The Retro Kitchen Gadget On HGTV's Home Town That Should Stay In The Past

The mid-century modern retro vibe is having a moment in 2026. In the kitchen space, appliances like Frigidaire's fold-back stovetop fit many of the criteria that retro-minded decorators want – a futuristic design with the space-saving convenience of a fold-up bed. Or as Ben Napier from HGTV's "Home Town" called this tiny retro kitchen appliance during a recent episode of the show, a "Murphy stove." However, it's actually the unit's hide-away design element that may make you want to pass on this retro cooktop (should you find one).

True enough, its stainless steel exterior and pull-down construction look sleek. The Frigidaire appliance (made by General Motors) featured two burners, with each one situated on its own fold-down base. When it was time to cook, one burner, or both, was pulled down out of its recessed hiding place within the unit's cabinet and rested flat on the countertop. 

The issues with these vintage kitchen accessories arise from the concentration of heat that the burners put off. If the heating elements fire up especially warm or the appliance's metal cabinets below the burners aren't what they used to be, you could be potentially looking at damage to both your countertops and the cabinets. This is particularly the case if the upper cupboards hang low relative to the position of the countertops.

And let's not forget the defacement that comes from your cabinets being exposed to steam from bubbling pots of pasta. It's the same issue that you might have run into with the cupboards above your coffeemaker. The signs of warping, discolored or stained wood, and even some cracking are the result of the cabinets being positioned so close to a source of steam and heat. And no amount of vintage kitchen charm will likely make up for the damage your cupboards sustain from having a fold-back stove on your countertop.

The other issue that you should concern yourself with is the state of the wires, the coils, and other elements that make up the appliance's inner workings. While the HGTV "Home Town" episode didn't directly address this issue, it's one that any collector of vintage stuff needs to be aware of. Old wires fray. Burners eventually short out. Ancient cords might not have the grounding wire in the plug. Basically, the combination of out-of-date internal mechanisms coupled with modern electrical systems that were made for literally another century could wreak havoc in your retro kitchen. In other words, you may burn the unit out (or worse) before you ever even get a chance to burn your morning eggs on it.