Strato bears you out perfectly; that range has one set of oven controls, not two.
Thanks for clearing that up!
Brian:
NOW I geddit- the Liberator was nicer than the Strato. It sounds like it should be the other way 'round, doesn't it? The eBay auction for the Strato bears you out perfectly; that range has one set of oven controls, not two.
Thanks for clearing that up!
frontaloadotmy
Well-known member
But my gansky range has two Ovens
Maybe the stainless clad small door denotes storage only?
Maybe the stainless clad small door denotes storage only?
danemodsandy
Well-known member
That's Not It Either...
Nope- my mom's best friend has her GE with two ovens and a chrome panel on the door of the small oven...
Is a puzzlement.
Nope- my mom's best friend has her GE with two ovens and a chrome panel on the door of the small oven...
Is a puzzlement.
Stainless
As best I can tell, the stainless panel(s) were a styling feature of the 1957 product line, along with their "straight-line styling." The top-of-the-line range (Liberator), refrigerator (bottom mount), washer and dryer all had a stainless panel on the front. On the refrigerator, it was the freezer front panel (drawer). On the dryer it was the portion of the front beneath the dryer door, with matching panel on the front of the washer. As far as I know it only lasted the one year.
Lawrence
As best I can tell, the stainless panel(s) were a styling feature of the 1957 product line, along with their "straight-line styling." The top-of-the-line range (Liberator), refrigerator (bottom mount), washer and dryer all had a stainless panel on the front. On the refrigerator, it was the freezer front panel (drawer). On the dryer it was the portion of the front beneath the dryer door, with matching panel on the front of the washer. As far as I know it only lasted the one year.
Lawrence
