Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with stove

Identify this iron stove

zamboni — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:29:12 -0800

Identify this iron stove. Australia, probably 1970s. I'd like to know the make and manufacturer of the iron stove that Clifton Pugh is resting his feet on in the above photograph.

Need recommendations for kitchen appliances

gfroese — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:19:22 -0800

Need a full new suite of kitchen appliances, would like some recommendations. Got some prices on some Electrolux models today that looked great, but some quick research on the web doesn't leave me so confident. Is this a case of the squeaky wheel complaining online and they're actually a solid product? Or should I be worried. I'm looking for all stainless steel appliances: fridge with ice-maker, slide-in stove, dishwasher, and range-hood microwave. Specifically I'm looking for a large fridge and electric stove I'm in Canada if that makes a difference.

Do I have the Betamax of camping stoves?

zombiedance — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:18:59 -0800

Are the blue Camping Gaz cartridges still commonly available in the US? I have a backpacking stove that takes the Camping Gaz CV270 cartridges. These are the blue cartridges that look like standard propane/butane cartridges (MSR, Primus, etc.) but have a click rather than screw-on attachment to the stove. Nowhere in the San Francisco bay area seems to sell them anymore, and I can't find anywhere that sells them mailorder (though being that they're full of compressed gas, this isn't surprising.) Are these obsolete now? When I do a Google search, it seems like the only places that still sell Gaz stoves are in the UK.

Sprung oven door

goofyfoot — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:25:41 -0800

Our oven door springs are sprung. It's an old O'Keefe and Merritt stove - the kind with lots of space on top; we love it. But the oven door can't stay shut. Help! We've used sponges as shims, but they no longer work well. It's a gas stove. I can't manage a way to whittle a wooden shim down to the perfect wedge. A previous question here yielded this; has anyone tried one for this purpose? What other ways of securing a sprung spring door have you tried?

Our landlords aren't interested in helping us here unless it is to replace this big stove with a rickety tiny one, and we can't really afford to get a repairman out.

Help me warm the house up!

dance — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:38:26 -0800

I have a two part question about fires and making firewood. The two parts are related so I assume this is fine...
1) I have just acquired my first personal chainsaw, for use in the copse behind my house cutting down smaller trees to make firewood. Previously when I've felled trees, I've had use of a tractor to winch out the log OR an abundance of clear space around the fallen tree to roll it with either my boot or a lever. In my own backyard I have neither tractor nor space - the fallen tree cannot be rolled by the persuasive power of my boot. I can't cut the log into firewood in situ either because my saw would be dulled by sawing into the ground. Any tips from those in a similar predicament?

2) The stove in the house is unlike any stove I've dealt with before! It is really difficult to get wood to 'catch', and doesn't seem to warm nicely. I'm using the trick of leaving the door ajar whilst the wood is just beginning to burn, but still, when it seems to have caught flame if I close the door with the vent on full open, it's fairly often that the fire will die out. In addition the stove seems to have a tendency to let smoke into the room if one opens the door. I realise that this sounds like a blocked chimney but the previous occupant who used the stove often to good effect mentioned nothing. I have cleaned the ash out of the bottom of the stove and used wood from different areas of the woodpile. I still wonder if the wood might be a bit damp but can't really believe that because it's the same woodpile the previous occupant took from. Any thoughts? Should I just try wood from a petrol station to see if it's the wood at fault? How do I know if the chimney is blocked? Smoke plumes merrily out on the few occasions a good fire is going in the stove...

Thanks for any and all help.

How do I fix my friends kitchen stove issue?

abdulf — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 22:31:45 -0800

Kitchen appliances: What remedies do you have when an appliance purchase and installation goes wrong? I'm asking this for a friend. He bought a gas Electrolux cooktop stove from a local dealer 2 or 3 weeks ago (this is the model http://www.electroluxappliances.com/node30.aspx?categoryid=1184)

He has 2 problems with the appliance:
1. The knobs look like they are metal, but they're actually plastic, and have melted. They're still usable, but not as aesthetically pleasing. I'm assuming the reason you pay extra for a stove like this is for design and appearance.
2. Half of the burners- whatever - won't light automatically. Seems like a lighter problem. He has to use matches.

