Best refrigerator under $600?

[HermitJohn]

Ok, another Rip Van Winkle moment. My refrigerator is literally rusting out (its a 1960s era self defrost about 12cubic foot) and on its last legs I think. I put the electric use gadget on it for a week and it uses around $200 electric a year.

Anyway looking on craigslist, there are no old give away manual defrost fridges from 1950s that everybody used to have one in basement or garage and they literally lasted forever. People scrapped them not because they stopped working, but because they became ugly with age. Now cheap used is all the 90s era ultra cheapened plastic fridges or the luxo-barge side by side electricity guzzling fridges from same era. I've had some experience with the plastic fridges and it wasnt good. Amazing any of them have lasted this long.

Looking at new fridges in 10 to 15 cubic foot range, the cheapest without all the bells and whistles are $350 to $600. But reading reviews doesnt give me any great feeling that they will last more than 5 year assuming they even work properly new out of box.

So any suggestions of a great bargain in either used or new for under $600 or am I stuck buying a chest freezer and doing keggerator conversion? Take some serious rearranging to make room for it..... But 10 cube chest freezer tends to be manual defrost. If they work out of box, they will last a few years. And fairly economical used as a refrigerator from what I read.

Whats really annoying is that any of the cheaper refrigerators (or chest freezers) could be made so much more efficient and long lasting without adding that much to cost. Just seems companies arent interested in making a well insulated durable smaller refrigerator. Kinda like they arent interested in making a cheap durable car without all the high profit bells and whistles. I really hate this second 'gilded age' where everything is made high price point for the upwardly mobile and working class gets cynical design doo-doo with super short life span that has to be purchased over and over frequently.

And I really hate that stuff I learned hard way to be reliable and long lasting and repairable has disappeared from used market, at least in functional condition. Whether cars or refrigerators....

[agmantoo]

Bite the bullet and get a freezer that suits you and one of these controls. The results should give you basic refrigeration that is cheap to operate and reliable.
http://www.thermomart.com/draught-be...ion-kit-keezer The basic wiring for this setup seen here is simple ... http://www.thermomart.com/download/DWH7016F.pdf

Refrigerators made today are a true PITA.

[gundog10]

Well ok, I have had my kenmore for around 13 years and is still running just fine. So, i'll just say that if you are looking for a good buy, I would find a scratch and dent outlet store. Ours had a small scratch on the side and was 40% off what the same frig at sears cost.

[Bellyman]

Just one possibility...

http://www.sears.com/kenmore-18-cu-f...p-04660602000P

Oops, that one is 18 cu/ft. Not sure if that one's too big for you or not. All I did was google EnergyStar refrigerator and saw what popped up.

[HermitJohn]

Yes there is a scratch and dent place not too far away. Its an idea, at least go see what they have. I really rather have closer to 10 cubic foot. 18 cf is bit much for old guy living alone. If I have too much space, just means green fuzzy science experiments start accumulating. And I am paying twice the electric bill for no reason. I found this one that I really like looks of, but its way pricey above max I want to spend, and definitely smaller than I would like. http://www.amazon.com/EcoSolarCool-S...dp/B007HL8WIM/

[HermitJohn]

Originally Posted by agmantoo

Bite the bullet and get a freezer that suits you and one of these controls. The results should give you basic refrigeration that is cheap to operate and reliable.
http://www.thermomart.com/draught-be...ion-kit-keezer The basic wiring for this setup seen here is simple ... http://www.thermomart.com/download/DWH7016F.pdf

Refrigerators made today are a true PITA.

I am not real enthused with day to day living with chest style fridge. It truly isnt as convenient, but definitely most efficient. So looking more and more like best option. Cant say modern chest freezers are all that well engineered, but at least they are about as simple as it gets. Simplest design is always best option for longevity. I have a small one I bought at Sears few years ago. Still working fine as a freezer and still pretty quiet. My old fridge on other hand, you really hear it when it kicks in. But then its around 50 years old so deserves to grumble a bit. I'd say even best chest freezer in modern world wont last 50 years.

Dont like digital display on anything I expect to last many years. They have tendency to fade away and become unreadable. There used to be an analog kegerator thermostat. Just a knob with markings that you turn to adjust temp. If I can find one of those, probably go that way if I end up going with the kegerator option.

[sniper69]

When you did your craigslist search did you try searching for vintage or retro refrigerator? Or by specific brand (i.e. Norge, Philco, General Electric, etc)? That is the way I usually see the old fridges for sale. Or possibly you could put up a WTB ad on craigslist or the local newspaper mentioning what you're looking for.

[Bellyman]

Ok, something smaller...

http://www.sears.com/frigidaire-10-c...p-04602442000P

[HermitJohn]

Originally Posted by sniper69

When you did your craigslist search did you try searching for vintage or retro refrigerator? Or by specific brand (i.e. Norge, Philco, General Electric, etc)? That is the way I usually see the old fridges for sale. Or possibly you could put up a WTB ad on craigslist or the local newspaper mentioning what you're looking for.

