Fixing a 1950's GE Electric Range Oven Thermostat

[z28tt]

We've got an old (gorgeous) teal General Electric (electric) range at the cottage from when my grandfather built it, but the oven runs very hot inconsistently. I'm guessing the thermostat needs replacing, but I can't even find a part number or a service manual on where to start.

It looks like this one: http://goldberg60.blogspot.com/2012/12/general-electric-turquoise-kitchen-and.html

Unfortunately, the range is 500 miles away in Canada, and we'll be going up to visit in a few weeks. I was hoping to get the parts or tips to fix it before we go. Thanks!

If a GE replacement parts aren't available, would a universal one work? Is it repairable, or replacement is the only fix? Thanks!

General Electric Turquoise Kitchen and Appliance

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goldberg60.blogspot.com

 

[turquoisedude]

Is the range a Canadian-built model? If so, could please post the model number? I've got some service information with parts references for some 1950s GE Canadian ranges; it may just help!

 

[norgeway]

Good Luck

This is the reason I have never used a GE range, I have had probably 5 of them, they are beautiful and well made, but every single one consistently ran over a hundred degrees too hot, I never had luck finding a thermostat.

 

[z28tt]

Turquoisedude - I'm not sure of the model number. I assume it's Canadian-made, but not positive. A local appliance repair guy that no longer does stoves suggested pulling the temperature knob to see if there was an adjustment screw in the center of the thermostat shaft. Turn it in the direction of temperature increase to reverse it, about 1/8 turn = 25 degrees... I'll try that first.

 

[goatfarmer]

Some do have that adjustment, some don't. There "may" be a universal thermostat available.

 

[combo52]

Older GE Range with overheating oven.

First thing to do is check out the problem.

1 make sure the door is closing properly, also check if the sensor for the thermostat is in the correct position inside the oven [not hanging down the back of the oven out of its clips ]

2 make sure the oven vent is not blocked [ its under one of the rear burners ]

3 make sure both the bake and broil elements work when selected, and make sure there is no foil covering the bottom element etc.

4 place an oven rack in the center position with a good thermometer in the center of rack and set oven to 350F, check temp after 15 minutes and again in 30 and again in an hour. [ don't try testing and monitoring the oven temperatures while you are cooking food in the oven, your reading will generally be off ]

5 If oven temperature is within 50F of setting and does not creep up the longer the oven is on you can make a temperature adjustment on the back of the thermostat knob, if it is off much more than 50F or keeps getting hotter and hotter you need a new thermostat.

John L.