Here's what he's tried

1. Working with the dealer/installer (http://www.choiceappliances.net/)

Dealer won't refund or exchange. It's a small business, so no corporate person to write to. Sent a person to his home on a service call. Service repair person concluded nothing is wrong with the stove and suggests contacting the manufacturer

2. Manufacturer (Electrolux)
Says to deal with the dealer since the issue appears to be related to installation. Also, warranty does not cover knobs because it is not a defect - the knobs were designed to be plastic.

3. Credit card company (Chase)
Cannot dispute because it was a face-to-face transaction and buyer had an opportunity to inspect the merchandise.

So how do I help my friend without sinking a great deal of my own time into this?

I think the right customer service person at the manufacturer or credit card company might do it. If not, what legal cause of action exists for a consumer in his position (in Texas)? (I guess something could be done in small claims court, I'm just not sure under what basis)

Should we bother with a dishwasher and a portable stove?

tavegyl — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:35:23 -0800

Should we look into compact dishwashers and portable gas stoves for our newly rented flat? We're soon to move to a lovely new flat which has one glaring flaw: an electric stove. I can't abide them, but the flat isn't hooked up for gas. Is it practical to have a small countertop propane or other kind of compressed gas stove for wok cooking? Would our landlord object? (We don't want to scare him off by asking but I suppose there might be insurance issues). We don't have a balcony or outside space, just large windows some distance from the open plan kitchen. Any recommendations would be gratefully accepted.

As a reward for finding this lovely place we're also thinking of buying ourselves a slimline or compact dishwasher. I've read through the earlier posts, but -- any recent recommendations or contra-recommendations from the UK? We're skint, and would prefer something inexpensive but which doesn't leak all over our solid wood floors. Our usual dishwashing load: 2-3 each of dinner plates, quarter plates, mugs and bowls plus cutlery and cooking implements. Should we bother? Should we risk Gumtree?

An oven element's silent protest...?

Decimask — Sun, 31 May 2009 08:23:56 -0800

My electric oven's bottom element looks fine, but... ...it won't heat up. The broiler works just fine. My first job was in the hardware section of a store we lovingly refer to up here as Crappy Tire, so I've seen a few fried elements, and they tend to fail pretty catastrophically. But this is weird: not only is the oven's element immaculate, the backing plate it is still shiny and clean.

Note:

I've tried switching the 30amp fuses for the elements, and it made no difference

There's no evidence under the wiring plate on the back of anything smoking, shorting, etc.

Has anyone ever had an element fail without any sign like this?

How do I clean under this grody gas stove top?

jennyb — Sat, 16 May 2009 10:05:04 -0800

How do I safely clean under the cook top of my gas range? We have this high quality Tappan stove in our apartment. The range top lifts up to reveal two little open flames and a lot of crumbs and assorted grossness. How do I clean that without setting myself on fire or putting out the pilot lights and asphyxiating myself?

(I don't have an owner's manual and I can't find one online, but manuals for similar stoves aren't very helpful.)

Stove Top Lovin

Anonymous — Thu, 07 May 2009 19:24:48 -0800

Lovely much loved wife has major mental lapse: she leaves the stove/oven on almost daily. What methods can we use to break this potentially disastrous habit? Perhaps 6 days of the week, I wake up (she wakes earlier than me), or I return home noticing a certain burning smell, a quick investigation of which reveals the stove is left on. She will heat up oatmeal or tea in the morning, then take the pot or kettle off (or not) and neglect to turn the stove off. She is a grad student with an irregular schedule. I love her very much, but my consternation over this lapse in attention leads to argument, only adding to the problem. I have tried leaving notes in the kitchen and on her desk, which she takes down, then leaves the stove on the next day. Some days she will leave the stove on, we will discuss it, and an hour later she will do it again. I am fairly certain this isn't an attention ploy. We are both adults in our thirties, have been together for 5 years, and are way beyond such silliness -though not all silliness... I think this relates more to stress causing mental blackouts as it were.

