Vintage Appliances: Cleaning Tips

[@fredwiley3731]

Great video for the novice. Many of those vintage stoves were used 7 days a week and two or three meals a day, so they really got a work out. When you cleaned the oven, folks usually took the top burners all apart and cleaned all that, too. To me there is a great satisfaction to completely clean and USE a vintage pan or appliance. Thanks.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Fred! You are right about a lot of these stoves seeing very heavy use! The ones that didn't get cleaned very well or very often really took a beating. It is satisfying to see a stove really clean - and I think the food tastes better when cooked on a clean stove! Thanks!

[@knitterscheidt]

My cousin recently visited me, we grew up together in the 60s. She walked into the kitchen one evening and caught me cleaning around the burners of my gas stove with a toothbrush and Bar Keepers Friend. I got a major eye roll and ugh but really what is more satisfying than returning a white stove to sparkle condition. By the way Bar Keepers Friend now comes in a liquid and I've never found that to scratch. Thanks for sharing your cleaning tips! I'm buying Turtle Wax next trip to Ace.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Briney! I guess your cousin doesn't see the joy that we do in cleaning the stove! LOL! Food cooked on a clean stove tastes better! I've seen the BKF in liquid but haven't tried it yet. Thanks!

[@rpurdy4821]

This guy would make a good Home Economics teacher.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, rpurdy!

[@marcberm]

I've found melamine sponges (generic term for the stuff Magic Erasers are made out of) to be a godsend for so many things. They act like an abrasive without being abrasive and have helped me zip through things that in the past would've taken lots of scrubbing with any other traditional scrub pad or sponge.

[@DavidKozinski]

Perfect. I just moved into my new to me, 1920 home and need to clean out my old oven at the other house! Thank you Gentlemen

[@cavalcadeoffood]

You're welcome, David! Congrats on the "new" home!!

[@goingslightlymad7172]

Thanks for this video! My 40s O'Keefe and Merritt needs some cleaning; especially the knobs! Oh and don't forget the crumb trays!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi GSM! Hope you get that beautiful O&M stove sparkling! Thanks!

[@garyhart7449]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this..a lot of good tips for cleaning our stove.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Gary!

[@daniellavin5874]

Another excellent video. It always makes me smile when you mention Hans

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Daniel! Love talking appliances with Hans!

[@sharonlatour6230]

Thanks for the great tips Kevin and Thank you Mary!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

You're welcome, Sharon!

[@cunard61]

Bar Keepers Friend works really well on the Pyroceram Corning Ware pieces. I've also found that a toothpick is great for getting into the many ridges that the cookware has around the handles.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi cunard61 - great tip with using a toothpick! I agree, BKF does a fine job with Corningware, as does Bon Ami! Thanks!

[@nurmaybooba]

I use a bamboo skewer ( with dawn dish soap sudsy water) to get into the very small crevices of stoves and other appliances no scratching and peels the yuck right out....I have lived in a lot of places and won't cook until the stove is clean....it really does just take a few minutes after cooking to wipe down the stove. I do it after the dishes are done.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Nora! I love your idea with the bamboo skewer! I'm with you - I can't cook on a dirty stove and it only takes a minute or two after you're done cooking to wipe things down and keep it clean. Thanks!

[@KatyInNH]

My mom had a range like this and loved it!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Katy! I see why your mom loved her Westinghouse range! Thanks!

[@mopar6586]

Glad to see it getting cleaned up! Can’t wait to see the it working properly.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks so much, Anthony! We will have to get this Westinghouse back together and get it in the studio kitchen!

[@Ladythyme]

I use some of these as well but mostly I find making a paste of baking soda and a little vinegar or lemon juice work wonders…. Also the cleaner called “Awesome Awesome” from the Dollar Store is absolutely amazing….YES cleaning is very therapeutic…it’s my go to thing to do when I’m in a funk! Everyone knows to get out of my way if I start cleaning 😂🤣😂

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Lady Thyme! I'll have to try your tip with baking soda and vinegar. It certainly would be non-abrasive. I've seen the Awesome cleaner at the dollar store, I'll have to try it out. Glad you get your cleaning therapy like me! LOL! Thanks!

