Waterman Stoves

Waterman Stove logo

   

A Bit of History

Prior to the 1940s, there were many small stove manufacturers in the US and unfortunately little is known about many of them. I have taken a particular interest in Waterman stoves ever since a friend gave me one. That stove is in our kitchen and we have used it daily for years. I have since acquired another 3-burner Waterman and photographs of others. My only knowledge of the company is that it was located in New York City thanks to my recent discovery of a cast iron stove marked “Henry Waterman & Bro., New York, N.Y., U.S.A.” Thanks to visitor Tony who grew up just around the corner from the Waterman factory, I have a bit more information.  The plant was located on Flushing Ave. in Brooklyn near the corner of Onderonk Ave.  (see map below) A large factory building remains on the site today.  Tony also mentioned that Henry had two brothers… consistent with the markings on some stoves “Waterman & Bro.”

Waterman factory location

Waterman factory location – click to enlarge

Got Waterman Info?

If you happen to have any advertisements or company catalogs, I would like to acquire them or get a scan or photograph. I would also be glad to pay you for copies of them. Please email me with any information that you may have. Thanks.

Other Resources

See also our Buy/Sell/Parts page as well as our Stove Sites and FAQs pages.

Photographs

Below are photographs of Waterman stoves that I have collected. If you own a model not posted here, please get in touch. I would love to collect and post other photos.

Value

Many have asked me what their Waterman stove is worth.  Always begin with the most important factor: condition.  Condition is critical to value.  99.9% of vintage stoves have been used and have rust in the ovens.  They may look presentable but they are not in like-new condition. The big money in vintage stoves is paid for fully restored showroom shiny fancy stoves.

Contrast that with the humble Waterman stoves which are fairly plain, and are probably destined for a camp or cottage rather than a trendy suburban home.  Most of the stoves shown below in average shape would sell for $50-200, or whatever you can get.  Some will require a good marketing effort to find any buyer.  The fancier models like #5, #6, #8 or #20 in clean condition with no chips, damage or missing parts could be worth up to about $500.

Using Your Vintage Stove

These stoves are of very simple design: gas lines to valves and lines then go to the burners. Assuming everything is fitted up correctly and there are no leaks, you can use them. No electronics to break. Most Waterman stoves do not even have pilot lights so they need to be hand-lit.

listing in 1946 NYC phone directory

CAUTION: Gas can be extremely dangerous and needs to be treated with great respect. If you don’t know what you are doing, hire a professional to make repairs or connect the stove.

Comments / Feedback

Head down to the comments section below

Waterman Stoves and Parts For Sale

See our separate page on stoves and parts – you can post a listing there if you like.
Waterman 2-burner stove
Later model 2 burner
1. This early model Waterman 2 burner turned up
on ebay. It was located on Long Island.
2. A later model 2-burner Waterman
   
4-burner model
Waterman 4 burner
3. Four-burner model with faux-marble enamel
side panels.
 4. This four-burner is nearly identical to the one at left. The knob for the oven is different. It’s identical to the 4-burner in our kitchen.
   
blue and tan enamel 3-burner Waterman
4-burner
5. I purchased this light blue and tan enamel
stove in 2005 in Pennsylvania. The owner
had brought it over from his parent’s house
in New Jersey.
6. This Waterman 4-burner was auctioned on
ebay in spring 2006 by some folks in NJ. A
beauty!
blue and tan enamel 3-burner Waterman
 Yellow Enamel Waterman Stove
7. A fellow Waterman stove enthusiast submitted this photo. Two burners on the right. Not sure if it originally had legs or was meant to be a built-in model.
 8. Here is a yellow enamel Waterman Stove submitted by a visitor to this site. Four burners on the right side. How the heck many models did this company make?
Hercules Waterman NY
label
9. Here is a little camp or laboratory single burner unit which is marked Hercules No 12 – H Waterman NY 10. Label from yellow enamel stove above marked “Waterman / New York City”
Large Waterman kitchen stove
We need your Waterman information!
11. “Big Bertha” large model kitchen stove – photo provided by visitor to this webpage.  
Tabletop Model
Tabletop Model
12. Two-burner tabletop model 13. Closeup of serial number on tabletop model at left showing “Henry Waterman & Bro. Corp. / Brooklyn 37 NY USA”
Tabletop Model
Tabletop Model
14. Boxy three-burner created after dispensing with the Asthetics Dept. 15. A different four-burner with bandy legs in chrome + black submitted by visitor to site
Painted Yellow
Tabletop Model
16. This one got painted somewhere along the way… 17. Another tabletop model – seen on ebay.
Waterman stove submitted by Matt S
18. Waterman stove pic submitted by visitor Matt S 19. Waterman Ideal logo
Waterman model 25 —
22. Waterman Model 25 23. —
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73 thoughts on “Waterman Stoves”

