Russell Range Info Please -- any info?

Question

We're remodeling our kitchen and we've been offered a used Russell Range. We haven't been able to find any info about this manufacturer or brand, except that it seems (judging from one other post on a Chowhound board) to be defunct. A Google search brought up an old post from another forum about someone having difficulty finding parts or service. Yet we've seen two fairly recent (07 and 08) articles about kitchen remodeling projects that seem to feature a Russell Range. A local appliance repair guy who is usually a font of knowledge has never heard of the brand. Bottom line: we'd appreciate any info that anyone might be able to provide about the manufacturer, brand, fair price for a used working model, durability, problems etc. Really, any info of any kind. Thanks very much.

Answer

I purchased my 6 burner, Russell Range countertop in 1997. I LOVE IT! I have never had a problem with it and it is used extensively. Some of my friends pruchased them here in Michigan also and they have had similar experiences. Russell range was started by a former Viking exec. I picked it from the Chicago NKBD show for my high end kitchen. I recently saw the range on HGTV featured in the Chef Boyardee mansion, really. I chose my range for it's polished brass, bullnose front that could fully integrated with my bullnose granite countertops. I also like the 6 15,000 BTU burners that also can be reduced as low as 400 BTUs (that is enough to melt chocolate in a paper dixie bowl, without the bowl catching on fire -they demonstrated it at the show and i tryed it at home, it works! Anyway, the components are simple, and i think it could be easily repaired it the OEM parts are not available. I have also heard that they were purchased by someone else in the early 90s. I paid $3600. for the cooktop in 1997. Hope this helps.

Answer

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but we are out of luck. I, too was a owner of a RR. The oven died years ago (yes, I've been w/o oven for too long to admit...). I too have done due diligence online TRYING to find a resource, to no avail. In my neck of the woods as well, no one knows about them or will work on them. Except Clarence Flint from Flint Appliances. He found the problems alright but there are no parts available. None. Nyet. Nada. Zippo. Fromm anyone anywhere. Have you tried to call the Russell #? Its a sex line. If that tells you anything. I'm thinking about a DCS, how about you?

Answer

I am wondering if you have had any luck in your search for replacement parts for the Russell range? I have one, still in the original packing crate that my brother bought and never installed. I don't know if it will work but am interested in finding out whatever I can about it. Thanks, Phedix

Answer

We have a 6-burner Russell that we installed in 1992. It's been great and without issue and we use the hell out of it. My grates are looking shabby now, as the porcelain has cracked and worn to a point where it looks bad. I figured I would just go to a metal fabrication shop and get some new ones made eventually.

I love the fact that the grates are continuous across the top. It makes it very nice for moving pots and such around. My only complaint is that I wish the burners had a few more BTU's.

Answer

When I purchased my house it came with a 4 burner Russell and only one of the flames ignited by turning the knob. The rest had to be hand lit with a match. The grates are very worn. That siad, I love the BTUs and really like the cooktop. I extensively researched the company and yes, unfortunately, it is out of business. You'd think that given the above average quality of the cooktop and the BTU strength, there might be generic parts available to replace worn out parts. I still have not had any luck finding any. Has anyone else? (In my case I did clean the cooktop well and now all the burners self-ignite, but I'd sure like to replace the drip pans and grates. Thanks much.

Answer

For everyone who owns one of these beauties: Yes, they have been out of business for a while. However, they last near forever, and the internals are made from standard commercial parts. If your repairman can't find parts, he's just looking in a catalog. Go to a restaurant supply place with the broken or malfunctioning piece, and I'd bet they can find something that either matches exactly, or functions fine. The only exception MIGHT be (and I stress the "might") the valve/ignitor switch assembly. I haven't had to get one, as mine still works fine. But if you couldn't match it, you could certainly replace the valve with any standard commercial stove valve, and install a push-button ignitor. 

We have a 6-burner range top and their built-in char grill. They were in the house 8 years ago when we bought it, and still work flawlessly. Don't know how old they really are.

I would NEVER turn down the opportunity to get one for free, or a used one for parts.

As far as worn burners, they are cast iron and can be re-enameled to look like new. There are plenty of places that do it -- a Google search will turn up one in your area.

Finally, you might try giving these guys a call: http://www.selectappliance.com/

The owner is the "Russell" of Russell Range. If anyone can suggest parts sources, it will be him.

Answer

I have had a Russell 6 burner since 1991 and have had no problems. I have propane and the enamel started coming off the grates right away. The company said that propane burns hotter and suggested that I use the same grate without the enamel coating. They sent out 6 free and these look fine. I would strongly suggest just sandblasting off the coating and using the cast iron as is. The bars are about 3/8 " thick after the porcelain is removed. They are naturally black but they look great if you rub stove black over them once in a while.

I also need to take the single screw off the burner and shake them upside down once a year or so. It is amazing how much rust will come out. Look closely at the holes on the side of the burner near where the tube sits. I though I had a bad igniter, but after cleaning these holes the burner lit fine.

If you have not had you burner assembly off for a while don't be afraid to soak them in hot water with a good degreaser soap. Just shake out all the dirt and rust first. This will help alot.

I also need to take the pans and stainless tops to the laundry tubs every few months and spray them down with Easy Off (fume free) and let them sit for a few hours. This cleans off most of the baked on crud. The rest comes off with abrasive cleaners. If using these abrasives just remember to rub in the direction of the grain.

