Info on 40" ranges wanted

[rickr]

The 1972 Frigidaire in service at the rental house has a broken hinge on the left side oven. The parts are no longer available, and the door is hanging by one hinge. I was going replace this with a newer range with self cleaning oven, but the tenant wants another vintage 40" range. In fact, she wishes she could just keep the old one, but I said no way. At any rate, I found an old 40" Whirlpool range today at a used appliance store in very good condition. I can purchase it (already cleaned up) for $250.00 with a 90 day warranty. They will also deliver the replacement range, and haul off the Frigidaire. I did not have a camera with me, but the Whirlpool is of similar (but older) style to this one I found on the web. Anyone know if these are a good range or not? Are the burners still available? They just "plug in" to remove the drip pans. So they may only fit Whirlpool. I do not know much about electric ranges, so don't know much about them. The only electric ranges I find on Craigslist around the Fort Wayne area are newer crap, or gas.

 

[philr]

I can't tell you about the Whirlpool range but what does the 1972 Frigidaire looks like? Would you sell spare parts from it? I'd like to get a few spare parts, like the heat-minder burner support, a spare Speed Heat burner (some 40" models still had them) burner switches, a part of the lock mechanism in the door for the SC oven (if it has one)...

 

 

Does it look like the 40" version of this range?

 

[rickr]

.

This is it...

 

[philr]

OH, don't scrap it! It's one of my favorite ranges! Seriously! 

 

[goatfarmer]

I'm wondering if a hinge from a 30" would work. I still see them occasionally.

 

[dynaflow]

wow

love it

 

[philr]

And it's older than 1972, it's a 1969-70 "P" model (RCIE-75P).

 

[goatfarmer]

Hey Rick!

How 'bout a Flair?

http://dayton.craigslist.org/app/4401564648.html

 

[danemodsandy]

Rick:

The Whirlpool in the pic you posted looks suspiciously like WCI built it under contract to Whirlpool. They did this for GE, as you know. The frame this style is built on is one that WCI inherited when they took over Kelvinator. It's probably the longest-running frame design ever; Electrolux (successors to WCI) use it today for the 40-inch Frigidaire.

The problem is, WCI quality was, as you know, pretty indifferent. A careful owner can get good service out of a WCI-built range, but you're renting, which runs the gamut. Some renters are more careful with your stuff than they are with their own. Others could tear up an anvil. Only you know which kind you have.

If I can make a suggestion, a GE-built GE 40-incher is about as rugged as it gets. All-porcelain cabinets, heavy electrical construction, high-quality trim and hinges make them the 40-inchers that seem to have survived the years best.

However, before I did anything else, I'd see if Kenny goatfarmer can dig up a hinge. That GM-built Frigidaire 40-incher you have is also a great range.

 

[rickr]

.

Well, I cannot wait until and if a hinge turns up. This stove is in an occupied rental house. If it were in my home, I would figure out a way to repair it, but it is not. I do not like being "underfoot" of my tenant.
At any rate, this is the replacement stove. It is all porcelain, and everything works, including all the lights, and clock. They deliver it tomorrow, and are hauling out the Frigidaire. I paid $250.00 for the Whirlpool stove, and it comes with a 90 day warranty. If anyone wants any parts from the Frigidaire, call Bruce at A1 Marks Appliances, 260-422-5700 (they also sell parts)

 

[rickr]

.

another photo, it looks very clean, minus the finger prints on the console.. The tape at the bottom, is only there to keep the drawer shut for transport.

 

[rickr]

.

Console close up. Anyone know what year this is? It has the 110 volt outlet on it.

 

[danemodsandy]

Rick:

Does the small oven's door open down from the top like the large oven's does, or is it hinged on the side?

 

[rickr]

Hi Sandy, The small door is hinged on the side. If you look close, you can see the hinges on the outside of the cabinet.

 

[danemodsandy]

Rick:

That almost certainly means the range was WCI-built, in whole or in part. Judging from the quality of the control console, which appears to be good, I'm guessing that Whirly built the consoles and shipped them to WCI for mating up to ranges. Or maybe WCI shipped range bodies to Whirly, who knows?

This does have one good effect on you - that range frame is still in use by Electrolux, as the 40-inch Frigidaire. That means you should be able to find parts like hinges, etc., for a long time to come.

 

[rickr]

Thanks for the information, Sandy. It does seem like a well constructed range, although I think the Frigidaire was more stylish. In the long run though, style does not matter so much. Although, the Whirlpool is a nice looking range too. It has been well cared for, that is certain. Availability of parts is more of a plus here. I think the burners and connectors are still available as well. Do you have any idea what age this range would be?

 

[danemodsandy]

Rick:

I'm making a rough guess of mid-to-late '60s, but I'm not up enough on Whirlpool ranges to narrow it down more than that, sorry to say.

There is one feature of your range that sets it apart from most WCI contract ranges - the oven door window. It's much larger than other brands' using the same frame were. I'm guessing Whirly spec'ed that to set it apart a little more.

Take a look below at the same frame in its current Frigidaire guise:

 

[danemodsandy]

Rick:

I'm making a rough guess of mid-to-late '60s, but I'm not up enough on Whirlpool ranges to narrow it down more than that, sorry to say.

There is one feature of your range that sets it apart from most WCI contract ranges - the oven door window. It's much larger than other brands' using the same frame were. I'm guessing Whirly spec'ed that to set it apart a little more.

Take a look below at the same frame in its current Frigidaire guise:

 

[rickr]

I figured the console looked mid 1960's, so I think you are right on. Sandy, I think it is amazing that the frame design of a 50 year old range is still being manufactured! I would have never guessed that in a million years. Thanks for the information. You really know about electric ranges!