[@sharonlatour6230]

There was a store in my neighbor hood that used the Awesome cleaner, on all the appliances they got and refurbished. They looked great

[@jonathan_nc]

That Westinghouse stove was pretty clean to start with. I like the enameled drip pans, an improvement over the metal GE type that rust. One other tip I can offer is to use a barely damp rag to clean clock faces and other areas where drips can enter the holes and get inside. I had to replace my GE clock-timer once and cleaning the glass face inside and out wasn't easy. I used window cleaner on a damp paper towel, followed by a dry paper towel to make sure there's no lint or streaks. Thanks for all the helpful hints!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Jonathan! I also like the enameled drip pans. There are a lot of little openings around the controls and it is tricky sometimes to get those areas clean, especially around the clock. Sounds like you found a good method! Thanks!

[@garystaab7835]

My Mom always used Jubilee after she cleaned her 54 Westinghouse and the 50 Philco refrigerator that I still have and runs perfect. What a shine it gave. I think I still have an old bottle in the basement where she stored a lot of her cleaning supplies.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Gary - Jubilee was re-released briefly about 10 years ago but didn't seem to last long. I don't think there is a big market for appliance polish/wax anymore. It sure did make them shine!

[@1953childstar]

@@cavalcadeoffood Amazon still has it !!!

[@pameladempsey5943]

Thanks for the advice! Great video ❤

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Pamela!

[@chrisw9643]

I am really enjoying your videos. This was great thanks for sharing

[@cavalcadeoffood]

You're welcome, Chris - thanks for watching!

[@pattyshimek7396]

Great show the stove you are clean today I have one, that needs help looking for parts like the clock and other stuff

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Patty - try searching online for parts. I sometimes find them on eBay. Thanks!

[@MiddleAgeMike]

Goo Gone can usually be used to clean grease off printed material such as knobs and control panels. Rub gently with a cotton ear swab after letting it penetrate for a while. STOP immediately if the print starts lifting. It is slow to cut grease and needs to be agitated frequently.

[@johnhpalmer6098]

All good things there Kevin. I love Bars Keeper's Friend. I keep a can of it next to the sink and use it frequently. It's great when you accidentally bugger up a stainless steel pot and it needs a good cleaning AFTER it caught fire(!). Yes, did a dumb thing once. Added a knob of butter to the hot pot and it almost immediately went, POOF! Into flames, yes, you read that right. Boiling water with BKF did the bulk of getting that pot usable after the fact, after the flames died down by clamping an aluminum multipurpose lid to it, and setting it out on my concrete balcony to die out. This got most of the brackiness out and the pot looking much better. That is, water into the pot, and on the stove to come to a boil, then add the BKF. Eventually, the pot came clean but by 2020, the poor pot was beginning to fail as the bottom looked to begin rusting a little so it got replaced, as was an old Revere Ware pot with the heavy aluminum disk on the bottom as the galvanic action began to take its toll and it'd begun to leak. (the pot was from the 90's if I recall). I have heard that for many stoves that are simply just gross and greasy, sometimes elderly folk's eyes go bad and thus can't see as well and thus may not realize that their stove has gotten all greasy. This is especially true if they go a lot of frying/sauteing etc. At the moment, my kitchen looks like a bomb went off so will deal with that this morning (the dishwasher was full) and my stove, a glass top needs a good cleaning. That old Westinghouse looks great and not too bad as far as cleaning goes. Have seen much worse.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi John - sounds like you like BKF and it helped save your stainless steel pot. It's great to clean the sink with - that's where I use it most. Thanks!

[@johnhpalmer6098]

@@cavalcadeoffood Just to be clear, BKF is used for my sink (it's stainless) too.

[@allenwayne2033]

Love that Midwest "anyways"!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Allen! It is a Midwest thing, for sure!

