GE Versatronic Control Dryer

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Banquet

This is my last post for tonight. I never expected such an immediate and overwelmingly friendly response. Thanks to everyone for cheering me up as I recover from the kelvinator shock. I'll be checking back tomorrow and I'll try to get the serial number on the versatronic. I'll leave you with one angle of my kitchen. It's a section that has a built-in banquet. Naugahyde I believe. It was there when I moved in. On the side coming out from the wall, in the back, it has the heater/radiator or whatever you call it built right into it. The table matches the counters, although I know that the "legs" of the table weren't original. It originally had chrome legs. The walls of the kitchen are dripped porcelain on metal. A magnet sticks to the walls. The ceiling is all white shiny metal, like you would see for the ceiling of a diner. It's all in immaculate condition. I was very lucky to get the place and feel an obligation to preserve it.

Thanks again all.

9-6-2005-21-53-37--Versatronic.jpg
 
You definitely fit in here. Thanks for sharing all the great pictures. Where in the world did you get the beautiful Sunbeam mixer in Turquoise? That sure is a beauty. An oil dryer, now I have heard of everything. Sure hope you can show us some inside shots sometime. Welcome to the club. Terry
 
I lied...

...but I'm shutting down and going to bed now. I picked up the '57 Mixmaster at a flea market. I couldn't believe the condition it was in. No paint chips anywhere. Just gorgeous. I have another turquoise one is great shape but with no bowls. I have two chrome ones and one white one. One of the chrome ones had all kinds of great attachments with it. My favorite is the glass juicer that goes on top. I also have one chromed out dormeyer that is gorgeous. All flea market finds over the years. Sometimes I have two or three of the same thing. It's a disease. So if anybody ever wants to trade, I'm always up for that.
 
I love all the pictures. Thanks a lot for taking them. That cooktop is breath taking as is the oven. Is there a dishwasher? I look forward to the rest of the interior too. I particularly love the turqoise period pieces.
 
The Dishwasher

You guys have me wound up. Here's the diswasher. The whole kitchen was decked out in GE stuff. I manuals were left behind as well.

9-6-2005-22-39-14--Versatronic.jpg
 
Stove Top Money Shot

Appnut, I thought you might be interested in seeing more of the Stovetop. The door in the middle of the stovetop opens to reveal a grittle. I pulled the grittle aside so you could see the heating elements underneath it. Pretty cool, huh? Notice that the grittle still has an original factory sticker on it, meaning, it's never been used!

9-6-2005-22-51-38--Versatronic.jpg
 
You have quite a treasure trove of appliances there - thanks for the pictures! How does the dishwasher clean?

There should be a wiring diagram on the back of the dryer, can you photo that? An oil-fired clothes dryer does seem highly unlikely given the nature of the fuel, its combustion and the ignition system needed to make it work, this will be interesting!
 
Wow, that dishwasher is awesome. You do understand it's not the original dishwasher. But, this one appears to be 1970 or so, just before the PotScrubber cycle was released on the market. I could be wrong, but that's what I sense. and with it being the famous 2-speed, that's so cool. I can't quite make out the cycle buttons. Ideally, I would love for you to email me what the buttons say as well as cycle sequences (washes & rinses per button as well as cycle time). (I can make out china crystal on the far right) (that uses the more delicate washing speed--actually not a 2 speed motor, but the water is kinda aerated and gentler because it doesn't fill up with as much water as the normal fills do. But the automatic rinse-glo insignia on the panel does date the machine to at most 1971 or 1972. I'm fascinated by it.

In a way I can understand the griddle never being used. Our gas cooktop had one (including a built-in temperature indicator). My mom used it some, more for the novelty. She hated cleaning up the cooktop after frying bacon or sausage on it. It was never used to its full potential tho. Made pancakes some. But she eventually resorted back to her trusty cast iron skillet for those pancakes, fench toast, and grilled cheese (what a waste). Enough of my ranting.

Again, thankis for the pics. And send that email is ya can--it's in my profile.
 
I think you're about right on that dishwasher, Bob. I have the brochure for this model year, the TOL model did have a "super wash" cycle for heavily soiled items and the split upper rack. It was the "Americana Versatronic" - quite regal sounding for a machine that didn't have a great reputation for cleaning ability. ;-)

That cooktop looks like a newer Thermador model, I had a friend whose parents built a new home with one and they used the griddle all the time.
 
I also have the dryer. Mine is a 1968. I had to research that because the board was bad and the auto dry would not work. The great news from GE was that the board was NLA, but Larry rode to the rescue and I bought the one he had. The dryer is very quiet and I like the control panel far better than the 70s reconfiguration with orange and yellow markings on my GE Big Mouth dryer.

Have you looked behind this dryer to see where it is connected to an electrical outlet? Tell us about the plug.

