It's finally in! After weeks of work getting the gas line run for a half mile down the hill, installing odd things I've never heard of like drip tanks and all sorts of fittings, Larry finally has the gas in to the house and running. Best of all, he got my new old stove hooked up and operating!
Isn't it beautiful? This is a 1950 or 51 model Tappan Deluxe range (hmm, same model year as me!) and it has so many bells and whistles that we're still finding them. Like a timer that actually works, controls that light up with a beautiful red when they're turned on, even a place to put a room freshener. Who even knew they had room fresheners in the 50's?
When I first moved to this farm, I had a Tappan like this only not nearly so fancy. I loved that stove but it was propane and several things broke on it and I gave it up. I was sorry later because I could have found parts and had it fixed. Chalk that up to dumb youth. So when we found out we'd get free gas from our gas well, I knew what I wanted: another Tappan. Our son Aaron found this one on a porch near where he lives with a sign on it that said "$50.00." My good son bought it and gave it to me for Mother's Day. It's been sitting in a corner of my kitchen waiting to be hooked up.
I still have a lot of cleaning to do to get it back in shape. There's some grime, a little rust but overall I do not think this stove was used very much at all. The oven is spotless and so are the burners. (They're chrome!). It's a lot bigger than most ranges so Larry had some furniture moving to so to get it in.
This was inside one of the (chrome) drawers:
Yes, the original owner's manual in its original envelope. It has recipes for all kinds of things, and even a section on how to "can on your Tappan." A stove I can can on! I have missed that so badly with the electric ranges--I've been using a turkey fryer burner out on the porch because heavy canners will ruin most newer stoves. Now I can can in the house if I want to--although I think we're going to hook up the little utility stove Aaron got with the Tappan--it's rough but sturdy, and perfect for canning.
What an exciting evening. I think I'll go read my new owner's manual now.
That is wonderful!!! Great that you have the owners' manual,too.
ReplyDeletediane
Susie, this is so exciting! Enjoy your stove and the to even have the original owner's manual, wow, what a find. Kiss Aaron for me for finding the stove and kiss Larry for getting it installed. I guess you gotta keep him for another year! :) Love you.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool! Those old recipe/owners manuals are so much fun, too. The older recipes are a window into that era - we have some my folks had saved. Enjoy! And I miss a gas range, as well.
ReplyDeleteIt was so neat to be able to use it a little last night--no dinner cooked because it was too late, but boiled water and Larry made breakfast with it this morning. Gas is so much better to cook with than electric.
ReplyDeleteYIPPEE! So glad that you have it all hooked up and working! It is a beautiful range!
ReplyDeleteSue that stove is a beauty! That's better than Christmas. Having the original owners manual is like an extra gift. Have fun using it, I'm so jealous! Hope you have an awesome day.
ReplyDeleteSusanna,
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful. It looks so happy to be instaled. --Jane
And just think, you could leave it on for years and never pay a gas bill. WOOHOO! Now about that furnace...
ReplyDeleteAaron
i want oneofthose. One of those Tappan Ranges . . . and one of those gas wells as well! We don't have gas wells in Ioway. that I know of. My Mama, back in 1952 had a range that looked so much like yours. I am smitten. If you open the left hand tall, narrow door, is there a pull out rack on which to dry dish towels? If so, that is my inheritance! My Mama's range! Please give it back! lol
ReplyDeleteNope, the pull out towel rack is on the right, Nance :) Must be a different stove. Darn, I would have mailed it straight to Ioway too.
ReplyDeleteThe gas well is a nice perc. I wasn't happy about it being drilled up here and they ruined a lovely building site or planting field in the process, but the gas and the little royalty check every month are nice.
Oh I love it! It looks so good in your kitchen too. Amazing the manual was still there-wow.
ReplyDeleteoh Sue! I was mixed up . . . that pull out towel rack was on the RIGHT!
ReplyDeletethat is so pretty! Have fun cooking on it.
ReplyDeleteI will, Janet. It's already been fun just to be able to adjust the temps when I need to instead of waiting for the electric coils to cool down. Tomorrow I'm going to give it a good cleaning and then I have some canning to do. Peppers and pears. I can't wait to see how my stove does. And the best part is it won't cost a thing.
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