[@brettster3331]

Hi Kevin, great video, I clean the same way but I find one of the most useful tools is a box of round wooden toothpicks for the hardest places to get out crud, I even have a dental tool I use sometimes. This is only for my first cleaning on a new to me vintage appliance. Happy Memorial Weekend.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi brettster! Thanks - toothpicks are a great tool to get in those little places! Happy Memorial Day!

[@vickymae1]

Thanks for the great tips, especially the toothbrush idea. I'll definitely use that on my vintage Fridgidaire! Krud kutter is my favorite degreaser. I'll try Bon Ami for my pyrex. Thanks again! 🤗🙏🤗🙏🤗

[@cavalcadeoffood]

You're welcome, vickymae1!

[@bucknk8edrobertlee734]

Thank You for sharing .

[@cavalcadeoffood]

You're welcome!

[@ThejasonJaw5442]

Nice vintage stove, A time will never see aging a stove built with to last

[@MiddleAgeMike]

Chrome wire oven racks can be cleaned by placing them into a plastic bag that pillow cases come packaged in. Spray oven cleaner inside the bag and massage the spray around the wires from the outside of the bags. Don't let it sit for more than 15 minutes or the cleaner will visibly dull the chrome. Hose off the racks with water and dry. Chrome polish can help with stubborn spots.

[@rosep9866]

Good advice on cleaning.. Dawn is very good ,,plus Dawn makes a greaser it's a purple spary soap & sold at Menards in Michigan .. works very well.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Rose. I will have to try that Dawn spray. I've seen it in the stores.

[@russbear31]

I love Bon Ami too. It's been made for more than 100 years in Kansas City, where I live. It's almost identical to Bar Keeper's Friend.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi RD M! Bon Ami is a go-to cleaner for me. Glad to know it's made in Kansas City! Thanks!

[@hanscraig1850]

I think i have the service manual for that Westinghouse if im not mistaken, that control uses radio tubes.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Hans - yes, the control uses two vacuum tubes!

[@alanatkielski2572]

Baking Soda , Warm Water and Denture Cleaning Tablets are also vv mild and safe cleaning products,

[@alanatkielski2572]

A hand held Steamer is great for loosening stubborn old grease stains.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks - those are great cleaning agents - and gentle, too!

[@cassmakesstuff]

Thanks for posting this! My bf and I are renovating our kitchen and going vintage, all youngstown steel cabinets, a philco refrigerator, and a frigidaire flair! Unfortunately the flair was in an abandoned house for a few years and needs a thorough cleaning which I'm sure i can handle, but I'm not really sure how to approach the rust on the heating elements. There's not a ton, but enough that they're not as pretty as they should be.... Any tips? Thanks!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Cass - here's how I've cleaned light rust from heating elements. I get a very fine grade of steel wool and use gently on the coils. Enjoy your vintage kitchen!!

[@jamessheridan4306]

Great video and very timely for me. My landlord just installed a new (used) stove. Long story short, any special tips on dealing with rust? I noticed a good bit of it especially in nooks and crannys.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi James - with rust, I would start with some fine steel wool and see if you can remove the surface rust at least. Thanks!

[@brockreynolds870]

I've had a lot of good luck with thsoe Mr. clean magic erasers.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks Brock. Those work well on a lot of things, but once I used it on a part of a range and I noticed it dulled the finish a little bit. Not sure why.

[@scooterdover2771]

Great video Kevin. For grease that isn't burnt on, I like to use Grease Lightening. It works well, but I think it is an ammonia base. Dawn does do a good job.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Scooter! I've never used Grease Lightning, but I've seen it in the store. Thanks!

[@rjoseph2095]

I love this! ♡

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, R Joseph!

[@elizabethc9832]

Great video on cleaning these old beauties! I use so many of your tools and methods. The area that is the bane of my exsistance when it comes to cleaning my '58 GE is the metal drip trays under the burners. They will NOT clean or stay clean. Now they are rusty and pitted. Worse part is, you can't find replacements. Any suggestions?

