I thought I'd go super in depth for todays set of pics as there are a few interesting features on this cooker. This is a 'Deluxe' pre-74 model (you can tell by low shelf behind lids) with a 'one-piece' hob top. These are fairly rare now and although its a tricky piece of enamel to handle given its size and weight (Philip & Matt went to this cooker!) it's a fabulous and neat looking cooker. The lack of join between the warming cupboard and main hob tops means less places for muck to hide and the full length towel rail is super useful and looks minimal with only two brackets. This cooker went from powder blue to cream for an updated more modern look that is nevertheless a little more 'classic'. As always badge removed digitally as it's a trademark! There is more info above picture; do let me know what you think! 😊
How to tell a pre-74 'Deluxe' from a post-74? Firstly there is a low shelf behind the lids and secondly the towl rail sits 'on' the brackets instead of 'between' them. This cooker has worked hard but is by no means the worst we have seen. The kitchen though is being refreshed and the house in general renovated so it's time for a change and refresh!
Door and lid liners really showing their age in this pic. Naturally all these are replaced as the doors and lids will be brand new. In this case the new lids that we have prepared in advance have our non stick lid liners. Every aspect of this work has been prepared, checked and built in advance if at all possible!
So first things first, hob and lids come off! This reveals, as always!, a whole mess of rock wool insulation. This is effectively loft insulation and it has not been installed very neatly. Lots of room for improvement here!
If you look closely you'll see the side panels have been removed along with the oven 'tunnels'. Our massive vacuum hose is snaking in from outside and removing the loose vermiculite with a minimum of dust and mess. It's really an essential part of what we do! Pic in comments if you are curious!
Now we are getting somewhere! Looks a bit of a mess but the cooker is now naked and the cast iron interior has been revealed. These parts store the heat generated by the oil burner.
The main front section is on! You'll note there is no air wheel control to the top left of this section. That is because this cooker was purpose built for oil in the factory and not converted from solid fuel. Only solid fuel cookers required the air wheel!
The front of the warming cupboard is on now too and we've re-insulated around the aluminium inner section. You can see the gap to the left that allows warm air to rise and heat the 'warming plate' above. Simple!
Lots of lovely insulation! Not only is this more efficient than rockwool in general you can see how it is layered on neatly in continuous amounts rather than random blobs. This again increases efficiency. This is not even the final layer, more to go under rear shelf and around warming cupboard structure.
And the top is on! I really love how simple and elegant the long one piece towel rail looks. The lack of badge really stands out in this picture. It's there don't worry, just digitally removed as its a trademark!
A view from the top! As mentioned previously the lids are all new and this entire hob has been pre-assembled in the workshop to make sure it all fits together!
A great shot showing how sleek and lovely our non stick liners look!
