FAQ

FAQ

Restoration

A fully restored range could give you another thirty years or more of service; more if you care for it properly. We will show you how.

You restore your antique stove because it will be absolutely stunning, and your stove will be the topic of conversation at your next dinner party. Old-fashioned antique stoves bring warm feelings of comfort and mouth watering memories of family gatherings and Sunday dinners of yesterday, a time when families did almost everything together. They symbolize that time, but still allow us to live in the current day and cook safely for our family. Antiques also offer sturdy construction (built with solid steel, porcelain enamel and intricately crafted parts) that will outlast many modern stoves  and some, like the one and only Chambers models “cook with the gas off”, saving you on gas.

You can avoid the expense of restoring your range by carefully maintaining the condition of your stove over the years.  

And if you have already restored your stove then take advantage of our free program, The Stove Lady Quarterly Maintenance Program.  We come out and clean your range and make minor repairs for a small fee.

You can avoid the expense by carefully maintaining the condition of your stove over the years.

First, detailed pictures and videos of the entire unit are taken. The serial plate and customer’s name are logged.  The stove is then dismantled into the smallest pieces until the shell is fully exposed. Each part is catalogued then cleaned, polished, painted and/or fully restored to its original finish.

Once the stove is completely dismantled the parts are separated into three piles; in house work, enamel work, and chrome work.  The thermostats are also sent out to be rebuilt.  Each of the three piles is then photographed for record keeping purposes.  Outside vendor work orders are completed and the items are shipped out or carried directly to the vendor.

The parts done in house are stripped, sand blasted, sanded, painted and or polished.  The gas valves are rebuilt and polished.  Each gas line that was removed from the range is polished.  Screws are either replaced or restored, depending on the type and availability.  Springs are replaced.  Many other small items like knob restoration are also performed.  On many ranges we find we do not have to replace all of the insulation unless the stove has been under water or over zealously cleaned.

Minor blemishes may remain, but only if they lend to the authenticity of the stove’s age. You can even change the color of your old yellow stove to white, cobalt blue, grey, red, etc. You can pick almost any color you want. As long as our enameling company can handle it, we can offer it.  Once each piece has been fully restored your stove is reassembled and reviewed to see if it meets our standards.

During the process we may send you some progress photos, time permitting.  In the beginning we send you the “before” photos.  In the end we send before (just in case you forgot) and after photos so you can have something to look forward to.

Finally, your newly restored stove goes through “Quality Assurance Testing”. We ensure the oven thermostat is calibrated correctly and that all parts are functioning properly. We test three times or more to make sure there is no gas leaking.  We run the unit for at least five days to make sure everything is working properly.

Depending on your location you may need to have a safety system installed to be sure the range is in full compliance with safety code regulations. We do install a safety system in every range unless the customer asks us to do otherwise. Once the restoration is done, detailed “after” photos and videos are taken to record the professional and amazing transformation of your range.  Most people are amazed at the results.

No.  The Stove Lady has personally worked on ranges that were 100 years old.  As long as you are patient, we will restore your range.

Two (2) Year Warranty – Re-enameled parts
Eighteen (18) months – Rebuilt thermostats and safety valves
One (1) Year Warranty – Parts, labor, re-chromed parts and new safety systems

Note:  Cleaning, painting, and polishing are not under warranty.  We do give you tips on maintaining your range once we have restored it.

We suggest you email us photos of your range, the range top, underneath the burners, in the ovens, as well as photos of any small issues you are having. That way we can give you a general quote on full restoration.  This is the only process that we can give you a price quote without seeing the range.  Email your photos to info@stovelady.com.

The cost for full restoration depends on the range being restored.  It may start at $5,500 for a small range, but the average starting price is about $7,000 – 10,000 for a standard size range.  Most Chambers ranges start at $8,800 and go up from there.  Roper stoves are more expensive and cost upwards of $10,000 for full restoration.  O’Keefe & Merritt is a west coast stove but we do sell them when available and they start at $9,800 including the cost of the stove.  Commercial ranges usually cost more to fully restore, but most people only need a cleaning and partial restoration on their commercial range.  Note: you can’t buy a “new” commercial range for your home.