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Elizabeth - those drip trays are the worse to clean! I also have issues with the 50's Frigidaire drip trays, which are enamel coated. Some of them I just wrap in heavy duty aluminum foil and leave it at that. Thanks!

[@danieldexter3341]

Hi Ralph, I am very much like you with regard to how to do deep cleaning of vintage appliances. I also use wax to shine up as a last step, but I have found Turtle Wax's Spray Wax and Dry to work very well. The advantage of a spray over a creme is that you never get a build-up of wax residue in the recesses, etc. Plus, it's much faster :-) Love your posts!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Dan - I'll have to try the spray wax! Sounds easier to apply than the paste wax. Thanks for watching! PS - I replied to your email!

[@lightmarker3146]

Dear Kevin; I have always loved the Jubilee liquid wax , the company has claimed to have brought the original formula back . There are vintage full bottles on different resale sites . 🙂 The good ole days of homeproducts . Even if they were slightly full of petroleum, we survived .

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi lightmarker - I have a bottle of the reissued Jubilee liquid wax. I don't have any recollection of the S.C. Johnson original version, so I don't know how it compares - but I love the smell of it! Thanks!

[@lightmarker3146]

@@cavalcadeoffood 👌

[@rebeccamaples5723]

Hi Kevin. We recently bought a house with a 1965(I think, not actually 100% on the year but the house was built in 65) Frigidaire Compact 30. We absolutely love it but one of the burners no longer works. Do you happen to have a recommendation for a parts supplier? I found your videos when looking up how to clean it and saw your beautiful collection so I thought I'd ask.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Rebecca - sorry I don't have a source but try searching online (Ebay) and you will likely find a burner there. Enjoy your vintage Frigidaire!

[@Jerry-dq4om]

I need to see Videos on how to clean Retro Automatic washing machines, from 60's through early to mid 90's models

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Jerry - sorry I don't collect vintage washing machines so I wouldn't know the best way to clean them out, but I'm sure there is a video on YT somewhere about it! Thanks!

[@kestrelhawkins8728]

Very cool. I was recently gifted an old stove, but the venting burner catches fire when I turn it on. LOL I think it's probably a grease problem, but I'm not quite sure how to go about cleaning that vent. Any tips there?

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Kestrel! If it is an electric range, under the coil will be a little chimney - sometimes these are removeable. If so, it is probably covered with grease that has exhausted through the oven over the years. If you can take it out, soak it in hot sudsy water and get as much of that off as possible. If it's not removeable, see how much of it you can wipe off. Good luck!

[@kestrelhawkins8728]

@@cavalcadeoffood Thank you! I plan to give it a go this weekend!

[@theresafp8713]

Would you know how to lift up the top cover of a Tappan Fabulous cooking center, very popular in the early 70's? Cannot find the user manual online. Need a good cleaning under the burners.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Theresa - sorry, I don't know off the top of my head. This is a task I have not yet had to do. Thanks!

[@longhairbear]

Great video. I use homemade cleaners a lot from the book, You Tube channel Clean My Space. She has some great recipes for cleaning, such as a degreaser. Dawn, baking soda, and orange essential oil. Let sit and then wipe off.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Longhairbear - I will check out the channel. That recipe for a cleaner sounds like a good one!

[@twobrokeguyz1214]

Hello. I have a General Electric Stratoliner with a deep well fryer. My question is, does the element that plugs into the deep fryer, submerge into the oil? It does, right? I don't see how else it could work. I haven't used it yet, because I'm scared to, but I don't know of any other way to use it. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

I'm not 100 percent sure but I'm not certain how else you would use it. The element at the bottom doesn't heat the oil? Is the frying element completely sealed? If so, then it would seem designed for submersion.

[@Christabellaluxx]

Hi! I have a 1948 GM Frigidaire stove RK-70 double oven. On one of the ovens I’m not getting power to the lower element. I’ve tried troubleshooting to no avail. Any help or ideas I’d greatly appreciate it. I really love my old gal. Her name is Connie 😊💚

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Bella - sorry you're having issues with your vintage range Connie (great name!). If your range has a clock/timer, make sure the switch is set on "manual" and not "auto." Otherwise, either the lower oven element needs to be replaced, or the switch needs replacing. Good luck - hope you can get that oven heating again!

