Vintage Housewares: Kitchen Timers

[@horseshoe3345]

Hi Kevin, interesting as usual. Sometime we would love to hear your story of the Calvacade. How did it all come about? How in the world did you ever collect all these beautiful vintage appliances and kitchen wares? It is very impressive. Would love to hear about it!

[@cynthiafisher9907]

He made a video, maybe last Christmas about it.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Horseshoe! Thanks - I've got a few videos that give a little background on the Cavalcade. This is what collecting for more than 40 years looks like! LOL! Thanks!

[@andrewoltman1171]

Enjoyed presentation!!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks for watching!

[@jakeblake231]

One of the things I have noticed about the fine vintage items you've collected in your shop is that most DO NOT "show a little wear and tear". The stoves are gorgeous. Another great video. Keep 'em coming!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Jake! Although you only see the "after" and not the "before" - some of those stoves were filthy dirty and needed a lot of TLC, but it's all part of the fun of collecting these things. Thanks!

[@gregbudig5014]

I was searching through your old episodes, seeing if there was anything that I missed, when I discovered this little gem! I was surprised that you didn't have any vintage novelty timers? I seem to remember seeing old timers in the shape of vegetables or little chefs... maybe I'm thinking of salt and pepper shakers. But my main reason for commenting has to do with the very last timer you showed... oh did the memories come rushing back! My beloved wife had that same exact timer when we first moved in together 30 + years ago! I had totally forgotten about that long lost artifact from our early days together. It took me back to our first apartment together... funny how certain things can trigger such strong and cherished emotions. I only wish I knew where it is now. Fond memories!!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Greg! I'm amazed that there is a CoF video that you haven't seen! I only have a couple novelty timers - they look like coffee pots. I don't really collect them but I love the timers that just looked like timers and then was gifted a collection from a friend. Glad that the video brought back some good memories for you! It's sometimes the little details of life that stay hidden away in our memory that come back unexpectedly and take us back to a time and place. Thanks!

[@cynthialambert9067]

Another popular timer style was the one that looks like a little teapot. Thank you, Mark, for sharing your collection. Very nice.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Cynthia! I remember a friend's mom had a timer in the shape of a teapot and I thought it was the coolest thing ever! My mom just had a boring white Lux timer! LOL! Thanks!

[@melissaforth5464]

I always appreciated my old oven where the timer would not only buzz, but turn the oven off as well. Now I have to find my phone, check it's charged, set a timer for my cooking, put the phone where I can hear it......progress hey

[@markaustin4370]

Thank you Kevin and Ralph !!! Cavalcade is the perfect home for my timer collection. So appreciative you can share them with so many! Best to you both

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Mark - I can't tell you how much people have enjoyed your timer collection! Thank you again for giving them a home here and every time I see them I think of your generosity! Sending warm holiday wishes your way!!

[@pammiesue7931]

That pink stove is beautiful ❤

[@longhairbear]

Fabulous, I have an extra one to time things when the one on our stove and microwave are also in use.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Longhairbear - I'm with you - I think having two or three timers in the kitchen is essential.

[@powerlinekid4296]

Nice collection. Really made me think of the thousands of estate sales I have gone to and never thought about buying a kitchen timer. Makes nice item to collect. I remember and miss the gas station hose bell.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi PLK - I don't see them too often at estate sales, but they sure are a fun collectable. Thanks!

[@mklotz1426]

It absolutely amazes me how well you are with the chalkboard and the cursive. I would screw it up every time!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Marty! Thank you! Being a teacher I've been writing on chalkboards for many years so it kind of comes naturally.

[@cindywhite8118]

Love them. So much fun reliving the good old days

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Cindy! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@whitedogfive3735]

The stove in front of you with the red dial, Frigidaire, I had when I bought my house 30+ years ago. I did a lot of cooking on that one! It came with a 1950's same brand fridge. I nor the previous home owner, who bought it new, never had them repaired. Great quality! Thanks for another great video. Keep them coming!!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks whitedogfive! That shows you how well things were made back then. That Frigidaire range is one of my favorites and one of the best baking ovens I've ever used.

[@kennixox262]

My preference is the old Robert Shaw, Lux kitchen timer. All one has to do is turn the dial, no fiddling around with buttons, just a knob. Sometimes, modern things add complexity that is unnecessary. Have been hoarding a few of the vintage USA made units myself.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Ken - hang on to those good old USA made timers! I agree, often the digital and modern timers are more complicated than needed. Give me one simple dial to set anytime!

[@karenrice9538]

Fun video!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Karen!

[@jack6964]

Hi Kevin and Ralph! Great video! I have many memories of the timer going off in the kitchen. Lux Clock Manufacturing Co. was actually in Waterbury, Connecticut. It’s about 10 miles away from my hometown. The company is still in business, but was sold several times and now is resident in Philadelphia.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi John! Interesting fact about the Lux Clock Co.! Thanks for letting us know! A lot of great things have come from Connecticut!