Standard restorations now take between four to nine months to complete.

Rush jobs can be completed in 30 to 60 days (for an additional fee).

If a client doesn’t mind having already restored parts, some Chambers partial restoration jobs can be done in four weeks or less.

Note:  We find that some jobs do still take more than twelve months, because they have to be re-worked to meet the Stove Lady’s tough quality standards. These things take time, just like they did in the old days.  Patience is a must because they may come apart easily but they always take longer to re-assemble.

Full restoration is the term we give to the most extensive restoration that we can do to your range.  It will include the complete tear down of your unit to the basic shell.  We restore each individual parts and re-assemble your range.  The well and broiler porcelain do not get restored, but they are replaced if they are not in good shape.

CLEANING & PARTIAL RESTORATION FAQS

Yes, all gas ranges can be restored, however, we don’t restore all brands so please complete a service request and email photos to info@stovelady.com and we will determine if your range can be restored.

No.  The Stove Lady has personally worked on ranges that were 100 years old.  As long as you are patient, we will restore your range.

Most people who pay us to clean their ranges either do not have the time and energy to clean their ranges or they are physically unable to clean their ranges.

It is an expensive option for most, but we are working on a program for seniors.  They already get special consideration.  We don’t offer “senior discounts” per se, but we love seniors and consider their budgets when quoting jobs and giving advice.  One day we hope to have a charitable fund for seniors who can’t afford to repair their appliances.

Sure!  Tips on cleaning your range…call the Stove Lady!  Only joking.

  • Don’t get oven cleaner on chrome and aluminum surfaces or on the thermostat diastat.
  • Wear protective eyewear and face coverings for safety.
  • Use oven cleaner and citrus degreaser.
  • Clean the oven while it is still warm, but be careful it is not too hot.
  • Don’t ever spray oven cleaner in a hot oven.
  • Use a razor blade like we do for the stubborn dirt, but be careful not to scratch anything.

Of course you can!!  Just not like we can clean it.  It took years to perfect our system and we know what not to break!

The completion time for a cleaning and partial restoration job depends on the condition of the range, the type of range, and the availability of parts, if parts must be replaced.  Most take between 3 to 6 months to complete.  Some can be done in as little as four weeks, but that is rare if major or hard to find parts need to be restored.

If the client is not restoring a range that has sentimental value and doesn’t mind having already restored parts the job can be done in four weeks or less.  We have an extensive inventory of new “old” stock and already restored parts so that you can have the convenience of having your stove restored in a short period of time.  We have invested more than $300,000 over the last decade acquiring stoves, restoring their parts just so we are ready for you because you are worth it!

The cost for cleaning and partial restoration depends on the range, the condition of the range and the type (tier 1, 2, or 3) of job completed.  Some ranges may need to have new parts installed and others may need to have existing parts cleaned or repaired.

WHY USE US? RESTORATION FAQS

  • I take pride in my work and so does my team.
  • I love this process and nothing makes me happier than seeing my customer’s face when they see their stove again for the first time since it was cleaned and/or restored or when it was repaired after being told it couldn’t be fix for so many years.
  • I believe that restoring your appliances will save you from re-doing your entire kitchen for years to come. New appliances usually need repair in the first three to five years.
  • Antique stoves have lasted the test of time, some still working after almost 100 years. Once restored, they can last another 30 years or more. Many people pass them down as a family heirloom.
  • Our nation, which had become a throw-away society is now trying to recapture yesteryear, recycle, go green, and finally realized the value in good service that we can provide right here through local U.S. businesses.
  • When you hire us you know that you are getting the best in honesty, integrity, and quality service in the industry.
  • Most of my clients have become my friends and we keep in touch years after the initial service needs have been satisfied.
  • For peace of mind, I am always there for you.
  • When you hire the Stove Lady, you are getting expert, professional service from a good friend. It’s a comfort that was offered decades ago, but is rarely seen in today’s business society.

