Buying a Chambers?

[emmadog]

Hi there,
I am considering buying an old Chambers from the 50s (not sure of the model number as of yet...) My question is this: Can they be made as "safe" as a (boring) modern stove???

I do not believe that the folks selling this Chambers have installed a safety kit or made any updates or repairs other than it uses LP gas. I am wondering how expensive it might be to install pilots and gas shut-off safety valves...in other words, to avoid using matches to light. If we order the parts from TOAC, is it possible to do it ourselves? Do local repairmen generally have the knowledge for something like this?

I am also wondering (due to lack of experience with propane and antique stoves) with these updates whether the stove will always be with its pilot light on, or is it possible to also install some sort of electric ignition?

Thanks so much!
Kristen

[nufan]

chambers have pilot lights i believe, especially if they're from the '50s

what i have heard of the the TOAC kit makes it sound pretty easy to add-on, but that's just hearsay.

[tplumeri]

hi, glad yore getting a chambers.
you need to find out the model number. this is located on a plate under the drip pans connected to one of the burners. "c" models usually can convert from propane to natural gas with minor adjustments to the collar on the burners. not sure about the b model. re saftey, these stoves were ahead of their time. very safe. c model is child proff. my c61 has pilots for the burners and match lite for the oven. advise you contact todd at this site and purchase service manual and ask his opinion. he has never given me bad advice!

[cejesq]

The pilot lights on the C's are fine, but they only take care of a part of the problem. The bigger issue is that the oven pilot (should it go out) will continue to bleed a small amount of gas into the oven chamber. This can build up (especially since the Chambers is so tight) and create a very nasty situation when it ignites or for the next person who drops a match down the tube. The answer is a Robertshaw safety valve which has a thermocouple that shuts down the flow of gas (fails safe) if the pilot goes out.

The safety valve retro-fits are required by code now (and also by common sense). The one I got through TOAC was a perfect fit (included the valve, all pipes and fittings, good directions and pictures a drill bit and a tap to connect to the manifold). It was quite simple to install; however, unless you know gas fittings, hire a pro to put it in. It is not cheap. Mine ran about $400.00. I'm sure you can do it for less if you know what to get, but they've already figured out the piping and fittings and send the package with pieces pre-cut and bent to pop in perfectly.

BTW - The broiler is still match-lit.