photo from flickr.com
Years ago, when we first moved to West Virginia, I bought a used gas stove for my kitchen. The salesman at the used appliance store said, "This is an old stove, but I guarantee you'll like it better than these new ones. I bought the stove he recommended, a large, curvy white Tappan from the early 1950's.
He was right. I loved that stove. I used it hard for the next 8 years and slowly, things began to break--one burner would not work, the oven hinge broke, things like that. I decided I needed something newer and bought an avocado green stove that was smaller. I thought I'd made a good decision. Soon we went to an electric range because LP gas became so expensive. As the years past, I remembered my Tappan and realized it had really been a very good stove. I should have fixed it, I thought. Ah well, it was gone and that was that.
When we learned that we would have free gas, I thought about my Tappan. Could I find another stove like that? I started looking a few months ago, and found them all right--for prices ranging from $250 up to $3000! Apparently I was not the only person who understood the value of these heavy, well-made stoves.
I mentioned my quest to my son Aaron one day and he said, "You know, I've seen a stove like that up near my house. It's out under someone's gazebo with a for sale sign on it."
A week later, Aaron's wife Jaime called. "Okay, I'm standing in front of this stove. It has chrome burners, chrome trim and it's kinda rounded looking."
"That's it!" I said. "Will you see how much they want for it?"
"Says right on the sign, $50."
"Buy it! We'll figure how to get it here later."
Jaime bought the stove for me, and Aaron picked it up--along with another 3-burner gas stove that is really an odd little thing, but for $25 he figured we might want it for a canning stove.
Aaron delivered my stove today, and I am so happy! The gas isn't hooked up yet but the stove is ready when we get it done. Best part? These two stoves turned out to be my Mother's Day gift from Aaron. What a guy.
This one is a 1950 Tappan Deluxe. It looks like it has been used very little because it's so clean. The original owner's manual is still in one of the chrome drawers.
It has three chrome drawers on one side, one labeled "Crisper." The burner covers, with a pretty design on the reverse side so they can be used as trays, are stored on the side doors, ready for use.
One the other side is storage for baking pans, a slideout drawer for utensils, and towel racks for drying kitchen towels. The broiler pan is chrome and looks unused. There are slide-out trays for cleaning under the burners, and lovely scrolled cast iron burner grids. The burners and burner pans are chrome, as is the oven door and the bottom kickplate. On top is a clock, a scrolling list of cooking times for many foods, and a light that still works. Best part? When the light is turned on, the red glass behind the burner controls lights up!
Looking online, I found a blog called TappanTalk that is devoted to discussing these stoves; various owners post photos of their stoves, along with questions and restoration projects. There are, I have found, many devotees of this stove, and I am now among their numbers.
I am in love again with a Tappan Deluxe. I've got a little cleaning to do, but I can't wait to get it hooked up and start cooking.
The last red light eventually came on, Aaron said. Isn't she a beauty?Welcome home, Tappan!
What a wonderful stove, Sue. I wouldn't have even guessed what all those departments are for!! Great deal and good find. Oh, and what a present!!! Such a good boy, your Aaron!
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Lizzie
What a find!!! I love, love, love it! Vintage stoves that have been taken care of are the best. Even the more expensive stoves today does not compare to the quality of vintage stoves. Trust me, I know from experience. Paid over $1200 for my new stove, but does not compare to my 1910 Magic Chef that I used for 15 years.
ReplyDeleteThey don't make em like they use too..
ReplyDeleteDorothy from grammology
grammology.com
That stove is TOO cool - I love the photo of it all lit up!
ReplyDeleteOur house was built in the 50's, and I've been toying with the idea of kitting it out in retro gear just to honor the house's history.
What a great find. I think the older the better. It seems items that are older are so much better made. Stuff that is really worth your money instead of the flimsy, generic stuff that they make now a days.
ReplyDeleteHappy Baking when you get it all hooked up.
You have the best boys Granny Sue! They listen to their mother and they go out and find it for you!
ReplyDeleteYou are going to love having free gas! I have free gas. It makes cooking so much easier and affordable! lol
Your kitchen is going to be just gorgeous with your new stove and that new pantry shelf thing you just got!
My Mama had such a stove in the 50s and 60s. As a child, I loved the side door with the dish towel rack. Cookies and cakes always baked just right in that gas oven. Mama's stove didn't have all those lights tho! I love your photo with the stove lit up, like a boeing 747 getting ready to land.
ReplyDeleteYour stove is a beauty! Best of luck with it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect gift! I believe these "finds" are not accidents. At exactly the time that I realized my mother needed a lighted magnifier to continue to enjoy the newspaper, I went for a walk (though I didn't "feel like it") and passed a neighbor putting together garage sale stuff for the next day. Yes, she had such a light (and many other things I bought a day early -- had to go home for my car to carry away my treasures). Our shop teacher made a stand to hold it on her kitchen table with C-clamps, and Mom was ready to read.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy you stove!!
