|
Post by runswithwrenches on Sept 26, 2014 14:26:32 GMT -5
I've yet to receive this, but it should arrive tomorrow (9-26-14). It is the Model MT-42-C-1 (to the best of my knowledge) four-burner drop-in.(try this link - scoll down a bit): www.chamberstoves.net/Models.html I believe it's from the seventies, but don't know for sure. I'm new to Chambers' ovens, stoves, etc., but I'm interested enough to have arranged to buy this cooktop, sight unseen. I'm not sure how I'll use it; at 40" wide, it's wider than the space I have for it - but I'm not exactly enamored of the Viking designer series four-burner cooktop I just put in, mostly due to the burner arrangement. This is our first foray into cooking with gas; we've always had electric appliances. Do any of you have experience with one of these? Has it been reliable? What are your thoughts on the griddle/broiler arrangement (I suppose this question could be answered by any user of any Chambers model with this setup)? I've been into a number of vintage products, always with the goal of learning all I can, and developing some skill in its maintenance and repair. Now, it's vintage cooktops. I'm very much looking forward to this new hobby, and hope to be able to share whatever I learn. I'm new to the Chambers Commune and look forward to perusing its pages for all I can learn of Chambers stoves, ovens and cooktops. Thanks all! Ian SF Bay Area
|
|
|
Post by vaporvac on Sept 26, 2014 19:12:57 GMT -5
Well hello and WELCOME!!! Those are great cooktops and the broiler works the same as all other Chambers', although I believe it may be used with a pilot, whereas the earlier models are match lit. I adore ther broiler/griddle and use it often. The only thing I'd REALLY miss is the Twell. I considered a drop-in, but couldn't let go of that dream! There's really no problem with reliability; these things are built like tanks. there's nothing that can break that can't be fixed, generally. I much prefer gas cooking as there's so much control. Your model may have the plane-o-falme burner which are meant to be great. Just be sure to regrease the valves and post pics when it arrives. Now you just need to find a matching oven and you'll be CWTGTO! P.S. Please DO share your journey as there's not many posts on the later models.I think there's also another SF person onboard.
|
|
|
Post by runswithwrenches on Sept 27, 2014 11:20:42 GMT -5
Thanks, Vaporvac, for the quick reply and the vote of confidence! I will take photos when it arrives and post them as soon as I can.
I did email about a Chambers wall oven, the In-a-Wall, on Craigslist, and understand that they were contemporary with the cooktops. There were no photos and the seller has not replied to my query. The price was right, if it is in the condition promised, but it is a three hour drive away.
Having never used a Chambers stove, I'm not familiar with their use, but the thermowell intrigues me. I wonder if one could be incorporated into a cooktop somehow - replacing a burner.
So, regreasing the valves: any particular grease needed here?
Ian SF Bay Area
|
|
|
Post by runswithwrenches on Sept 27, 2014 19:21:58 GMT -5
The cooktop was delivered today, and more than matched my expectations; I think remarkably clean and straight for its age. I made an attempt earlier to post a photo, but things went wrong somewhere - I'll try again. I should mention that I've already disassembled the unit to pretty much its bare bones. This is something anybody could do who has the least amount of experience with screwdrivers, sockets and wrenches - a very straightforward process. I'll tackle the cleaning tomorrow, then take a photo or two of all the parts. I don't intend for this to be a restoration, though it could easily be done: it would take some serious scrubbing, which I will do, and the application of hi-heat silver paint to the carcass. I'll forego the paint as the insides won't show when all is buttoned up. I think I now know how everything works: the left lever raises and lowers the griddle/broiler assembly, and the right lever adjust the broiler pan height when in use. It does use an electric igniter system, which ignites the gas at a point central to pilot tubes feeding left, right and broiler burners respectively. There were a number of loose screws, with a couple having fallen out completely - a very simple fix, but a reminder that anyone purchasing one of these would do well to partially disassemble it for an inspection and tighten where necessary. Interestingly, the neutral wire was loose from its connection on the spark module - this cooktop would not have worked unless lit buy a match or lighter. I wonder if something as simple as this had a past owner pull and store this unit. It really doesn't seem much used, certainly not abused. I'll post this, then try a photo. It looks like I'll need to attach that photo to the original post. Ian SF Bay Area
|
|
|
Post by cinnabar on Sept 27, 2014 21:13:01 GMT -5
runswithwrenches, Welcome and very nice stove top too. It appears to be lightly used and that is a great thing as it will serve you well for years to come. We love to hear all about the reclamation of the stoves. cinnabar
|
|
|
Post by pooka on Sept 28, 2014 2:06:19 GMT -5
Welcome aboard runswithwrenches. That certainly looks like a well kept cook-top. There aren't too many of us that have the separate cook-tops or ovens, but there are a few. I don't know much about them, but from what I've seen, they are nicely built & well designed. Yours appears to be a later one, since it has the more modern styled lever & knobs. It also has what I've heard called the "Plane Of Flame" burners. I believe that was the last improvement to the Daisey burners. They were first patented in the early 30s along with the In-A-Top broiler & the Thermowell. The Thermowell's popularity waned, but the broiler & the burners still performed so well, they just nixed the Thermowell & re-arranged the cook-tops to give that fresh modern look.