My main concern is not to die in a house fire. My second concern is further problems resulting from whatever is causing this lapse in attention. This has happened on and off for our entire relationship, but in the last year (her third in grad school) it has become almost a daily addiction. She has destroyed two pots already, and made me very nervous about leaving the house while she is there. Luckily we only have an electric stove, but we will be moving to a place with a gas range soon (gas is better for stove cooking imho). This prospect, though great for my cooking, makes me even more nervous about this "habit". Any and all suggestions are immensely appreciated.

Do I have a gas pressure problem in my apartment?

hoobichu — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:51:23 -0800

My gas stove doesn't burn hot enough, and my gas water heater can't fill a bath tub with enough hot water to bathe. Do I have a gas pressure problem in my apartment, and what can be done to fix it? I have a General Electric gas stove that takes forever to boil water. I've seen many gas stoves and this one has a noticeably small flame on its strongest element.

I also have a gas water heater, that has a tank. It has enough hot water to have a shower, but when you try to fill the tub, the water gets cold before it's filled.

I'm not sure where the setting for the hot water heater is, as it's above the very high bathroom door in my apartment and I can't get to it. It seems though, that the gas stove not cooking hot enough, would indicate a gas pressure problem in my apartment.

Is there a way to turn up the gas pressure in an apartment, typically? I live in a renovated toy factory in Brooklyn, and the owner doesn't seem to know about any of these sorts of things. The plumber is coming in a couple of days, so what should I have him check?

How big a wood stove should I get?

geos — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:09:49 -0800

How big a wood stove should I get? I am thinking about using a wood stove as a secondary heater in my 750 sq. ft, two-storey house in New England. It already has a propane furnace with a single heat exchanger under a large grate in the floor (on the first floor) which I would like to use just to keep the pipes from freezing and use the wood stove for comfort. Insulation? Not totally uninsulated... Should I oversize the square foot rating given the uncertain insulation and second storey?

French fries and cooking with oil on the range

zeek321 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:25:04 -0800

French fries on stove top because my oven is broken? I don't want to die. I have maybe three cups of olive oil, though I'd prefer not to use too much of it. (Can I fry but not deeeep fry?) I have a bag of frozen french fries. I have a small-to-medium dutch oven with a lid. I have a stove top. I have a plastic spoon and hardwood spatula thingy.

I have a tendency to burn and maim myself in the kitchen. Please help me make this a happy story.

Do I need additional tools?

What is a reasonable sequence of steps to minimize spattering and potential for horrific accidents?

(google--skillet french fries, stove top french fries, range french fries+safety--was not too helpful, and had no tips to avoid oil splattered into my eyes and death)

What kind of gas do I want?

walla — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:00:35 -0800

ManyRelatedQuestionsFilter: Can I convert an indoor stove from natural gas to propane? Is it safe? Is it difficult? Do I need to buy a special stove and/or special kit? How often would I have to change a standard propane tank? Does anyone have any experiences converting or cooking with a converted range? Should I convert a gas stove or rewire for an electric stove? Thanks!!!

There is a mouse living in my stove. He was not invited.

serialcomma — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:56:34 -0800

There's a mouse in my stove. At least, I hope it's a mouse. I've heard something clanging around in there for the last couple of nights. (It's perfectly silent during the day.) I've been able to keep the noise to a minimum with the occasional sharp rap on the stovetop, but I haven't actually seen the pest myself. There are no signs of mice elsewhere in the house, at least that I've noticed.

What are my options for getting rid of it?