  2. Timothy Pineo on said:

    I am the owner of the Waterman Stove (photograph #6, (the 4 burner black and yellow) and was going to hook it up in my house but I was unable to get a hold of the parts needed to have it changed from natural gas to propane so I have put it in storage and if anyone has a true interest in purchasing it, I’d be interested in selling it. I live in Upstate New York between Albany and Binghamton on the I-88

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  4. Genie on said:

    I have a 3 burner Ideal gas stove. I wonder if it has anything to do with Waterman. This is first time I’ve came across anything remotely similar. It’s interesting.

    Reply ↓
  5. Dan on said:

    I trying to find out any info on this furnace my parents have. My dad used it for years to heat his garage. It came out of an old school house that was in there back yard when they bought the property.It is just a big round stove i believe it was coal at one time.On part of the door says Waterbury Seamless registered u.s. pat office then at bottom of door says S-7 Square Steel Waterman Waterbury Minneapolis I could send you a picture if you have an address to send it. Any info would be great or anyone who has one in good usable cond. would be awesome as this one is getting real thin on top an kinda afraid to use it anymore. Dad used it for 50+ yrs.

    Reply ↓
    • Christopher Woods on said:

      Waterman Waterbury from MN is a different company than Henry Waterman in New York. Sorry, I do know anything about the Minneapolis company.

      Reply ↓
  6. Barry on said:

    I was given a 2 burner stove like in picture #2 witch has no knobs ,LOL … I’m wondering if the oriface can be switched over to run the stove on Propane ,,, I’d like to put it into an old popup camper I’m renovating

    Reply ↓
    • Christopher Woods on said:

      Yes, theoretically any stove can be switched over from natural gas to LP or vice versa if you can find a gas technician to do the job. Some stoves have threaded inserts for the orifices, others would have to be over-drilled or plugged/redrilled.

      Reply ↓
  8. Timothy Pineo on said:

    Christopher;

    No, I do not, but if you could let me know a size range than I can get them. One person mentioned that if it was # 53 than I’d use a # 51 after the existing hole was filled. I know a machinist who can do that type of work.

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    • Christopher Woods on said:

      Unfortunately I do not have a precise number for you, and have also found very little on the subject online. What little I have found is posted by people who are converting their BBQ grills from LP to NG. Their methods suggest experimentation – start small, test, drill out to the next larger size, test, etc.

      Reply ↓
  9. Timothy Pineo on said:

    I have the exact same stove in Picture #8, and in yellow. I have been trying to find a Number for the Orifice because I need to replace them with a propane orifice as I am not in an area that has natural gas and am hoping someone out there would be able to supply that information.

    Reply ↓
    • Christopher Woods on said:

      Do you have a set of numbered drill bits? Can you determine the # of the existing orifice? That is a good start since the sizing is relative to BTU output.

      Please do report what you have learned!

      Reply ↓
  10. gary popkin on said:

    I am looking for a replacement burner grate, 6″ diameter, for my 18″ 4-burner Waterman stove. How can I send you pictures of the grate I need?

    Reply ↓
    • Christopher Woods on said:

      I recently created a stove parts page here, hoping to encourage people to offer small parts like burners for sale.

