Frequently Asked Questions to

Antique Gas Stoves

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can you explain why I should buy or restore an vintage / antique stove?
A: There are many reasons but here a just a few.
The stoves are of superior quality of stove made today.
The gage of metals used is far better.
The stoves we sell are comparable to any commercial stoves sold.
There is no need to have power to the stove in most cases except for the clock and lights. So if your power fails you can still bake and use the stove top unlike the new stoves with electronic ignition.
There are many more reasons to have an antique stove please call our office for more details.
Q:Why do you show so many pictures of the stoves that you sell? Most of the other stove sellers only show one photo of the stove
A: Your question should be why are the other stove restorers not willing to show you the details of their work or close ups of knobs, clocks interiors of the stove etc. We show you photos of the stove inside and out and under the stove tops so when you purchase from us you know you have received the highest quality workmanship available.
Q:Do you have a warranty on the stoves that you sell?
A: Yes we do! On the stoves we sell we give a one full year warranty. Click here to see how we restore the stoves that we sell.
Q: Are you licensed to do repairs/restoration and sells of stoves?
A: Yes we are licensed by the State Of California and anyone that is going to do repairs/restorations or sells of stoves in the State of California has to be licensed by the State of California.
Q: Do we have to join a old appliance club to get help with restorations we want to do on our stove?
A: No! We provide a help section on how to remove and reinstall your parts. If you want reporcelain or rechrome we also provide information for these services. If you can't find the answer to your questions please call or email us.
Q: On the stoves that you sell do the clocks and timers work?
A: Yes! We sell only full restored stoves. All the components work.
Q: Can you rebuild my clock or timer from my stove?
A: We can rebuild most clocks & timers. More rebuild information is here.
Q: My pilot light is on in the oven or broiler but my oven or broiler won't come on.
A: Did you reset the safety valve for the oven or broiler ? Is your clock in the manual setting (M)? If so and the oven/broiler won't come on you may have a problem with you safety valve or your thermocouple. We can rebuild most safety valves, how to remove the safety valves and thermocouples the thermocouples will have to be replaced.
Q: Do you have new knobs and handles for my old stove?
A: We have some new knobs and handles please check the stove parts section for other items you may need.
Q: My oven or broiler door won't close all the way or stay closed are there springs for the doors?
A: Yes most oven and or broilers have springs. We have shown on our website the most common springs and don't forget to check the stove parts section for other items you may need.
Q: How can I change my stove from Natural gas to Propane gas or from Propane to Natural gas ?
A: We sell a converter /regulator it is designed so you do not have to change all of the orifices on the stove.
Q: My light switch in the oven doesn't push in or work can it be replaced?
A: Yes! We sell door switches, panel switches, light sockets and other electrical parts.
Q: Do you have an owner's manual for my old stove?
A: Original owner's manuals/cookbooks are difficult to come by. We have reprinted a few operating instruction/manuals reprint manuals. We have also reprinted some thermostat cooking guides and clock and timer instruction sheets. reprint manuals.
Q: Can the grates and burner heads on my stove be refinished/reporcelained?
A: Yes! If they are not broken or burned through, if the parts are broken or burned through. If your parts are broken or burned through we can repair most grates and burner heads at an additional cost. To reporcelain the grates (what you set the pots & pans on) and burner heads (what the fire comes out of). It generally takes 10 working days from the time we receive the parts and payment to have your parts ready to reship. You can send them one side at a time if you cannot do without them for that long. Another option would be to ship them to us right before you go on vacation. We can also sometimes exchange your good, but ugly, parts for parts that have already been reporcelained. It would depend upon whether or not we have them in stock.
Q: Why should I have the grates and burner heads on my stove refinished?
A: There are several reasons you should consider having the grates and burner heads reporcelained here are a few:
Porcelain is a protective coating against the constant heat from the flame at the burner head and to the grate.
Once the porcelain coating has burnt away it can cause damage to the cast iron parts. Such as holes to burner heads and cracks to grates.
New porcelain coatings can add many more years of care free use to the stove.
Cleaning is much easier once the parts have been reporcelained.
It adds a fresh new look to the stove top making the stove look new and well cared for.
For more information and photos click this link reporcelain
Q: The chrome parts on my old stove are scratched up or rusted. Can they be rechromed?
A: Yes! If they are not pitted badly they can usually be rechromed. Most scratches and light surface rust can be removed prior to being rechromed. Occasionally a piece is so badly pitted that the pits cannot be completely removed. It generally takes 2-4 weeks from time we receive the parts and payment to have your parts ready to reship.
Q: Can I take my chrome pieces to a local chrome shop and have the work done instead of sending the parts to you?
A: Yes! But please click the link to view one of many email's that we receive, about why you should use our service instead of using your local chrome shop that is not familiar with the old stoves. chrome services
Q: I have chips in the porcelain on parts of my old stove. Can they be restored?
A: Most parts can be reporcelained to like new condition. We can quote you prices to reporcelain the pieces that you need to have reporcelained. Some parts cannot be reporcelained to look exactly like the original part. An example would be a front control panel with lettering that is made into the porcelain. The part can be reporcelained, but it will no longer have the lettering.

Sometimes the metal is too thin to be reporcelained. The old porcelain has to be sandblasted off before new porcelain can be fired on. If the metal is too thin because of rust or too much exposure to flame, it will pinhole or blow through during the sandblasting. Click here for reporcelain information

Q: The temperature control on my oven doesn't seem to work. The temperature in the oven is not what it says on the control. Can this be corrected?
A: The thermostat (temperature control) is no longer working properly and it needs to be rebuilt. We can usually rebuild your original thermostat, assuming no one else has taken it apart and the pieces are all there. Replacement thermostats are available, but they are expensive, and will not match the style of your stove. Replacement Thermostat You MUST HAVE a rebuildable ORIGINAL thermostat, or we will have to provide you with one. If you do not have the original, or if pieces are missing from your original, the price will be considerably higher. Contact us for a quote and instructions on how to arrange a rebuild. More rebuild information is here.
Q: The adjustment valves on my stove top burners are difficult to turn, don't turn at all, or they don't work right. Can you fix them?
A: Yes! The burner valves can be rebuilt to turn and function properly. Again, you must have original valves for us to rebuild (no replacement valves). If you don't have the originals, the price will be considerably higher. Contact us for a quote and instructions on how to arrange a rebuild. Burner valve rebuild information is here.
Q: Can I have my chipped porcelain pieces powder coated, or should they be reporcelained?
A: You should have the pieces reporcelained. Powder coating will not withstand the temperatures reached during the cooking process, it will discolor. Porcelain will remain beautiful for years. Click here for reporcelain information
Q: I don't know how or I don't want to remove the parts that I want to have restored what can I do?
A: You can call an appliance repair company or a handyman to remove & reinstall the parts that you want to send to us for restoration. If they have any questions they can call us for help.
Q: Can you assess the value of my stove?
A: Yes we need at least 4 quality photos of your stove we charge $25.00 per stove ( no jpeg or gif photos) See our assessment page More assessment information here
Q: Can you reporcelain my bathtub or sink?
A: No! It is a different process than we use.
Q: Can you restore my wood burning or electric stove?
A: No! We only restore antique gas stoves.
Q: Can you install modern electronic igniters in my antique gas stove?
A: No! It is against California state law to change or modify any system, along with the fact that you would ruin the best cooking features of the stove.