Alternatives to Stainless Steel
Is stainless steel fridge and other kitchen appliances really the way to go? It seems to be all the rage on HGTV, but not sure I trust the source. I was looking at some old-fashiony looking things (Big Chill) but they are so expensive (more than run of the mill stainless steel). Where should one…
Is stainless steel fridge and other kitchen appliances really the way to go? It seems to be all the rage on HGTV, but not sure I trust the source. I was looking at some old-fashiony looking things (Big Chill) but they are so expensive (more than run of the mill stainless steel). Where should one look for ideas and decent prices?
Thanks
Mopar, the stove I have, which came with the house is probably from the late 1930s to early 1940s. It sits on short, stubby rounded black legs rather than the tall thin leg types you see in the 1920s. It’s white with two ovens and a broiler oven, and six gas burners. The stovetop has lift-out section that’s a very dark navy blue with white marble-esque veins painted on it. This is very good for hiding grime. I cleaned the stove myself with a bazillion applications of oven cleaner (40+ years of grease accumulation) and had an appliance repair guy clean the valves, replace the temp gauge etc., basically a thorough servicing. One inconvenience of the stove is that the burners dont usually auto-light from the standing pilot lights. You have to light them with a match or a long lighter. This can be a little scary if it takes you a second to get the lighter lit as it’s pumping out gas the whole time so there’s a big flame when it lights. The ovens are scarier because you have to turn on the gas then light the pilots and then the oven burners are supposed to catch from the pilot but they dont always. So if you don’t hear the “whomp” sound of the gas igniting then you have to turn off the gas, ventilate the area and try again. Otherwise a large cloud of gas eventually ignites but this results in a flame cloud extending out of the oven. So maybe the guy I used just didnt do a good job of servicing the stove and these issues could be fixed or this may just be the norm. Anybody grow up with an old gas stove? The pluses are that the burners produce an awesome, huge flame and you can do a lot with six burners. The flames cover a wide surface area too, not just the center. Also the stove looks at home in the kitchen and has its original salt and pepper shakers and timer intact.
My current favorite kitchen is totally outdated — and gorgeous. If I found a house with this kitchen and had the dough, I would buy it.
Check out this photo of the dream kitchen of Louis Armstrong’s wife, Lucille, in his house museum in Queens. Totally turquoise with crystal cabinet and drawer pulls and a built-in blender on the counter.
http://www.louisarmstronghouse.org/visiting/overview.htm
Avocado – it’s coming back.
Get what you like. Stainless steel, subway tile or avocado, it will all look dated someday. But so long as you like it, you’ll be able to live with it.
Please blather. We have a 1930s stove that needs restoration but I don’t want to use it, also a new gas stove, and what I really want is a 1940s/50s gas stove.
mopar,
I so agree cherry, stainless and black & gray & beige speckled counters do not match to me either.
I looked at SMEG. Not enough freezer. But I like the size. Similar to the Northstar 1951. Sally maybe I could store my food in a giant garlic keeper, ha ha? Good luck with the gas line Mopar. I have an antique stove (basement, not hooked up) and a 1940s vintage stove in use in the kitchen. There are downsides to the vintage stove, which I’m happy to blather on about if anyone is considering.
Yeah, the gas line really was cut. 🙁
Only for the rental though.
Mopar-how about “cob”. Supposedly a great traditional material for bread ovens. Are you serious about your gas line?
Yes, the vintagy stuff rocks! Check out Smeg. They are a bit cheaper than Big Chill. Also, you can go with an actual antique stove, whereas you wouldn’t want to do that with a fridge because of energy efficiency. You can pick up stoves on Craigs or salvage places.
Also, if you’re handy or know someone who is, you can add panels to many appliances even if they aren’t set up to take them.
That being said, I ended up with stainless. I’m not too fond of black or white.