      If you have the broken burner, it is possible to have it welded. Not everyone wants to weld cast iron because it is somewhat difficult to do, but it can be done.

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    • Christopher Woods on said:

      If you would like to provide a photo and contact info on the for-sale page, get in touch with me via the contact form. I do hear regularly from people looking to acquire stoves.

      Reply ↓
  12. Ashley Martineau on said:

    My mother in law is giving me this stove. She got it out of her grandparents basement. It’s been in their garage for years. So it would be our great grandparents. Not sure if you’ve seen this design before? I’m planning on restoring it and using it as a decor piece. Didn’t know if you’d seen this design or if you knew when these stoves started being manufactured.

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  13. LISA on said:

    We have a Waterman like Big Bertha in photo 11 but looks smaller – maybe 30 inches wide

    If anyone is interested – will sell for best offer

    Condition – used and loved

    Thanks

    Reply ↓
  14. AnthRich on said:

    We have a Waterman stove like in picture #14….have no idea of worth……It is rusty and has not been used for years…….interested in selling and seeing what it might be worth

    Reply ↓
  15. Joe L on said:

    I have a Waterman stove like in picture 6 but it’s rusty With no missing parts. Looking to sell it for cheap and currently reside in New Jersey.2013154237 call or text for pictures

    Reply ↓
  16. Joe Lalko on said:

    I have an old waterman 4 burner gas grill with 4 legs.I was going to scrap but thought otherwise, It was not garage kept and looks used so Im not asking for much if I dont have to deliver it. If anyone is interested I live in New Jersey #2013154237 call/text.

    Reply ↓
  17. Chris Wilbur on said:

    Chris,
    Thanks so much for the info! Both sites were helpful. Looking forward to getting the stove up and working. Would like to send pics…where should I send them?

    Reply ↓
  18. Chris Wilbur on said:

    Own a 1930’s Waterman and need to know if the orifaces are LP or natural gas. Just had a service person look and he thinks they’re LP, but wants confirmation.

    Reply ↓
  21. nicole on said:

    good idea , yes i would want all the enamel parts done for sure they isnt that much of it really since the sides and back are metal , maybe there is a place in seattle i havent checked there yet , if its within a few hours i can drive it there

    Reply ↓
  22. nicole on said:

    the only thing missing on mine is the grill part, i have the gas burners but not a grill like on yours , im in canada and so there doesnt seem to be a restoration place i can find as of yet 🙁 maybe i can even get a partial restoration i dont think i want to pay over 2000$

    Reply ↓
    • Christopher Woods on said:

      Two things that may be helpful:

      (1) You could dismantle the stove and ship out the parts that need to be re-chromed or re-enameled. This is a pretty simple stove so should not be that hard. Photo document everything. Will save you a lot on cost.

      (2) My guess is that any re-enamel shop is going to want to do the entire stove over since color matching is not easy. You probably won’t be re-doing just the sides or just some portion.

      Hope this is helpful.

      Reply ↓
  23. nicole on said:

    i have the #5 but mines mint green and cream im using it for my kids play stove since it perfect kids size, it did have alot of rust i had it sand blasted inside and behind and sides then painted it myself, would love to have it properly restored though, not for use but just display any idea how much that would cost?

    Reply ↓
    • Christopher Woods on said:

      I do think that among the group, #5 and 6 are worth restoring, but it is an expensive venture. I would not proceed if you do not have all the parts. Another consideration is the condition of the metal..light rust is one thing but pitting or weakness in need of resurfacing and/or repairs would make the project crazy expensive.

      As it is, even a simple restoration where you just re-enamel and re-chrome can get expensive quickly. I would suspect your costs could easily run in the $1000-2000 range…but do check with one of the enameling providers that I have listed.

      Reply ↓
  24. Glen Masullo on said:

    We have a Waterman 4 burning (very similar to the one on the right in the 2nd row of your pictures) which we are looking to have refurbished (I will try to send you a picture of it soon). Do you have any idea what it cost to refurbish the burners and the oven elements? The cabinet is in great shape.

