super32
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That is a good looking range!
It's a good weekend for a new (to us) Frigidaire Range!
- Thread starter hooverwheelaway
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philr
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Tom is right about the plug-in elements, have a look at the condition of the terminals to make sure they aren't pitted and always make sure that they are fully inserted in the connectors after you reinstall them or push the liner back in place after cleaning to avoid bad contacts. The broil element of the Pull 'n clean oven is fine on mine and it doesn't connect the same way as the bake elements but check the terminals to make sure they're clean. This removable broil element was a one year only design so I guess that replacement parts for it are hard to find...
hooverwheelaway
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Pull 'n Clean fun!!
I wanted to snap a picture of the ovens, while I was at it, I pulled the oven! It's super cool. Both ovens are pretty clean.. Will still give it a once over. The door seal on the large oven needs a scrubbing, too. I'll have to go back and check the connectors for the bake and broil elements tomorrow. We suspect the elements were replaced at some point.
I wanted to snap a picture of the ovens, while I was at it, I pulled the oven! It's super cool. Both ovens are pretty clean.. Will still give it a once over. The door seal on the large oven needs a scrubbing, too. I'll have to go back and check the connectors for the bake and broil elements tomorrow. We suspect the elements were replaced at some point.
Congratulations on coming over to "Radiantube" electric cookery!
As you may know, I have been somewhat obsessed with Frigidaire ranges from this time period for a long time. I finally took possession of a 1957 Custon Deluxe myself last winter.
Some observations:
- It looks to be in amazing physical condition and it looks great in your kitchen.
- The original Heat-Minder on this range was Frigidaire's second design. It was all-electric, extremely complicated and had a high failure rate. Later systems that were hydraulic were actually more reliable.
- 1959 was the first year that Frigidaire went to all Infinite-Heat controls on their TOL models so your rear burners are also infinite heat.
- You haven't mentioned if the Speed-Heat works or not. It's pretty amazing when it works, but again has a relatively high failure rate.
As you may know, I have been somewhat obsessed with Frigidaire ranges from this time period for a long time. I finally took possession of a 1957 Custon Deluxe myself last winter.
Some observations:
- It looks to be in amazing physical condition and it looks great in your kitchen.
- The original Heat-Minder on this range was Frigidaire's second design. It was all-electric, extremely complicated and had a high failure rate. Later systems that were hydraulic were actually more reliable.
- 1959 was the first year that Frigidaire went to all Infinite-Heat controls on their TOL models so your rear burners are also infinite heat.
- You haven't mentioned if the Speed-Heat works or not. It's pretty amazing when it works, but again has a relatively high failure rate.
turquoisedude
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Well lookee there! A 'top-load' oven.... (ducks and runs)
hooverwheelaway
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Hi Mark - Thanks for your comments! Yeah, Robert and I can't stop staring at it, it is in just tip-top condition. We are thrilled beyond words.
Not sure if the speed-heat works, we need to have a "boil-off" between that surface unit, and the right rear surface unit. The Heat Minder was replaced at some point, as there is a sticker on the back with a new wiring diagram. We also found the replacement instructions tucked in in the back panel when we removed it. That's one of the next things on our list to test.
I cooked dinner on the Right Front unit last night, sauteed some onions and mushrooms, then cooked the chicken breasts in the same pan. Worked very well, it's strange not having pushbotton cooking any more, having to remember which way to turn the dial... #firstworldproblems
Not sure if the speed-heat works, we need to have a "boil-off" between that surface unit, and the right rear surface unit. The Heat Minder was replaced at some point, as there is a sticker on the back with a new wiring diagram. We also found the replacement instructions tucked in in the back panel when we removed it. That's one of the next things on our list to test.
