Dreamy 59-ish 30" GE!

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Oven Controls

For the one that is for sale for 225, there are 2 oven controls - one for the function (bake, timed bake, broil) and one for the temperature of the cavity.  The third rotary control is (was) for the Sensi-Temp surface unit.  The front left was the Sensi-Temp burner, but appears to have been replaced at some time.  There should be a button in the center of the burner that is spring loaded and presses against the bottom of the pan/pot and senses the temperature of the pan/pot.  The correct  (i.e., desired) temperature is controlled by the third rotary control and is infinitely adjustable.  The push-button switches for the Sensi-Temp burner allow for a 4-inch, 6-inch, 8-inch or griddle selection (griddle locks the front and rear burners together function/temperature-wise).  My 40" range has 5 rotary controls; 2 for the main oven (as described above), 2 for the companion oven (identical to the main oven), and the same Sensi-Temp rotary control for the left front burner.

 

lawrence
 
The oven controls were called Dinner Dials by GE. Each function controlled by the Oven Set knob: Bake, Time Bake, Broil & Rotisserie had its own scale that showed up in the window. The oven temp dial moved a linear indicator back and forth on the scale. Unfortunately, the controls are NLA.
 
Yep, those 'Dinner Dials' look familiar. Looks like this range could still use some scrubbin.

Andy - thanks, glad you like the range and the counters. Hard to tell in the photograph, but the laminate is Formica's "Boomerang" pattern in coral.

lawrence
 
I don't say this often, but if this range was closer, I'd be ALL over it!  While I like the original 57/58 version of this range, I prefer this one as it has the two large / two small burner configuration.

 

I'd be curious to see what the display looks like for Broil, Time Bake, etc.  Such a cool range!

 

Ben
 
Lawrence

The fact that it is the boomerang pattern makes it even better. Last time I looked at Formica, that pattern had been discontinued again. :( Have not checked to see if another laminant manufacturer offers something like it.
 
Sensi Temp...

by '61 was the electric thermistor type, notorious for lack of longevity compared with the earlier fluid "hydralic" type called Automatic Calrod" on about '59(?) and earlier models, which is extremely reliable... our '58 works great and we'd hate to be without that wonderful feature!
 
Andy, the version of 'boomerang' that I have is not historically correct, even though it had the 'Formica' name on it.  Somewhere along the way a few years ago Formica must have lost the copyright on that pattern (not sure who else would have rights to it) because the color combinations changed.  The charcoal was always the best-looking colorway IMHO, but they changed some of the colors and it just wasn't the same.  The coral is ok, but was not an original offering.  Sorry to hear that it's no longer available.  Seems like on of the other manufacturers (maybe Pionite?) had a similar pattern.

 

The primary reason my Sensi-Temp still works is because I really NEVER cook (so stating that it still works is something of an assumption - it did the last time I used that burner).

 

lawrence
 
Redo

I eventually want to re-face the white painted cabinets I have now. Most of the cabinets are original to the house. Some were added later. Hardware doesn't match. The hardware specs are different for the old section of cabinet and the ones that were added later. And those specs are all different from what on the market now. So refacing seems like the way to go. Then there will still be the hardware marks on the cabinets where the old doors were mounted. I have seen some really cool retro looking hardware: It's a round concave chrome pull with chrome starburst behind it. Those are available on a couple of different websites. The boomerang countertop I would like to have, but I'm sure I can come up with something that would fit nicely into a retro theme.
 
Formica Boomerang . . .

Formica boomerang in charcoal was readily available at Lowe's last year.  The original 1956 woodgrain Formica on the wet bar at my parent's house had faded badly in spots exposed to sunlight and needed replacement so I opted for the boomerang. I ordered it online and had it delivered to the local Lowe's. In the end, it took two orders and oddly enough the material in the first order was thinner than that in the second order even though the color and pattern were identical. Both orders shipped directly out of Formica in Bakersfield. It looks very nice, I'd hate to think they no longer make it.

 

The finishing touch will be to hang a real boomerang above the bar.  I found the perfect boomerang wrapped in paper while helping clean out my uncle's house after his death; his wife was Australian so I'm assuming it is authentic.
 
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