My new GM Frigidaire RCM-10 microwave oven

[philr]

I just got a 1978 Frigidaire Touch-N-Cook microwave oven. I've been searching for an Amana Touchmatic or a Frigidaire microwave for a while and I found this one.

It now replaces my 4 years newer Hitachi!

 

[philr]

I really like the glass control panel just like those in Amana Touchmatic models.

 

[laundromat]

Raytheon

These were made by Amana. They appeared the same year as the FRIGIDAIRE Touch and Cook ranges (1972-73). If I'm not mistaking,I think the agreement was that Raytheon would make the FRIGIDAIRE microwaves if GM bought the control board from them for the Touch and Cook products which are the 30" free standing, the 30" "Compact 30 drop ins, the 30"built in cooktop and the 27" wall oven.I would like to have seen them do the Touch and Cook in a Twin 30 double oven model but due to the expense in setting that up on the assembly line I'm sure was their reasoning for giving that idea an "86".

 

[philr]

Does anybody have pics of a 1973-1974 counter top Frigidaire microwave? I just saw a small one in an ad and it seemed to have it's controls located at the top of the door rather than on the right side. (not something I have seen on Amana's domestic models).

While looking at the control panel on my microwave, I was wondering if Amana had anything similar to that on any of their products back in 1973? I know that GM's Touch-N-Cook ranges, cooktops and ovens did. And I was wondering if Amana got these from GM for their Touchmatic models (introduced around 1975?).

At the right on this 1973 ad, the barely visible microwave is described as a RCM-37S

 

[a440]

Very nice Phil.
I passed on one of these a few years ago at a thrift store.
Really wish I didn't.
Brent

 

[alr2903]

Very nice MW oven,  i wonder if they made the first generation of Sears ovens they too, had the pull down door?  alr2903

 

[austinado16]

Nice score! Looks alot like an Amana Radarange Touchmatic II.

 

[cadman]

Nice Frigidaire!

Regarding the model with the controls along the top. I believe I've seen Amana versions (also badged Radarange) that had a similar layout, but I don't think they were aimed at the home market. Maybe something you'd see in a convenience store. Plastic clad, simple controls. Tough to tell- Cory

 

[cadman]

RMC-30 Available

By the way, if anyone is interested in an RMC-30 (this is the Amana touchmatic convection oven) please shoot me an email. The owner is in Delaware and motivated to sell. He says he'll ship but I don't think he realizes what that'll cost.
-Cory

 

[philr]

Cory,

Judging by your name and avatar, I think I already emailed you! Did you receive an email from me with pics?

Phil

 

[laundromat]

If its door opens down instead of sideways,it is absolutely an Amana. they were the only microwave oven with an open down,spring loaded door

 

[philr]

I had mine shipped from Atlanta to Canada by FedEx and it didn't cost too much (25$ for packaging and another 95$ for the shipping). Of course, considering the sale price of 15$, that seems a lot but still a lot less than picking it up in Atlanta or worse: getting this one near where I live!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...nNWRlP8%3D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

But the box was damaged by FedEx and a corner of the microwave was bent... The circuit board also moved down about 1/4" so the control panel didn't work when I got it. I was able to straighten some internal parts, reposition the control panel and make it work within an hour and I used it to reheat my lunch. Everything works fine now. It lacks the instructions and the probe but I figured how everything else works and the 2 programs work too!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...nNWRlP8%3D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[philr]

"If its door opens down instead of sideways,it is absolutely an Amana. they were the only microwave oven with an open down,spring loaded door"

Yes it is an Amana.
I was looking for either an Amana Touchmatic or a Frigidaire-badged Amana Touchmatic (because I already have other GM Frigidaire appliances).

 

[swestoyz]

Very cool find Phil. Out of all the Amana Radaranges I've seen over the years, only a few GM Frigidaire versions have popped up. Your model would be comparable to an RR-9T.

Ben

 

[turquoisedude]

Nice find, Phil!
You know, I do believe I have the recipe/instruction book for this model (or a similar one at any rate). I will bring it back to town the weekend after next and send you a couple of pictures. If you like it, it's yours!!!
Have fun with the 'new' microwave!

 

[philr]

Hi Paul! I'd sure like it!

Ben, you're right. It's very similar to the RR-9T and from the outside, it's very similar to the RRL-9TA on Cory's website. It does have the older style controls like the RR-9T so maybe there was a RRL-9T too?

I'm wondering if Frigidaire and Amana model numbers were related. I'm guessing they weren't since mine is a RCM-10 and it has just two programs instead of 4 on the RR-10 models on Cory's website.

