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.
https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?89062_91~1
"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.
https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?89062_91~1
Yes, even Ultramatic would give his approval too. That is a C/P range with pilots and a thermocouple for the oven pilot. There should not be a problem being installed. Its the manual light models that todays people would just turn it on and dont know that they have to light it by hand, thats why they are outlawed here because they will explode.
keith
Well-known member
Merrimack valley gas explosions…
Happened about an hour away from me. Remember it well. People were out of their homes for over 5 months in some cases waiting for the gas to be turned back on. Due to line over pressurization.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merrimack_Valley_gas_explosions
Never gas for me than you. “More likely to get zapped from electric”- false.
Happened about an hour away from me. Remember it well. People were out of their homes for over 5 months in some cases waiting for the gas to be turned back on. Due to line over pressurization.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merrimack_Valley_gas_explosions
Never gas for me than you. “More likely to get zapped from electric”- false.
bradfordwhite
Well-known member
Most people who get zapped live. It's just a zap.
Electric can fail and burn.
Found this few days ago when repairing the drum rollers on the dryer at one of RJ's rental properties.
Gas Oven Control Systems
The first type of gas ovens you just turned the gas and lit it, very simple and energy efficient with no constant burning pilot, temperature was regulated by opening and closing a gas valve and later a thermostat was added that regulated gas flow.
Second type had a constant burning pilot that heated a thermocouple which generates a very small amount of current which keeps a magnet safety valve open in the control whenever the pilot is burning. This type of control was widely used from around 1940-1960, when you turn on an oven with a TC system the oven comes on instantly and when the oven gets to set temperature the flame just modulates down but does not go out, this type of modulated control were the best baking and had the most constant heat.
Third type used a constant burning pilot that heated a mercury safety valve, when the oven was turned on the pilot size increased and heated the mercury valve sensor and then gas flowed to the main burner. This type control was widely used from 1960 till the end of constant burning Politics ranges only 10 or so years ago. On this system if the pilot blows out the gas for the tiny pilot still flows.
Around 1977 gas ovens started to use hot surface electric ignitors, California banded constant burning pilots in dryers and ranges around 1977, it took till the Obama administration to get this expanded nationwide.
Hot Surface Ignitors are simple but use a good amount of electricity and wear out in 2-10 years depending on how much you use your oven. Replacing HSI is the number one major home appliance today.
There are many other variations of gas oven controls out there, my favorite today is Whirlpools Direct Spark Ignition DSI , this system WP introduced around 1999 and uses a spark like top burners use, it is instant and uses almost no power and should not give any problems in the life of most gas ranges.
John L.
The first type of gas ovens you just turned the gas and lit it, very simple and energy efficient with no constant burning pilot, temperature was regulated by opening and closing a gas valve and later a thermostat was added that regulated gas flow.
Second type had a constant burning pilot that heated a thermocouple which generates a very small amount of current which keeps a magnet safety valve open in the control whenever the pilot is burning. This type of control was widely used from around 1940-1960, when you turn on an oven with a TC system the oven comes on instantly and when the oven gets to set temperature the flame just modulates down but does not go out, this type of modulated control were the best baking and had the most constant heat.
Third type used a constant burning pilot that heated a mercury safety valve, when the oven was turned on the pilot size increased and heated the mercury valve sensor and then gas flowed to the main burner. This type control was widely used from 1960 till the end of constant burning Politics ranges only 10 or so years ago. On this system if the pilot blows out the gas for the tiny pilot still flows.
Around 1977 gas ovens started to use hot surface electric ignitors, California banded constant burning pilots in dryers and ranges around 1977, it took till the Obama administration to get this expanded nationwide.
Hot Surface Ignitors are simple but use a good amount of electricity and wear out in 2-10 years depending on how much you use your oven. Replacing HSI is the number one major home appliance today.
There are many other variations of gas oven controls out there, my favorite today is Whirlpools Direct Spark Ignition DSI , this system WP introduced around 1999 and uses a spark like top burners use, it is instant and uses almost no power and should not give any problems in the life of most gas ranges.
John L.
Yes John, my 1995 Whirlpool has the clicker spark for both the top and oven. Best thing is with no power, you can use top and oven by lighting by hand.
would I?...in a heartbeat!
sudsmaster
Well-known member
I grew up with gas ranges for most of my life. When I bought this house some 25 years ago, all it had was electric. Yeech. One of the first things I did was convert the cooktop from electric to gas. I left the built-in wall oven electric. It's OK.
My favorite gas range is the Wedgewood brand. Well made, and nice looking.
We never had a problem with gas leaks or explosions. Sometimes the burner pilots would go out, and from an early age I learned how to adjust and re-light them. I agree it's a minuscule amount of energy for a pilot light.
I prefer gas for cooktops. For ovens, it's sort of a wash.
My favorite gas range is the Wedgewood brand. Well made, and nice looking.
We never had a problem with gas leaks or explosions. Sometimes the burner pilots would go out, and from an early age I learned how to adjust and re-light them. I agree it's a minuscule amount of energy for a pilot light.
I prefer gas for cooktops. For ovens, it's sort of a wash.
Because we had huge resources of natural gas most people here cook on gas. Nobody I know ever had a problem with it, so it looks relatively safe. However some disturbed people have used it to make an end their lives. A miracle some of them even survived it and most neighbours survived too. I guess it's safer to force them to use an electric cooker. They can do less harm with those.
The second picture is of an explosion caused by a man who wanted to blow himself up to go to heaven to meet his mother.
The second picture is of an explosion caused by a man who wanted to blow himself up to go to heaven to meet his mother.
I use and love my gas range, to bad I have gotten a wee but behind on cleaning her, if I'm too tired right after the meal is done, and the stove is too hot, then I'm even more tired after eating...
Someone long ago disconnected the gas main to her house to do such a similar attempt she actually survived and actually stayed at the hospital I worked at, overheard that she was in the ER then later our psych ward for that days later, so I saw her come in for the burn treatment... The hisses was completely gutted, right down to seeing the side by side refrigerator with the doors taken off sticking out like a sore thumb, amongst all the blown up and burned up debris...
-- Dave
Someone long ago disconnected the gas main to her house to do such a similar attempt she actually survived and actually stayed at the hospital I worked at, overheard that she was in the ER then later our psych ward for that days later, so I saw her come in for the burn treatment... The hisses was completely gutted, right down to seeing the side by side refrigerator with the doors taken off sticking out like a sore thumb, amongst all the blown up and burned up debris...
-- Dave
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