Photos & videos
Services Offered
Verified by Business
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
You Might Also Consider
in Appliances & Repair
in Water Heater Installation/repair, Plumbing, Hydro-jetting
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.
Location & Hours
Amenities and More
Ask the Community
Got a question about Reliance Appliance & Antiques? Ask the Yelp community!
People also searched for
Recommended Reviews
![Photo of Username](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/assets/public/default_user_avatar_64x64_v2.yji-19e0a8ff85b15f4bbd79.png)
Overall rating
142 reviews
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
- Mark B.Oakland, CA025Jul 11, 2023
If you have a classic gas stove, this is absolutely the place to call for service, repairs or full restoration. It's always a pleasure working with Matt and knowing we're supporting a local, second generation family business. The service is always friendly and the price is always more than fair.
It's rare that our late 1940s O'Keefe and Merritt stove needs work, but I recently had trouble with our oven after a deep cleaning that was long overdue. We called Matt at Reliance who came out and pointed out the obvious solution that I had overlooked.
Most technicians would grab a check and be out the door, but Matt stayed to test and adjust everything, educated us on how to adjust our pilots and make minor repairs, and offered to help us find some missing or damaged cosmetic parts to give the old girl a makeover.
Your good old fashion stove deserves good old fashion service, and these guys have generations of experience.Helpful 1Thanks 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 - Neal S.San Francisco, CA02Aug 31, 2023
Matt at Reliance Appliance completely restored our 1950 O'Keefe & Merrit to mint condition. It was more efficient and it shone. We just did a remodel and I forgot how to relight the pilots for the oven and broiler. We FaceTimed and his instructions were perfect. Great service and great quality of work. Thank you!
Neal in San FranciscoHelpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Fang X.San Francisco, CA1911Aug 4, 2023
We inherited a 1950s O'Keefe & Merritt model 850-G (?) range from the seller of the house but couldn't figure out how to turn the oven on. Various YouTube and Google searches resulted no useful information. And I was turned down by multiple repair services due to their lack of knowledge of this antique brand and model. I was super grateful to find Matt's website and he is right in Berkeley where we are! Serendipity worked in its mysterious ways that Matt was the person who had restored the very machine for the seller years ago! He was super responsive to my check-up request and had no reservations about the history of the brand and the tricks to use and maintain the machine -- it turns out the machine is in mint condition. I was just looking at the wrong place to find the buttons! Matt has Loads of experience and super helpful! Highly recommended!!
Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Trent G.CA, CA0101Dec 23, 2023
They really know old wedgewood stoves here. Very responsive and quality of repair is excellent. My stove functions as new again. The go to place for old stove repair.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Michael R.El Cerrito, CA031Jan 11, 2023
I'm very impressed with the work Matt did on our postwar Wedgewood stove, all the issues , pilot light, door springs, and a non starting second oven were quickly up and running again.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Rose C.Oakland, CA06Jul 27, 2023
We moved into our classic craftsman and were immediately charmed by our vintage O'Keefe and Merritt stove. Of course, as with most things 70 years and older, it needs some tinkering now and again. When we need help, we always reach out to Matt and his team. They are absolute experts in their field and are responsive, fairly priced, kind, and family-run. They know the work inside and out and you actually feel good giving them money. It's hard to imagine any other vendor exists who gives the same combination of quality, care, and affordability. Look no further!
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh 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 - Jake F.CA, CA041Oct 4, 2022
Matt is incredible... he just fixed my oven over a couple text messages so I wouldn't have to pay for a service call!! Unbelievable customer service and a wealth of knowledge when it comes to vintage ovens! Highly recommend Reliance Appliance
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0
You Might Also Consider
in Telecommunications, Mobile Phone Accessories, Mobile Phones
in Septic Services, Plumbing, Excavation Services