$50 stoves
Old is New.
Tonight I was wiping down the stove after dinner and I thought what fine little stove she is.
About 6 years ago, when we were first rehabbing this little bungalow (that I affectionately call the cabin) we needed a stove.
Our kitchen is tiny and I knew what I was searching for, a vintage style apartment sized stove, about 23 inches wide. I scoured the marketplace visited used stores and there was not one to be found.
So, I went to the dark side, I went to craigslist (is that still a thing?) and there it was, a late 60’s early 70’s Kenmore apartment sized 20” wide electric stove, almond color, $50.
You know I went to check it out. Yes, I like a good deal, she was sweet and it came home with me.
She was in fairly good shape for her age (55-60 years old). A little rust but pretty good. The burners are a little wonky and you can only use 3 at one time (but that’s a house wiring issue, not the stove) It gets a little too hot, so you just reduce cooking time or set the dial a bit lower so not to burn. I just needed to understand her quirks and treat her accordingly. After 6 years we understand each other.
This stove has cooked meals, baked cookies, brewed tea, warmed coffee and so much more. In financial terms this stove cost me $8.33 a year for the last 6 years, .022 per day ( not counting the cost of electricity) to run this stove. Pretty sweet deal, I’d say. Sometimes the perfection to be found in being thrifty is uncomparable.
While everyone loves “new” stuff, there is a quiet victory in something used. The thrill of the hunt so to speak. Making some useful out of something nearly tossed aside is a special kind of warmth.
I have rarely been lucky enough to purchase big ticket items like washers, dryers, refrigerators and stoves brand spanking
new. The only exception is the small baby red refrigerator that resides in my kitchen with the stove.
I have a soft spot for rescuing items, like the island of misfit toys in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. I am always grateful when anyone offers something up and it doesn’t end up in a landfill.
We tend to be a disposable society and replace items on whim. My personal view is that older items are generally much better made than the “new” stuff, I mean they have lasted this long and still work so that says something for quality.
Even our cabin is old and while not Home & Garden worthy, it is solid and still stands after nearly 100 years. When we were hit by a derecho we lost a lot of roof tiles, but the house stood the test of time. Definitive proof that old is better.
That goes for people too, aren’t some of the most interesting people those who have lived a full life and survived all the things life has thrown at them?
I love a good find. I truly do. And she was perfect.
