Hey, Just curious if there were any Radarange collectors around here... I see the Touchmatics starting to turn up when I'm snooping for washers and admit I've got a softspot for those chrome beauties. Chances are pretty good that they work too.
Radarange only by Amana
- Thread starter cadman
- Start date
Them things is HEAVY,too! Ever pick one up?
calypsobruce
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- Sep 16, 2004
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- 1
Amana Radarange
Hi Guys!
I have one from about 1975 and it works great. I will say that they are very heavy. The magnatron is huge in these as well as the metal used to build them. They are great looking with all the chrome. We probably won't see that again!.
Hi Guys!
I have one from about 1975 and it works great. I will say that they are very heavy. The magnatron is huge in these as well as the metal used to build them. They are great looking with all the chrome. We probably won't see that again!.
There was one left in a house my sister bought several years ago. She is no longer in that house, and I don't know what happened to the Amana. I imagine she left it as well when she moved. I know she did use it while she lived there.
I have a Touchmatic Amana in the garage as I have no space for it in the kitchen right now - I need to remodel!!
Jon (jetcone) recently found an Amana RR-2 Radarange - one of the very first domestic models.
JON - INSERT PICTURES HERE!
Jon (jetcone) recently found an Amana RR-2 Radarange - one of the very first domestic models.
JON - INSERT PICTURES HERE!
jasonl
New member
I saw one at the thrift store. It was the 70s version with the two big knobs. I plugged it in and it didn't work. So I left it there. I came back a day later wanting to pick it up but it was gone :-( . Those things are big beautiful and heavy.
YAY for Radaranges
I love my RR-4, I wouldn't have any other Microwave but an early Radarange. Not only do they look really cool, but its designed so well that you never have to turn the food midway through cooking.
I love my RR-4, I wouldn't have any other Microwave but an early Radarange. Not only do they look really cool, but its designed so well that you never have to turn the food midway through cooking.
Neato! I guess I better buckle down and bring them home while they're still out there. Below is a page I put together for a couple machines I got this summer, along with the Touchmatic we've used since new.
http://www.eldocountry.com/radarange/radar.html
http://www.eldocountry.com/radarange/radar.html
1980 Cookmaster
Hi Cadman, Neat website. I finally got all the grease off mine, and it works great! I looked everywhere for a light bulb for this thing and nobody had one. I went home and showed the bulb to my mom and she had three, the last place I would look. Ha! Enjoyed your pics, Don
Hi Cadman, Neat website. I finally got all the grease off mine, and it works great! I looked everywhere for a light bulb for this thing and nobody had one. I went home and showed the bulb to my mom and she had three, the last place I would look. Ha! Enjoyed your pics, Don
spiralactivator
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2004
- Messages
- 344
I found a Radarange in a consignment shop once. I remember it had a solid metallic door, no glass.
Cool website - "Only By Amana" I love it!
The micro without a glass door, was it still see-through? Jon - jetcone's RR-2 has a metal mesh/screen in the door, no glass. The microwaves are too "fat" to get through the screen so it's perfectly safe. I can't wait to see it - so very vintage!
My aunt (with the BOL avocado dishwasher) had a Touchmatic oven that I was absolutely enthralled with for days. A while later, we finally bought an Amana touch control oven but it was one without a clock - who buys a digital microwave without a clock feature?? We did, and used that oven for many years.
I can't wait to get mine installed somewhere now!!
The micro without a glass door, was it still see-through? Jon - jetcone's RR-2 has a metal mesh/screen in the door, no glass. The microwaves are too "fat" to get through the screen so it's perfectly safe. I can't wait to see it - so very vintage!
My aunt (with the BOL avocado dishwasher) had a Touchmatic oven that I was absolutely enthralled with for days. A while later, we finally bought an Amana touch control oven but it was one without a clock - who buys a digital microwave without a clock feature?? We did, and used that oven for many years.
I can't wait to get mine installed somewhere now!!
mrb627
Well-known member
Hey!
I learned to make S'mores in one of these things in the sixth grade. My mouth is watering as I type.
MRB
I learned to make S'mores in one of these things in the sixth grade. My mouth is watering as I type.
MRB
1989 model
I have what may be a 1989 model-I bought it the first year I worked in the GOVT in Wash DC area. Got it from Montgomery Ward.Used my hand truck to move it from the store to my apartment.Was a tabletop model. didn't have any knobs or chrome.Just the keypad and vacuum flouresecent display. Now just sits in the corner of my kithcen.Haven't used it since I moved here. Would imagine it would still work.I didn't have a car in the early Wash DC days.I hav e a GE Advantium oven at present.
I have what may be a 1989 model-I bought it the first year I worked in the GOVT in Wash DC area. Got it from Montgomery Ward.Used my hand truck to move it from the store to my apartment.Was a tabletop model. didn't have any knobs or chrome.Just the keypad and vacuum flouresecent display. Now just sits in the corner of my kithcen.Haven't used it since I moved here. Would imagine it would still work.I didn't have a car in the early Wash DC days.I hav e a GE Advantium oven at present.
