Early 1970s 40" GE electric P7 Range Model #J 487004 AV

[Drewbiz]

Hi guys,

I'm new to the forum. I just found it. I have been trying to find more info on my 40" GE P7. Mine has the knobs and no buttons. I think it is from the early 70s. It is Avocado colored and my wife hates it and wants to get rid of it. I love it and want to repair the little things that are wrong and get another 40 + years out of it. I have used the sensitemp burner because the other 8" burner stopped working. I just got a replacement 8" burner to fix that. The sensitemp burner works well still, but sometimes it gets to temperature and cuts off, but doesn't come back on. could that be an issue with the sensor or the type of cookware? Also, I plan on replacing the 8" burner and cleaning the area under the top, but I am having trouble getting the top off. Is there a latch or magic button?

Drew

 

[whirlcool]

You know that if your wife doesn't like the color there are companies out there that can change it for you. They use an epoxy style paint and the results look very good.

 

[danemodsandy]

Drew:

Welcome to AW and to the wonderful world of GE vintage ranges!

Your Sensi-Temp problem could be cookware. Cookware has to sit flat on the burner for the Sensi-Temp sensor to contact it correctly. If you have cookware that does not sit flat, or which has a concave bottom, replacing it would be in order. You can test this theory easily with one piece of cookware known to be flat across the bottom. If the Sensi-Temp works correctly with that piece, then other pieces of cookware you've used may be at fault.

If that does not prove to be the case, there are two major components to the Sensi-Temp system. One is the sensor, which you can see in the center of the Sensi-Temp burner. The other is the responder, which is hidden in the control panel of the range.

The other thread you posted to (where the lady was getting a new sensor) has some info about how to determine if your sensor is bad. I'd try that procedure before doing anything else. If that doesn't point to a bad sensor, then posting questions here is A-OK.

Your wife's problem with the range may be the color. Avocado was all the rage in its day, but it's a very dated appliance color now. One workaround might be to live with the Avocado range until a White one turns up. If she doesn't like such a large range, or would rather not trust a vintage appliance - well, a lot of collectors deal with "spousal override." It might be that another size or format might appeal to her more. And it might just be that the only thing wrong is that the range isn't working right at the moment.

I would suggest a nice, light talk with her to find out what she doesn't like about it, with the idea that you'll be okay with her answers. Like: "Honey, I love the idea of having a vintage stove, but I can tell you don't like this one. Can you tell me what you don't like, so maybe we can find something we both can live with?" With most women, the fact that the GUY opened the discussion is delightful - you're usually halfway to resolution just because you broke Guy Rule Number One and decided to "talk about stuff."

I hope something in here is useful.

 

[danemodsandy]

Allen! (Whirlcool)

I wish anyone painting the exterior of a P*7 range lots of mazel.

The exterior of the range gets pretty hot, and I don't think paint is going to hold up long. I know for a fact it won't on the cooktop - too much heat and too much potential for scraping and scratching. Been there, done that, in a rental that came with a range that had been painted.

 

[combo52]

Repainting A Range

There is nothing that will hold up on the cook-top that can be painted on.

 

[Drewbiz]

Avocado is a great color! What are you talking about? Haha.

danemodsandy thanks for the good info. I will give it a try on both checking the Sensitemp and talking to her about what she doesn't like about it. You all are great on here.