My New Range is HERE!

[danemodsandy]

Well, thanks to AW Power, my "new" GE range landed in Waterloo this evening just after 6:00 pm. John (oldskool) fetched her all the way from where Tim (polkanut) found her and brought her to me! Many, many thanks to them both, and to Ben (swestoyz) who dropped by and helped enormously with getting her into the house.

I am thrilled so far, although I won't have a chance to dive into her until this Wednesday. She is a Model J 370002 WH, serial number F N268442 G. If that helps anyone date her, I'd be grateful for the info. I'm thinking '73 or '74.

All cosmetic issues I see are addressable; I won't be living with any of those "Oh, that's too bad" issues. The major cosmetic issue at this point is that she needs a new set of knobs; the ones she has have been dishwasher-faded.

She has some features I didn't realize she'd have. One is tilt-up Calrods instead of plug-in ones. Another is trim rings with drop-in burner bowls instead of one-piece burner bowls. She is all and I do mean all porcelain, including the sides and even unto the inside of the storage drawer. She has that early P * 7 slide-up oven window shield, which I haven't seen since about 1977.

One thing she does not have is the setup we've all seen on ranges for the last twenty years - a wall bracket with dire warnings about the range tipping over if the oven door is opened without the bracket installed. This baby is wayyyyy too heavy for that ever to be a problem!

The Sensi-Temp burner is also the multi-size kind, selectable for 4", 6" and 8" burner use. It's also set up to handle a griddle; I'm guessing that turns on the 6" burner behind the Sensi-Temp burner.

While the oven selector knob has a "Rotisserie" setting, there is not a rotisserie kit port in the rear wall of the oven, which is actually a relief, because if there was a rotisserie available, I'd want one, and I already know what those puppies fetch on eBay.

I have a lot of detail cleaning to do. She's actually quite clean for such an old unit, but there's the usual schmutz in the usual crevices.

But she's real and she's here and I could not have done it without this group! In fact, I really didn't do it at all - others were the driving force here.

I am grateful, guys. More - much more - later.

 

[norgeway]

Isnt it fun!

To get something you really like and have wanted for a long time!! I dont know about you, but I love the tilt up units, those old plug in things are forever giving trouble.and Is it not sad to see how far backwards we have gone in 40 years!! nothing today even comes close to this range!

 

[polkanut]

Sandy,

If I'm reading it right, your range was built 3/72.  I'm attaching a link to GE's cheat sheet.  The corner of my garage where this range had been residing for the last 3 ½ months sure looks empty now.  But, I'm glad I was able to help you in some small way acquire a long desired appliance. 

http://www.geappliances.com/search/fast/infobase/10000722.htm

 

[hydralique]

Congratulations!

That's a handsome example of classic American design, so nice to see it in good hands.

 

[kenmore71]

Sandy, actually the GE ranges that I have used with a "griddle" setting it turns on ONLY the outer (8") ring of the large burner.  This emulates the kind of heat pattern that you would get in an electric frying pan or griddle.  It keeps the center from getting to hot.  

 

(BTW, is got a glimpse of this beautiful range in the van earlier today, I also owe you an email….)

 

[combo52]

New GE Range

Yay, Sandy, these were great ranges, as Tim mentioned this range is earlier than 73-4, appliance outlets were discontinued by this time. On the 3 size Sensi-Temp burner when you select griddle it turns off the center 4" part of the burner for more even heating with a large pan or griddle [ the griddle setting is also ideal with large skillets ], but does not activate the rear element like GE did on many of their 40" ranges.

 

The selector Switch should not say rotisserie unless the range has this feature, I would guess that the selector switch knob is not correct for your range ?.

 

Let us know how you like it once the fall dinner parties get in full swing.  John L.

 

[retropia]

Sounds like it is built like a tank, congrats!

 

[d-jones]

Congratulations Sandy! Finding a long sought after appliance is always a great feeling. I hope it gives you many years of excellent service.

 

[alr2903]

Good for you Sandy, your GE is a stunner. I wish you the very best with it. alr

 

[danemodsandy]

After a Night's Sleep:

First up, it's nice to see so many congratulatory messages! Thanks, everyone.

