This year's cottage stove exchange - Crosley out, Kelvinator in

[kevin313]

We did our annual stove swap at the cottage and took out the 1955 Crosley range and replaced it with a 1953 Kelvinator "Great Scot" model, which I guess was their version of the "Thrifty 30."

I cleaned up the Kelvinator before hauling it up to the cottage but it was untested. After plugging it in, everything worked as it should. Will put it to the real test this season with lots of cooking and baking.

 

[lordkenmore]

Nice stove! (I don't suppose it has a "Magic Minute" LOL)

Such bravery in not testing earlier! I frankly lost such bravery after the time I struggled to move in a new-to-me washer, only to have it leak all over the laundry room floor. These days, my policy is appliances need to pass basic functionality test with as little setup work as possible.

And I also have liked your kitchen. Maybe the floor isn't level, but there is character there that you don't see in a modern development house.

My parents had a Kelvinator refrigerator when I was growing up. No idea what vintage, but it had a label inside that talked about the Rambler.

 

[tomturbomatic]

I wish you much joy with your new range!

Congratulations. Those surface units will not have the all-over heating pattern on every heat like the Crosley. Switching from Hi to Medium Hi just turns off the outer ring, at least on the small units, which is nice for smaller pans, but the fact that only the center of the unit is heated on Medium Hi and Low is something to keep in mind if you are using a skillet. You use your electric skillet a lot so the heating pattern should not affect skillet operations.

 

[cuffs054]

Kevin, I'm I seeing new glasses? Can't wait for the next recipe!

 

[norgeway]

Old Style Chromalox units!

I LOVE these, my first Norge had these, they really heat!!! The extra wide width and the fact that they are so very heavy makes them work great, big heavy pots are no trouble for these, unlike the flimsy junk made today, you could stand on these and not bend the supports, and they stay FLAT!!

 

[abcomatic]

HI

Sure do like the "new" stove. I have an ABC wringer washer that says made in
Detroit and it also says a product of American Motors. I guess it has to be after 1954. Sure do enjoy your programs. I fix a lot of your dishes and love them all. Gary

 

[twintubdexter]

All of your range selections are very nice, however I'm not too sure about that "no oven light" Kelvinator. One of the highlights of so many Cavalcade of Food videos is the dramatic opening of the oven with the meringue perfectly browned or the cheese melted and bubbling. It's very similar to "The Price Is Right" when they open the curtain and say "it's a new car!" We will just have to wait until the food is out of the oven and on the table...still gourmet of course!

 

I do hope one day you will try out that very nice little 1957 Frigidaire you purchased awhile back. You and Ralph are a perfect match for "The Sheer Look."

 

[turquoisedude]

Nice Kelvinator range!!  Is that a 7-button control I see for the surface units?  

 

Looks like you'll be cookin' up a storm this summer - have fun!!

 

[firedome]

7 buttons...

yes, always liked the extra flexibility those extra buttons afford, at times the 5 on GE/HPs seem to have too large a gap between them for truly precise cooking.

 

[firedome]

btw...

the cottage looks darling, in MI may we presume? how about the back-story and a tour of the house and grounds sometime!

 

[mattl]

I had the same thought about not having an oven light.  I'd look at the wiring diagram and see if it was an easy to add option.

 

I do believe Kevin gave an online tour of the cabin a few years back, odds are it still can be found here.

 

[lordkenmore]

Or instead of an oven light, perhaps some sort of spot light on the ceiling that can illuminate even the darkest oven. Perhaps make it movable and controllable by a dimmer so various dramatic effects can be employed TV style while unveiling the perfect soufflé...

 

[tomturbomatic]

Or, you can make like those fathers with movie cameras and spotlight rigs at PTA productions in the 50s. My heavens, they would turn on one or more of those in a darkened auditorium and it was like in Genesis when the Lord said, "Let there be light." It was almost like night had gone and morning had arrived.

 

[toploader55]

Love all your ranges Kevin.  And the videos as well.

 

Those 2 Westys you have at the Main House are gorgeous.

 

I remember my sister's apartment in Needham had a 1953 Frigidaire Range.  Just love cooking on a Solid Stove/Range. The Old Radiant Tubes and a similar oven coil to your Kelvinator always baked and roasted perfectly.

 

[petek]

Fun.. How about calling the old Crosley the Bling Crosley. ... 

 

[kevin313]

Thanks to all!

I will enjoy putting the Kelvinator through its paces this summer with lots of cooking and baking. It's always fun to try out a different stove and see how it performs. I wish I had enough room in the cottage kitchen for some of my 36" and 40" models, because I'd love to put them into rotation. Some day!

@cuffs054 - yes, new glasses, although I usually just wear these on weekends.

@joe - I'm going to get one of those old miner's hats for Ralph so when I open the oven door it's nice and bright! Or I guess we will just have to see the results when the dish comes out of the oven. That sheer-look Frigidaire is next up for the exchange. I just go in order they are stacked in the warehouse ;-) God willing and we are still walking the earth next spring, we will install the Frigidaire.

@roger - the cottage is in Lexington, Michigan - a little village in the "thumb" on beautiful Lake Huron. Water, woods, cottages and farms. It's one of my favorite places on the planet ;-)

@petek - Bling Crosley!! That is perfect - the range is now so named!!

Thanks!!