Small Appliance Age Site

[toploader55]

Well, I don't know what is going on with the Stars and the Moon, but Today I returned the Moving Blankets to the Store where I bought the Dinette Set.

I stopped in a little Thrift Store that I've driven by for years and finally decided to stop.

I found these 2 beauties and would like to find out what year they are from...

The First is a GE "Toaster Oven". This baby has never been used. It looks like there was never 1 slice of Bread in it.

The Second is a Universal Coffeematic. It is in Real Good Shape.

 

[toploader55]

Coffeematic

Real nice shape too. And I haven't even touched them with a towel yet.

So is there a site where I can find out what year they are from ? Thanks, Eddie

 

[polkanut]

I think you should consider buying a lottery ticket also! ;-)

 

[westingman123]

Crevicetool can tell you!

Rick, a/k/a crevicetool on vacuumland, is the Universal knowledge king. Terry is right up there with him. Paging Dr. Bombay....

 

[qsd-dan]

You're on FIRE!

 

[tomturbomatic]

This is where back issues of shelter mags are so valuable. Better Homes & Gardens had an index to advertisers until the early mid 60s. It was divided by category and quite helpful for dating things.

 

[crevicetool]

The Universal Coffeematic is from 1955. It is the Golden Jubilee model.

Have no idea on the Toaster oven - it ain't a Universal!

Great finds! I LOVE the table.

Rick

 

[112561]

Here is a 1960 ad with the toaster oven in it:

 

 

[toploader55]

Thanks Allen

That ad is a Big Help.

So it's 51 Years Old and has never been used. Yikes !!!

I polished up a little more today and there is not a trace of a crumb or any discoloration from heat or anything else. Eddie

 

[supremewhirlpol]

That toaster oven looks like it's smiling!!

 

[112561]

I found one like it myself, and could not see getting it at the time, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled now. I think they made them before and after '60, but Pat Coffey could tell us more.

 

[launderess]

Welcome To My World!

Have had that same GE "Toaster Oven" for several years now, and love it, love it. laaavue it!

Mine was an eBay find, pretty near new as well.

For toast, forget anything thicker than store sliced bread or English muffins, this includes slices of home baked bread not sliced thin. For such things including bagels go into the oven tray.

Also beware of sending things even slightly thick down the toaster. Sometimes what goes down does not or can not come up and will quickly start to burn (ask me, I know *LOL*). Left long enough probably will catch fire....

Oh yes, the toast does not "pop" up at one like modern toasters. Rather it slowly coasts up, taking it's own sweet time! *LOL*

The bottom "oven" tray is great for tuna melts, or any other open cheese sandwich. Also great for heating up cinni buns and other pasteries.

GE made these units starting in 1956

GE Companies: Next Generation and Future | General Electric

The future of GE's companies begins now with the planned spinoff of GE Aerospace and GE Vernova. See how the GE companies are empowering the next generation.

www.ge.com

 

[112561]

Or Laundress could tell us

Now I'm even sorrier I did not buy the one I found!! They only wanted $8.00!!

 

[toploader55]

Thank You, Laundress

That link was most helpfull. Eddie

 

[polkanut]

Launderess,

It sounds like GE took a page from Sunbeam's book in regards to how the toast slowly glides up when done. I'll have to keep my eyes open when I'm at estate sales for one for myself. If I do find one, I hope it's in as pristine condition as Eddie's. (fingers crossed)

 

[launderess]

On these units the heating element is controlled by "depth" of the toaster. That is long as the slots remain depressed below a certian level, the heating elements remain "on", thus the risk of burning/fire if whatever is not removed.

One way round this is to switch the control from "toaster" to "oven", this shuts off the elements for making toast, and engages those for the oven. However as any one knows, do *NOT* place one's fingers or worse, anything metal down those toaster chutes whilst power is engaged regardless. If you cannot get the stuff to shimmy up, unplug the unit then fish it out.

Polkanut:

These units appear on eBay often enough, usually at pretty decent opening and or "BIN" prices. Prices can get high for perhaps MIB units with all the package materials and manuals, but even then...

Find vintage toasters come in and out of fashion. For awhile the Kellog's "Pop Tart" toaster (Sunbeam T-9) was all the rage. Prices going well into $$$ for units not even MIB, now things seemed to have settled down. What is currently hot from GE appliances are their vintage toaster ovens from the 1970's through about early 1980's. In short the models that replaced those in the OP. You know, the ones with glass doors and no toaster slots.

Oh and another thing: the "oven" portion of this vintage unit has two levels one can insert the tray into. If baking/toasting/reheating anything "deep" such as an open sandwhich or pizza, make sure it does not scrape across the opening when being inserted/removed, and will not contact the bottom heating element. Again "ask me, ask me, go ahead and ask me", how I know about this! *LOL*

 

[launderess]

Case In Point

Pipe:

Pardon Our Interruption...