I was guessing '73 or so because this range is not shown in the 1971 full-line GE catalog I have (Shameless plug: It's available on Automatic Ephemera). But there is a notice in the '71 catalog that says styling and features would be changing on April 1, 1971, and there is a very similar model in the catalog already, the J 339L; just the backguard/control panel is different. So, Tim, I think your reading of the "cheat sheet" is correct, because it's consistent with the catalog notice.

I think I may have found the griddle for this baby - it's a square Teflon-coated unit that fits one burner. And God knows, 1971 was Teflon Heaven if you like the stuff.

John, so far as I know, these are the original knobs, but there's always room for doubt. Their styling matches the burner size selector knob, which is unique on the control panel; there aren't any other knobs like that one.

I'm hoping to have the range clean and powered up for the first time on Wednesday. My hope at that point is that everything works, because repairs on certain systems of this range will be challenging for me.

After she's up and running - on to meat loaf, spattery casseroles, roast chickens and the like. Hell, I'm getting a craving for duck!

Again, thanks everybody.

 

[danemodsandy]

P.S.:

If anyone has manuals, service lit, parts lists, etc., for this range, I would love to hear from you!

Also, here's a photo of the oven selector knob for the range. I am officially looking for the full set.

 

[pulltostart]

Sandy

Congratulations!  She surrrrre is purdy.  And just in time to prepare Thanksgiving dinner, too.

 

lawrence

 

[combo52]

GE Range Selector Knob

Sandy is that picture #10 your Selector Knob, as it does not say rotisserie on it ?, I thought it was odd that it would have that setting and not have a rotisserie as the SW would have 6 positions not 5 like like the knob you pictured has.

 

[moparguy]

Congratulations!

What a beautiful stove, and as you and everyone has commented, how nice to have a dream stove, and one when a stove was a solid, feature-rich, beautiful stove built to cook and to last! Here's to many years of enjoyment!

 

[danemodsandy]

John:

That is not my actual selector knob; mine's too faded to read, almost. But mine has the same five positions on it - Off, Broil, Clean, Time Bake and Bake.

The "Rotisserie" indication is on the oven TEMP knob, where it indicates "Rotisserie" for the temp settings between 275F and 425F.

These are luxury knobs, for sure. They are heavy chromed pot metal, with a plastic shaft center and knob assembly, and evidently silk-screened adhesive-backed sheet metal for the indicia.

They are surprisingly heavy in the hand.

 

[firedome]

So very nice...

that you have the one you've wanted!! ... this might be a bit of heresy here, but to me there is no appliance more satisfying to use, as much as 3-4 times a day, than the range we use making meals for ourselves and those we most care about, a true labor of love. Cook on her with joy!

 

[rustyspaatz]

Sharp !

...and it has outlets. I wonder when they officially dropped that feature.
I suppose it was cost saving thing.
I like the ones with outlets. It makes the unit more user friendly.

Good luck with this. It doesn't look like it will need much work.

Can we see a picture of the oven?

 

[polkanut]

Rusty,

In reply #5 Combo52 mentions that electrical outlets were discontinued by 1973-74.

 

[rustyspaatz]

outlets

yes, but that doesn't say when they stopped installing them.

I'm thinking it was late 60s.

 

[norgeway]

Outlets...

I have a Frigidaire that was bought in March of 75 that stll has an outlet, it turns out it was a leftover 74 model.....RE DUCK!!! I remember my Mother cooked a duck one time...it took forever to clean the oven...id just as soon cook a greasy old possum..LOL!

 

[rickr]

Congrats Sandy! I know you have been looking for your "dream range" for a long time. Enjoy it!

 

[circlew]

Very nice, Sandy!

Glad to hear it's now home with you. As you probably know, it's based on the original GE 30" range, that was introduced in '57. I like this style with the inset doors better than the models where the door overlaid the cabinet.

 

[combo52]

Electrical Outlets On Ranges, Cook-Tops and Wall-Ovens

Were discontinued by UL decree before the end of 1974, even though very convenient they were considered a hazard if a cord was draped over a hot heating element or burner. This was the type of UL regulation that appliance manufacturers welcomed because it saved them MONEY and there was no competitive disadvantage in one company trying to save money by dropping a feature because everyone had to do it.

