Looking at this stove to add to my kitchen

[vrusp1]

So the lower oven door hinge on my Tappan Fabulous 400 has snapped off. That, along with the fact that it always smells like gas in my apartment and that it's a 50's/60's stove and my kitchen is more 70's has made me ready to move on.

I'm looking at this Roper gas oven and stove with a microwave on top. I have a few questions about getting it ship shape before I commit to it.

Any issues I should be concerned with or look for with the microwave?

The knobs for the burners are stiff to turn, and when the unit was plugged in we had to fiddle with them to get the electronic ignition to stop clicking. Is that something to worry about?

My stove tech here in the NY area is reluctant to work on this. They seem to want to sell me one of their restored stoves. How hard will it be to get someone to look this over and repair anything that needs it? Are there any NYC techs that could help me out?

I've had such good luck on here, hope some of you guys can give me some advice!

Thanks...

 

[jamiel]

A lot going on with that one!

From a glance, it looks like a Roper base with self-cleaning, and the upper microwave oven of unknown brand (don't recognize the controls at all). Late 70s. Lots to go wrong after 45 years.

You might want to cross-reference whether you see a similar model in the Sears catalogue (look particularly at the microwave oven--particularly the door handle which seems a bit unique) just to have other sources for model numbers etc for parts.

Doubt that many were sold as Roper (likely more prevalent as a Sears unit) but imagining that local range servicers are FAR more interested in dealing with remanufacturing old non-electric Welbilt gas ranges (or Fabulous 400s) than trying to figure out rather esoteric end-of-an-era microwave gas high-low. I'd be a little more encouraged if it was a Caloric/Amana/Modern Maid (as they made more of them for a longer period of time).

 

[vrusp1]

Good advice about the Sears catalog. Those are great resources. Don't need to do that for the model number though - I've attached a picture of the manual which they have. It's a Roper model number 1899. I've also included a higher resolution image of the unit.

As of right now, the microwave works. I gave it a try. It looks solid, I didn't see any degradation of the seals or sagging of the door. The settings all function.

I'm a little more worried about the knobs on the stove, which, as I said, are stiff. Would it be possible to replace the valves there? Would those valves be proprietary or fairly standard, do you think?

Thanks for your input, I appreciate it!

 

[circlew]

If the gas valves are stiff or sticking, they may need to be greased. Perhaps someone on here that is more familiar with gas appliances can tell you more about getting it done.

 

[petek]

Yeah with horizontally placed knobs right up front like that it's a natural spillway for boilovers etc to ooze right down and into them.

 

[tomturbomatic]

One thing you should note is the size of the burner heads. There was a miserable period where cheap gas ranges used these very low BTU burners that would take FORf*******EVER to boil a pot of water and a long time to return the water to a boil after adding pasta. There is no 12,000 BTU burner on that stove. Unless you do not cook much, you can do better.

 

[jamiel]

Those gas valves are about the only standard thing on that unit...I would guess that what Pete said above is probably the issue. That use-and-care is wild!

 

[combo52]

Roper high low microwave range

It looks like it's in fairly good shape. The burner valves can be at least partially disassembled and lubricated normally that makes them work easily again, be careful not to force them too much that will cause the poorly lubricated metal parts to gall which ends up destroying the valve.

Not sure who made the microwave. Roper may have actually made it. This style ranges good if you don't do a lot of surface cooking on the burners especially frying and such which tends to destroy the microwave. The electric versions were more successful overall, but if you only have gas, this is the best you can probably do for a vintage microwave range.

John L

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

It looks like although high-maintenance in some areas, and needing to be gently-used, should give fairly lasting quality...

 

Good luck with it...

 

But, also I wonder about the novelty of those horizontal- mounted controls, as I would not think if them well-placed as in ease of use as the mainly utilized vertically-placed ones...

 

 

 

-- Dave

[this post was last edited: 2/6/2025-10:25]

 

[vrusp1]

Thank you all for your advice and input. I really appreciate it. I think I'm going to go ahead and get it (providing it's still available). It's a standard enough size that I can swap it out for another one if it fails on me or proves to be unreliable.

 

[repairguy]

The original purchase date of March 1981 is written to the right of the model number on the manual.

 

[vrusp1]

Good eyes on the 1981. I found it in the Sears catalog!