[@curlyqstooge]

Yep 11:58 as soon as I heard that bell I thought of old school department store. It's wonderful how our brains associate sounds with specific things like that. Sadly, all are from a bygone era now. Speaking of "hot" ovens (you mentioned in the video), sadly our oven lost it's mind & blackened the top of banana bread a few days ago before setting off a smoke detector nearby, alerting us to a problem. The control board is "fried" so to speak, 😄 which caused the upper element to come on & not shut back off. That was the hottest 350 degree oven we've ever seen! 🤣 So guess who is scheduled for a double-oven unit installation today, 12/8/22? 👋 Thankfully, it failed after Thanksgiving & early enough in December, as to not impact Christmas baking.

[@johnhpalmer6098]

My BIL has a similar issue, but the situation he has, is if you try to roast something for any length of time, it overheats and trips the circuit breaker. It's one of those microwave/oven combo units. I believe it's not original to the house as it's from the mid 80's and the current oven has electronic controls. Yes, it tripped on Thanksgiving day roasting squash.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Curlyqstooge! So sorry to hear about your oven problem, but I'm guessing that by now the new one is in place and all is well in the kitchen again! Hope you like your new one!! Just in time for Christmas! Have a wonderful holiday!!

[@scooterdover2771]

What a great review. My mom had the Presto timer. Thanks Kevin, Ralph, and Mark.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Scooter! That Presto time is a cool one! Thanks so much

[@2packs4sure]

That last timer was the last timer my mom had,, born in 1927 and using the timer til 2013..

[@cavalcadeoffood]

That tells you how well that timer was made! Thanks!

[@2packs4sure]

@@cavalcadeoffood Lol,, I guess I gave the wrong impression,,, I think that timer was from the late 70's..

[@dtreezy]

This place looks amazing

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, Dan!

[@goingslightlymad7172]

Good chilly morning (even in southern California)! 🥶🥶 I recognize some of those timers!🥰🥰 Happy Holidays/Christmas to you, Ralph, and Mary Ann!🎄🎄

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks, GSM!! Sending Merry Christmas wishes your way!

[@jonathan_nc]

Kevin, that first timer you showed was made of Bakelite, also heatproof. That brown color is classic Bakelite. Mom always used the timer on her GE stove and the buzzer noise it made got lots of attention. Sadly the Telechron rotor in it has now seized after 50 years of faithful service and she uses a Lux timer like you showed. Too much trouble to pull out the 40" stove and replace the timer rotor.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Jonathan! Good to know that the old bakelite is heatproof. That GE timer sure lasted a long time! Thanks!

[@loveisall5520]

I don't trust built-in timers on stoves/ranges. I love all of these, some I recognize--and I still use a mech timer in my kitchen.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Loveisall - I agree. I like to use the mechanical timers instead of the built in timers. Thanks!

[@TW1257]

Thanks for the video! We've also lost the elevator operator. I've been in two with operators in my life. Tiffany and Co and Harrods.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

You're welcome! I remember the elevator operators at J.L. Hudson's department store in downtown Detroit. They had beautiful uniforms and always announced the floor. Such elegance! Thanks!

[@hanscraig1850]

I love the Crown gas range they never turn up in the South.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Hans - someone gave me this stove years ago. It's the only gas stove I have!

[@TheWurlitzerman123]

Great video! Question: at the end of the video, what are directly to the right of the timers on the same shelf? Alarm clocks? Thank you!

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Those are electric timers for appliances (and other things). They serve to turn things on and off at certain times of the day. thanks!

[@AugustMeteors]

Ever see one of those timers made to look like an apple or a tomato or some other nice round edible vegetation? Mechanical format is like that Westclox one you've got, just styled like fruit and the top half of the fruit is what you wind.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi AugustMeteors - yes, I have seen some timers that are designed to look like fruits and vegetables and other things. it would be something fun to collect!

[@tamsondarland8951]

Do you know when the first digital timers came out? Loved this video through the history of timers. I just wish the timers now last longer. Seems the winders don't hold up as well as the older timers. Thanks for another great video.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Tamson! I'm not sure when the digital timers first came out, but I agree the new ones often don't last very long. Many things aren't built for an extended life anymore - they would rather you keep buying new ones. Thanks!

[@tamsondarland8951]

@@cavalcadeoffood

[@nancyroswell327]

Hey, Kevin & Ralph. I get a kick out of your videos and have used your recipes

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Nancy! Thanks so much for watching!

[@JennyWinters]

I have a modern glass top stove which I'm okay with but I'm analog kind of girl and though my stove has a digital timer I never use it. I use my Robert Shaw Luxe egg timer and I love it.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Those Lux egg timers are great. Thanks!

[@Infinity.....]

👍

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Thanks for watching!

[@hanscraig1850]

The Presto, Ecko and Mirro were sold as companions to pressure cookers.

[@cavalcadeoffood]

Hi Hans - good to know! Thanks!

[@umustbbornagainActs2-38]

Anyone know how to repair a timer off of a 1947 chambers model b?

[@cavalcadeoffood]

If you Google "vintage stove clock repair" there are a couple of people who repair these old mechanisms. I've not dealt with them, but I've seen their websites.

[@umustbbornagainActs2-38]

@@cavalcadeoffood Thank you!