However, the RCM-9 on Cory's website looks similar to the RR-9.

http://www.radar58.com/radarange/radar.html

 

[gansky1]

I think there is an Amana top-control model at a thrift store here - didn't we see that at New Years, Ben? When I was there a few weeks ago, it hadn't moved.

That's a very nice Frigi-mana oven, love that control panel font!

 

[swestoyz]

Actually Greg, I think the top control Amana has been there since September! Odd beast, for sure. I know the pefect home for it in Cedar Falls....

Phil - the RCM-9 on Cory's site is functionally similar to the original RR-9. Digital controls from an RR-6 with a slider for the power output. The RR-9T was the first 'Touchmatic' with two programmable functions. Guessing Amana didn't want to be beat out by GM and throttled the programs at two on the sourced RCM-10.

I found the RCM-9 on Craigslist years ago in Minneapolis, knowing Cory needed another Radarange to add to his collection!

The RRL series lines and woodgrain with the GM Frigidaire control panel sure makes for a good looking range.

Ben

 

[philr]

Something funny about the control panel font is that it mimics the look of a digital display but the LED display on this oven doesn't show "6" and "9" like most digital displays do or like those printed is on the control panel glass just below.

On the picture below, the displayed "6" looks like a "b" and the "9" looks like a "q"!

 

[coldspot66]

GE's first microwave oven had a drop down spring loaded door. could it have been a rebadged Amana? Anyone know?

 

[philr]

I'm wondering what's the brand of the microwave in this video?

 

[philr]

And this one?

 

[austinado16]

I've shipped 2 Amana Radaranges cross-country with success. They weighed about 95lbs boxed up and were just over $100 to ship...like $125ish? They had to go UPS because FedEx Ground wouldn't take anything over 75lbs at that time. Both arrived safe and sound, but I was sweating bullets for a week each time.

 

[mixfinder]

Cheaper by the dozen

Want to trade for a dozen mixers?

 

[philr]

Almost everytime I had something big shipped with UPS or FedEx, the box arrived damaged and the item too... UPS damaged an old receiver and two steering wheels that were attached to steering columns. One of them was a rare airbag steering wheel from a 1974 Buick Electra. Making claims was always a hassle with UPS. I'll see if FexEx is better, someone will come and inspect the damaged box (FedEx packaging) and the remaining damage to the microwave.

 

[launderess]

Amana Convection Micowave

Have thought about nabbing one of those vintage units, but always pull my finger off the trigger at the last minute.

For one thing cannot find any information on how well they "cooked" as both a microwave and or in convection mode.

Am also that well spoiled by my modern Panasonic "Genius" inverter MC oven. Picked up a vintage Sharp convection/microwave oven cookbook at a local thrift, and whilst glancing through the recipes had forgotton how tedious microwave cooking can be without sensors. All that rearranging and turning of food for instance.

Finally was really worried about something so huge and heavy being shipped. If one could trust an eBay seller to pack, wrap and crate properly that would be half the battle. However often that is not the case and am not spending $$$ to end up with damaged goods.

 

[philr]

An update,

Someone at FedEx informed me today that they'd send me a check to cover the value of the microwave ($15) + the cost of shipping and the cost of the packaging (which they did) for a total of 138$.

They didn't send anybody to inspect the microwave or the package as I had enough pictures of everything that was damaged. So my experience wasn't as bad as those I had with UPS.
I still wish they'd care more about not damaging packages but at least I was able to repair almost everything that they damaged.

Here's the remaining damage for the moment...

 

[philr]

FedEx sent me a check and a letter that tells me they are sorry about what happened. Now I need to find a way to repair that dent on the cabinet.

Cory, did you get my last email?

 

[combo52]

MISTRY MICROWAVE OVENS

Hi Phil in the first video that is an Amana model, they had a less expensive series in the early 1970s that had the controls across the top. My first MW oven was one of these I bought it in 1975 at a cost of about $320.00. It was only 500 watts but ran for over 20 years, I gave it to a good friend when we started to get our hands on a lot of WP built MWs as we were a big WP dealer. 

 

The second MW looks like a commercial Litton model. I have quite a collection of older and unusual MW ovens, I should post some pictures some time. I am still trying to find an early Tappan or Whirlpool or Westinghouse built in MW from 1955- early 1960s let me know if you ever come across one of these. Is there anything that you or anyone else are looking for? John.

 

[philr]

John,
That's interesting information! If you can find any pics or ads, I'd really like to see them!

Also, I'm wondering what is this side hinged door model with a Amana tray?