Update on the Philco..

[norgeway]

Well, if I could get my sorry camera to work I would post some pictures, but I did get the old girl cleaned up.it cleaned up better than I ever expected, the finish is shiny and glossy as can be, the oven looks great too, it has a few small chips where the racks have been pushed back too hard , but no cracks or rust, it seems very heavy built,the only real bad thing is its going to have to have a new thermostat, this one is about 50 degrees too hot and has been adjusted as far as it can be, its a big old Robertshaw , the best thing is it has the same setup as the Norge, as well as early Frigidaires and Westinghouses used, the bake unit heats with the outer coil of the broil unit to give balanced heat, a system I always thought really did work well, It has 5 heat TK Monotube units which I like, 2 have been replaced some time or another, the clock is dead, but that can be fixed, the main deal now is to find a new thermostat, im going to get all the numbers off of it, anyone have any suggestions???

 

[norgeway]

More testing reveals other problems...

I decide to turn all the units on high and see if they all worked ok, The original 2 did, the left 2 6 inch units that were newer did not, the left front has a hot spot, I turned it off as quick as this showed up as these can fail in a LOUD way, the left rear heats only about halfway on high, which tells me that 1 coil is bad inside the unit, so I guess old lady avocado will stay in the kitchen....the ugliest stove I have is also the best one!..I will store the Philco and keep an eye out for parts this summer...its too d$%^ hot to move anything now, 90s all week!

 

[appnut]

the ugliest stove I have is also the best one!..

Maybe there is a reason for that.  One being, you to develop more of an appreciation for your most loathed color and this old, special girl.  I know it will be tough--like me having to accept a pink and frilly appliance. 

 

[norgeway]

Well...Ive rested a little

Im going to put 2 Chromalox units on until I can find some TK Monotubes, I can deal with the oven dial being off, it does hold a steady temperature, its worth spending a little on I think...I dont like the Avocado, but Donald thinks its the ugliest thing he ever saw, since he rarely complains about anything, I guess I can go along with him on this, And the Philco is in very good shape, it just needs some TLC.Im going to call John Lefever and see if he can find me a new Thermostat.

 

[norgeway]

As of...8.30 am...A SICKENING revelation!

Ive discovered a revolting fact, I decided to let it heat for about an hour at 400 to see how the temperature held....after about 15 minutes or so, a foul odor was noticed, I went to the kitchen and the smell would just about knock you down!...After turning it off and trying to air out the house, I discovered the source, the insulation is full of old mice droppings and urine...I cant believe it, but after removing a panel I could see, Im so near sick on my stomach now, I haven't the heart or the stomach to do any more, until cooler weather comes and I can completely disassemble it to clean the insides and replace all the insulation, its going to the building, My green Frigidaire is staying!...Its my favorite even if it is vomicado..I remember when it was bought, and I KNOW how it was cared for, and it is really about like new.

 

[kevin313]

Hans -

So sorry to hear there was this awful "surprise" in the Philco! It really is a great looking range and the insulation should be easy to switch out...but it's a messy job.

I think that avocado Frigidaire is a beauty!! Actually all your stoves are great but for someone who enjoys baking and cooking as much as you do, you have to consider performance! If the green Frigidaire is your best and most reliable, that says a lot for it!

 

[norgeway]

Well Kevin!

I guess we will be cooking on the Frigidaire, the Philco is safe and sound in the garage covered up, this winter I will tear it down, clean it good and install new insulation, by that time I should be able to find a new thermostat and 2 , 6 inch Monotubes, can't wait to see you all..

 

[appnut]

Well Hans, there  is that WHITE Frigidair  Electri-Clean in Pensacola, FL that's very attractive and very clean looking for $75. 

 

[norgeway]

Its in the storage bld now

But thought you might like to see some pictures...Someday..WHEN ITS MUCH COOLER!< I will tear it down and reinsulate it.

 

[tomturbomatic]

But now the Kelvy will be put into service, right, or does it need a lot of work, too?

 

[norgeway]

The only thing I can find wrong

With the Kelvinator is the oven light wont burn and the clock looses about 10 minutes per hour, it seems tight and solid, the oven door shuts like a bank vault, but the broiler stop doesent work, these are minor things, the thermostat holds within 5 degrees of the knob position, which is much better than most, it must have been the top of the line because it has a ton of indicator lights, 7 in all.its so clean inside you cant believe it, inside of the left storage drawer is a sticker that says, Shoaf Appliance Co, Greensboro Street, Lexington NC, and a 4 digit phone number.Next time we go to Lexington im going to see if the building is still there, I do know they sold Philco, Maytag and Kelvinator.

 

[polkanut]

Hans,

I just checked Google Earth & Google Maps and it looks like 119 Greensboro St is now a parking lot.

 

[goatfarmer]

If you have the time, and stomach, you can usually "cook" the rodent smell out of a stove.

 

[combo52]

The Philco Range

Oh Hans I do love all your enthusiasm for these great old ranges, but if this goes on too much longer I am going to get you a good classic range that works so I don't have to keep reading about these disasters, LOL. 

 

Love You, John L.

 

[norgeway]

If Donald

Didnt hate the green Frigidaire so badly, I would keep using it, but he rarely complains no matter what I drag in so the least I can do is not have anything vomicado in the house, I really wouldnt mind a self cleaner...if it would bake like it should, I have always thought it could not be reliable...I know thats just my crazy idea.