[@garystaab7835]

I'm thinking of replacing my current modern stove with a vintage one. My neighbor has the exact stove that came in our house. It was moved to their basement years ago. I'm hoping to purchase it from them. Would you recommend switching back to a vintage stove? The modern ones are just not reliable. We have had 3 stoves since the old one was removed. They just don't hold up. Can replacement parts still be found for the vintage ones?

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Gary - I agree that modern ranges are not as reliable or well-built as the old ones. Finding parts for vintage stoves can be a real challenge sometimes, and finding someone who will service them. Many technicians won't touch an old stove because the internal wiring is old and they can't warranty the work, so they stay away. You should make sure that any vintage range you consider is clean and in excellent working order. Anything that requires part repair or replacement may be an issue. Thanks!

[@soraidadiaz9108]

I have a beauty range and a acorn. We're thinking they're both from the 40s or 50s. Would ammonia be okay to use for cleaning ?

[@cavalcadeoffood]

I don't use ammonia for cleaning - it can be hard on the chrome, plastic and other parts. Thanks!

[@418laylah]

I spray mine with windex. Waite 5 min, wipe with paper towels.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi 418laylah - Windex has ammonia in it, so it will cut through any grease. Thanks!

[@alanatkielski2572]

Automobile Chrome Polish, Bug & Tar Remover, Glass Cleaner & Auto Cleaner/ Paste Wax .

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Alan - those are all great cleaners to keep on-hand when shining up these old appliances!

[@cynthiafisher9907]

I would not use Bon Ami or Barkeeper’s Friend on enamel appliances, it will scratch. And especially don’t use Magic Erasers! I use baking soda, it will not scratch and it works surprisingly well!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Cynthia! I've never had a problem with Bon Ami scratching enamel or anything I've used it on. I actually use it on glass with great results (I clean glass baking dishes with it). Magic Erasers will dull finishes I have found. Baking soda is a great alternative. Thanks!

[@cynthiafisher9907]

@@cavalcadeoffood Well, that’s good! I use Barkeeper’s Friend for a lot of things, but not my 1950s gas stove. Only baking soda for my baby! She’s a Wedgwood with red knobs! I need to have her restored, however. The chrome on top is pitted and rusty.

[@RugbyFootballer]

I am surprised no mention of jubilee cleaner

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Rugby Footballer! I didn't mention it because I don't use it very much. It's very hard to find, and it works as more of a polisher/wax than a cleaner, I think. Thanks!

[@Redberryfarm888]

@@cavalcadeoffood Nothing beats the scent of Jubilee... it seemed a bit pricy back in the day, and I can't imagine the cost today, if it is even found. ( A polisher/ wax?! Ha! never knew that... )

[@margaretmojica8190]

The greasy gunk on my stove is a lot thicker than that. I have friends who cover their stove with aluminum foil and I am beginning to think I should do the same. My refrigerator is 8 inches away from my stove and the side of the refrigerator is a disaster because we fry most of our meat.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Margaret - I've heard of other people who cover their stove with aluminum foil. I think another tip is to try to not let things build up too much and then it is easier to keep clean. Frying always seems to make the biggest mess on the stovetop. Thanks!

[@denisebissell5875]

Where can I buy refurbished gas stoves in Georgia?

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Denise - there's a place called Antique Appliances in Clayton, GA that sells refurbished gas ranges. Thanks!

[@carolynharmon7074]

😊

[@janicelantz3788]

I think I will go to work on my stove.

[@Infinity.....]

Where is Ralph? It's not the same without him. :(

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi - Ralph is very busy working, but he'll be back around when time allows. Thanks!

[@7karlheinz]

"...and they used Bon Ami!"

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Yes they did! Thanks, Joe Ray!