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Appliance repair
Dryer repair
Stove repair
Review Highlights
“I contacted Matt for instructions on how to turn off/turn back on the pilot light in my Wedgewood stove's oven.” in 62 reviews
“The stove has been functioning well with very little care and Reliance Appliance is a real gem of a business.” in 51 reviews
“He walked me through the problem (couldn't light the pilot on my O'Keefe and Merritt oven), over the phone!” in 24 reviews
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About the Business
Business owner information
![Photo of Doug H.](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/buphoto/sF8u14vkJprWQEnQJXKxlg/90s.jpg)
Doug H.
Our specialty is restoring Wedgewood and O'Keefe Merritt stoves from the 1950's. The stoves are completely rebuilt with new thermostats, safety valves and thermocouples, modern wiring, replated chrome, reporcelained grates etc. The business was expanded in the early nineties to include farm tables- assembled to order in our on-site workshop. We also feature replicas ( coffee and sofa tables, benches, chairs, entertainment and computer centers) made of reclaimed antique English and Eastern European pine. Soon after this innovation, original country pine antiques were added to the line. These are gathered mostly from Austria, the eastern part of Germany, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Hungary and Romania. Reliance has been chosen as "Best of the Bay Area" by San Francisco Magazine.
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Overall rating
142 reviews
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- Karen C.Oakland, CA715Dec 7, 2020
I bought a house 14 years ago that had an old Wedgewood stove that was in pretty good condition. It fit with the style of the house and I've kept it and Matt at Reliance Appliance has helped when repairs are needed and walked me through how to relight those pesky pilot lights when my gas was shut off for a different repair and I couldn't remember how to do it. The stove has been functioning well with very little care and Reliance Appliance is a real gem of a business. I appreciate being walked through things on the phone and saving the trouble of a service call when it's not really necessary.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Neil C.South Salem, NY02Jun 6, 2024Updated review
Another amazing experience with Reliance Appliance! I had a problem with my Wedgewood stove burner flame not being even. I'm in NY, so Matt was able to do a virtual service call via Facetime. In less than 30 minutes, Matt walked me through the steps, and the problem was resolved. I even learned a few new things about my stove! With Reliance Appliance, you got old fashioned personalized service, using 21st century technology. They get my highest recommendation!!
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Oct 10, 2022Previous reviewI have a Wedgewood stove from 1950 that I moved from CA to NY 25 years ago. Unfortunately there aren't many folks on the east coast that repair these. I called Matt to discuss my oven not lighting and he said it may need a new part which would take awhile to get. He also offered some suggestions of things I can try in order to get it to light (cleaning a few parts off, adjusting the pilot flame, etc.). It worked! Thanks so much Matt! I will definitely be calling you and ordering parts when I need them in the future. Highly recommend!
Oct 11, 2012Previous reviewThese guys are the best!
We have owned a 1950 Wedgewood stove for 25 years. Although it rarely breaks down, occasionally we need a new part. The folks at Reliance Appliance have always been extremely helpful over the phone, help us figure out what we need, sell us the part, and then walk us through the step by step process to remove the old part and install the replacement part. They refurbish a lot of these old stove parts, and if they don't have it, they have referred us to other companies that do have it.
For the past 14 years we have lived on the east coast, and still call Reliance whenever we need help for our 1950 stove. Matt is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Since we are 3000 miles away from Berkeley, they often can explain to us how to make adjustments on our own, which we greatly appreciate. When we do need parts, we still order from Reliance, and ship them our old parts so they can rebuild them for their inventory.
Reliance Appliance gets our highest recommendation! - Charles S.San Jose, CA10913712Oct 23, 2022
when my grandmother passed (many years ago) - the other grandkids wanted furniture or jewelry. Nope, not me. I wanted her stove. They all thought I was nuts, an appliance? why?
It had been restored before many years ago, but needed a major refresh.
Matt spoke with me, understood what I was looking for, and explained price range up front. We agreed, then! he drove down to San Jose, picked it up, and transported it back to Reliance Appliance HQ.
His team of technicians and magicians did an absolutely stunning job. New valves, cleaned and refreshed the major framework, swapped panels, cleaned burners. JUST amazing work.
When he delivered it, I was speechless. It was still my stove, it had a few dings and character points. But it was sparkling, and works like a champion.
Why did I want her stove?? Because that is how I remember my grandmother. She was always at the stove preparing something or another. Now, with it looking shiny and beautiful, I can almost hear her voice. Usually chastising me for being naughty! :)
I'm not a huge baker, mostly I use the stovetop for cooking pots full of stuff, but now? I gotta! Pies, cakes, casseroles. bring em on!
Matt and team did brilliant work, and answered any and all questions. I cannot recommend them enough. If you have a vintage stove, and you are NOT talking to Reliance Appliance? you owe it to yourself to make the call.Helpful 2Thanks 1Love this 2Oh no 0 - Maia D.Richmond, CA846929Mar 15, 2020
Reliance just rebuilt our 1953 Wedgewood stove. They replaced rusted pieces, rechromed our griddle, reporcelined the top, reinsulated the oven and broiler, and cleaned it from top to bottom. It shines!
