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I'm thinking of buying a Model A. The seller says it works fine but you have to light it with a match. Is this serious or easily repaired? What kind of part might it need? Parts for this model are scarce and I don't want to buy it with a major problem right off the bat. Any advice? Thanks in advance.
Is it set up for natural gas or propane? There are little tubes that could be blocked, broken, or missing that are needed. If it is set up for natural gas and the owner has been using propane, it will need a match even if the pilot on the stove top is lit. The oven and the broiler will always need a match on an A. This is not a problem. Let me know if I can help.
Lori G.
It's gas
Lori, Thanks for your offer to help. Two questions. Can the A be retrofitted so that you don't have to use a match? Seems like it might be a hassle. What do you think of the A? I like the fold down cover feature, but the B's and C's seem to have more info and parts. Thanks again
Ok, with natural gas you'll have the deep drip pans and have high points on your burners. If it is the top burners that you have to light with a match, it can be fixed. I don't know about retro-fitting a pilot to the stove or the broiler. My C has a pilot for the broiler, but it is pretty rare.
I love Mrs. Watts. She has the most character of any of my stoves. (I have a 1923 pre-A, an A, a B and a C). However, you do have a valid concern about finding parts. My oven baskets were ruined and it's been difficult to find replacements. The inside of the A oven where the racks go is different from the B or C.
http://static.flickr.com/37/81803373_17c621f87f.jpg
Loxie,
In reference to pilot on the burners I have 14-B known as Big Bertha. She has pilots for the 3 burners and t-well. I personally choose to have the burner pilots off, but keep the t-well pilot on. Here in South Texas we have 2 seasons hot and hot as h*ll. My stovetop stays cooler. I have a long lighter and have gotten so use too it I don't really miss a pilot. Several other on the board do the same. T-well is just to deep, dark and spooky for me to light by hand!!
Here's Big Bertha's journey.
Berlyn
Thank you for your input. I went to take a look at the stove today. It was in pretty good shape, no dents, just two little nicks and almost no rust. I had to say no though because of the parts availabilty issue. By the way, if he doesn't sell the stove, he's going to sell the parts on ebay. Keep checking Lori. Maybe you can get those oven racks. I guess I'll start looking for a Model C. When I find one, I'll be back to pester you again with my newbie questions.
Loxie12,
Where are you located? Maybe we can keep an eye out for you.
Lori
Okay. I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area and I want a white Model 61 c in perfect working/cosmetic condition for $100.00. Not going to happen? How about a white Model 61 c with potential and price negotiable?
The "A"'s are HARD to get parts for, and, in my opinion, are VERY inferior to the "C" series.
Go for a "B", a "BZ", or a "C" - better units, IMHO.
I'm the SF bay area also, and i thought i'd chime in.
Hold out and try and find a "C". Around here, these stoves don't appear that often, and there seem to be parts available for C's on ebay all the time.
I have a "B" that i picked up in SF for like $100, but it was quite rusty, and missing a few parts. I'm about half done restoring it, and based on the experiences and photos from some of the other chambers members here, the C's are a little easier to work on (if necessary).
-tmk