BESTstove mover ever

[foodisgood]

I finally got my stove. I'll have plenty of questions later but first I just wanted to relate my experience with having the stove moved.

I went to Uship for bids and found someone who not only delivers stuff but also worked in the appliance business for 20+ years. He also had a knowledge and appreciation for old stoves. All he needed was a little help and guidance for his appliance cart on each end.

Unfortunately we were sick, sick, sick when he was scheduled to arrive. He said not to worry, that he would find someone to help or make the delivery another day. He actually made a second trip to the area with only our stove at no extra charge!!!

He had removed everything that could be removed not to make the stove lighter but to make sure nothing would break, wrapping the cast iron breakable pieces in towels to further protect them. This took extra time for wrapping and unwrapping on both ends, but he is just that kind of guy.

He made sure everything was connected properly and that we would be up and running the next day. He showed us how to make adjustments if needed.

The only thing we couldn't do was find the model number. We looked in a few places; where should we look?

Anyway if you are interested in having your stove treated well, if you are interested in being treated well, get in touch with:

David Savage.
Phone:585 503-8962
Alternate Phone:585 865-0331
Email Address: [email][email protected][/email]

[pmisaber]

My experience with uShip was also very good, but it definitely requires one to communicate well with potential shippers. You have to make certain that the person bidding to transport the stove understands the areas of the stove that are vulnerable to damage and is properly equipped to move your new pride and joy.

[berlyn]

Congrats on your Chambers!! Name it yet??
Remove your front right drip pan & grate. Look through at the Thermawell and there should be a metal tag. More than likely it's got gunk and grease on it. It will have the model and serial #'s.

Be sure to order a copy of the service manual for your model!! Todd or Sam are the sources for that. Also, the Idlehour cookbook.
Both are must haves for any Chambers owners!!

Let us know,
Berlyn

[iamatthews]

I'm new to this forum, but I'm thrilled to say that I'll be picking up my "new" Chambers Range Friday, June 30th. I'm building some ramps especially for moving the stove from it's current kitchen, up into our pickup and then into my den where my new pride and joy will reside until we finish the construction of our new home. I'm very interested in ANY information all of you can share about what I need to do to prepare this pastel yellow beauty for moving. Once in it's ultimate location, I will be converting it to propane. It is a Model C. Thanks!
Ann

[jsrose]

Ann, I'm also new to this forum, but I'm one step ahead of you as we just picked our stove up a couple of weeks ago. But everything I know, I learned here.

First, the stove is heavy, but my wife and I were able to move it by ourselves using a dolly; however, we just had to get it into a trailer, not a pick-up. Three people would have been better, though (see below).

The best idea was from someone who suggested cutting a 2x4 to about a 40" length. If you place it under the stove's back legs, you can then slip a dolly under the 2x4 to lift the whole stove. Then carefully strap it to the dolly (also see below).

Another piece of advice that I didn't heed is that the stove is much heavier on the oven side. Take that into account when loading and especially when balancing and handling on the dolly. I wheeled ours out of the garage it was stored in, and everything was going just fine, but in coming over the lip to the driveway, the dolly was slightly crooked, with one wheel coming over the lip first, unfortunately on the heavier oven side, and yes, the stove slipped onto its side with the dolly still attached. Of course, we panicked, but somehow the stove survived with just a few surface scratches in one side panel (hardy beasts, these Chambers stoves).

Otherwise, the obvious thing is to remove the burner grates, and pans and the burners themselves (all three parts just lift off w/no tools), the thermowell burner and grate, the oven racks and maybe not so obviously, the heavy pan in the bottom of the oven. That all accounts for probably 50 lbs.

Also, the high back on my Model B came off by removing just 4 screws.

One last caution, the legs, which are just long bolts, bend very easily, so try to limit scooting the stove or rocking it up on two legs, etc. Also take that into account when placing in the truck, making sure that all four legs are straight.

I've also read in this group that the side panels bend very easily, so you ought to be careful when strapping the stove to a dolly so as not to bend the side panels. One person suggested reinforcing the stove corners with folded cardboard to spread out the force exerted by the strap.

You'll also want to take a large box to hold all the above stuff that you remove and be sure to wrap the individual pieces in towels or newspapers, because that protective procelain is like glass and expensive to replace.

Otherwise, all we needed was the dolly, a few straps, a moving blanket and a flat head screwdriver.

One last thing, be sure to ask the seller if they have any other accessories or literature lying around that they may have stored over the years. You may find a surprise and you'll never again find it so cheaply (our seller remembered the triple-pots for the thermowell).

Good luck,

Jack