I cooked dinner on the Right Front unit last night, sauteed some onions and mushrooms, then cooked the chicken breasts in the same pan. Worked very well, it's strange not having pushbotton cooking any more, having to remember which way to turn the dial... #firstworldproblems
The only thing you have to do to test the Speed Heat Unit is to turn it to the lowest setting and listen. If you hear a substantial click in 20 seconds, it is the switch shifting from 240 to 120 volts. If you are deaf, you can test it by turning it to High and watching to see if it gets red hot in 65 seconds.
super32
Well-known member
stupid question
Ok, since i have never had an older Frigidaire range or even seen one in operation, how do you clean the oven cavity once it has been removed? It seems kinda big to put in a sink.
Ok, since i have never had an older Frigidaire range or even seen one in operation, how do you clean the oven cavity once it has been removed? It seems kinda big to put in a sink.
philr
Well-known member
Scott, unfortunately, you can't easily remove the oven cavity of the early Pull-N-Clean ovens. You need to clean it in place while it rests on a small pad on the oven door. Some later models can be removed to be cleaned outside (or later if you have a spare liner!).
bluejay
Well-known member
That is one sexy stove! Our pull n' clean from '63 is quite easy to clean too. Our liner comes out completely and can be cleaned outside or in the tub. Congratulations on your new stove!
bluejay
Well-known member
Quick question, do the front panels on the '63 models tilt down like this? I need to clean the clock glass, but cannot figure how to get at it.
philr
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Hi Jason, the 63 panels don't tilt like that!
hooverwheelaway
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Well, cooked another meal on it last night (see photo), so far so good! I made spaghetti with meat sauce, used three burners and the small oven for the garlic bread. Everything turned out perfect! I think I'm really going to like the infinite control on the burners.
The clock doesn't work - the second hand spins, but the minute and hour hands don't move. We tried tinkering with it but think one of the gears is bad. I had a lovely exchange with General Time Repairs, and they said to send it in, they'll be able to fix it, because it's a GE clock assembly. They needed a number off the back of it, so we pulled the range out last night and took the back panel off so I could snap a picture. Prices are very reasonable, and the woman I was dealing with was super friendly and helpful. So we'll send the clock off at some point soon to be rebuilt.
Robert tried Tom's 'click test' yesterday, and no luck. While we had the back panel off, we investiated the Speed Heat switch and found the part number on the switch that is in that slot. Checked it against a parts book, and unfortunately it is just a regular infinite switch. Phil had sent us some specs on testing the burner element to see if that was still the original Speed Heat burner, and as we were going to pull it out, Robert spotted a part number on that as well - just a plain-jane burner. Oh well, we agree that at least we have four operational surface units, and at some point we'll find the parts we need to get it working as original again.
We do know that the Heat Minder was replaced, probably in the early 60s, as we found the replacement instructions tucked inside the back panel. There's also an updated wiring diagram for that fix stuck to the back of the range.
Happy Frigidaire Cooking! Yay!
The clock doesn't work - the second hand spins, but the minute and hour hands don't move. We tried tinkering with it but think one of the gears is bad. I had a lovely exchange with General Time Repairs, and they said to send it in, they'll be able to fix it, because it's a GE clock assembly. They needed a number off the back of it, so we pulled the range out last night and took the back panel off so I could snap a picture. Prices are very reasonable, and the woman I was dealing with was super friendly and helpful. So we'll send the clock off at some point soon to be rebuilt.
Robert tried Tom's 'click test' yesterday, and no luck. While we had the back panel off, we investiated the Speed Heat switch and found the part number on the switch that is in that slot. Checked it against a parts book, and unfortunately it is just a regular infinite switch. Phil had sent us some specs on testing the burner element to see if that was still the original Speed Heat burner, and as we were going to pull it out, Robert spotted a part number on that as well - just a plain-jane burner. Oh well, we agree that at least we have four operational surface units, and at some point we'll find the parts we need to get it working as original again.
We do know that the Heat Minder was replaced, probably in the early 60s, as we found the replacement instructions tucked inside the back panel. There's also an updated wiring diagram for that fix stuck to the back of the range.
Happy Frigidaire Cooking! Yay!
My clock died a few years ago, it's on my to do list, but low priority. Does the company you used have a fixed price for repairs or is it case by case? Last time I looked I noticed the contacts on the timer for the oven were in very bad shape, I guess it's the decades of current flowing through them, but mine need to be replaced.
