Should I Get this 1950s Westinghouse Oven?

[pumpkina]

Someone is giving away a 1950's era Westinghouse electric oven. It works, except for the timer/delay clock. It's been used off and on for the past 50 years, but not used for the past 13 years.

How hard are parts for this?

What repair is involved with the timer/delay clock?

Any other repairs or preventive maintenance I should do?

thanks

 

[tomturbomatic]

OOH! Aqua Green from Westinghouse's Confection Colors. These ovens bake and broil very well. Often the clock just heeds some treatment with WD40 to loosen and flush away decades of solidified dirt and grease. When you clean it, be careful of the thermostat capillary tube near the top of the oven. You don't want to break or jostle that because then you have to replace the thermostat and your freebie is no longer free.

 

[ea56]

I agree with Tom, these are really nice performing ovens, and theri broilers are excellent. My favorite aunt had one for many years and we also had one in a house that my famliy lived in in 1962, my Mom really liked this oven.
Eddie

 

[pumpkina]

Thanks!

I just brought it home.

How do I open the clock up to clean it?

Not shown in the photo is some rust on the front floor just inside the door. What can I do to remove the rust and not tarnish the original finish and to keep it safe for cooking?

Also, the wiring was cut off, such that there is no power cord. Would I just buy a regular two-prong AC cord?

Thanks!

 

[turquoisedude]

Congratulations!  These Westinghouse ovens are very cool-looking units!

 

For the power connection, these were usually wired directly to a supply line using both 115 volts and 230 volts, so you will need a three-wire cable that would be used for a range.   There should be some kind of a terminal block inside the oven, but you will have to remove the metal 'cabinet' that surrounds the oven.  You should see three wires leading to the terminal block: one red, one white, one black.  Connect your new cable exactly the same way (Red to Red, White to White, Black to Black).  The new cable could then be connected to a range power cord for testing.  NOTE: the white wire must be connected to the wire that runs to the center pin of the range power cord (it may be identified as the 'neutral' lead).    

 

Better still, if you can find a wiring diagram for the oven, follow it carefully.  It may still be on the rear of the oven somewhere.    Post photos if you have any questions before testing!  

 

[yogitunes]

should you be attempting any work on an appliance?

maybe you should call an electrician or appliance repair guy...

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

I was surprised to see appliances this old in my grandma's apartment back in 1996--that oven and cook-top, even dishwasher and fridge--Westinghouse from those years...

-- Dave