I went through three months of refrigerators on craigslist. ALL OF THEM! One vintage 50s fridge that was in amazingly clean working condition two or three hundred miles away. No others good, bad, or ugly. They wanted some crazy "antique" price for it. Sorry, no. If I were that crazy, would buy one of those ancient 1930s GE Monitor fridges that had been restored. Those will even outlast the 1950s stuff or at least match it. And with a high quality compressor on top, they were super efficient since heat rises and compressor isnt fighting itself to keep box cool, even if they used rock wool for insulation. Amazing that best designs were some of first. All downhill from there trying to ever cheapen things and increase profit and shorten lifespan. Guess thats true for most stuff.

Think of the great fridge that could be made if one of those ancient Monitors had several inch of modern foam insulation. Talking multi-generational fridge, at least 100 years without repair. What a great use of resources. Not profitable for manufacturer, but great.

Anyway, only fridges I see on Craigslist are the mini dorm fridges the college students trade around, the cheap 90s and up plastic fridges, and the monster size side by side ones with every known energy sucking option ever available. An appliance salesman's dream, the high profit luxo-barge forever needing repair.

[HermitJohn]

Originally Posted by Bellyman

Ok, something smaller...

http://www.sears.com/frigidaire-10-c...p-04602442000P

Not hard to find a new 10 cube fridge, but finding one with mostly positive reviews and reasonable price, now thats the trick.

Drives me crazy to read fridge reviews and find half 'best fridge ever' and half 'worst fridge ever' for same model fridge. Its meaningless. Also most people review stuff two weeks after getting it so you have no idea how it holds up. And if the delivery people dented it, oh boy... negative review even though it has nothing to do with the fridge itself. I mean anything new should work out of box.... right? Though apparently lot of it doesnt. Only the truly disgruntled people post updates months down the line giving real idea how it held up and good/bad.

[sniper69]

Originally Posted by HermitJohn

I went through three months of refrigerators on craigslist. ALL OF THEM! One vintage 50s fridge that was in amazingly clean working condition two or three hundred miles away. No others good, bad, or ugly. They wanted some crazy "antique" price for it. Sorry, no. If I were that crazy, would buy one of those ancient 1930s GE Monitor fridges that had been restored. Those will even outlast the 1950s stuff or at least match it. And with a high quality compressor on top, they were super efficient since heat rises and compressor isnt fighting itself to keep box cool, even if they used rock wool for insulation. Amazing that best designs were some of first. All downhill from there trying to ever cheapen things and increase profit and shorten lifespan. Guess thats true for most stuff.

Think of the great fridge that could be made if one of those ancient Monitors had several inch of modern foam insulation. Talking multi-generational fridge, at least 100 years without repair. What a great use of resources. Not profitable for manufacturer, but great.

Anyway, only fridges I see on Craigslist are the mini dorm fridges the college students trade around, the cheap 90s and up plastic fridges, and the monster size side by side ones with every known energy sucking option ever available. An appliance salesman's dream, the high profit luxo-barge forever needing repair.

Understandable - the "retro"/"vintage" refrigerators around here seem to command a price - whether they are restored or not! Although some can be found for a decent enough deal from time to time.
I'm still holding out for a philco "V" handle refrigerator at a decent price. But most realize what they have and I've seen ones in terrible condition going for over $800 .

[HermitJohn]

Originally Posted by sniper69

Understandable - the "retro"/"vintage" refrigerators around here seem to command a price - whether they are restored or not! Although some can be found for a decent enough deal from time to time.
I'm still holding out for a philco "V" handle refrigerator at a decent price. But most realize what they have and I've seen ones in terrible condition going for over $800 .

Many years ago, I had a Philco. Back then these old fridges were literally give away. Somebody get tired of it in their hunting cabin or garage or whatever and put a give away ad in paper just to get somebody to haul it off. So now regret I didnt have it fixed but back then too easy to just move on to the next cheap/free refrigerator.

I just took a look and voila, some guy hour from me has an old GE monitor for $450. Claims if it were rewired, it would probably work but no guarantee of course. I noticed the switch on side of compressor is missing so betting it probably wouldnt. Though if they didnt run compressor dry for long period, guess compressor itself might well still be functional. Compressors on these were super heavy duty. I would give $450 for one of these if they could plug it in and show it gets cold without compressor running constantly. One of these in good shape will cool very fast. Looks not important, can always be painted. There are some on ebay like that, but way too far away. These are really heavy and be nightmare to ship. Or even get off the truck into the house.

[okiemom]

I would go with a couple mini dorm styles. I still have mine fro college and it has out lived at lese two of the name brands.

[Darren]

You've already figured out the early nineties models can be junk. GE in that era redesigned the compressor and caused problems.

[Jolly]

Lowe's has a couple of Frigidaires, one about 14 cubic feet and the other 18. Funny, but they are about the same price, which is about $470.

And I think that's the route you'll go...not necessarily Lowe's, but a bit bigger frig than 10 cubic feet - they're just easier to find.

I second looking at the scratch and dent stuff. Sears tends to have a section, as does Lowe's and Home Depot. Might be able to find something that will do, for less than $400.