1. Set traps, open the oven door, and hope the intruder finds its way out into a trap.

2. Leave it in the oven, where it will eventually die due to lack of food, and I won't have to deal with a living creature. Then remove the coprse. (Actually, is there any potential harm to it being in a gas stove, provided I don't turn the stove on?)

3. Call the landlord, ask them to send an exterminator, and let a pro deal with it.

Any other suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

Are Elmira stoves good stoves, or do they just look good?

fiercecupcake — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:22:44 -0800

Is anyone familiar with Elmira stoves, especially the Northstar? My mother wants to know if they are anything special besides the obvious retro-charm appeal. My instinct is to tell her if she is going to spend this much to buy a Wolf, which is a fraction of the price. I think if the Elmiras are as well-performing as Wolfs or Vikings she might want one regardless of the cost. (I found this, but it's not quite what I'm looking for.) She wants a gas range and I think she is OK with a gas oven. The Elmiras just seem ridiculously expensive to me, and I used to love the Wolf ranges in professional kitchens. I just talked to her and she said the Elmiras sound too expensive to her, too. But she doesn't like stainless and finds that it tends to rust in their beachfront home.

Suggestions?

Where can I find Cerama Bryte pads?

acoutu — Mon, 19 May 2008 16:22:31 -0800

Where can I find Cerama Bryte pads for ceramic cooktops? I am looking for Cerama Bryte pads, the kind used to clean ceramic cooktops. I can't seem to find these in Canada and I can't find a US source that will ship to me. Any suggestions? I'd prefer to keep the cost reasonable, but I am having a heck of a time finding these pads. I might be willing to accept another brand, but I'm very paranoid about scratching the stove top. I'm in Vancouver, Canada. Thanks.

Should I give up on gas?

Enroute — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:28:04 -0800

My new gas range is breaking my heart. WTF is wrong with it? And if it is a goner, should I bother trying to replace it with another gas range, or give up and switch to electric? After 15 years of longing for a gas range, I finally got this GE Profile dual fuel slide-in range 3 years ago. It has been a disaster. It fills the kitchen with mercaptan smell, puts out a tremendous amount of carbon monoxide (I forget the exact reading, but it was WAY over the safe limit), and the burners "roar" to a ridiculous degree. It makes me sick to cook with it.

We have had appliance repair guys and gas company guys out repeatedly to look at it, and they can't figure it out. We replaced two parts (and I'm sorry, I can't remember the exact names and my husband's out of cell range right now)--the little round dial thing on the underside of the range that regulates the amount of gas flow, and the thing on the individual burners that regulates the amount of gas they get. No difference. The pressure of the gas coming to the house is normal. The repair guys agree there is a problem but don't know how to fix it.

So here are my questions:

1) Any idea what the problem could be?
2) Do you think it would be crazy to buy another gas range? I'm worried that the problem is with the gas feed to our house and the problem would just repeat with a new range. They say the feed is fine, but of course they obviously don't know everything or they would have fixed it by now.
3) If I do get another gas range, what is a RELIABLE brand?
4) One of the main things I wanted from a gas range was super high heat for stir-frying and such. Is it possible to get this from an electric range? What should I look for?

It melted.

konolia — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 07:18:19 -0800

SOMEBODY in my household made a sandwich and left the empty bread wrapper draped over an electric burner on my stove. Which is now melted onto the coil. What is the easiest way to clean this off???

Tips for removing glass from a heating coil?

crazy finger — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:37:24 -0800

How do I safely remove glass that has melted to my stove? So my girlfriend ran out of room in the disk rack and leaned a glass pot on one of the burners on our oven's range. I accidentally turned on the wrong burner when making tea and the whole thing melted down and the house filled with a strange smell. I let the thing cool down and then covered the mess before banging around in there with a spoon which allowed me to remove most of the glass through breakage.

My problem now is that there are still small, jagged fragments left on the coil and I don't know what the best way to proceed is. Can I just reheat this thing and try to melt the glass down further? Can I sand the coils and try to remove the glass that way?

Trying to find replacement knobs.

