Doin' it with Flair!

[dalangdon]

Speed Heat fix

My speed heat burner went out, and I figured it was goners until I happened to find its fuse, which is brilliantly positioned above the ovens in the rear left-hand corner. Whatever braniac thought that one up deserves a cookie.

Of course, once I got the speed heat up and running, the heat-minder broke, and I still haven't figured that one out.

There is also a fuse behind the rear right-hand burner. I think it controls the convenience outlet, but since mine doesn't work, I can't say for certain.

As far as the exhaust vent goes, I have one, but I have never hooked it up. The new house affords me that opportunity, however, so I may just have to try it.

For what it's worth, I do have some information on my website about the flair. you can check it out if you like.

Loading…

danlangdon.com

 

[veg-o-matic]

Venus, my sweet--smack if you will; I probably deserve it.

But remind me--when did you buy that range...?

veg, bobbing and weaving

 

[retromom]

She is the

Scott:

That is an RCI-59 aka a 1959 Frigidaire Custom Imperial Range. The area on the right hand side is the Speed Heat/Heat Minder display and control. Here are a few more pics for your perusal. Boy, Frigidaire used to make some terrific and innovative products; like Cory's Flair and this range. What a shame they've fallen to such mediocrity.

Veg:

That pitter-patter I hear better be your Nike-clad feet! I am right behind you with one of my spare agitators!

Venus - add "teenager" to list of why I shouldn't be messed with!

P.S. Jeff: I guess I'd better behave or Air-Way Charlie will have me abducted and sent to his Joan Crawford Finishing School. YIKES :-0

 

[Versatronic]

Question

Dalangdon, it appears that your Flair has two separate oven compartments but the manual appears to show one. Was this available in two configurations?

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Versatronics Flair Question

Indeed it was; a 30" wide single oven or a 40" double
oven, one oven small.

 

[Versatronic]

Thanks

FrontalLoad, did GE make an almost identical tabletop Oven?

 

[Versatronic]

I retract the question

I just called the person who owns the "GE" and it's not. She's got a coppertone GE Fridge she wants to get rid of as well, and maybe that's why I had it in my head that it was a GE. She has a Frigidaire Custom Imperial Flair in White, the two oven configuration, in near mint conditon, with the counter, the extras, the original paperwork, the whole sha-bang, and it all works. Now I don't need an oven per say, but I planned on building a bar/lounge in my basement at some point in the future, and this flair is so cool, I was considering working it into the bar.

She won't give me a price on what she wants for it but she wants to sell. She's waiting for me to make an offer.

Ladies and Gentlemen of dishwasher.org, what would be a fair price to offer her for this? I may give her this link to show that I consulted with the experts, so make sure your recommendations are nice and low and within my means. Thanks.

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Results to P# 87001 should be very interesting!!!!

Mike - I find my self in a similar situation; though a washing
drying unit on "the floor" of a repair and sell biz.
As it relates to the "Flair" they were around for quite a few
years with not extensive changes. About six years ago, in
the Grass Valley daily rag I encounterd one for $40 with a home made knotty pine base cabinet. It had been originally purchased by the Mother of the seller in 1961. It was less than pristine, but every bit as usable as what I had in place @ the time. (I still have it, nis; pity that AW.O didn't
secure the "Transporter" when Captain Kirk & the rest of the original crew retired!) I have seen Flairs w/optional base cab
and vent for as low as $175 and less when the whole works aren't included. My personal take on acquisition in general is that if one waits long enough an item becomes available at
a price that can be lived with. If this seller really wants to sell her Flair she will say how much she wants, or at least, hopes to get for it. If she wont come that far, let her find her perfect buyer. I think I have seen referals to Ebay on AW.O where more than $1000 has been expected for one.

 

[dalangdon]

The market has fallen, flair-wise.

They don't seem to be selling like they were. We had one on craigslist - a real beauty too - that has been reduced and reduced, yet no one will buy.