    Thanks creating this site!
    Glen

    Reply ↓
    • admin on said:

      Glen, Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I seem to remember I had some burner grates re-surfaced for around $25 each but do not recall exactly. I list the two companies in the US that I know about which do porcelain work – see http://antiquesdiscovery.com/waterman/stove-sites/ – they should be able to quote you by phone. Repairing cracks in the iron would be an extra charge of course. –Chris

      Reply ↓
    • admin on said:

      Condition is EVERYTHING. You can ask several hundred for a beautiful shiny stove with no rust inside or out, but value drops in most cases because the stove is used….one cannot say more than that without inspecting the stove in person.

      Reply ↓
  26. gene on said:

    Thanks for the history. There was a foundry in a town nearby called Exeter California. The company is called “Waterman” in which their main product was irrigation gates, valves, manhole covers, etc. They have been around here since at least the 1930’s or 40’s. The foundry products from this company now come from India. I have known many of people who worked there and also have used their products. When I first got my stove I believed they were casting these as another of their product line, I was just assuming as there was no listing on the casting as to city or state of manufacture. I believed I just had something that was kind of local thing or spin off from the foundry to make more sales. I had
    no knowledge of those stoves by that name that were made for household use. After reading your history, it clears things up a bit, nice pictures and some beautiful stoves. Gene

    Reply ↓
  27. gene on said:

    I have a Waterman #20 Table top model like that in Picture #17. Somewhat different than the model in the picture, mine is casted a little different, maybe an earlier or later vintage. Not to sure how to get a picture to you, send me back an e-mail address. My stove, for whatever initial purpose it was made for, we use for camping exclusively, not much out there that can compare, will probably get handed down and last another 100 years, they don’t make them like they used to. Gene

    Reply ↓
  29. georgine eberight on said:

    I am looking for a vintage stove to be loaned or rented for a museum exhibit on food in central NJ. Does not have to work. Just for show. Lender will get full recognition in exhibit. Exhibit will run 6-12 months.

    Reply ↓
    • admin on said:

      Heather,
      Thanks for sharing this.

      I am aware of the Waterman-Waterbury Co. As far as I know, there is no relation to Henry Waterman Company in Brooklyn, NY.

      Chris Woods

      Reply ↓
  32. heather way on said:

    Hi, I found a small cast iron door in my 1840s house that says:

    Waterbury SPECIAL Furnace
    m’f’d by WATERMAN-WATERBURY CO
    Minneapolis Minn

    As idea what its from, I thought maybe the old coal furnace?

    Its a nice thing at any rate, I am using it as a decoration!

    thxs Heather

    Reply ↓
  33. Bill Kay on said:

    Waterman four burner looking for a new home, same as number six on the site but probably not as clean. Check back for photos. Available on Long Island.

    Reply ↓
  34. JJT on said:

    Hello,

    I’ve had an old small rectangular gas heater with the name WATERMAN on it it stored away for years. I have been thinking about restoring it to use as a decorative piece. It was my grandmother’s, so if she purchased it new in NYC or Queens it is likely from the 1910s – 1930s.

    I haven’t seen too much out there on this type of heater and have been concerned that the material inside is asbestos, so have kept it double-bagged all these years. I just unwrapped it for some photos yesterday to see if I could find any information on it. Any idea on where to get info on the construction of this model?

    You can see photos of it on my Flickr stream:
    Full front:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnjt/5948939996/in/photostream/

    Rear shot – model number?
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnjt/5948940520/in/photostream/

    I looked underneath and behind for a model plate, but didn’t find one yet. (But I’m a little leery of handling it too much in case my asbestos suspicion is correct.)

    Thanks!

    Reply ↓
    • admin on said:

      John,

      Sure looks like the white material inside could be asbestos

      I recently acquired a sales catalog from the company which took me years to locate. I would be willing to bet there is no parts catalog or much else in the way of company info.

      I have been meaning to scan the catalog and make it publicly available but have simply been too busy to get to this. Don’t hesitate to bug me if you do not hear back in a week or two.

