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MODELS OF -
OK.
You've got this porcelain
behemoth
with the word "CHAMBERS" on it.
How
can you tell which model it is?
Here
is a guide to help you.
Pictures
Of
Various Models Of CHAMBERS Ranges
-
I.
EARLY
CHAMBERS
RANGES
The
early CHAMBERS ranges looked like
this:
© Todd
W. White
And this -
- photo property of
Karen
Bruner
Instead
of the
ThermoWell,
the
earlier
CHAMBERS ranges used the ThermoDOME
-
The ThermoDome was raised and
lowered by a
mechanism
supplied with the range down over a
pot you were cooking food in. Just
like the ThermoWell, you built up the
heat inside the ThermoDome, then
turned the gas off and cooked on
retained heat.
Here
is how you identify your
older CHAMBERS:
The serial
numbers on the early models are
pretty useless in telling
their age, features, etc., but the model
numbers "tell it all".
For example, a
fellow recently e-mailed me,
asking for help identifying
his old stove, a CHAMBERS Model 4742WL.
Here's
how that breaks down:
* The
older CHAMBERS ranges were
produced in
different "series." Each series had a
designation, such as the
3,000-series, 4,000-series,
5,000-series, etc.
* Each digit in
the model number means a
different
thing -
> The FIRST number indicates
the
SERIES. In this case, this is a series
4,000 CHAMBERS range.
>
The SECOND number indicates the
"style' of range. In this case, the
"700" indicates a "table range with
broiler above" (by "table", they meant
the oven was level with the
cooktop, not above or below it, and the
broiler was in a second
opening/door above the oven).
> The THIRD number gives us
the
number of burners. In this case, 4.
> The FOURTH number tells us
the
quantity of hoods/domes it came with.
This one came with 2.
> The
FIRST LETTER tells us the
original color (white).
> The
LAST LETTER tells us the
location of the oven (left-handed or
right). This one is a left-handed
model.
Simple, huh? I'm still working on
getting a chart that shows all of
this
- be patient. Until then, e-mail me for
help with identifying your
older CHAMBERS.
The most common models of
CHAMBERS ranges are "C", "B", and "A",
in that order. There are many
more, but these are the ones you will
find more of than any of the
others.
Here are two
pictures of
what we now call the "A" series, which were
made from 1936 through 1939 -
 
Note the
all-black handles and
labelled thumb latches, the drop-down
top. Many, but not all, came
without a backsplash.
Now
to the Model "B" -
This is a Model 15B. It
was the top model of the "B" series. All
"B" models had the same basic body, but
they added amenities to the backsplash as
the price went up, culminating in the 15B.
These were made from 1939 through 1948,
with a gap during World War II.
Note
the
all-chrome handles
and
backsplash. Some "B"s had no
drop-down top, but most did. Some "B"
models had black enameled tops, but most
had chrome handles and thumblatches.
This is e
"BZ". It LOOKS just like the B shown
above, until you look closer - it has no
grooves in the
Duracrome top, and has the wagon-wheel
shaped pilot light cover between
the top burners like a "C" (see
picture below). It was mechanically a
lot like a C, in fact, but retained
the "B" styling.
Here are
some pictures of the most
popular and
prevalent CHAMBERS, the Model "C",
which started production in 1949
-
Here is the C-series
with the updated look,
after Rangaire bought Chambers in 1964.
They changed the model name to
an MR-9-H. Here's how they looked in the
1968 Chambers sales brochure:
Here is a chart showing allo of the
"C"-series models
-
©
Chambers
Corporation
Here's
another!
©
Chambers
Corporation
III.
CHAMBERS BUILT-IN'S -
In the
1950's,
CHAMBERS introduced their line of
built-in ovens, cooktops, and lift tops.
Many were available in gas or
electric models. Called an "In-A-(fill
in the blank), these became
popular with the new kitchens being
designed and built in that day.
The ovens, whether
gas or electric, operate the same
way as ovens in the free-standing
ranges, using retained heat to save
energy and cook without having to be
attended to. The units equipped
with a broiler/griddle do, too - you
will want to get an "Idle Hour
Cookbook" in order to fully utilize the
exclusive features of these
CHAMBERS units.
Here are some
of the built-in's CHAMBERS
manufactured over the years -
The first cooktop was a
Model 42-BB, which can be identified by
the "wagon wheel" pilot light covers on
top, which were borrowed from the C-series
range, and the handles are like the C
ranges, also.
The MT-42B Built-In Cooktop. Note
the pilot light covers and handle
shape.
©
Belgrove Appliance
This
is the Model MT-42-C-1
four-burner drop-in.
Notice it has different
handles and knobs, the pilot light
covers are gone, and it has a
redesigned burner. It came in copper
or stainless steel.
Note the
In-A-Top Griddle/Broiler
An
early "IN-A-WALL" Gas Oven
(also came in an electric
version). These
were designed in Shelbyville by
the original CHAMBERS
Corporation.
Here
is a
later built-in Gas Oven (also
came
in an electric version). These
were designed in Oxford,
Mississippi
by the CHAMBERS after the
Rangaire purchase (note the
similarity
of design) -
Here's
what it
looks like
inside.
I'm told the light bulb is part of
the circuit that makes it operate.
IV.
COMMERCIAL
CHAMBERS
PRODUCTS -
CHAMBERS
manufactured
commercial
models
that
are to die
for!
Here are
some
pictures of one of
these, the CHAMBERS
"Imperial" No. 7960
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Photos
courtesy
AntiqueAppliances.com
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