So my Russell is 20 years old. I have not replaced any igniters. Everything works great and looks new. These were built to last but like anything they need a little TLC.

Answer

The front burners on my Russell started sputtering when the burner is first turned on. This unit is 24 years old. The back burners are fine so I ruled out problems with the regulator. After some research I found that burner valves may need to be ""re-packed" with a light weight oil or special grease. 

Internet suggestions were to use 3 in 1 oil or a grease made specifically for gas burner valves. I chose to use oil since I wasn't sure how to force grease into the valve.

I didn't have 3 in 1 oil but did have Marvel Mystery Oil. It is a light weight oil that I though would be a good substitute.

Here are the steps I used and now the burners light much better

1. Turn OFF the gas going to the range.
2. Remove the burners to expose the end of the brass burner valve.
3. Use a 1/2 wrench to turn the brass nozzle open slightly (about 1/4 turn 
 counter-clockwise). This will allow oil to get past the small jet and into the 
 valve assembly.
4. Take a syringe with oil and hold it tight against the small hole in the end of 
 the valve. Put a paper towel under to catch any drips.
5. Push oil into the valve while pushing the knob in and out several times. The 
 only time the valve can be pushed in and out is when it in the "off Position".
6. Now turn the valve open (Hi to Simmer) several times. Try to not spend much 
 time in the igniter position, but don't worry I doubt anything will combust.
7. Repeat step 5 and try to push more oil into the valve while pushing in and out 
 on the knob.
8. Tighter the brass nozzle again but remember that brass and aluminum 
 threads can be damaged if you over tighten them.

Do all the remaining valves that are not starting well. I think the key is to find a syringe or something similar that matches with the hole on the end of the valve and doesn't leak a lot during the process. Ps. I did open some adjacent valves while forcing oil to relieve any back pressure. I'm not sure that was necessary.

Answer

I have a Russell Range 6-burner that was installed with a kitchen remodel in 1997. The two burners in the middle have rusted out and need replacement. Can't find any suitable substitute. Am looking for someone with a Russell sitting around for parts. Any help? My email is mikem36111@yahoo.com Thanks in advance.

Answer

We have an old Russell 4 burner cook top which has always worked well. If the pdf you have might help me with flame adjustment, off after all these years, please send. It may be a generic problem but the manual may be of use. Thanks,

Answer

Great post, so glad I found it! I have an older Russell 6 Bitner stovetop and absolutely love it!!!
I'd really appreciate seeing a Manual please if anyone has that to share! My email is dcornelius@cogeco.ca thanks, Debbie

Answer

hi, I am the new owner of the Russell range six burner cooktop, admittedly dazzled by its beauty I bought it before researching it. I now need to convert it from natural gas to LP and I'm not sure where I can get parts or how to go about it. If anyone can give me guidance and a manual I would greatly appreciate it. It sure is beautiful! 
Denise

Answer

I have a RR and would love the manual if anyone has it. Love mine...4 burner, works great but the igniters don’t work.

Answer

I have a small stock of OEM finished burner bowls and burner pans left over from Russell Range original parts. I am willing to sell my remaining stock of bowls and pans that are coated in the original matte black porcelain enamel. If interested please email me at bregin@verizon.net for pricing and shipping information. I can also sandlbast and refinish grates in matte black or gloss porcelain enamel coating.

Answer

Is the six burner a metric connection/

We have not figured it out.

\Thanks

Answer

We have one in our house that was installed when the house was built in 1994, 5 years prior to our purchase. We have researched a lot and there is minimal info available. This site has had the most information of anything we have found. Apparently, this brand was offered for sale on a TV cooking show that was popular in the early 1990s.

Answer

I need a DSI board for an FSC-36-6 range. Anyone know where I can buy one?

Answer

I love my Russell as well and after one of my burners had a leak from too much rust, I looked everywhere for parts and could find nothing. I ended up finding a whole stove on the app LetGo, which I keep for extra parts. There seems to have been a number of them sold and installed in San Francisco and northern California. So I might concentrate on Craigslist etc.. there.

Answer

Does anybody know where to get the user manual for this? Help please, I badly need it. Thanks!

Answer

Our Russell Range is still great, but two things could use replacing if parts could be found: 1. The control knobs. The markings on ours are worn to oblivion. 2. The igniters. We have to use a match to light the burners. 

Anyone with a line on the parts? Our local appliance folks told us ‘no longer available years ago.’

Topics

Locations

Your post has been published!

Russell Range Info Please -- any info?

More from Chowhound

Guides

The Ultimate Spring Produce Guide: What's in Season & How to Use It

Recipe Round-Ups

Quick and Easy Instant Pot Breakfast Recipes for Less Morning Stress

Guides

How to Care for Enameled Cast Iron So It Lasts a Lifetime

Home

The Best Tool to Clean a Wood Cutting Board Is Probably in Your Compost Bin

Trending Discussions

Favorite Chowhound Memories

A Final Goodbye for Chowhound

Chowhound Recipes That You are Saving

Food52: Goodbye to Chowhound, the Internet’s First Food Hub

NY Times: Chowhound Closes After 25 Years of Food Obsession, Wisdom and Debate

Quick Links

Latest Discussions

Cookbook of the Month

Dish of the Month

Weekly Menu Planning

Get fresh food news delivered to your inbox

12 Irish Foods to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day That Aren’t Corned Beef and Cabbage

Chowhound

Policies

Community

Editorial

Content