what to do with a non working fridge?

Wisconsin Ann · #1 05/14/07, 08:10 AM

We managed to score a large, commercial, tho non-working, fridge. The question is....what shall we turn it into? A storage unit? An incubator? a smoker? a cooler? something else?

the fans work, the electrical works. It's just the refrigeration unit that is toast and would be WAY to expensive to fix

what to do with a non working fridge? - Homesteading Questions

the mama · #2 05/14/07, 08:18 AM

I see a large smoker cabnet.

themamahen · #3 05/14/07, 08:19 AM

awesome score btw very nice. Any of those things would work what do you want the most??

Bearfootfarm · #4 05/14/07, 08:29 AM

What kind of insulation does it have? It may not stand the heat as a smoker.

It looks like the perfect dry storage unit though

Smallhold · #5 05/14/07, 08:49 AM

Place it on the north-side of the house, make very fine-meshed ventilation and you have the best rodent-proof storage you could want.

shar · #6 05/14/07, 08:53 AM

What a great storage unit that would make. Just make sure that you put some good
locks on it, could be a dangerous situation if a small child got inside and the door closed.

WanderingOak · #7 05/14/07, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shar

What a great storage unit that would make. Just make sure that you put some good
locks on it, could be a dangerous situation if a small child got inside and the door closed.

It looks as if there are already keyed locks on the door. As far as children being locked in side, it doesn't look like it has mechanical latches.

Ann- You said the fans work- were they for airflow? If that is the case, all you would need to do is put a fine mesh over the intake and exhaust as Smallhold mentioned, as it is already ventilated. You probably won't even need the fans, and could use them for another project elsewhere.

No matter what you do with it, it is a great find.

agmantoo · #8 05/14/07, 09:45 AM

Before converting it to anything else determine why it is not functioning. It could have been wrongly diagnosed. I run one of these as an aging cooler for meat that I process for myself. These are rugged machines and usually they are very reliable. Could just be a minor problem.

Shack-E · #9 05/14/07, 10:13 AM

Some shelves would make that an awesome pantry. What a beautiful piece to put in a kitchen.

bill not in oh · #10 05/14/07, 10:45 AM

I agree with agmantoo. It's far too valuable as a refrigeration unit to write it off for storage. If nothing else, you might be able to fix it and make some $$ selling it - those are $3-5000 new and I imagine they hold their value pretty well.

Wisconsin Ann · #11 05/14/07, 10:53 AM

Shar: Not to worry. The doors don't have catches. It's like my refrigerator..just closes and a small push opens them. They DO have key locks on them, tho. Those things that you turn the key and it turns an inside latch.

WanderOak: The fans are for ventilation and air flow. You're right, they'd be useful in a number of applications, not the least of which is the privy. I'm thinking we could even put a big chunk of ice near the top, inside a tub, and maybe use it as an old fashioned ice box.

agmantoo: I'll ask my SO to check out the cooling unit..see exactly what the problem is. If it CAN be fixed as a fridge...WOOOHOOOO!!

Bearfootfarm: The smoker heat...good thought....have to check out the temp rating on the insulation. Should be able to get a tech specs manual for the unit.

This is just so cool. This forum is just FILLED with people who have "been there, done that" backgrounds, and SO many ideas and the "make sure you check on <whatever>"...that's important. A lot of things I sort of forget to check on <my bad>

artificer · #12 05/14/07, 11:02 AM

The unit uses R12 as a refrigerant. It leaks in several locations. The compressor was run (unmonitored location) over the weekend without freon.

According to our refrigeration guy, it would take a new compressor and refrigerant, purge, and a lot of money to make it work. ($1000+ was quoted)

Sorta funny story about it: The refrigeration guy was working on it, and said it was low on freon. Uses R12, so we would have to switch it over, or it would cost a lot to recharge. Too bad that I didn't have any R12 on hand. Well... I just happened to have a OLD car recharge kit with a couple of cans of R12. Did I mention I suffer from Packratitus? Surprised the hell out of him. Put that in, and ran it. Seemed to work, but then died. Diagnoses: needs new compressor. Oh, well...

Michael

agmantoo · #13 05/14/07, 12:08 PM

Do not give up. There are a lot of those refrigeration units around. Did you notice that it was made for a quick changeout? You can find a complete refrigeration unit if you will look around. You can make a meat cooler by mounting a cheap window AC on the box. All you need to get to is 32F. I would not cut a hole into the box until I exhausted all sources for a correct fix however. I have a spare unit but you are too far away.