Good point, Mary. Odd that just as I was looking for one, this one showed up. I am so looking forward to getting it hooked up!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a great stove. I love how it looks when its all lit up. You all were very lucky to find it. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy you wrote about your stove. I have this exact one and was toying with the idea of getting something newer. You've changed my mind. And I didn't know the burner covers stored inside the doors like that. I bought mine from an older friend several years ago--she was the original owner. Thanks for bringing me to my senses.
ReplyDeleteSusan
If I were to look for a stove for you, it would have probably been one like this. I think the only other would be one of the Victorian style cast iron ones - they just fit your style!
ReplyDeleteI looked at those, Jason, but I remember cooking on one at a friend's house some years ago, and it was so unpredictable that I decided I needed something a little more modern. Maybe it was only her stove, but the oven temp was never right and lighting the top was an adventure.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that this one fell in our lap and I can't wait to see it up and running.
ReplyDeleteI confess to Tappan Envy right now. This is the stove of my dreams, and I've priced them from online dealers. As-tro-nomical! Mazel tov on your Yard Sale Karma.
ReplyDeleteAbout 12 years ago when I first moved to this area I rented a house that had a stove like that. I loved it! Nothing they're making these days will last like that.
ReplyDeleteWow! My late Grandmother's home has two of these stoves. I did not know that they could worth so much until I saw one on HGTV this morning! Now I have to pass this info on to my parents!
ReplyDeleteI have a slightly earlier version of this stove, and I am trying to find an owner's manual. Any chance you would be able or willing to scan yours and post it? It would be much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteI have a 1922 Tappan gas stove you light with a match. It does have a light n clock on it and looks the same as yours and has all the things you mentioned except I don't have the red lights like yours and I have been cooking on it for over30 years now but my grandmother used it all the time while I was growing up but when she got sick I lived with her to take care of her and that's when I started using the gas stove and it cooks better and faster than a electric one..I love how it cooks food. I used a electric stove for about 10 years but when I started using the gas stove I wouldn't trade it for anything. The 1922 trappan is so great to use.I say it's about 93 years old and still works to this day and never had to do any repairs on it until today the element in the oven went out n trying to find parts now. But still can cook on burners though. One good thing also if electric goes out and you have no generator and it's cold out side you can still cook on it and have heat also. But I do love how yours has the red lights it is so awesome looking. Praying I can get what I need for mine.Don't want any other stove to replace it.I tell every one it's the best stove to have and if I moved it was going with me know matter what even if it didn't fit in kitchen I would find a place or move cabinets to put in.
ReplyDeleteI have the exact same stove and I love it. We bought a home with it already in the previous owners said it didn't work. Well 6 years later it hasn't failed me yet. And I too found the original manual and receipt of purchase. The original owner paid $350.00 for it back in the 60's. I adore my stove!!! Great find. I know you still love it to this day!!
ReplyDeleteI have a tappan stove that my grandmother cooked on since the 1950's it is a double oven with 4 side by side burners that slide into the stove leaving only a long cutting board when put away. Alas my family has outgrown this and I must part with it. I have no idea of value. If any one can help with where to value and post for it to find a new home it would be appreciated. Hobbyjtkt@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI came across this page, and others, while researching my Tappan Deluxe, and thought I'd post my story, now that I have it up and running. I bought it from a friend two years ago here in Dayton, Ohio, who said it was a 1954, but now it seems to be of earlier vintage. It's in beautiful condition, missing only the burner covers and manual. It's a Tappan Deluxe CP model (series 60?). Model # AV667 3, serial #19334. It has the red knob rings, the two Vycor glass grate inserts, three chrome drawers in the left compartment (but none have the word "crisper" on it), Telechron clock in the center of the backsplash and the Visiminder timer to the left. The oven walls are chrome. Everything seems to work well after some tinkering with the wiring, and it looks great in my old kitchen.
ReplyDeleteSkyp, thank you for your comment---and for making me come back to read through all the other comments again. I love my stove. Sadly, I shorted something in the back so the top part with the clock, etc needs to be re-wired. Other than that it still works great. Often in summer I will have two big canners going on it--can't do that with a new stove!
ReplyDeleteI have the exact stove. Bought our house in 1992 and it came with it. One of our cousins and also our son in law have asked for it if we ever want to get rid of it. They even offered to get us a brand new one in exchange, of course we won't do it. We love it.
ReplyDeleteI realize this is an old post but I just recently found it. I recently purchased this stove because my grandmother had one. I don't want to tell you how much I paid for it but it was four digits and fully restored. The reason I wanted it so much was because my grandmother used the drawers on the right for proofing bread because the pilots kept the temperature perfect for doing so. I run a pub/restaurant in Key West Florida and bake bread for a living and do most of my recipe development at home. I learned to bake bread with this stove in the sixties and now have come full circle and doing it again.
ReplyDelete