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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:
© Chambers Stove Lovers Website
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 -
Note the all-black handles and
labelled thumb latches, the drop-down top. Many, but not all, came
without a backsplash.
Here is a
picture of a
"B" -
- courtesy www.antiqueappliances.com
CHAMBERS
Model B,
circa
1941
The "BZ" looks just like the B shown above, but 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" -
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:
©
Chambers Stove Lovers Website
Here
is a nice chart I found somewhere showing the "C" series. It is very
informative. If it is yours, please let me know so I can give you
proper credit of ownership.
© 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:
This is the Model MT-42-C-1
four-burner drop-in.
Note the
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.
A later "IN-A-WALL" 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 -
Photos
courtesy AntiqueAppliances.com
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