Saving Miss Alma

[cejesq]

I've just about finished my first restoration project: Miss Alma - a Chambers C-90 Deluxe

[url="http://www.spymac.com/gallery/show_photo.php?picid=349028"]http://www.spymac.com/gallery/show_photo.php?picid=349028[/url]

Most of the work was elbow grease, searching for missing parts, an education in gas conversion and Robertshaw valves and the discovery of a wonderful "invisible empire" of like-minded loonies who would rather spend hours of their tme making love to gracious lady than pay a fortune to for an floozie.

I'm now considering how to preserve the timer and temp dials which I replaced with ones in mint condition. I'd appreciate contact info on folks who do quality porcelain restoration. I don't want to trash them because it seems to me that each piece is a little gem which ought to be preserved and it gives me more pleasure to tinker than to chase little white balls across alien landscapes.

Also, I wonder if there are any folks out there who have generated new recipes for the Chambers? I have several of the company's publications, but want to develop some more contemporary dishes, especially using the Thermowell.

Cheers to Cooking Without Gas -

-CJ

[Todd W. White]

We're working on a new series of recipes for the CHAMBERS ranges - watch for an announcement thus fall. Not sure what format they'll be in, but probably pdf...

PLUS - anyone who has developed a modern recipe for [b][i]cooking with the gas turned OFF[/i][/b] can submit them to me, and we'll include them!

<font color="#FFFFFF" size="1">[ February 12, 2005 03:05 PM: Message edited by: Todd W. White ]</font>

[cejesq]

The most effective thing I found was a small steam generator. I got one for around 90.00 made by Euro-pro and it was really awesome how well worked on grease build up. For heavier burned on gunk I soaked pieces (but NOT aluminum) in ammonia in a baggie. For the oven surfaces, straight ammonia in a pan with the door closed for 24-36 hours did the trick.

Be careful if you get a steam generator - that tiny little jet of steam is WICKED. Wear gloves and long sleeves even if you're sure you don't need them. I learned the hard way.


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[vtran265]

Is this steam generator similiar to the steam appliances you can buy for steam cleaning clothes like silk and wool? If so, how do you go about getting the grease off?

[cejesq]

No ... it's not the same as a clothing steamer. They provide broad, gentle steam. This shoots a very small jet of steam through a brass nozzel which is quite powerful. Please note: the model I bought was not the hand-held unit that looks like a small watering can. This one is oval in shape and sits on casters on the floor and holds about a liter of water. There have been quite a few bad remarks about the ones sold in infomercials, but I got mine at Home Depot (i.e.- bring it back if you don't like it) and have been very happy with it. I'm sure there are many commercial units out there, but for the money, this thing is aces.

[vtran265]

Thanks for the info, I'll check out the Home Depot down the street. How far away do you hold the nozzle from the surface? Did you have your stove totally disassembled to get to all of the under the range areas?

[cejesq]

The nozzel on mine takes a small (tiny) round stiff brush that workes great. Hold it right to the surface (without pushing too hard - let the syeam do the work) and do small areas at a time with a plastic scraper and a cloth as you go. The steam will disolve/soften/loosen all but the burned on crud.

My unit has about a 4' flex hose and the head is small so I didn't have to take much apart; however, it really depends on how intense a restoration you need/want/have the time to do.

[vtran265]

Wow, what a beauty! What did you use to get all of the grease out from underneath and on top of the rangetop?

[vtran265]

I think I am going to do a full dismantling. TOAC advertises a 41 page updated Chambers Factory Manual for Model-C's for $47. Part of what is covered is dismantling and assembling. Todd, if you have this I would rather buy from you. Let me know.

[berlyn]

Miss Alma is looking great!!!

Yep, lots of elbow grease is what it takes.