I really want a vintage gas range, and there are many in my city for bargain prices. But...they scare me because they have continuously burning pilot lights. If one stops burning somehow I'm terrified of it blowing up. Not so much the cooktop burners as much as the oven. I once lived in an apartment with an old gas range and relit the burners with only marginal fear. The oven though...it is in my head that if the oven pilot goes out, the oven fills with gas that you can't smell easily because the door is closed. I would definitely have the range installed and checked by a professional. Please tell me about your vintage gas ranges and if I am worrying too much. TIA.
Really want a vintage gas range but afraid....
- Thread starter weed30
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Don't they have a thermocouple in the pilot flame? If the flame goes out, the thermocouple senses the drop in temperature and cuts off the gas in seconds. It looks like a small metal rod sticking up into the pilot flame.
Personally I would go for a stove with electronic re-ignition, but you might want something older than that.
It might be possible to fit reignition to an older stove?? That would require expertise and money spent, but it might be possible.
Personally I would go for a stove with electronic re-ignition, but you might want something older than that.
It might be possible to fit reignition to an older stove?? That would require expertise and money spent, but it might be possible.
My gas range has been in constant use in my home since 1937. I did have to send the oven thermostat to Texas, to be rebuilt once, about $100.00 The oven is a bit small, but one gets used to it, and learns how to deal with it. I love it, and as long as I am in this house (42 years and counting) I will continue to use it. The oven is "match light" and the burners have one pilot light for all four burners. One of the nicest features with these old gas stoves, is they are all porcelain, and usually just need a good cleaning.
bradfordwhite
Well-known member
What could possibly go wrong with
an endless stream of highly explosive and toxic gas piped directly into your living environment?
An electric stove won't do this.
an endless stream of highly explosive and toxic gas piped directly into your living environment?
An electric stove won't do this.
bradfordwhite
Well-known member
I won't allow gas lines in my home or around it. I prefer not to have gas lines in my neighborhood.
Gas should only be used for commercial regional electric generation stations and similar manufacturing type facilities. Never should have been installed into peoples homes. Good intentions I'm sure, but a bad idea.
Gas should only be used for commercial regional electric generation stations and similar manufacturing type facilities. Never should have been installed into peoples homes. Good intentions I'm sure, but a bad idea.
bradfordwhite
Well-known member
"an endless stream of highly explosive and toxic gas piped directly into your living environment"
Is it just occurring to you that that's what a connection to the gas network in fact IS?
Much like a connection to public water service, if there is a break in the pipe there is the potential for an endless amount of damaging water. Granted, water isn't explosive and the damages it could do are fixable. Unlike a house that explodes from gas.
Is it just occurring to you that that's what a connection to the gas network in fact IS?
Much like a connection to public water service, if there is a break in the pipe there is the potential for an endless amount of damaging water. Granted, water isn't explosive and the damages it could do are fixable. Unlike a house that explodes from gas.
Hi, You Are Worring Too much
Gas ranges do not blow up or cause explosions even if all three pilots blow out, the amount of gas that escapes is way too little to ever cause an explosion.
This is why they were built for decades without a system that shuts off the gas flow if the pilots blow out.
The greater dangers with any gas range are the combustion products from using the range, do be sure that your kitchen has a good exhaust fan or hood that vents to the outdoors, and use it when using the range.
What are some examples of older gas ranges that you are liking ?
John L.
Gas ranges do not blow up or cause explosions even if all three pilots blow out, the amount of gas that escapes is way too little to ever cause an explosion.
This is why they were built for decades without a system that shuts off the gas flow if the pilots blow out.
The greater dangers with any gas range are the combustion products from using the range, do be sure that your kitchen has a good exhaust fan or hood that vents to the outdoors, and use it when using the range.
What are some examples of older gas ranges that you are liking ?
John L.
Woah.....
Thanks for some of the less scary replies - haha.
gizmo: I'm not sure if all gas ranges have thermocouples.
rickr: So you have to light the oven every time you use it? Interesting.
combo52: I have one of those vintage through the wall fans from the 50s, and it's quite strong. Weirdly it's not on the range wall, but on the wall perpendicular that is an outside wall. (There is no way to put the range directly below the fan because there is a low window that takes up most of the space there - very small kitchen.)
I have a pink Gaffers and Sattler in my garage but it needs some rechroming which is quite expensive, so I have been looking off and on for something in better shape. I regularly find old Calorics, Ropers, Magic Chefs, Tappans, etc. Some of them are astonishingly clean inside and out!
Thanks for some of the less scary replies - haha.
gizmo: I'm not sure if all gas ranges have thermocouples.
rickr: So you have to light the oven every time you use it? Interesting.
combo52: I have one of those vintage through the wall fans from the 50s, and it's quite strong. Weirdly it's not on the range wall, but on the wall perpendicular that is an outside wall. (There is no way to put the range directly below the fan because there is a low window that takes up most of the space there - very small kitchen.)
