Tappan Electronic Oven--Any Information on It?

[blackstone]

I have this old microwave oven, and was trying to find some information. It's a "Tappan Electronic Oven". Rotary timer goes up to 28 min. On-Off push button, and Cook push button to start magnetron. Following information from the label: model 56-5010-4; 1.5 KW; Frequency 2450 MC (not MHz); Litton Systems; O'Keefe & Merritt, Los Angeles. It works, although I wouldn't use it for everyday use, not if it draws that much electricity. I tried Googling, but did not find any specific information on this model nor time period. Any leads?

 

[goatfarmer]

There should be a date of manufacture somewhere on the machine. Every micro I've seen had it someplace.

kennyGF

 

[hydralique]

I really love the ever-so-stylish atomic symbol under the "Tappan" logo. My parents had a Litton microwave for years and years. It was much like the old Radaranges in that the quality was much better than most today.

 

[cuffs054]

There used to be a place in Dallas, TX that specialized in old MW. Can't think of the name of it, but goggle should find it for you. They helped me keep my Norelco that was as big as a buick, going for years.

 

[blackstone]

Can't find date of manufacture on it; I think it predates that business practice. The fact that it uses MC instead of MHz leads me to believe that it is 1960s.

Not only does it have an atomic symbol, the panel lights up and says "Now Cooking" after pressing Cook button.

 

[red_october]

Blackstone, don't sweat the power consumption. You only use the microwave for a few minutes a day (half an hour at most if you prepare a large, complex dinner with it), and most modern ovens, unless you buy a very small model, range from .9 to 1.6 KW anyway. It's not like it's a 'fridge that will run 24/7/365, and even then, I'm sure many of us here get by just fine with vintage 'fridges!

 

[tomturbomatic]

Newer Microwave ovens have become more efficient and produce more cooking power with same wattage as your Tappan, but the draw on your model was pretty much uniform for a long time. Can anyone think of an appliance that was built or overbuilt as heavily and sold for big bucks as the early microwaves that came down in weight, size and price so fast that most are disposable now?

 

[jamiel]

I'd guess that was mid-to-late 60s (66, 67, 68), predating or at the same time as the 1st Amana Radarange. Tappan was the first microwave oven (built in in the mid-50s) so this would probably be their first portable

 

[63getelevision]

I know I have a Nov. '55 House Beautiful magazine with an ad for a Tappan microwave oven. It's been awhile since I saw it, but it stuck in my mind.

 

[tomturbomatic]

November 1955?? Not for one this size. Even 1965 would be a bit early would it not? Must be for the big wall oven style microwave in 1955.

The date of manufacture is an FCC ruling, but maybe it's coded on yours, Blackstone.

 

[blackstone]

I was able to read the label on the back of the microwave, without finding a date code. If there is a label on the bottom, it will remain hidden for a while--there are 3 other microwaves stacked on top of it.

As for other appliances that have drastically come down in price, I can remember when quartz heaters first were introduced during the energy crisis in the 1970s. They were advertised as an amazing way to allow you to turn down your thermostat and save energy costs. These quartz heaters were nothing new (just an electric space heater), but they were selling for over $100, and people were paying that price.

 

[63getelevision]

In Regard to the 1955 Tappan Microwave

Yes, it was a wall oven style, on the lines of regular size wall units. And, it was stainless! Ad was about a quarter page.

 

[paulg]

I have the "1955" Tappan electronic (1961 version)

Yes, I have the "1955" Tappan Electronic wall oven, albeit the 1961 production year. I'm going to restore it cosmetically and give it to a museum. It has a water pump and radiator to cool the magnetron. Must use an antifreeze/water mix. Gotta laugh.
... Now don't lecture me on microwave oven servicing - I used to teach that class for (major manufacturer)..
I still believe the first countertop was Amana's in 1967. The above Tappan was probably of the same time slot - but not likely before.