I'd say offer her $100, if that's what you can afford. It would cost that much to haul it away.

 

[southernmdgeguy]

Thanks Venus!

Can't wait to see that operational!

I would love to pick up that Flair in Pa too, but no where to put it for now.. time to do some garage cleaning!

 

[gansky1]

Ben, the vent was an option and can be removed and placed on another 30" Flair if desired.

Pricing. A vintage gas range, depending on brand and model will always bring more than an electric unless it's very rare or unusual. I've been watching ebay ranges (bethann is a great "heads up" hunter too!) and a vintage Okeefe and Merritt, Chambers, Tappan, etc. command the highest prices - sometimes approaching $1000. I've seen a few Flairs behind Lowes, at sales, etc. and most people have trouble giving them away let alone fetching a hefty price for them. I saw a pink Westinghouse range on ebay that went for a little more than $500, but that is rare and probably can be mostly attributed to the color.

I'm currently finishing a restore job on a 1950 Maytag Dutch Oven gas range. I found two of them, one in Kansas City (craigslist) and another was on ebay from Texas. I combined the best of the two units into one (with a big box of spares left over) and have had a great time learning about them and seeing how things work. Here is a picture of the two ranges before work began. The kettle in the range on the right isn't the OEM part, that was missing and I'm still looking for the original so this one will have to do for now...

 

[rocky2]

Cory,

Another great rescue from you and Ben. Great cleanup job too, that oven is spotless. Here's a picture of the flair I just picked up. This is my second. Not too clear in the pic but its pink. The base cabinet is more beat up and the ovens are super greasy. What did you and Ben use?

Venus - Can't wait to see that Beautiful range in its rightful place.

 

[rocky2]

Side-by-Side Flairs

Here's a pic of the two. Latest find is on the left and the first is on the right. Haven't started work on the latest find yet.

 

[Versatronic]

Wow

Who would have believed that so many people here have Flairs! It seems that people here have a great eye for sharp appliances. Thanks for the input on the price I should offer.

 

[swestoyz]

Ranges for everyone!

Greg - if I were to decide based on just the photo, it would be a toss up on which of the two Dutch ovens is a better candidate. They both look great! I've only seen them beat up in a basement or out in the 'yeards, and would love to see yours when it is done!

Rocky - two of the same 40'' flair! Very nice - and one in Pink! I would scream bethann, but I have a feeling a Flair is a bit too new for her. We use different stuff to clean these things. I take it easy on the glass due to the paint, so use little amounts of LA's Totally Awesome! - which actually works well. For the nity grity metal parts, Grainger's Capt. Courageous (2U025) works very well as a base degreaser, soap and water, then polish up like new. For the glass diffuser, lots of LA's and a brillow pad to clean that up. Just the basics.

Ben

 

[bethann]

Another job well done guy's!

The luck you two have finding appliances would lead me to believe you might have a good chance getting struck by lightning! Or better yet, hitting the lottery! LOL!

 

[veg-o-matic]

Cory, your pictures always look so artistic and cool. Do you do 'em, or does Ben? Those Flairs just make me tingle "down there"!

The Fabulous 400 came in a gas model, didn't it?

Venus, that CI looks as great as I remember. In the garage, is it...?

veg

 

[cadman]

Thanks Veg!

Yeah, I'm the photog around here- once in a while when I get the itch I grab the SLR and mix up the chemicals downstairs. Though I have to admit, digital cameras have all but killed off DIY darkroom work. Anyone remember those? : )

And Bethann, I hope our luck holds out- Ben is searching for his perfect Flair and I'm on a Maytag hunt. Guess we'll see!

-Cory

 

[retromom]

In the summertime when the weather is hot........

Oh, Veg!

Think of the garage as my "summer kitchen". ;-)

Venus - like a cat on a hot tin roof.....

 

[Brneyedgrl80]

I know the topic is old...

but does anyone have an idea as to how much the ranges weigh? I'm asking for all the sizes.