 

At the same time the push-to-turn control knobs for surface burners were also mandated by UL, this is when the push-button burner controls that GE and HP had used forever also disappeared, because the requirement said [ it must take TWO different movements to turn on a surface burner ] so GE chose not to brother to redesign the PB switches to require two different motions to use them.

 

Sandy the nice knobs your range uses were much lighter in color on ranges built in the late 60s-the early 1970s and they did tend to fade and the writing wear off even more as they were used. The knob you pictured with the darker brown background was a later but completely compatible knob.

 

You had me going when you said the selector knob said rotisserie on it as I knew that that was wrong for your range and the thermostat knob should not have the word rotisserie on it either. GE did make both style knobs, so it may have even been a factory mistake.

 

Sandy if you have any problems finding knobs for this range I should have them as we have BOXES full of GE range knobs.

 

[danemodsandy]

John:

I'm going to get to do a first cleaning and a first powering-up on Wednesday, which will probably give me a good idea of what I'm going to need. I am a little antsy about the Sensi-Temp burner, just because it is a Sensi-Temp burner. If the crud in the burner bowl is any indication, it works just fine.

I can definitely say a set of knobs is going to be needed. These are so bleached out that I have to use a flashlight and my reading glasses for them.

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement. I cannot wait until I can use this range for some goodies I sorely miss, like meatloaf and ribs. Too spattery and messy for a non self-cleaner, so I've foregone them these last four years. I detest oven cleaning more than any other household chore, yet I hate a dirty oven. My solution has been just not to mess the damned thing up. I'll be glad when that's over!

 

[rustyspaatz]

Well... O.K-Hahhh....

Here comes 7 layer Lasagna, meatloaf, apple pie,...

and throw in a couple of candles and a can of spray paint.

Oh hell, let's get on with the incineration. We'll see what this thing can REALLY do.

What's the worst that can happen?

 

[frigilux]

A beautiful, classic GE. Congratulations, and three cheers for the AW members who made it possible! Another example of the generosity found at AW.

 

[combo52]

Cool Dirty Oven Picture, Rusty

Of an early GE P-7 oven, are you going to show the after SC picture ? if it is working properly it should completely clean that oven.

 

Sandy I could not agree more about not having a SC oven, it just takes the fun out of cooking. I have 8 SC ovens in the three homes I send my time in and 4 of these ovens get the great majority of  the use, all four of these ovens are quite dirty now and since cooler weather is here now all will gets cleaned in the next month or so.

 

They all get cleaned about once a year, always when the weather is cool and immediately after they are used so the oven is already hot to save a little power and stress on the oven liner.

 

While there is no diffident interval recommended to run the clean cycle it is up to the user to decide, I have always been very happy to use the feature just when really needed as the high temperature clean cycle does take a toll on the oven liner and racks.

 

Happy Cooking   John L.

 

[rustyspaatz]

Combo-
"Cool Dirty Oven Picture, Rusty"

I don't know, it gives me the creeps.
I'm vegan and don't eat much cooked food. I don't even have so much as a toaster oven. Hey, if our friend is baking, lets party.

Actually, I wonder if a self cleaning oven would remove spray paint and candle wax. for some reason I think the paint would turn brown, but some of it would stay stuck on permanent. wax, no problem.
Anyone?

Seriously, this new oven is waa-aa-aay too nice to do those kinds of experiments with.
And I have no doubt it will clean off the worst food stains he can throw at it.

Fresh made apple pie does sound really good right now. Cinnamon, apples, yum, the smell...
My mother does still make numerous pies, especially when apples are in season, then freezes them before baking, to be cooked at a later time.
....and apple crisp.... yum

 

[norgeway]

I am..

SOOOO careful not to spill stuff in the oven!!!LOL!

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Congrats Sandy

It is so nice to get a stove you really like and enjoy cooking with.  I hope you and the GE will make many happy meals together. 

Here is the MT Advanced Cooking System stove I found 4 years ago.  I love having one with the cast iron grates and big oven. I have loved cooking every meal on it.

WK78