It's Always Something!

 There is always a project to complete. I don't know how I ever had time for a job. Anyhow, watch this video about replacing the heating element in an electric stove. Do as I say, not as I did. Pulling the stove out so you can access the back is not a bad thing, and it allows you to do some necessary cleanup.

Back To The Old Grind!

De-Lint Your Clothes Dryer!

 Susan and I are always doing something exciting. Today it was opening up the Samsung dryer to clean out lint and dog hair. Susan washes dog beds and kennel pads, so the fuzz builds up.

Samsung Clothes Dryer Repair Hack

 Instructions for changing the heating element are to lift the drum out to access the element assembly. I had limited space, and I found a better way. Less disassembly = less chance of screwing up. Watch for sharp edges on sheet metal components.

Hmmm...Needs A Blower And A Ceiling Fan!

We Like Freebies! Samsung Dryer Dropped On Us!

Our brother-in-law was given a dryer with a problem, but he didn't need it.  Our dryer was still working, but it needs a new timer and sensors, so we upgraded to the Samsung and did the necessary repairs to get it going.  For fifty bucks we have a new-to-us dryer!

A New Year's Toast!

Mom and Dad were married on this date in 1948.  Everyone that came to the wedding had to chain up to get there and back home.  I have one of their wedding presents, and I fired it up today for you all to enjoy.  Their friend Pete Jeffries gave this to them.  He was born in Tennessee, moved to Iowa with his family when he was a young man, and farmed all of his working days except when he served in the Army during World War II.  He liked orange soda, and once drank a guy under the table who bet him he could drink more beer than Pete could soda. If you're going to be famous for something, that's not a bad record.  Pete encouraged me to go to college and get a degree, and I have been thankful to him for many years because of that.  He was a good guy.  You can see His Obit Here.

Here's his toaster:

Happy Anniversary, Mom!

Beauty

One of our loyal readers has responded to the post featuring a Skelgas Constellation cookstove with a photo of his treasure. This Wedgewood features two ovens, two broilers, four burners, and a griddle. Stoves of this quality were rarely traded in on a new appliance; they are a joy to use and they outlive the original owners.

I did a search and found this site: http://antiquegasstoves.com/. Antique Gas Stoves restores high quality stoves, and also sells replacement parts. I noticed that their prices are not posted on their stoves, which are restored to factory new condition. I am afraid that if you have to ask, you probably can't afford it. Take a look, especially if you are contemplating remodeling your kitchen.

Not Getting Any Younger

Kennekuk County Park, just west of Danville, IL, has a nice historic village which I visited this week. This stove (Skelgas Constellation) on display there had me repeating a lament I have heard from elders all my life. "That's not an antique; I had/used/saw that when I was young." I am saying that with alarming frequency. It is about 1950 vintage. Stoves like this one replaced wood cookstoves after WWII, and I moved and cleaned tons (literally) of stoves like this in my first job in an appliance store.

The stove in our kitchen, which we use every day, is a 1950 model Chambers range. You can get a glimpse of our treasure in the post about soap making (Education label). We have no intention of retiring this beauty; it works when the electricity goes off. Chambers used lots of cast iron in their stoves, and you do not move them about without forethought and several strong backs. Backs younger than mine.