I contemplated getting a Chambers 24" four burner cook-top for my small upstairs kitchen, but it was just too modern for my taste. I had to go with something a bit older. I'll be interested to see how yours is put together. I've collected "for sale" ad pics of these, but they rarely show the inside or the back.
|
|
|
Post by runswithwrenches on Sept 28, 2014 11:16:42 GMT -5
I will take photos today of the insides. My first order of business will be to clean everything. While the outside came fairly clean, the insides will need a bit of a scrubbing.
I'm not so familiar with these that I can readily tell what a Plane of Flame burner looks like; I thought it had two rows of gas holes. I do note that these have a hat-like top to each "petal" of the daisy. This may guide flame out at an angle, rather than straight up.
Yes, this is a much more modern looking unit, but then more of a 'mid-century modern' look and feel appropriate to house built post war, and most appropriately, I think, the modern houses of that day, such as Eichler homes - I'm thinking cars with fins and flower-print dresses. The look of this cooktop can be easily changed with a simple change of the knobs; the older style anchors this firmly in the sixties, but add those used on a late model LG or Viking and it's catapulted into the 21st century.
Ian SF Bay Area
|
|
|
Post by sporko on Sept 28, 2014 14:32:01 GMT -5
I'm a little late to the party... but we have an earlier model. It's not up and running... but put away for some day. I plan to use it in an outdoor kitchen setting. Ours has standing pilots... not the electric ignition you describe... but looks awfully similar.
|
|
|
Post by chipperhiker on Sept 29, 2014 0:37:46 GMT -5
Welcome to the group, runswithwrenches! That's an interesting cooktop you've got there. Very nice!
|
|
|
Post by runswithwrenches on Sept 29, 2014 19:25:51 GMT -5
Sporko, I'd sure like to see a photo of your cooktop. It would be interesting to compare vintages. I'm including here a couple of new photos that show my cooktop's empty "tub" - the sheet-metal base to which all else is affixed. The other photo shows the tub with all the guts put back in. At this stage, it's almost all completely assembled; there is the front faceplate and trim to attach, and the stainless steel top, of course, but this is about all there is to it. Every else (except that faceplate, trim and top) are those pieces that you'd remove for cleaning on a somewhat regular basis, i.e., the burners, burner pans, and burner grates. This was a very straightforward project, and went smoothly enough, and fast enough that I just kept at it, rather than stopping to take more photos. I might mention that I picked up another Chambers cooktop from the local CL that is from 1983 (according to the seller) and was never installed or used. It is missing its pans, grates and knobs, however. I'll have to take a photo of one of its burners to show the difference in the vintages. Sporko's has gas-pilot ignition, while mine (the one pictured here) has electronic ignition using valves that are very similar to those on our Viking. My latest also has electronic ignition, has no broiler/griddle, is quite basic, but uses what are the familiar daisy burners with what I take to be the Plane-of-Flame feature, though with two rows of gas orifices. I'm at a point where I can answer questions, should anyone have any, of the MT-42. It shows so well the broiler/griddle mechanism and its adjustments. Ian SF Bay Area
|
|
|
Post by sporko on Sept 30, 2014 12:47:44 GMT -5
Well... mine is mostly in parts... The only photo I have at work is this:
|
|
|
Post by runswithwrenches on Sept 30, 2014 23:12:17 GMT -5
Thanks for posting that pic, sporko. From the looks of it, ours are very similar; a few minor differences, but essentially the same "chassis". You mentioned you might use this as an outside cooking station; my wife thought we might do the same when she considered the difficulty in making it fit our kitchen, but I thought no, it isn't made for the outdoors; I'm afraid of what the moisture would do - probably take a long-term toll: the pan doesn't drain, for one thing. But if you can make that work, I'd love to hear of the results. In the meantime, if you have all the parts, you might consider simply giving that a scrub and maybe some paint (I ended up using a Rustoleum Hi-Heat Silver on the tub, hoping to prevent any further rusting). I enjoyed the project, and it really didn't take much.