You should use us because:

  • Solid track record, over 30 years experience in appliance sales, repair and restoration industry
  • The Stove Lady was trained by the one of the largest restoration companies in the US who is known for quality of workmanship and customer service.
  • Our extensive network of restoration companies and experienced professionals around the country means you get what you need without shopping around.
  • Reputation for top quality service, high integrity, attention to detail, and a warm and friendly attitude.
  • The Stove Lady has excellent communication skills and makes everyone feel at home and comfortable with the restoration process.
  • Belgrove Appliance, Inc. is a member of the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.
  • The Stove Lady has been featured on WCBS radio – “Opening Bell Show” and Martha Stewart radio – “Food For Thought Show “.
  • Most clients love their appliance and we do whatever we can so they can keep using it.  We get the job done!
  • We restore commercial ranges for residential customers as they are no longer available for purchase to the residential user.  Residential owners of commercial ranges aren’t willing to give up their commercial range features of low maintenance, simplicity, and fast cooking.
  • Our customers range from celebrities to everyday people who are celebrities to us. Customer names are kept confidential.
  • We repair both new and old appliances so you can call us for all of your appliance needs and get the same great service.
  • We tell you the honest truth about what you need to meet your goals, so that you understand what repairs need to be done and what they will cost before they are done.
  • Our warranty on fully restored ranges far exceeds the warranty offered by manufactures of high end stoves with popular names.

Stove Repair

We no longer fully restore electric ranges but contact us to see if we can clean it, repair and partially restore it for you.

Yes. We have a $3 million/$5 million insurance policy. We have never needed to use it and hope to never have to in the future because we are very safety conscious. Our work goes through a vigorous quality assurance test upon completion to ensure that it meets the Stove Lady’s standards.

Our standard repair warranty is as follows:

Parts – One (1) Year Warranty
Labor – Ninety (90) Day Warranty
Rebuilt Thermostats – One (1) Year Warranty
Rebuilt Valves – One (1) Year Warranty

Note: Our warranty varies for some uncommon jobs. It is best to follow the warranty on your sales receipt as that is the warranty that applies to your specific job. If you have any questions or concerns about our warranty, email us at info@stovelady.com

This is a very common question.  We don’t have an hourly rate for the same reasons mentioned above.  You never know what you are going to find with an antique appliance so we don’t base our fees on time.  Fees are the sum of advertising, internet, vehicle, labor, parts, and experience estimates that we have come up with over the years.  We stand behind all of our repair work and we feel that is more important than the hourly rate to most of our clients who really want their appliance repaired.  We are honest and you can’t put a price on honesty.

Repairs can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the complexity of the job.  If you are trying to schedule around a repair, leave two hours just in case something weird arises.  The majority of jobs are completed in forty five minutes to an hour and a half.  Many jobs take two hours or more so if time is an issue, please let us know.  We do not rush because safety is our first concern.  Also, once we quote a job, the cost is what it is and many times it has nothing to do with the amount of time the job takes.

It would be impossible to know what you need before we see your appliance; many of the appliances we repair were made more than 60 years ago and come in a variety of models. There are some appliances which use the same parts, but that is usually rare and often there are other issues that the client has forgotten.  Also it has been our experience that more than 90% of clients incorrectly diagnose their issue or describe the wrong part.

We will bring whatever is handy and available to avoid making a second trip, but if you request us to purchase a part and you don’t need that part, you end up paying for an unnecessary part and that is not good for either of us.

The Stove Lady doesn’t believe that her clients should pay her to “check out” their appliances if they are going to get them repaired.  If you decide that you want your appliance repaired after getting a quote, she deducts the service charge from the final repair/restoration invoice.  Many companies charge a service charge plus the cost of parts and labor.  The Stove Lady only charges the fee for the actual job.

The travel fee is used to cover the cost of travel time, vehicle maintenance, gas, and tolls.  Most appliance repair companies don’t travel more than 15 minutes from their home office.  If they do, they have technicians dedicated to that area so travel time and expense are at a minimum.  The Stove Lady doesn’t have that luxury because of her specialized talent so a travel fee is necessary.