I have a pink Gaffers and Sattler in my garage but it needs some rechroming which is quite expensive, so I have been looking off and on for something in better shape. I regularly find old Calorics, Ropers, Magic Chefs, Tappans, etc. Some of them are astonishingly clean inside and out!
my water heater has a pilot light....
that thought alone hasn't let me sleep for 28 years since its been installed!
you might be better off with an electric stove!
dont let a house fire go to waste, break out the wieners on a stick, you got a block party in the making!
that thought alone hasn't let me sleep for 28 years since its been installed!
you might be better off with an electric stove!
dont let a house fire go to waste, break out the wieners on a stick, you got a block party in the making!
Alot of people shut the top pilot off to save gas and lit burners by hand. Most gas stoves I remember as a kid had the hole on the oven bottom with a sign saying "Light Here". Those stoves are outlawed in this state. Higher end C/P stoves did have an oven pilot but a thermocouple had to heat up first, that usually took about 1 minute for the burner to come on. Sears salesmen were told to upsell the housewife to convenient pilot type ovens over the cheaper match light models. Today, almost all gas stoves have electronic ignition.
Rick, Rick, Rick........
wayupnorth - I'm glad you mentioned those being outlawed. I will have to see what will pass inspection here. Attached is one of several I'm looking at.
Natural gas appliances rarely, if ever blow up or explode. Has it happened? Yes, but is extremely rare for that to happen. You have a higher probability of getting zapped from electricity than have a natural gas appliance explode in front of you.
For those who complain about natural gas appliances, you’d be thousands richer and would have the luxury of being able to use your stove top if the power were to be out for a day or two.
Bradfordwhite, I think you’ve been watching too many Live Better Electrically commercials from the 50’s and 60’s since GE and Westinghouse tried to convince people that having all electric homes were better but didn’t mention what the monthly electric bills and such would be. Many of those Medallion homes there were all electric many years ago have all been converted to natural gas since the owners of those homes were tired of $500+ electric bills each month.
For those who complain about natural gas appliances, you’d be thousands richer and would have the luxury of being able to use your stove top if the power were to be out for a day or two.
Bradfordwhite, I think you’ve been watching too many Live Better Electrically commercials from the 50’s and 60’s since GE and Westinghouse tried to convince people that having all electric homes were better but didn’t mention what the monthly electric bills and such would be. Many of those Medallion homes there were all electric many years ago have all been converted to natural gas since the owners of those homes were tired of $500+ electric bills each month.
Maytag85 - Absolutely right on using gas appliances during a power outage! My current range is a 90's Hotpoint and I've appreciated that I can still make coffee when the power is out. (I use a Chemex so I need to heat water.) As far as the scary videos, the explosions were caused by workers drilling into a main line, not an individual appliance blowing up. I'm feeling better about getting a vintage range now, so thank you.
@ Weed30, that looks like a very nice Caloric. I would scoop that one up in a hurry!
bradfordwhite
Well-known member
LOL
"I'm feeling better about getting a vintage range now, so thank you."
Oh yes, take solace in the words of a few of AW-lands John Belushi based characters who will walk into a room half soaked with a cigarette in their mouth and are willing to take anyone up on a dare, even in a stupor.
"gas appliances only leak som-e, sometimes......s-no big, sno big deal. AAHHHHH Fah-getta-bottit. Mr. got a light?"
-----
I could see getting a gas stove for decorative purposes.
But there is a reason why several significant municipalities are pushing to eliminate gas appliances altogether.
And remember, it isn't JUST appliances that explode, it's ANYWHERE in the piping network.
That's what counts.
All it takes is a loose fitting, a rotten seal on a valve, a rusted out pipe.... either inside or out.
I've seen my share and I don't even work in the gas servicing industry.
I've mitigated at least a dozen 'situations' in my life.
www.automaticwasher.org
"I'm feeling better about getting a vintage range now, so thank you."
Oh yes, take solace in the words of a few of AW-lands John Belushi based characters who will walk into a room half soaked with a cigarette in their mouth and are willing to take anyone up on a dare, even in a stupor.
"gas appliances only leak som-e, sometimes......s-no big, sno big deal. AAHHHHH Fah-getta-bottit. Mr. got a light?"
-----
I could see getting a gas stove for decorative purposes.
But there is a reason why several significant municipalities are pushing to eliminate gas appliances altogether.
And remember, it isn't JUST appliances that explode, it's ANYWHERE in the piping network.
That's what counts.
All it takes is a loose fitting, a rotten seal on a valve, a rusted out pipe.... either inside or out.
I've seen my share and I don't even work in the gas servicing industry.
I've mitigated at least a dozen 'situations' in my life.
Good-Bye To Gas Kitchen, Hot Water & Heating & Laundry Appliances In NYC
Move over boys and girls from CA, NYC has banned gas hook-ups for new construction. Besides burners, ovens, ranges no gas connections means goodbye to that fuel for heating, hot water, dryers, etc... https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/15/nyregion/nyc-gas-stove-heat-ban.html...
www.automaticwasher.org
