Tappan Electronic oven / Case cleaning

[paulg]

Well I have the time now to start working on this Tappan Electronic oven I acquired years ago. My main question is regarding the face of the unit. It is really grungy. What should I use to clean and polish it without marring it?
Thanks for any ideas.

 

[turquoisedude]

OOH!  So cool!!!!  What year is this from? 

 

[combo52]

Early Tappan MWO

Cool Paul, where did you find this one ?

 

Have you dated it, this design was built from around 1955-1965, Have you ever opened it up or tried running it?

 

There are several major variations on these similar MWOs, early ones were air-cooled, later they had a closed loop water cooled system, we one of each but have never gotten one working.

 

John L.

 

[paulg]

The story behind this oven.

What happened here is that a relative of my husband (an aunt) fell ill and was picked up by paramedics and taken to a hospital.
(OK... so where is THIS story going???).
She was wealthy, but a hoarder. The fire department called the family and was told to get into the house immediately. In we went.
The once-beautiful house was a wreck, basement half flooded. Stuff everywhere.
Anyway, I went into the house and saw the electronic oven. Aunt had given instructions to dissolve the estate and get rid of everything as she will now live in a nursing home.
I asked what would become of the oven. It was to be scrapped so I asked to take it and they agreed.
Aunt gave instructions. She knew of the oven and insisted that anything done to it must be by an expert. As you all know I used to teach microwave-oven repair training classes for a popular manufacturer therefore I was that expert that just happened to stumble into place. I made sure there were no charges on the oven, removed the transformer and moved it home in two pieces. I swear that transformer is half the weight of the thing.
The paperwork was with it. It was purchased in 1962 but I don’t know if that is the year of manufacture. It is water cooled. I also have recipe letters from Tappan to the owner as well as some other ephemera. The recipe cards in the drawer are still there. Prune muffins anyone??
Unfortunately I don’t have a power feed to test it. House has a 200 amp service. I meant to have a 220 range receptacle installed for the Hotpoint Custom Trend but never did. And so I will get as close as I can to “good repair” as I can without powering it up.
Is there a way to date it using model or serial? It is a model R4AL Lot 1. Serial B264.
John, I thought your Tappan or Westinghouse version of this unit worked. Do we need to get together to get one of these babies working? I have a Holaday leakage tester. Wouldn’t touch a microwave without one.

 

[paulg]

But.... I still need help with cleaning the front face.

Jeez, I hate to experiment with getting the face clean on this thing. What methods do you recommend so I can get old residue removed without marring the finish?

 

[jamiel]

By face do you mean the brushed metal or the name-plate (white) as I think it would probably be different, and the name-plate is probably more delicate. Start with water and a q-tip, then graduate to dishwashing liquid. Also try rubbing alcohol. On an edge.