Did you replace the fluorescent tube? Mine is still original, wondered how hard it would be to find one.
Did you replace the fluorescent tube? Mine is still original, wondered how hard it would be to find one.
hooverwheelaway
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Yes, the company uses a fixed price. It's $95 plus $15 shipping, which I think is more than reasonable. If they have a rebuilt clock in stock, they send it to you and you return your broken one. If they don't have one in stock, as is the case in our situation, you send it in - they repair it and have a same/next day turn time. If it's a GE, they assured me it can be fixed!
http://www.generaltimerepairs.com/
The fluorescent tube and starter were both in stock at our local Ace hardware - they're pretty standard, I imagine. It's a kitchen and bath bulb.
http://www.generaltimerepairs.com/
The fluorescent tube and starter were both in stock at our local Ace hardware - they're pretty standard, I imagine. It's a kitchen and bath bulb.
Great, thanks!
norgeway
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Personally..
The Radiantubes are my favorite electric units, they don't rattle when you walk across the floor, and the porcelain bowls and removable rings are easy to clean, the heat imho is better distributed too.
The Radiantubes are my favorite electric units, they don't rattle when you walk across the floor, and the porcelain bowls and removable rings are easy to clean, the heat imho is better distributed too.
I love radiantubes as well. Part of this stems from the fact that I learned to cook on 5-heat radiantubes as a older child and teenager. Our 1958 Frigidaire Deluxe 30" range was around until the early 1980s. When it was scrapped, it was unfortunately replaced with a WCI Frigidaire that only lasted for about 10 years.
Fred, my speed-heat DOES work as Ben and I replaced both the switch and the element with NOS parts before I bought the range from him. It's pretty amazing that when you turn it to HIGH and when the latch releases the 240 volts after about 30-35 seconds the element is already glowing very pale red. After 1:30 it is bright orange-red. The small rear element takes about 4 minutes to get to bright orange-red.
My heat-minder also works and appears to be original (it's possible the element itself has been replaced, but it was with a GM part if it was). It was the last year of the first design (1955-57) that still used a 3 wire element, a two-stage capillary sensing system as well as a pulsing relay. So far, I have found that it is quite accurate for simmering operations but that at the higher end, it can swing rather wildly in the "fry" section.
I would imagine that you have the service manual for your range.
Have you acquired a Kant-Slide griddle yet?
Fred, my speed-heat DOES work as Ben and I replaced both the switch and the element with NOS parts before I bought the range from him. It's pretty amazing that when you turn it to HIGH and when the latch releases the 240 volts after about 30-35 seconds the element is already glowing very pale red. After 1:30 it is bright orange-red. The small rear element takes about 4 minutes to get to bright orange-red.
My heat-minder also works and appears to be original (it's possible the element itself has been replaced, but it was with a GM part if it was). It was the last year of the first design (1955-57) that still used a 3 wire element, a two-stage capillary sensing system as well as a pulsing relay. So far, I have found that it is quite accurate for simmering operations but that at the higher end, it can swing rather wildly in the "fry" section.
I would imagine that you have the service manual for your range.
Have you acquired a Kant-Slide griddle yet?
super32
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Thanks all for the cleaning clarification! Now i have a better understanding.
hooverwheelaway
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Here she is with all of her accessories...
We searched the house high and low for these, I'm pretty sure we found everything. There may have been some inserts for the deep well, but we can live without those for now. We also didn't find the small broiler pan.. An original Frigidaire one would be nice, but I know we'll find a broiler pan at some point.
The deep well insert ,'radiant wall, spatter free broiler grill', and the kant-slide griddle, with its broiler insert were all in different areas of the basement, and the temperature probe was in a box in the garage.
We searched the house high and low for these, I'm pretty sure we found everything. There may have been some inserts for the deep well, but we can live without those for now. We also didn't find the small broiler pan.. An original Frigidaire one would be nice, but I know we'll find a broiler pan at some point.