I just checked my igniters today, and they seem to be working. It will be some time before I can hook it up for a test with gas - I'm just not ready to run a test gas line.
I'll be posting on the maintenance and restoration section with questions about pilot tube clearances. Much to learn.
Ian SF Bay Area
|
|
|
Post by sporko on Oct 1, 2014 15:59:00 GMT -5
My plan is to -- more or less -- build a rolling cart for it. I plan on tackling that as a "teach myself how to weld" project more than a "Chambers restoration project." I don't plan on leaving it outdoors all the time. But for the short term: I'm currently living in half a house. If I don't get the upstairs finished first, I'll likely be living in the tool shed... again.
|
|
|
Post by vaporvac on Oct 1, 2014 17:18:27 GMT -5
That's better than the dog house, sporko!
|
|
|
Post by sporko on Oct 1, 2014 18:03:11 GMT -5
That's better than the dog house, sporko! Don't be silly. Dogs belong in the main house. Husbands: location optional.
|
|
|
Post by mrsatplay on Jan 19, 2022 14:45:42 GMT -5
Hello nubie here I have a Chambers MT-42-C-1 that I inherited with a house. I want to clean and refurbished the unite. I want to do this while it is still in the counter top. Can someone explain if this can be done and how can I get the top off to clean the inside. Thank you in advance.
|
|
|
Post by pooka on Jan 19, 2022 17:47:30 GMT -5
I'm not sure if we have an active member who has one of these. I looked through the pics I've collected over the years, & as the pic above that sporko posted, it appears the top is attached by a bolt or screw at each corner. I'd get a small mirror & a flashlight to try to see what it looks like. Reach into the corners & feel what's there. I'm sure it's tricky to get at the screws, but I'm sure it's doable. You could contact Don Mattera at Mattera Stove Works, & see if he can answer any questions.
|
|
|
Post by RascalsDad on May 24, 2022 15:10:11 GMT -5
I purchased a home in 2016 that has a Chambers MT-42-C in the basement kitchen. Never got around to using it, but this week decided to take a look at it. Seems fairly well taken care of by the previous owner. Doesn't appear to have been used very much. I dont see anything needing to be repaired, but I can see spare parts are hard to come by. Seems Chambers' website is/has been down. Great looking item, seems very well made.
|
|
|
Post by nana on May 27, 2022 8:05:14 GMT -5
I purchased a home in 2016 that has a Chambers MT-42-C in the basement kitchen. Never got around to using it, but this week decided to take a look at it. Seems fairly well taken care of by the previous owner. Doesn't appear to have been used very much. I dont see anything needing to be repaired, but I can see spare parts are hard to come by. Seems Chambers' website is/has been down. Great looking item, seems very well made. Is it hooked up to gas? If you’re lucky and it looks lightly used it may be good to go without much repair!
|
|
|
Post by squirrley60 on Jan 13, 2024 17:42:47 GMT -5
Hi I just purchased a wall oven and cook top unit in copper color and could use information on how to use them please. I'd show pictures because I'm so proud but don't know how to post them here.
|
|
|
Post by mach12 on Jan 13, 2024 21:04:43 GMT -5
Hi I just purchased a wall oven and cook top unit in copper color and could use information on how to use them please. I'd show pictures because I'm so proud but don't know how to post them here. Do you have model numbers of them?
|
|