New here. What is this? GE 1956 Electric Range

[bhpegues]

Hi everyone!

This is my first post, so please be kind My fiancé and I purchased a 1946 brick home in January of 2020 and have been trying to find vintage appliances to use in our renovation of our kitchen. We stumbled upon what we believe is a 1956 GE range but I can not for the life of me find another similar model to this. Any idea? Is this not a residential oven? The model number is J 418007WH. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[appnut]

This is a 40 inch range, single oven. The compartment on the left is for storage. Yes it's a residential range. The oven looks quite clean. There is no clock or timer. Have seen similar to the lack of that feature. For this low end of a model, it has 2 8" and 2 6" burner. Also very nice, it appears to have a fluorescent tube light over the cooktop that can also be used as a night light.

 

[pulltostart]

Not quite as old as 1956.  More like early-to-mid 1960's,  The knobs on the oven controls were not used prior to 1962 and the "W" in the model number would make it 1962, but GE did strange things with their date codes during the 60's.  This could be as new as 1965, but I don't think any newer than that.

 

Can you post the Serial Number?  That might offer some help.

 

lawrence

 

[bhpegues]

Thanks! I only said 1956 because I contact GE customer support and that’s what they told me. I did think the knobs were strange as I haven’t seen them on something quite that old. I also have only seen model like this with the clock as the previous poster said. The serial number on this is MN164718G. Would that mean it could possibly be 1972 or maybe that the knobs were replaced?

 

[pulltostart]

This could be a 1972, GE continued to use those knobs for many years.  But if you've checked out the website for GE Date Codes you can see what I meant about the 1960's.  It appears that there were no rules during that decade!  It does look like a clean range and like Bob pointed out, it has the fluorescent work light.  If you aren't a stickler about the actual date and you like the range and it fits your needs - just enjoy it and show it off proudly.

 

Rewind - Actually, after looking at several catalogs, it appears that GE switched in 1970 from a black toekick to a white toekick - like yours has.  Based on that this one is probably no older than 1970 whatever the date codes say.

 

lawrence

 

[circlew]

The local GE dealer was still selling these in the 70's. I think my dad's friend that was a salesman there called them a "farmhouse special", as they were basic models that farm people liked to use for canning. This is likely a later model, as the toe-kick panel is white, rather than black. I think the change occurred around '70 or '71.

 

[mattl]

Got to be newer, has grounded outlet.

 

[combo52]

Basic GE 40" Range

In any event it is a very good range that you could use for the next 20-30 years with very few problems if you take good care of it.

 

There is nothing new today at any price that will last any longer or for that matter cook any better or even use less energy than this range, so if it suits your needs keep it and use it and scratch one thing off you quest for a vintage house.

 

John L.

 

[kevin313]

First - welcome!

As you've discovered already, there are lots of people here with knowledge about vintage appliances!

I agree with everyone that this is not a 1956 model - it's likely 10 or more years newer than that.

As John said, it is a good basic range. It looks pretty clean, and while it doesn't have a lot of features, it will do the job for most cooking and baking needs, providing it is in good working condition.

 

[pulltostart]

Last Clue

I'll add this, in 1976 GE revised their range model nomenclature so the model number reflected the type of oven each range had.  A range with a standard oven such as this one has would have used the prefix JBS.  More reason to think this one is no newer than 1975 (and no older than 1970).

 

lawrence

 

[bhpegues]

Thanks!

You all have been so helpful! We got it inside and it does in fact work very well. Even tested out some French fries All the eyes work well although it only appear that two of them are original. After all of your help and further investigating I am leaning towards 1972 to be a more accurate year. I’m so excited about this find and having it for our kitchen renovation. Even as a very basic model it will do just fine for our needs. I can’t wait to clean it up even more!!

 

[appnut]

Britt, congratulations!! Thank you for sharing the picture with it installed. Everything looks so nice!!!

 

[luxflairguy]

Looks right at home! Congrats on a stove that will last you for many years!

 

[foraloysius]

Congratulations on a wonderful range. If there would ever be an appliance that I would import from the USA, it would be such a General Electric Range. I would love to cook on one of those.

 

[ea56]

Congratulations on finding such a beautiful GE range!  It’s unusual for a 40” in that the burners are spread out over the entire surface, rather than crowding them onto one side leaving half the top as a work area.  I personally like this layout better.  

 

I also like that its basic, no timer or clock to be broken and possibly impossible to repair due to parts not being available.  Its always disappointing to have these extras not working.  This way what you see is what you get and it appears to all be functioning.  I’ll always opt for the simple model,  less to go wrong.  Also, having the spacious storage compartment on the left side is a plus, easy to keep your pots and pans handy.

 

Hope you have many years of cooking and baking enjoyment from this beauty!

 

Eddie 

 

[firedome]

GE ranges in general,

from the '50s to late '70s are among the best baking and cooking electrics ever made. Happy Cooking!

 

[firedome]

BTW...

<---- that's a '58 GE 40" Liberator double oven range right there, we love it.