Those omens last weekend were perhaps just a few days early.
We got home late Wednesday afternoon, walked in the front door, and hit a acrid smell of burned something. We looked around and didn’t see anything until we noticed the stove clock was blinking.
Upon investigation, it looks like something in the electrical controls must have shorted out. The oven door locked like it was in “clean” mode and wouldn’t let go, but the oven wasn’t hot. There were, however, signs of smoke along the top edge of the control panel.
Given the age and beginning of rust around the body of the range, it looks like we’re shopping for a new one rather than trying to get this one repaired.
I got a sobering answer when I stopped by Sears in Ala Moana and asked about availability. The advice? Go online and check the range of options. “We can get it delivered here in less than three weeks,” the helpful sales person said.
Oh, great.
Last night we stopped in Kaneohe and got thai takeout. I don’t think we could take that for three weeks. We could do restaurants for a while, but I’ve got to give the insulin shots to the cats more or less on schedule, so that makes dining out difficult. So the grill is going to be very busy until this gets resolved.
I hate to have to shop for an expensive item like this while basically limited to whatever model and brand happens to be in stock locally. No chance to look at reviews or repair records. It’s take it or leave it time, I’m afraid. Bummer.
Anybody out there with an “inside” source on appliances?
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You might want to check the Sears outlet store in Pearl City. You can also go to their website to see what’s available, e.g., http://www.searsoutlet.com/d/inventory_details.jsp?cid=430&pid=46674&mode=buyUsedOnly&to=cart&pn=1&ps=10&disp=sel&ffmChannelDelModeInApp=BOTH&deals=No&zip=96782
Try Best Buy. We no longer shop at Sears because of their shoddy appliances and overly expensive delivery and haul away. Best Buy is the best.
There’s always craigslist; it’s amazing what good deals are out there when others are remodeling their kitchens. We picked up a 2nd fridge for $50 last December which works more reliably than our primary 3-year-old GE model.
Lowe’s and Home Depot also deliver
Ian, you can go to any Korean store like Palama Market in Kalihi (next to Zippy’s) and buy a portable butane gas range for around $35. In fact, buy two or three of them for cooking big meals out on the lanai in hot, humid Autumn months in Hawaii (like right now). Each range weighs about five pounds and uses butane canisters indistinguishable from aerosol spray cans that last long and are cheap. It takes about two seconds to pop in a new canister, and is so easy to use that a child can use these things.
Every family in South Korea has at least one of these, and every family in general should have one in case of emergencies (hurricanes, big parties, faulty stove tops, etc.). If you leave to go to the store right now, you could be cooking on one of these for lunch.
Totally agree with the exception that these stoves routinely go on sale at Longs for about $15, the fuel cannisters for about $1.35. I use these for potlucks, office lunches, etc. You might also try Gaspro for something along these lines, especially if your grill runs off a refillable propane tank.
Instead of rushing to buy whatever is immediately available, I suggest you take your time to look for what you really want. You’re enthusiastic cooks and will enjoy the right appliance.
When we moved into our condo, we wound up with boxes piled on top of & in front of the stove. For almost a month, I managed to prepare delicious meals using only a toaster oven, a microwave, and a coffeemaker.
I think I saw a cat pic a while back with a box from a Cuisinart toaster oven from Costco? That’s what we bought when our old toaster oven died, and it’s so versatile that we almost never use the regular oven.
As a temporary substitute for the range-top, you can pick up a portable tabletop burner (gas or electric, ours is gas). After installing your dream stove, you can use the tabletop burner for things like shabu-shabu and fondue.
It was a toaster, not a toaster oven.
I agree with @be prepared! – these small portable burners are great and I’ve seen them for less than $20 if you look around a little. I use one on our boat. Here’s an example: http://www.amazon.com/Grillex-GB-10K-Portable-Gas-Burner/dp/B0055QMXJK
We’ve had a good experience with OK TV & Appliance out in Pearl City. Decent selection (we weren’t looking for anything fancy), and delivery charges included installation & haul-away. Haven’t bought a range from them so don’t know what if any wait there would be.
I love OK TV & Appliance. Edna sent me a thank you card in about 1982 when I bought my first Microwave at the OK in town.
Our landlord has told us to get the stove he purchased some 20 years ago repaired or replaced – only one burner works – and then split the cost over three to six months, but we can’t afford to do either.
Thus, we live on microwaveable (is that a “real” word?) dinners from Safeway, fresh fruit from local farmers’ markets, and occasional slices of cheese pizza from Costco.
However, I am in charge of purchasing a washer & dryer on behalf of a homeless services provider and have found that Costco as well as Loew’s & Home Depot have all been very helpful in providing the necessary information which I’ll be sharing sometime next week with the other organization who’ll actually be using the equipment.
I urge you to check with one of the consumer evaluation magazines as to which would be the best buy based upon your needs and your budget.
Forget Sears. Try Lowes, which has a better choice than Home Depot and quicker delivery. Good range of mdse in stock at the new store on Nimitz. I know they deliver quickly; you’ll have to ask about installation of a drop-in unit.
For reconditioned, will deliver, service is questionable (took two tries on two separate days to get a refrigerator into our miniature kitchen, the kid forgot to bring any tools the first time….) consider Ross. Look in the white pages, they do not have a Yellow Pages listing.
Good luck!
When I lived on Oahu I had great success with Ross Appliances (used but warranted items) near Nimitz:
http://www.rossappliancesandfurniture.com/881534.html
Discount Mutual
(808) 591-9441
1020 Auahi St
Kathy and Al best service and selection possible for all appliances. They arrange for the install with an electrician or plumber when needed.