Bewitching stove! Westinghouse Continental Range - $300 (Madison Place)

[kevin313]

Looks like Samantha changed stoves as often as she changed Darrins!! (Dick York and Dick Sargent....I always liked York better!).

I have to agree with Hans about the radiant tubes - I know people are critical because they are a single tube unit, and they don't heat up as fast as Calrods or Corax, but I really like the way they cook - very even and consistent heating, I've found.

The appeal of the "high oven" is understandable, but it's not something I ever longed to have. I guess they felt more "built in" or custom, but I don't want that much heat so close to my face when I'm baking and cooking. Just the same, some of these sure are pretty!

 

[petek]

As much as I love those Flairs wouldn't the surface units be somewhat "in the way" when they're jutting out further than the adjacent cabinetry on either side.

 

[ovrphil]

Calrods and Corax vs. "single tube"...?? that's something I'll need to google.

From what I read, they made the Flair line for 10 years ( 1960-1970), some came in other colors like turquoise and pink.

While the cooking surface is a bit heavy and clunky, that upper half is still elegant and pretty even if we might lose a few eyelashes with the oven heat.

they sure have a following, including the link below and http://www.danlangdon.com/flair.htm

http://obviousdiversion.com/personal/frigidaire-flair/

 

[ovrphil]

Petek: How you cook would dictate if you could use these comfortably or not. I just like the retro look, but might find the pullout awkward if moving around alot from left counter to right. Maybe that's part of the reason why the pullout cooktop was phased out for the Flair Twin-30 Ranges(yellow stove ad)?

 

[ovrphil]

Flair oven resource page

For anyone who doesn't have this link, here's a link to where you can download an owner's manual and Frigidaire Service Tech-Talk Manual both FREE..and there's more resources for parts, etc. there, as well. If this is redundant info here on AW.org, oh well - hope it helps someone.

http://obviousdiversion.com/personal/frigidaire-flair/

 

[davey7]

I'm picturing Uncle Arthur's disembodied head saying "don't worry, Sammy, we're all electric"!

And be sure to watch the Paul Lynde Halloween Special with Florence Henderson and Margaret Hamilton!

 

[luxflairguy]

Actually, the Flair range AND the Flair twin range were marketed together in the 60's. I have 4 years of Frigidaire range booklets where they were both offered. The Flair twin was discountinued before the Flair.

 

[ovrphil]

Davey7: Halloween special with Paul Lynde? will look for it...

Lately, the Flair ovens are coming up on Craigslist - so, how about 'nother in YELLOW?

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/app/3315904667.html

 

[alr2903]

I always thought the the eyelevel ovens would be dangerous,  (think thankgiving turkeys),   not only do you have to reach over the cooktop if pulled out. But to lift and pull out  a heavy bulky item, is not the safest task for people that are shorter or elderly. What made me think of this was the bracket they now give you with every stove so it wont tip over if you pull out a heavy rack, or someone would stand on or fall on the oven door.  ( we were deprived) our mom never let us stand on the open oven door .  alr 

 

[norgeway]

The flimsy...

JUNK made today needs the anti tip device, a Flair dosent because it weighs a ton!!

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Well, that Westinghouse D/O U/L hopefully is worth its weight in tonnage!

Amazing how it never caught on as much as General Electric ranges (or even other Westinghouse appliances) yet it was claimed to be a better range than some of its competition in some respects...

Now about that lower oven light switch: Does it toggle back 'n' forth or up 'n' down?

A Sears Kenmore drop-in range (slide in?) had a button you pulled out to turn on & pushed back in to shut off, so does this one, or would it be a simple push-button?

That part of the pic is not easy to see! Nice how clean as if unused this stove also seems to be...!

-- Dave

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

OK, I found a way to answer my own question, not to mention a way to view a couple even better pics of the Westinghouse U/L D/O Continental stove...

Hope that it's OK to post this link:

-- Dave

http://www.easybkitchen.com/2010/03/old-stoves.html

 

[ovrphil]

DaveAMKrayoGuy: That link shows a nice shot of his 1967 Avocado Frigidaire Flair located in the corner. Someone said these stoves were not exactly the safest, as reaching over the burners to pull down a roast of heavy dish wouldn't work for the elderly or some younger chefs(kids). His oven opens from the right(left hinge) and is, I think, in a good location. I agree with his comments -he thinks they're works of art...and many of the appliances of the early to mid century seemed to have much better styling and construction (and colors!)..than after 1970. To me, this stove is good for a main floor kitchen, but I like that he chose to use it in the basement and has a matching refrigerator - BUT WHERES THE PHOTO of it? :^)

 

[combo52]

Hi Oven Electric Ranges

Hans I totally agree about the Hotpoint Hallmark ranges being the best most advanced hi-oven ranges. I have a 40" model at the warehouse and the 30" here at the home collection with the axillary full sized lower oven, all four ovens have the removable Teflon panels.

 

But as you predicted I will take the thinner GE-HP Calrod elements over the Frigidaire mono-tube elements any day for any type of surface cooking. The Frigidaire Flair ranges themselves were well made mechanically but had far more problems with controls, clocks, and the wiring itself.

 

[ovrphil]

Combo52 : well, if that's true about the Flairs - I wonder how the Flair owners feel about their ovens - the ones who have owned and used them for years...what problems consistent with what you said, have they wrestled with? It's good info - will keep it in mind, when I go buying, someday, after this present stay over ends.