      Reply ↓
  35. sharon adams on said:

    I have a 3 burner Victory gas stove (with all parts, burners, tray).Looks VERY much like #5…..in great shape, needs some work. I’ve been using for wine storage/serving for several years. Can’t seem to find out much about Victory stoves. I purchased it from original owner who owned it since early 20th century. Know anything about Victory stoves?

    Reply ↓
    • admin on said:

      Could be LP, could be natural gas. If you knew the stove spent its life in an urban area, then it is likely but not necessarily natural gas.

      As you will see in the discussion here
      http://www.komar.org/bbq/mm/convert/
      you can convert from LP to natural gas by ever so slightly drilling out the burner orifice. Going the other way is a greater challenge.

      If in doubt, hire an expert….this is gas we are talking about

      Reply ↓
  37. http://antiquesdiscovery.com/waterman/other-waterman-products/ on said:

    Have a Model #140 in very good condition, do not have the jewels. Do you have any buyers for this?

    Reply ↓
  40. Craig on said:

    I have an old Princess three burner stove top, I don’t know if it’s jetted for Propane or Natural Gas or if it matters. I always figured I’d use it for a BBQ or camping but so far I havent.

    Reply ↓
    • admin on said:

      The orifice size does matter. While not easily distinguishable to the naked eye, there is a difference.

      You will find a fair amount of discussion online for this issue – much related to BBQ grills, but the concept is of course the same for any burner.

      Reply ↓
  41. keith on said:

    i have one of these very similar to number 8 but slightly different. it actually still works. do you know what kind of price range these would run?

    Reply ↓
    • admin on said:

      I really do need a VALUE section!

      #5 and 6 are probably the most valuable of the lot and I would not expect those to ever sell for more than $500. Condition is the BIG factor. There is always some degree of rust in the ovens, they are never in like-new condition and most have not be certified as ready-to-use by a reputable restorer or shop, although many are likely fine for continued use.

      Bigger $ is paid for the fancier stoves like the Chambers which are restored for use in nice houses – stoves like the Watermans are probably destined to camps and cottages.

      Yours is nice but plain – shooting from the hip, I would say $200-300 and possibly more if exceptionally, unusually clean and rust free. Less if it is tired and shabby of course

      Reply ↓
  42. Ellen Afzelius on said:

    I have a 2 burner waterman that came off a 1940 cabin cruiser my parents owned.
    It is missing it’s knobs (on and off) and i would like to replace them.
    thank you. Ellen

    Reply ↓
    • admin on said:

      It will probably be hard to get exact matches but I am sure you can find something reasonably close. Parts frequently turn up on ebay that may be compatible – also check with the folks at antiquestoves.com

      Reply ↓
  46. carrie davis on said:

    I have just purchased a 3 burner yellow enamel waterman stove/oven the top flips up to become the back wall behind the burners. i would like to find out the approx age of this old beauty as it is in very nice conditon.

    Reply ↓
  47. David Piscitelli on said:

    Hi,
    I just piced up a 3 burner Waterman Reliance. it looks the same as your blue and cream one. Mine is light geen and wht.
    I would like to know if I can get parts for it, and if so, would you have a name or number you could give me. I intend to use the stove as a back up cooker in a camp I have in NY. State.
    The stove has real charictor, and I would if I can find one, get an other for my CT. home as well.
    Thanks, Dave

    Reply ↓
    • admin on said:

      Dave, There is no easy way or single place to find parts. Do you need something in particular? Occasionally, people contact me with stoves they want to sell.

      Yours is only the third or forth that I have heard of in this particular model – I don’t believe there are that many around.

      Reply ↓
  48. Lou on said:

    I came across your web page and was intrigued since I have one of these that came out of my grandparents house that was built circa 1919. It is a 4 burner Waterman Ideal and it looks like one in your photos – the one notated that was sold at auction on ebay a few yrs ago. I had looked for info on these for a while and could not find any. Interesting.

    Reply ↓

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