Happy hunting!

[agmantoo]

Hermit

Here is the controller you mentioned. I posted the other because it is cheaper plus it has the ability to control the on-off cycle time for the compressor. This analog has enough differential in the on/off temp that there should not be an issue. http://www.amazon.com/Refrigerator-F...tor+thermostat

[sniper69]

Originally Posted by HermitJohn

Many years ago, I had a Philco. Back then these old fridges were literally give away. Somebody get tired of it in their hunting cabin or garage or whatever and put a give away ad in paper just to get somebody to haul it off. So now regret I didnt have it fixed but back then too easy to just move on to the next cheap/free refrigerator.

You had one of the "V" handle Philco refrigerator's? Wow! That is considered to be like the holy grail of 1950's refrigerators. How did you like the door that would open both ways? I can understand about having regrets about not fixing it.

(for those that haven't seen one - if the v handle was pulled down to the left, the door would open from the left side and if the v handle was pulled down to the right, the refrigerator would open from the right side. Also below is an example picture of one.)



For me, I have dibs on a 1946 or 47 Norge Refrigerator. It is in my MIL's cottage. I have told her many times if she decides that she wants a different refrigerator there to let me know and I will drive to come pick up the Norge. Maybe someday, but right now she wants to keep it there instead of buying a fridge to replace one that works (I don't blame her). I've mentioned to family members about keeping an eye out for a reasonably priced philco "V" handle fridge, but so far none have been found for sale that are reasonably priced.

[Wolf mom]

Today you can buy a top freezer refrigerator without the ice maker - about $150+ savings. On most new ones, the ice maker is extra. You may have to ask though as when I went to Lowes, they didn't say anything about that and just upped the cost to include an ice maker. I had to bring it up.

Yuppers - scratch & dent is a lot cheaper!

[HermitJohn]

Originally Posted by sniper69

You had one of the "V" handle Philco refrigerator's? Wow! That is considered to be like the holy grail of 1950's refrigerators. How did you like the door that would open both ways? I can understand about having regrets about not fixing it.

(for those that haven't seen one - if the v handle was pulled down to the left, the door would open from the left side and if the v handle was pulled down to the right, the refrigerator would open from the right side. Also below is an example picture of one.)



For me, I have dibs on a 1946 or 47 Norge Refrigerator. It is in my MIL's cottage. I have told her many times if she decides that she wants a different refrigerator there to let me know and I will drive to come pick up the Norge. Maybe someday, but right now she wants to keep it there instead of buying a fridge to replace one that works (I don't blame her). I've mentioned to family members about keeping an eye out for a reasonably priced philco "V" handle fridge, but so far none have been found for sale that are reasonably priced.

It mostly worked from what I remember, handle kinda wobbly (hey it was old, probably had kids cranking on it every which way inits previous life), but when one places a fridge in kitchen, usually only open door one way as most convenient. Really it was just another old 50s garage/cabin refrigerator for most part. Collectable now as you say but not then.

But like I say my real fascination is those old GE Monitor fridges. I just love good design and that was a really good one. I'd forgotten they dont use freon, they used either methyl formate or SO2. Been reading about some guy in Australia that restored one. He got it on ebay for $150 as a line had been crimped from somebody mishandling the fridge. the methyl formate had leaked out, but otherwise it was in pretty good shape. Well seems you can get lab grade methyl formate from chemical supplier (you need like two liters or $300 worth... OUCH) but you are going to jump through some hoops to convince them to sell it to you. Thanks to the idiot terrorists, one now has to jump through hoops for everything more dangerous than vinegar and baking soda. Comes as a liquid in bottles. You have to cool it when you get it as it boils at 32C. But its really neat for a doityourself restoration as its not under pressure in the fridge, you just poor it as liquid into the system using a funnel to recharge system. Not on hot day though...

He didnt mention finding source of SO2, but think thats rather more dangerous stuff. The methyl formate is very flammable but unlikely you will harm yourself using some care. The Monitor compressor cant handle freon so you cant just convert to freon. I did run across one Monitor that somebody converted it to modern compressor that does use freon. And then mounted it down low underneath the box. That sort of misses whole point. Sort of like hiding a modern radio in an old tube radio cabinet. At least mount dang thing on top of the refrigerator. I'd have lot more respect for somebody that did that.

I knew these old Monitor fridges were heavy, but this guy said you needed to use an engine hoist to remove the compressor from the top..... ouch....

[HermitJohn]

Originally Posted by agmantoo

Hermit

Here is the controller you mentioned. I posted the other because it is cheaper plus it has the ability to control the on-off cycle time for the compressor. This analog has enough differential in the on/off temp that there should not be an issue. http://www.amazon.com/Refrigerator-F...tor+thermostat

Yea, thats one I remember. Thanks. Though there are some cheaper barebones ones on ebay that I found. No doubt the digital is more accurate while display remains visible. Somebody also mentioned the digital ones have another downside, they reset to a too warm default setting if electric goes off for even an instant and they have to be manually reset to 40F.