RR-10A
Neat pic Don!
Here's today's find that I spotted earlier this week at a local appliance store. I was on my way there after work today when I saw the recycler blast by with a full load of app's. Lucky for me it didn't get thrown about when it was loaded on the truck, even the glass tray is in good shape. Just needs some light electrical repair...
Neat pic Don!
Here's today's find that I spotted earlier this week at a local appliance store. I was on my way there after work today when I saw the recycler blast by with a full load of app's. Lucky for me it didn't get thrown about when it was loaded on the truck, even the glass tray is in good shape. Just needs some light electrical repair...
Got the Hint Greg
Yes I found an RR-2 which John L tells me is the first counter top model. It has an electromagnet instead of the permanent magnet inside. John tells me its the only year they used an electromagnet. I have to say it is the quietest Amana Radarange I have used. And I really like the fact that there is no barrier on the door. You can smell the food while it cooks and see the steam rise out of the door. Take a peek at the pictures---SORRY For the delay Greg I had to edit them after recovering from the weekend.
cheers
jon
http://automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/00ShowCollectionGETD.cgi?dir=/COLLECTIONS/_AMANA RR2
Yes I found an RR-2 which John L tells me is the first counter top model. It has an electromagnet instead of the permanent magnet inside. John tells me its the only year they used an electromagnet. I have to say it is the quietest Amana Radarange I have used. And I really like the fact that there is no barrier on the door. You can smell the food while it cooks and see the steam rise out of the door. Take a peek at the pictures---SORRY For the delay Greg I had to edit them after recovering from the weekend.
cheers
jon
http://automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/00ShowCollectionGETD.cgi?dir=/COLLECTIONS/_AMANA RR2
Finally!
Well, tell us about the weekend then! I couldn't imagine where you'd got off to...
Super cool oven Jon - I love the graphics and lighted dials, a very lucky find!
Well, tell us about the weekend then! I couldn't imagine where you'd got off to...
Super cool oven Jon - I love the graphics and lighted dials, a very lucky find!
Now we're cookin'
Sweet!! So Jon, is there a story behind this one or was it one of those lucky 'falls in your lap' finds?
Recently I spotted one similar with the tri-color buttons, in half smashed shape at the recycler, I'm hoping those buttons were carryovers.
My earliest is an RR-6, this is something to shoot for!
Sweet!! So Jon, is there a story behind this one or was it one of those lucky 'falls in your lap' finds?
Recently I spotted one similar with the tri-color buttons, in half smashed shape at the recycler, I'm hoping those buttons were carryovers.
My earliest is an RR-6, this is something to shoot for!
maytagbear
Well-known member
I love my Radarange!
I have a later one, RR-700, with the "Accu-Dial" controls, 10 power levels, and the probe (which I do use. Great for taking liquids for bread making up to the right temperature!)
I used to do private catering, and used a lot of microwaves, and none were as solid, dependable, or easy to use as these great Radaranges.
I have a later one, RR-700, with the "Accu-Dial" controls, 10 power levels, and the probe (which I do use. Great for taking liquids for bread making up to the right temperature!)
I used to do private catering, and used a lot of microwaves, and none were as solid, dependable, or easy to use as these great Radaranges.
Do you suppose this is the RR-1?
I went back to where I had seen the half demolished early Radar and it turns out it was an RR-3.
The controls are like Jon's but there's a chrome slide switch above the top dial that's labeled 'Locked' and physically jams a metal bar into the side of the door (and this one has plastic over the metal screen). Both of these were probably to assuage psychological fears about these evil 'cancer-inducing' radio waves!
Because of the placement of that lock, the Radarange script is moved and decorated with asterisks. There's a hidden switch below the bottom-most chrome edge labeled Buzzer On/Off. Jon, does yours have this? What's your buzzer sound like.
And finally, theres a red oval superimposed at the bottom of the dial backgrounds that says "Cooking" when the dials are lit up. Those are the differences I can spot.
If you can't tell by now, I liberated the control panel- damaged knob, worn-off paint, cracked start button and all.
I went back to where I had seen the half demolished early Radar and it turns out it was an RR-3.
The controls are like Jon's but there's a chrome slide switch above the top dial that's labeled 'Locked' and physically jams a metal bar into the side of the door (and this one has plastic over the metal screen). Both of these were probably to assuage psychological fears about these evil 'cancer-inducing' radio waves!
Because of the placement of that lock, the Radarange script is moved and decorated with asterisks. There's a hidden switch below the bottom-most chrome edge labeled Buzzer On/Off. Jon, does yours have this? What's your buzzer sound like.
And finally, theres a red oval superimposed at the bottom of the dial backgrounds that says "Cooking" when the dials are lit up. Those are the differences I can spot.
