danemodsandy
Well-known member
Well, after two of the toughest work days in recent memory, I finally got a chance to take a good, cold, hard, dispassionate look at the GE J757 range I've just acquired.
Frankly, what I see is a bit intimidating. She's salvageable, but it's going to take some luck - and some cash. Here goes:
She needs at least three burners - the non-SensiTemp 8-incher and both 6-inchers. The condition of the SensiTemp burner is not yet known, though it looks intact and to have been in regular use.
The black reverse-painting on her control panel glass has to be redone; she sat out in the rain for a few days and the painting blistered, leaving the panel looking mottled. The indicia on the front side of the glass are fired-on glass frit and are still in perfect condition.
The top of the backguard has worn-through chrome plating, from aggressive scrubbers or cleansers. Replacement or replating is needed. There are also dings in the chrome of some other chrome-plated trim parts.
The oven door needs a new handle, and a new front panel, or at least, the front panel re-porcelainized.
Cleaning is going to take almost total disassembly; the grease is that thick.
Pluses are:
She is complete and her porcelain cooktop shines underneath the schmutz.
Sam xraytech has a set of accessories for me, including the meat probe and the rotisserie parts.
I have a good set of knobs to replace the faded ones on her.
Since she is essentially a GE Americana with no upper story, hopefully some parts might be gleaned from Americanas.
This assessment was visual only - I am still waiting for her to dry out a bit more before doing any checks under power. Until then, I don't know the status of the clock/timer, the SensiTemp burner, sensor or responder, the oven thermostat, the burner controls, the rotisserie motor or the meat thermometer.
If anyone has any encouraging suggestions, I'm all ears. There is one suggestion I'm not up for - stripping my present J370 for parts to use in this restoration. The J370 is much too nice to be subjected to that fate, and I have a new home in mind for her anyway, where she'll be loved and cared for as well as I would do myself. Plus I'll get visitation, LOL.
Frankly, what I see is a bit intimidating. She's salvageable, but it's going to take some luck - and some cash. Here goes:
She needs at least three burners - the non-SensiTemp 8-incher and both 6-inchers. The condition of the SensiTemp burner is not yet known, though it looks intact and to have been in regular use.
The black reverse-painting on her control panel glass has to be redone; she sat out in the rain for a few days and the painting blistered, leaving the panel looking mottled. The indicia on the front side of the glass are fired-on glass frit and are still in perfect condition.
The top of the backguard has worn-through chrome plating, from aggressive scrubbers or cleansers. Replacement or replating is needed. There are also dings in the chrome of some other chrome-plated trim parts.
The oven door needs a new handle, and a new front panel, or at least, the front panel re-porcelainized.
Cleaning is going to take almost total disassembly; the grease is that thick.
Pluses are:
She is complete and her porcelain cooktop shines underneath the schmutz.
Sam xraytech has a set of accessories for me, including the meat probe and the rotisserie parts.
I have a good set of knobs to replace the faded ones on her.
Since she is essentially a GE Americana with no upper story, hopefully some parts might be gleaned from Americanas.
This assessment was visual only - I am still waiting for her to dry out a bit more before doing any checks under power. Until then, I don't know the status of the clock/timer, the SensiTemp burner, sensor or responder, the oven thermostat, the burner controls, the rotisserie motor or the meat thermometer.
If anyone has any encouraging suggestions, I'm all ears. There is one suggestion I'm not up for - stripping my present J370 for parts to use in this restoration. The J370 is much too nice to be subjected to that fate, and I have a new home in mind for her anyway, where she'll be loved and cared for as well as I would do myself. Plus I'll get visitation, LOL.