Next time you are in the grocery store, look for Fruit Fresh. It should be readily available near the sugar and canning/freezing supplies since it will soon be time to "put up" apples. Fruit Fresh is citric acid and you should use it in your dishwasher to remove the iron stains. You start the machine with nothing in it and the detergent cup empty, but closed. Turn the timer dial until you hear the cup open, or just let it run until you hear the cup open because you want the main wash. Open the door and pour in the container of Fruit Fresh and restart the machine. That should remove the iron stains. Stupid "hints column" people have recommended using Tang for this, but wasting that much sugar is a crime just to get the citric acid.
 
LOL

With the atomic symbol on it I was at first wondering if the damn dryer needed uranium.. HA HA

Quote "It's sick, I know, but that's why I fit in here, I think. Anyway, survey says..."

Hmmmmmmm NO COMMENT. LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL
 
Answers

Thanks for all the info. I knew the stove top was not original because I have the paper work/manual on it and its dated and has a zip code on it and you're right, it's a thermador. I've come across some vintage cooktops but I never felt compelled to replace it. The styling fits right in with everything else. I'm really happy with it.

As for the dishwasher, it never ever crossed my mind that it might not be original to the building of the house. The lettering on it, like the rinse-glo insignia, man, that's right out of the fifties. But I don't doubt you guys. That's why I'm here, because of the expertise. I thought I had the manual around here somewhere, too, and it led me to believe it was a late fifties model. I'll have to see if I can dig it up again. I'll email more info about the dishwasher to you tonight appnut.

The washer that was in this place up until the day of my closing, I believe was a Magic Chef, because they left the manual behind. The graphics on the manual would lead me to believe it was a 70's washer. They were supposed to leave it here, but when I did my walk-thru, it was gone. Later when I asked about it, the guy said his daughter needed a washer.

The back of the dryer has some schematics and stuff. It would be really tough to get a pictures of it. I'd have to pull the dryer away from the wall and I am afraid to do that. I might end up with fuel oil all over the floor or something. The back of the dryer is enclosed and I can't get pictures of the inside works without pulling the dryer out, taking the back off, etc. As an amatuer, it's probably something I shouldn't attempt. Just so you know, there is zero percent soot problem from the oil burner. None whatsoever. It burns as clean as clean can be and works great. It takes less time to dry my clothers than with an electric or gas dryer. I've own both previously.
 
The plug

There is no electric cord and plug visible. There is nothing coming out of the dryer except the exhaust and the copper fuel tube. The only thing I can figure is there's a hole in the floor under the dryer and a cord goes down through the floor and hooks into the electric somewhere. There is no sign of any cord coming through the floor underneath the dryer, which sits over my garage (garage is under the house). So, I can't tell you anything about the electric part of it. Nothing is exposed or easy to get to.
 
OK Mike.

HA BE un-cooperative (wink).Don't be surprised when the Northeast contingent gets in a car and knocks on your door...

We may have to find a vintage GE electric replacement for you, run a 30a 220 line and do an emergency autopsy (ooopps I meant exploratory surgery) on the oil-fired dinosaur.

Just kidding.

*SIGH*

Maybe, just maybe, when you get your oil heat serviced in *AHEM* SEPTEMBER or OCTOBER for the season the oilman could be persuaded ($20) or enticed ($40) to move it for you so you could open it and "clean it" ...ya know all that lint.

Worst case scenario (to save face) tell him you want to make sure there is a valve back there and would he intall one for you? After all you'd HATE to call him back in January should the thing (gawd forbid) die and need to be relplaced.

Then, with a digital camera... snap the hell put of it.
Then the oilman can recover it and put it back in place.

BTW ONE standard 4" exhaust? or two "flues" ??

LOL who ME pushy? NO WAY. LOL
 
Your tea kettles, by the way, are fabulous.

Had the Farberware [back left] till my mother-in-law appropriated it. Gotta love her. It was OK. The kettle only worked on my gas stove, (bottom not flat) not the two other smooth-tops. LOL
 
Pushy? The thought never crossed my mind...

I called in late for work since my "new" kelvinator leaked toxic waste all over the floor last night and buckled one of my kitchen tiles, the evil thing. So, here is a picture of the back showing the exhaust and tubing. I also attempted to take a picture of the schematic. There's another one back there also, but some of it is torn off.

Those are just some of my tea kettles. I have a little more expertise in small appliances and vintage kitchenware than I do with large appliances. The farberware piece is actually from the 70's and outside of the era that I collect. However, the styling is so wonderfully space age, it fits with everything else. I have two like the one you see and a smaller one. I pulled out another tea kettle for you to look at. This one gets the award for best jetsons styling (that I own, I'm on the hunt for the holy grail of tea kettles, I've seen pictures of it, and found a smaller version at a flea market once...but the full size has eluded me).

The camera says battery low...

9-7-2005-07-16-47--Versatronic.jpg
 
Oh Well

The schematic picture got such a glare on it, that most of it is blanked out and not visible. Sorry for the tease. I'll try again at a later time.

Here's my favorite tea kettle. I haven't had a chance to clean this one up yet to get ready for display. This is the condition I found it in. This thing will clean right up and sparkle, though, when I get to it.

