GE Automatic Calrod burner advice

[kevin313]

With the wealth of knowledge here, I'm hoping someone can help with this issue.

I've got a GE stove with an automatic Calrod burner. It is the only large burner on the cooktop - it also has a switch that allows the use of just the inner coils or all coils. The switch for the burner is the sliding type - from right to left...low to high.

This burner will just get lukewarm - barely hot enough to melt butter in a pan while set on high.

Any clues? Easy fix? Can it be converted to a regular burner?

I'll get some pictures of the stove up here in case that would help -any advice is deeply appreciated!

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[firedome]

Kevin:

I believe there were 2 types of auto calrod units depending on vintage, the earlier "hydraulic" type was replaced around '61 or '62 (?) I think, by an electronic type, then I believe they switched back again at some point. The hydraulic type is considered more trouble free. Thermistors in auto calrods are a weak point. What vintage or type do you have?

 

[firedome]

PS is the sliding switch

for the coil selector or for setting the burner temperature? Our '58 Liberator had a toggle switch for the coil selector but a slider for the temp. Our '56 Hotpoit TOL has the temp slider but no coil selctor at all, the SuperMatic Calrod unit also serves when lowered as the deep well coil.

 

[kevin313]

Here's the stove, coil and switch

The GE with automatic Calrod:

 

[kevin313]

the switch to use all or part of the coils

 

[kevin313]

the sliding automatic Calrod switch

 

[kevin313]

the coil

 

[norgeway]

Beautiful Stove Kevin...

I never have had any luck with a thermostatic unit,,,I would love to use one that worked correctly just once!! Im pretty sure there is a replacement slide control to convert it to infinite heat..

 

[sel8207]

re; calrod auto unit

I myself have an august 1960 Sensi temp unit (in a g.e. TOL range), that doesn't work. It has the resistor type sensing unit that changes value in proportion to the temperature of the pan that is sitting on the sensor. Having searched the web, I can tell you that this site is about the only place to find info regarding those issues. Yours looks like about a 1957 model. Go to Ephemera; brand; g.e., type of appliance ; range/stove, and there is a little service repair manual under G.E. service manuals for 1957 electric ranges,that explains capillary tube type sensi temp units or as they are called Automatic Calrod. Under Ranges/Stoves Service manuals parts lists. It is $ 2.42. It will explain their operation and repair. The Capillary tube (oil filled ) preceded the resistor type in production but cannot say exactly what year they changed over, or whether yours is the capillary tube, or ohm sensing resistor type. Other people at this site know more than I about them. They can tell you the feasibility of finding parts for them or whether to change over to an infinite temp. control. Good luck to you . Les[this post was last edited: 4/28/2014-10:45]

 

[pulltostart]

Kevin,

My red 1961 (aka "Big Red") was built with a Sensi-Temp unit on the left front position, but at some point in the past the unit was replaced with a conventional 8" burner. In the case of this stove, the controls consisted of 5 push buttons on the top of the backsplash and a rotary thermostat on the front of the backsplash. What they (don't know who "they" were) did was replace the push button unit with a conventional 6-button unit that matched the controls for the other 3 burners, and they disconnected the rotary control. So now although the embossed text in the chrome trim still reflects the Sensi-Temp positions the controls function like all of the others, with 5 heat positions.

I assume something like that could be done with your range, if the Automatic unit proved to be defective.

lawrence

 

[firedome]

Kevin it is a '57 or '58,

forget if it's one of the "named" models such as "Stewardess". Should have the hydraulic oil filled type, which is a good thing, same as on the '58 Liberator we had which worked fine, and they are generally long lived. The manual has the trouble shooting procedures, I had one but let it go with the range. If desired I believe it could be converted to regular type and the sliding switch can be replaced by a push button unit as the lower models had them in the same location. Good luck, cute little range!

 

[kevin313]

All,

Thanks so much for the advice and information. I'll check the repair manual for this range and see what I can figure out.

Thanks again!!