If you can't tell by now, I liberated the control panel- damaged knob, worn-off paint, cracked start button and all.
RR 2 Controls
Hi Cadman: My RR 2 has the buzzer button located under the multi-time dial. When you slide it to the right the Range buzzes until you open the door BUT when you close the door again it starts buzzing so you have to manually stop it before you are done.
My Buzzer is a LOUD electrical buzzer like a bad solenoid I was hoping it would have been a huge silver bell that went DING!
There is no lock bar along the top of my machine nor is there a Cooking label anywhere.
But my door does not have the later style interlock it has a button on the frame that the door frame hits to start cooking and after so many years you have to gently push hard to seal the door to get the unit to start up.
And my glass tray was not like the later molded type it really is just a flat plate of bubble glass cut to fit the inside. I thought this must have been a replacement but John tells me that the first units all had these flat glass trays.
He said that he had once seen an RR 1 but that the unit was free standing , wouldn't ever fit on a counter, and was only 220V. So the RR 2 was the first 120V model for home use he tells me. I would like to find the service literature on these does anybody have that avaiable to copy?
jon
Hi Cadman: My RR 2 has the buzzer button located under the multi-time dial. When you slide it to the right the Range buzzes until you open the door BUT when you close the door again it starts buzzing so you have to manually stop it before you are done.
My Buzzer is a LOUD electrical buzzer like a bad solenoid I was hoping it would have been a huge silver bell that went DING!
There is no lock bar along the top of my machine nor is there a Cooking label anywhere.
But my door does not have the later style interlock it has a button on the frame that the door frame hits to start cooking and after so many years you have to gently push hard to seal the door to get the unit to start up.
And my glass tray was not like the later molded type it really is just a flat plate of bubble glass cut to fit the inside. I thought this must have been a replacement but John tells me that the first units all had these flat glass trays.
He said that he had once seen an RR 1 but that the unit was free standing , wouldn't ever fit on a counter, and was only 220V. So the RR 2 was the first 120V model for home use he tells me. I would like to find the service literature on these does anybody have that avaiable to copy?
jon
kenmore1978
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2004
- Messages
- 2,119
microwave controls
I remember when I purchased my 1978 Wards (made by Sharp) microwave in 1978, there were 3 types of controls available
manual dial
mechanical digital
electronic digital
I, of course, went for the TOL electronic digital model with the browning element and temperature probe (both options you don't see anymore), since I worked for Wards at the time and unlike some companies, Wards would let you use your employee discount even on sale items. That microwave is still serving 6 people today, though the glass tray broke and the door latch is getting sort of flaky, but I think I've found a palce to get a new glass tray, and I'm sure the door latch can be fixed (it just has gotten so that it takes 2 hands to open the door, one to push down on the latch while other hand pulls on the handle, whereas as just pushing the latch used to "pop" the door open). It is a little "slow" speed-wise compared to today's ovens (only 600 watts, powerful for the time, but no match for new 1,000 watt ovens). Only thing that's ever gone wrong with it all these years is blowing an internal fuse.
I remember when I purchased my 1978 Wards (made by Sharp) microwave in 1978, there were 3 types of controls available
manual dial
mechanical digital
electronic digital
I, of course, went for the TOL electronic digital model with the browning element and temperature probe (both options you don't see anymore), since I worked for Wards at the time and unlike some companies, Wards would let you use your employee discount even on sale items. That microwave is still serving 6 people today, though the glass tray broke and the door latch is getting sort of flaky, but I think I've found a palce to get a new glass tray, and I'm sure the door latch can be fixed (it just has gotten so that it takes 2 hands to open the door, one to push down on the latch while other hand pulls on the handle, whereas as just pushing the latch used to "pop" the door open). It is a little "slow" speed-wise compared to today's ovens (only 600 watts, powerful for the time, but no match for new 1,000 watt ovens). Only thing that's ever gone wrong with it all these years is blowing an internal fuse.
I had a Monkey Wards microwave oven back in mid '80s that was made by Sharp. I think that is why I bought it. Also it had the "browning element" that wasn't worth crap. It was a tol model with the touch controls. I'd probably still have it if we didn't do the kitchen over. I had it about 12 yrs anyway. Gave it away in '97; for all I know it could be still working!
Prelinger Archives
There is a movie about microwaves in the Prelinger Archives.
http://www.archive.org/movies/details-db.php?collection=prelinger&collectionid=preparation_of_foods
There is a movie about microwaves in the Prelinger Archives.
http://www.archive.org/movies/details-db.php?collection=prelinger&collectionid=preparation_of_foods
kenmore1978
Well-known member
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- Sep 8, 2004
- Messages
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browning element
I used my browning element a few times, usually to brown the crust on pies I'd microwaved. I used the temp probe more.
I used my browning element a few times, usually to brown the crust on pies I'd microwaved. I used the temp probe more.
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