9-7-2005-07-19-6--Versatronic.jpg
 
Hi Mike, GE put Rinse-Glo on their dishwashers from about the mid 60's thru the early 70's.

As for that pipe sticking out of the dryer, are you sure that isn't a natural gas line? It sure looks that way.
 
It's Oil

No, trust me, it's oil. I did find the tubing that goes from the oil tanks to the dryer. Plus, I don't get a gas bill. My home heating is oil as well. The oil heats water that flows through pipes throughout the house. I've been told it's about the most effecient heating system ever devised.
 
I think that's the ONLY GE dishwasher I'd allow in my house. Can't help lovin' that Rinse Glo!

I've been looking for that "leafy" toaster for a while now. Nice to see one up-close and personal. Looks even better than I imagined.

Hmmm. Harrisburg isn't very far from Baltimore. Mike, I'm comin' for a visit!

veg
 
What's a glo-rinse?

Do you know what a tresaure that dryer is?
I has GOT to be the rarest thing around.

Thank you Mike for your kind compliance. You are much appreciated and esteemed ALREADY. LOL
 
Versatronic Series

GE has a long history of creating marketing buzz by launching appliance series, often associated with a specific appliance innovation. The "Americana" series was coined with the release of the ice and water dispensor refrigerator in the late 60's. Remember the Brady Bunch refrigerator. The Versatronic series was released around the same time. This series was at the launch of their combination microwave/conventional ovens marketed in free standing and hi/lo range versions.

I have never seen an oil fired dryer either, but I have seen several alternate energy source appliances marketed by speicialty retailers geared to the rural/remote customer. Often times these were retrofitted versions of standard models.

The Thermador cooktop you have is one of their standards and they manufactured a version of this cooktop for nearly fifty years.

I have seen this dryer (electric version)and its' matching washer in the equipment laboratory at SUNY Oneanta. The lab was remodeled in the late 60's. I last was there around 1992 and I am sure the lab has been dismanteled by now.
 
Versatronic Series

GE has a long history of creating marketing buzz by launching appliance series, often associated with a specific appliance innovation. The "Americana" series was coined with the release of the ice and water dispensor refrigerator in the late 60's. Remember the Brady Bunch refrigerator. The Versatronic series was released around the same time. This series was at the launch of their combination microwave/conventional ovens marketed in free standing and hi/lo range versions.

I have never seen an oil fired dryer either, but I have seen several alternate energy source appliances marketed by speicialty retailers geared to the rural/remote customer. Often times these were retrofitted versions of standard models.

The Thermador cooktop you have is one of their standards and they manufactured a version of this cooktop for nearly fifty years.

I have seen this dryer (electric version)and its' matching washer in the equipment laboratory at SUNY Oneanta. The lab was remodeled in the late 60's. I last was there around 1992 and I am sure the lab has been dismanteled by now.
 
I think that the dryer is direct wired and that is the conduit. There is no other connection to the dryer and it has to have electricity to run. If you take off the small cover over the terminal block, you will see that this tube sprouts 3 wires. Actually, if the circuit breaker panel or fuse box is not in the same room as the dryer, most modern code will not allow it to be direct wired like it is.

I have the 6 cup size of the Revere Designer's Group tea pot like in your picture. I knew that two sizes of tea kettles were made for the line, but did not know that the tea pot came in a larger size. So many of these little tea pots were ruined when people boiled water in them forgetting that water is boiled in the tea kettle and tea is brewed in the tea pot.
 
As the Homeowner THIS IS IMPORTANT...

Hi Mike, as the homeowner you really need to know how that dryer works. I don't mean to be a stinker here, but for your saftey this is important. I'm sure Tom is correct that the pipe you see contains 220volt electrical wires. There would be no way to run the motor, timer or overhead console fluorescent lamp without electricity. An oil fired dryer would cause an incredible amount of soot and would be very against code in the USA. Can you take a picture of your circuit breaker box? The dryer is most likely hooked up to one of your 30amp breakers. It's important that you know how to cut power to the dryer just in case of an emergency. All GE gas dryers from that era have a little door at the bottom of the front of dryer, all electric ones are door free, such as your dryer.
 
Allen, I think the first Americana product from GE was the range with the oven above the cooktop. It was offered with just the cooktop and upper oven that sat on a base cabinet and also with a larger oven below. It was introduced in the early 60s to compete with all of the ranges that followed Tappan's Fabulous 400: Frigidaire's Flair, Roper's Charmless, Westinghouse's Continental, Hotpoint's Hallmark and a host of ugly wannabees. We have the first GE Americana refrigerator with the countertop between the French-doors that opened to reveal the fresh food section above and the roll out freezer section below. The Americana dishwasher had, briefly in the early 70s, two detergent cups and infinite switches on the control panel that allowed selection of longer or shorter washing & drying times from the midpoint default setting. By increasing the time that current ran to the timer motor the cycle portions could be shortened and by decreasing the amount of time that current ran to the timer motor, the washing and drying times could be increased.
 

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