Frigidaire RM-45 oven temp regulator

[OlyCama]

I adopted an RM-45 when I bought my house 5 years ago, and have been using it daily without even knowing that it's from 1949. I just found this website -- what a wealth of knowledge!

My oven temp has started varying WILDLY. Is this something I can fix myself (no electrical experience, but willing & smart)? If so, what sort of part(s) do I need?

Alternatively: does anyone know of someone who repairs appliances like this in the Puget Sound area?

Thanks!

 

[danemodsandy]

I Will....

....Leave your oven problem to the experts around here, but I have some information for you.

That RM-45 is very similar to the 1948 RK-70 I grew up with. The two differences are: 1) the RK-70 was a double-oven range, and 2) it had different burner elements than yours has. Your range was the first year for the "fat" Radiantube elements Frigidaire became so famous for. Radiantubes were used all the way up to the time General Motors sold Frigidaire in the '70s.

Also, your range was designed by the famous industrial designer Raymond Loewy, who also designed cabinets for American Kitchens and cars for Studebaker, among other designs.

Last, I hope you can find an answer to your oven problem, because it will be much easier to fix the range than to move it out. When our RK-70 died, it had to be moved down a very long driveway to the curb, and that's how I know it weighs around 300 pounds, LOL.

I am glad you want to repair your range instead of discarding it. Hopefully Mark kenmore71 will see your post and have some info for you.

 

[retro-man]

What is that interesting piece to the left of the stove? Looks like it could be a built in dishwasher from the 50's.
Jon

 

[OlyCama]

Jon,
The other piece is a contemporary of the range, I think. It's a non-functioning Hotpoint dishwasher, under-the-counter model. I have some of the innards down in the basement, but use it just for storage now. Is it something that someone could want, even if it doesn't work?

 

[retro-man]

You could post a couple of pics of it and possibly someone here would want it or maybe for parts. This is such a large group of collectors that it is a possibility that it could be used.
Jon

 

[combo52]

Oven Temperature Problems

Take some pictures of the inside of your oven and describe the temperature problem you are having and how it is affecting your cooking.In you first picture I think I see at least two possible problems, but I can't tell for sure.

John L.

 

[OlyCama]

John L,
Here are 5 more photos of the oven and also of the bit above the warmer side, that has the fuses.
In terms of what's going on with the temperature: I'll set it to, say, 400. It'll go up to 450 (as measured by the thermometer I've hung inside), so I'll re-set the temperature dial to whatever is necessary so that the oven clicks off/on at 400. Then the temp will drop to 325, so I'll turn the dial up a little. Then the next time I remember to check (because I can smell the puffs that I have baking in it) the temp has soared to 525. I have to take the puffs out b/c they're completely browned on the bottom. I'm pretty confident that the thermometer is at least approximately accurate because I can feel the difference in heat and also because what I cook, like the puffs, get cooked on the outside but not on the inside when the temperature appears to be too high.
Is that helpful? Let me know if there's anything else I can provide.
Thank you!

 

[mattl]

An oven's temp is not a straight line -- set at 400 it will swing up and down sort of like a sine wave.  This is normal.  If the swing is too great it can create issues.  In my other thread on pies differing based on the oven used I shared my experience with my 59' Frigidaire range.  I have a probe for my VOM that reads temps.  Set at 400 the oven peaks at 430 and drops to 390, the initial heating resulted in a temp of 450 - which is fine since we all open the door once it's preheated and a lot of that heat escapes. 

 

I would test your oven with a better mercury or other capillary type thermometer I've never found the metal ones to be too accurate.

 

[combo52]

Oven Temperature Problems

Thanks for writing back, the only way to check an ovens temperature is with the thermometer in the middle of the oven, and you really cannot do this while cooking food. As Matt suggested a better thermometer is also very helpful and as he also mentioned some temperature swing is normal, but it should not be more than around 25 degrees in either direction.

When this oven is heating the broiler element should be on as well at a lower voltage [ 120 volts=1/4 ] of normal broiler heat output. It will normally not get red hot during the bake mode, you can use a portable inferred temperature to see if it is really heating, you could also squirt a little water on it when it is heating to see if it sizzles.

The other thing to check is the oven door, is it closing tightly, also these older ovens were fairly small, when baking be sure that there is at least 2" of space around baking pans for good circulation.

If you still have problems with great fluctuations in temperature the thermostat has problems, there is an adjustment plate behind the control knob, sometimes this adjustment plate has just gotten loose and this will cause all kinds of crazy results. Other than that you may need a new thromostat or to have yours rebuilt, this is where it can get difficult and expensive.

 

[classiccaprice]

I have a 1950 RM-10, a lower version of yours. Here's the adjustment plate John was talking about. When I adjusted mine, I turned it on to a set temperature and left it for set for a while to ensure proper heating. Then I carefully pulled the knob off careful not to change the temperature. Checking the thermometer I placed in the oven, I unscrewed the set screws and used the knob to carefully reset the temperature. Then I took the knob off and carefully screwed the screws back in. It works like a charm now. I hope yours is as simple.

 

[danemodsandy]

Will:

I've said it before, and I'll say it again -

That kitchen of yours is a charmer!

 

[classiccaprice]

Thanks Sandy!