Having grown up with, learned to cook on and generally taken for granted the vintage gas stove in my family's kitchen, you can imagine my surprise when I saw a red one just like it on the Food Network, crouched behind Rachael Ray. Stoves like our 1952 Chambers Model 90C (above) have become all the rage and it's no surprise. They're beautiful, obviously durable and hey, what good cook doesn't like cooking with gas? When restored, these stoves can command upwards of $4,000.
We acquired ours in the mid-70s while our house was being restored. As you can imagine, the house has evolved around the stove, which hasn't really moved in a few decades. While it still cooks just fine, there's a bit of finesse involved. There's no pilot, so the oven and ranges must be lit by hand. This usually results in a fun "booof" sound that makes most guests back away from the stove.
[Photo: John Vagnoni]When we inquired with our gas man about having our range refurbished, he told us he was going to pretend he didn't even see it, otherwise he would have to declare it unsafe. Still, there are kits available to bring some Chambers ranges up to speed.In googling "Chambers stoves" I came up with plenty of info about upkeep and restoration. One of the better sites for the Chambers enthusiast is Todd W. White's Chamberstoves.net. You find guides to model numbers and restoration, a surprisingly lively discussion board and even some recipes.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
3-24-2006 @ 10:56PM
jim sanderbeck said...
thanks for the chambers site info.we inherited a blue one when we bought our house in 2001.no rust no chips and as close to pristine as one could come and we love it.one question,was the griddle originally chromed?
Reply
6-08-2006 @ 8:42AM
dgreen said...
How can I sell my white Chambers stove, in v. good cond'n? Long Island, NY.
Thanks
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6-16-2006 @ 4:20PM
D. Russo said...
Would like person with chambers stove for sale in Long Island, NY to contact me.
Thanks
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6-16-2006 @ 4:31PM
D. Russo said...
ndstudios@aol.com interested in Long Island Chambers
stove.
Reply
6-24-2006 @ 2:54PM
Anne P. Small said...
I have a chanbers stove in Annapolis, Maryland to sell. Please contact me if you are interested.
Reply
7-01-2006 @ 1:20PM
Bridget said...
I have a Chambers style "C" stove that is up for sale. There are a few minor things wrong but it is still in Great Baking condition. Anyone interested? I am in Maryland. Contact me at Eaglewing40_31@yahoo.com .
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7-02-2006 @ 3:42PM
jane said...
I would like to purchase a chambers stove that is in working condition..thanks jane
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7-07-2006 @ 12:31PM
CYNTHIA ROLFE said...
FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO GET CHAMBERS STOVE IN LOS ANGELES, OR CLOSE TO LOS ANGELES. SHIPPING IS EXHORBITANT FROM EAST COAST. ANYONE WITH STOVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT stein102041@aol.com THANKS.
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7-07-2006 @ 7:20PM
Bridget said...
This is Eaglewing. After finding soooo much info on how to use our stove properly, my husband & I have decided to take it off the market. Sorry. Now I need to find a baker and a new cover for the well. We are getting excited about this stove!! What a blessing you all have been!! Thanks!
Bridget
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7-17-2006 @ 10:39AM
Sherry said...
In response to Alice P. Small. I am in Richmond, and looking for a Chambers Stove, you are the closest too me. Would love to discuss this with you. Did not find a way to contact you. Would you please e-mail me? shaskell@sermat.com
Looking forward to hearing from you!!!
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7-20-2006 @ 11:14PM
Stacy Ledford said...
I am looking for a 50's stove. Saw one advertised for $700, It is a 1954 Chamber stove, has all original books as well as the cooking pot for the well. I have a large family, would this serve my cooking needs. Is this a good price. It would not need any gas hook up changes, she said she had been canning on it a recent as two years ago. Stacy
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7-25-2006 @ 9:38AM
Al said...
We are using a chambers stove today that has all the Pots and original brochure. It is a great stove but we will be redoing kitchen in a different direction. We would love someone else to enjoy this great stove. Please contact me at al@accentbg.com if you are looking to purchase.
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7-30-2006 @ 4:31PM
Andrew said...
I am looking for a Chamber stove. Would prefer the C model would also lioke the B model. I am in Jersey City, so if you are close, I can pick it up. If not I can arrange shipping
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7-30-2006 @ 7:18PM
Tristan said...
I am looking for a Chambers 90 C model cook stove in working condition. If it has minor damages that would be fine. In Texas. Cheap!!! Contact me at tcoy25@yahoo.com
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8-14-2006 @ 3:26PM
Donna Thorpe said...
I have a yellow Chambers stove with a Gas Collector
for sale in New Jersey...If interested let me know
it's in good condition...no nicks and scratches.
Reply
8-14-2006 @ 11:59PM
Kim said...
...Looking for a Chambers stove in good working condition near San Antonio area, Tulsa area, or north Arkansas. Can't pay premium prices; just want to give my husband one for our anniversary (we had one in our apt the first year we were married). Let me know if you have one available. Thanks!
Email:
kimvsmith AT gmail DOT com
Reply
8-18-2006 @ 6:36PM
Kate Flanigan-O'Toole said...
I have a Chambers style "C" stove that is up for sale,
in Pittsburgh Pa. It is white and in good working order. If your interested in please contact me.
E-mail; irishprces@comcast.net
Reply
8-18-2006 @ 6:39PM
Kate Flanigan-O'Toole said...
The person in New Jersery that is looking for a C Stove I have one in Pittsburgh Pa if you are interested please contact me
kate
irishprces@comcast.net
Reply
8-21-2006 @ 8:22PM
Mark Herring said...
Hi. I have a bright red Chambers stove I'll be selling soon. It is located in Oklahoma City. The stove is in our house and we've been using it for a couple of years. The people we bought the house from said they bought the stove new in either 1948 or 1949. It is red porcelain with a solid stainless steel top. It has 3 burners, a deep well and a griddle. There are no chips or fading on the porcelain. The only things I can see that don't work are the chrome handle that raises the griddle and the light. When you turn the handle the griddle doesn't raise. We just lift it by hand. I think the light just needs a new bulb. All the burners and the oven work just fine. The little thing that covers the pilot looks like it needs to be rechromed. One of the drip pans that go around the burners appears to have a small chip in the porcelain. I don't have any idea what the sides look like since it has been sitting where it is for close to 60 years. I'm just wondering what we should ask for the stove? It seems to be in pretty nice condiition. Any ideas what it might be worth? Thanks in advance.
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8-23-2006 @ 11:21PM
Elaine Pearson said...
I am looking for a 1950's CHAMBERS C model with a lowback we live in INDIANA willing to travel to pick up. Any help would be appreciated
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