The deep well insert ,'radiant wall, spatter free broiler grill', and the kant-slide griddle, with its broiler insert were all in different areas of the basement, and the temperature probe was in a box in the garage.
Your deep well cooker looks to be in pristine condition. The lid on mine is no where near as shiny. There is a rack of sorts for the deep well, holds custard cup and such as well as a fryer basket, I'm sure you two will hunt those down at some point.
I should get to the Post Office tomorrow...
I should get to the Post Office tomorrow...
philr
Well-known member
Fred,
As far as I know Frigidaire Ranges either came with a porcelain-coated broiler pan, the aluminum broiler pan or the aluminum "radiant wall splatter free broiler grill" but not both!
The radiant wall broiler was available separately for those who bought lesser models but it came as standard with the Custom Imperial models instead of the porcelain-coated one or the small aluminum broiler pan.
As far as I know Frigidaire Ranges either came with a porcelain-coated broiler pan, the aluminum broiler pan or the aluminum "radiant wall splatter free broiler grill" but not both!
The radiant wall broiler was available separately for those who bought lesser models but it came as standard with the Custom Imperial models instead of the porcelain-coated one or the small aluminum broiler pan.
toploader55
Well-known member
Beautiful Range.
I miss my Pull and Clean Oven.
With that feature, I just about cleaned my oven everytime I finished using it. Once you get used to the Radiant Tubes, I have found there is nothing like a Frigidaire Range to cook on.
The Ovens on these earlier ranges seem very well insulated. (I noticed they stay warm quite a long time after you shut them off).
The styling is just beautiful. Although I am a fan of the Calrod GE range, I had no trouble adjusting to the Radiant Tube. My Grandmother taught me the most cooking on a Frigidaire Range.
I miss my Pull and Clean Oven.
With that feature, I just about cleaned my oven everytime I finished using it. Once you get used to the Radiant Tubes, I have found there is nothing like a Frigidaire Range to cook on.
The Ovens on these earlier ranges seem very well insulated. (I noticed they stay warm quite a long time after you shut them off).
The styling is just beautiful. Although I am a fan of the Calrod GE range, I had no trouble adjusting to the Radiant Tube. My Grandmother taught me the most cooking on a Frigidaire Range.
polkanut
Well-known member
Here's a pink GE range like Robert & Fred's. It's for sale in Ladysmith, WI for $200.00.
http://eauclaire.craigslist.org/ppd/4959478052.html
http://eauclaire.craigslist.org/ppd/4959478052.html
The griddle and its rack constitute a small broiler pan according to the literature with my '54 range. Also, according to the same manual, if you prepare bacon, putting the bacon strips in the griddle pan and then inverting the rack over them helps them to cook flat and eliminates the need for turning.
I do most of my broiling in the small oven of the '61 and usually use the small GE broiler pan. I have the floor of both ovens lined with foil and for broiling, I took 2 pieces of heavy duty foil and folded each piece into an "L" shape to cover the rack beyond the broiler pan and the side walls up to the top of the oven. Frigidaire broilers are very high wattage, over 3000 watts in the '61; I don't remember if it's 3450 or 3700, so there is popping and they really broil well, but the foil keeps everything clean.
I do most of my broiling in the small oven of the '61 and usually use the small GE broiler pan. I have the floor of both ovens lined with foil and for broiling, I took 2 pieces of heavy duty foil and folded each piece into an "L" shape to cover the rack beyond the broiler pan and the side walls up to the top of the oven. Frigidaire broilers are very high wattage, over 3000 watts in the '61; I don't remember if it's 3450 or 3700, so there is popping and they really broil well, but the foil keeps everything clean.
The small broiler pan from GE, to fit their small, narrow 2nd oven, is a nice size for small meals - about 1/2 the size of the full-size pan.
Look and I even found the ad for our new range!
LOL @ Robert
Mrs Webmaster and the lacework styling go so well together!
Not at all a becoming outfit for Fred; he looks much better in his own clothes!
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