When they picked it up, they left a smaller loaner stove. They quoted a 20-25 week process to make all the repairs and it was returned exactly 21 weeks later. Sau, a long time employee adjusted our burners. We want one turned all the way up for wok cooking, and one turn very low for low simmering. He also turned off the burner pilot lights, at our request, to save gas and to reduce heat generated when the stove is not in use.
These old stoves were really built to last. Ours lasted over 65 years before needing some love. We expect it to outlive us and perhaps our grandchildren too. Thank you for the love and care!Helpful 2Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - Ralph B.Berkeley, CA05Oct 4, 2023
Matthew answered my call right away, and was able to fit me in for a same-day appointment with the master technician Sau Cooc to take care of a Wedgewood stove that came with the house that we just moved into. (I called around 10am, and Sau was there by 3.30pm.) We thought it had a faulty pipe or valve and was leaking gas. Sau diagnosed the problem almost immediately, fixed it, cleaned out the piece and valves that were causing the issue, and also worked to clean up, double-check, and make sure that all of the parts of the stove -- even those we hadn't called about -- were in good and safe working order. Sau was prompt, super-friendly, kind, *extraordinarily* knowledgeable, and quick. And, while he was working, he also made sure to teach me how to take care of the stove and fix most issues myself. Sau gave me confidence that the stove will work well for decades to come. But if anything else happens with it, my first call will absolutely be to Reliance.
Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Philip P.Sonoma, CA234Sep 15, 2022
Repair or replace? That was the dilemma involving our mid 50's Wedgewood stove that was tossed in with the purchase of a used refrigerator over 40 years ago. To replace meant redesigning the kitchen to accommodate a 30" or 36" stove, or pay through the nose for a 40" to fill the space. Decision made! Reliance Appliance returned my call within 48 hours. Scheduled service within a time frame that worked for us and then arrived on time. Through the course of 2 visits, our stove was functioning better than it had in over 40 years! We would not be filling a landfill or scrap pile with our dear friend! Stove top valves work smooth and seamlessly. Who new the pilot lights would actually work as designed? The OVEN! Door remains closed and temperature is dead on! No more creative guess work to figure out if the cake is done.
Matt... you are a MASTER! We should have called you long ago!Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Loui T.San Jose, CA26232Feb 11, 2022
We have an old Wedgewood stove and suddenly the oven wouldn't turn on. Instead of charging full price for a visit for a quick fix, Doug texted and wrote an email with simple instructions and we were able to fix the problem ourselves. We offered to pay him for his expertise and he declined. This kind of service deserves a round of applause! He could have charged us, he could have charged us *a lot.* We will remember his kindness the next time our stove needs professional help.
Helpful 2Thanks 1Love this 0Oh no 0 - Marsha I.Richmond, CA2321Sep 16, 2018
This is our 1953 O'Keefe & Merritt stove that was special-ordered by my husband's grandmother from Hink's Department Store in Berkeley, CA. We still have the receipts from the sale. We were gifted with this stove for our 2004 wedding.
We decided to remodel our kitchen and the first task I took on was to call Reliance Appliance to ask about reconditioning the stove. Matthew came over and evaluated the stove. His guys took it away and then came the waiting.
Four months later, the restorer, Sal, and his son, carefully positioned the stove into its pride of place. It is so incredibly gorgeous that my husband and I are thrilled beyond words. Matthew and his employees couldn't have been nicer and more accommodating. Sal obviously loves his work and takes joy in the finished product.
Everything on the stove works perfectly now and gleams from every angle. We agree that the money spent on restoring this antique stove is worth every penny and then some. We look forward to using this stove another 65 years. THANK YOU RELIANCE APPLIANCE for your hard, heartfelt work and fantastic customer service. We know who we will refer to anyone who needs antique stove restoration or repair.Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Jason F.Seattle, WA0295Jan 29, 2021Updated review
Matt was fantastic - he the same day I called as I needed service on my Mom's 1950's Wedgewood. He and his father have both helped to maintain the stove for at least 30 years, and I wouldn't trust it to anyone else at this point. He works quickly and with a master's eye and care - I would easily recommend him to anyone in need of appliance repair or service.
Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Dec 11, 2019Previous reviewMatt was fantastic - he the same day I called as I needed service on my Mom's 1950's Wedgewood. He and his father have both helped to maintain the stove for at least 30 years, and I wouldn't trust it to anyone else at this point. He works quickly and with a master's eye and care - I would easily recommend him to anyone in need of appliance repair or service.
- Jennifer W.Berkeley, CA03Oct 17, 2022
Matt was amazing. He came and went through our stove. Figured out what was wrong, cleaned and fixed all of the burners, all while teaching us how to clean things ourselves. He was super friendly and did an excellent job. We would highly recommend his services.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Andrew K.Martinez, CA17Jun 7, 2021
Had a great experience with Reliance today. I thought my thermocoupler in my Wedgewood had gone out. Called and talked with the owner about repair service or purchasing and new part. He asked me to send him photos. For free he looked at my photos and IMMEDIATELY texted back with a DYI solution. 20 minutes later my stove was cranking. Thanks guys!!!
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