Consultation fees vary based on the type of appliance and its use (residential vs. commercial). Travel fees for the consultation vary as well based on location. We are located in Yonkers, NY so travel to Brooklyn, Queens, & Manhattan are extra. Travel outside of the NYC area to NJ, CT, PA, MD, and certain parts of Westchester are billed at a higher hourly due to the distance. The consultation fee is nonrefundable and goes towards the cost of the job or gets deducted from the final cost. Travel fees are not refundable.

Usually we diagnose the issue in 15-30 minutes or less, our ideal goal being 15 minutes for diagnosis and the rest of the visit for consultation.  We apply the service charge to the repair so the less time the first visit takes, the less the overall job should cost depending on the complexity of each repair.  We have found that it is better to diagnose the issue, write up a detailed quote, give you time to make a decision, and then come back and do whatever repairs are necessary.

More often than not, we make two trips, one to diagnose the issue, see what you need, gather your repair goals and appliance information, and a second visit to repair the problem.  That is the way it goes in the antique stove repair industry. If we can do it in one visit, we happily will do so, but experience has shown us that it is usually better the other way.

The Stove Lady makes herself available to clients in five states.  A diagnostic fee helps cover the cost of gas, tolls, and vehicle maintenance while ensuring that only people who are serious about repairing their appliances request an in-home appointment.  Note, we have not increased our diagnostic fee in over than 10 years.

Stove Parts

No.  At this time we put so much effort into finding and shipping parts you can not return them.  Therefore we require photos before we send them to make sure there are no mistakes and that you get the right part.

You can pay for parts via our secure online payment system, or personal check.  We do not accept credit cards. Also, did you know when you pay via the online system we don’t get your checking information; it goes through the Intuit Payment Network (makers of Quickbooks).  When you pay by check the check stays out there forever. Once payments clear our account, we ship the parts. Please note there is a $50 fee for returned checks and a $30 fee for returned online payments, so please ensure you enter the data properly.

We do in house repairs, then restorations, then we search for parts, so please be patient.  Some orders are filled in a week, some take weeks/months to fill.  You cannot put a “rush” on an out of stock part.

We look for these parts because we LOVE having happy customers.  How can we make you happy today?

If you don’t have photos, call us for instruction, remove the part from your range (or have a qualified technician remove it), package it carefully and ship it to us.  We will take it from there.  Be sure to include a check payable to Belgrove Appliance, Inc. for $30 (for return shipping if we can’t locate a replacement).  We will notify you when we receive the package.

Please note: If it is something we don’t think we can find, we will send your part back to you less shipping costs.  If we find the part we will request the additional funds before we ship your new part to you.  We will not refund the money if you “changed your mind” after we completed the search and found the part.  These searches take valuable time; our time and our dealers’ time.  We don’t mind, but be sure you want to make an investment in your stove.  Even though the part sold for $5 back in 1950 it could easily sell for almost $100 today.  That is just the cost that the market will bear for warrantied, quality parts.

More often than not, we make two trips, one to diagnose the issue, see what you need, gather your repair goals and appliance information, and a second visit to repair the problem.  That is the way it goes in the antique stove repair industry. If we can do it in one visit, we happily will do so, but experience has shown us that it is usually better the other way.

Because we repair appliances and sell parts, we are not psychics.  Thousands of stoves were manufactured between 1900 and 2013 and we aren’t familiar with each and every part that is in them.  We need photos so we can email them to our many suppliers.

Most suppliers don’t have parts stocked by part number so they need the photos to match up the parts.  It’s a painstaking process, but well worth it if it makes you happy.  Nothing makes us feel better than the hugs and accolades we get from clients when we provide them with a part that they have been unable to locate for years.  And people look for years because they love their old dependable stove.

It is very important to send individual, clear photos that show any markings or lettering on the parts.  If you are looking for handles or grates put a tape measure next to the part and take a photo so we can see the size.  Show the top and bottom of grates so we can see any pegs.