Pockets — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 10:36:32 -0800

I am trying to find replacement knobs for a stove, but cannot find a model number anywhere on the stove. I moved into a rental house a few months ago. The knobs on the stove were generic replacement knobs like you can find at the hardware store. Unfortunately, they aren't even close to the original knobs.

I put a thermometer in the oven and I have to adjust the knob back and forth for awhile before I can get it to the right temperature. The range is hottest when the burners are set to low. It's not a problem to just reverse them, but they can also turn too far, and then I have no idea what temperature it is.

The "on" light is shared between the 4 burners as well. Earlier this morning I lost track of clicks and had to spend 20 minutes with pots of water on each burner until I eventually got them all turned off again.

Judging by the other appliances, it's about 20 years old. It's an electric stove and the only model information I can get is "Hotpoint" very faintly on the panel.

I informed my landlord about the problem both when I moved in, and then again in writing last month. I figured I would try and solve the problem on my own one last time before I head off the tenant union.

Any advice about paying someone to update an older gas range?

chr1sb0y — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 10:09:10 -0800

Any advice about paying someone to update an older gas range? My wife and I are gradually renovating our kitchen, and we want to switch over to a gas range from electric. Our general home style could be described as "50s modern eclectic". But we think all the new gas ovens out there look really horrible. Even the fancy ones are ugly to us - we don't really like the stainless steel look, and from what i can tell, the finish always looks streaky fingerprinty, etc. Or they are just too ridiculously massive.

So is it a stupid idea to try and find an older gas range that we like (say - 1950s style) and pay someone to fix it up or update and refurb it? Has anyone out there done this?

Which is a better stove: gas or induction?

web-goddess — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:53:40 -0800

My husband and I cook a lot. We're moving from an apartment with a decent gas stove/oven to one with a crappy electric stove/oven. Obviously, Something Must Be Done. Should we go for gas or induction? I've read this previous question, but it seems more geared towards single hot plates. I'm not sure whether that would make a difference. (Plus some of the details - like whether a wearing a metal ring would cause your hand to get burnt - just seem plain WRONG in light of the manufacturers' claims.)

In terms of cost: The new place doesn't have gas hooked up, so we'd have to pay for that. (According to AGL, it'd be around AUD $600 and take 40 days to get hooked up.) Alternatively, if we did go for an induction cooker, we'd have to buy some new pots and pans. (Not all of ours are magnetic.) Plus the induction cookers themselves are more expensive. In terms of running costs, gas is cheaper than electricity... but induction is supposed to have a much higher efficiency rate.

Of course, what it really comes down to is how well they are to cook on. We're both foodies and we do quite a bit of cooking. My only experience with an induction stovetop is seeing Maggie use one on The Cook and the Chef. (They seem awfully neat and futuristic though.) Have you ever used one? Is it weird to cook without seeing, you know, FIRE? If money were no object, which would you choose?

(Induction is far less common, so the most helpful answers will be from those who've actually, you know, cooked on them.)

Now you're not cooking with gas!

TheOnlyCoolTim — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 18:06:32 -0800

How to cook on electric stove? I just moved to a place without civilized things like gas service - how can I best compensate for having to use an old coil-top electric stove?

We wish not to die in a fire thank you very much...

toftflin — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:08:30 -0800

Possible Gas Leak: Should there be any sort of continuous extremely weak gas smell coming from an old gas stove? I have an old gas stove (doesn't have electrical starters, has 2 pilot lights for the burners and one for the stove).

I also have a new roommate who when she moved in noticed a gas smell. We checked the pilot light and it had gone out. However even when re-lit my roommate still smells gas. I can't smell the gas and neither can my other roommate, so I am guessing it's a very faint gas smell.

Our super checked the stove and didn't find anything wrong with it and he couldn't smell gas either. He says he can check the integrity of the gas line if we want.

Could the smell be coming from the pilot light?

Could my new roommate be more sensitive to this smell than the rest of us?