Antique Refrigerator

[SecoKid]

I'm new here but I was hoping all of yall kind folks could help me out. I recently bought an antique commercial refrigerator made by Ed Friedrich Refrigeration in the 20s or 30s. It is all wood, inside an out. The thing weighs a ton! No seriously, the movers estimated it 1500-2000 lbs. It is 81" high, 79" long, and 35" wide. The doors are triple paned glass, and were removed during transport. Only about half the hinges and latches were still on it, so it was a safety precaution as well. They are all still there and in great shape though. The cooling system isn't so great though. The upper center compartment housed the fan, and was hid by a door with a beveled glass mirror. I've never seen an old refrigerator this big or all wood so I had to have it! Can anyone tell me anything else about it or what it may be worth? I contacted the manufacturer and they no longer make refrigeration equipment only A/C units. They couldn't tell me anything about their history either.

[waywardangler]

Ain't that just the coolest refrigerator you have ever seen!  That is beautiful.

[SecoKid]

Ain't that just the coolest refrigerator you have ever seen!  That is beautiful.

Thanks! Pun intended? lol

[waywardangler]

I did not realize it until after I typed it so I just left it as is.  Definitely stylish tho.

[talesofthesevenseas]

Never have seen one like this. Definitely the Cadillac of ice boxes! Great find! I'm curious if you're going to use it for storage, cooling, restaurant decor... I can think of a thousand places a great-looking piece like this could go. It's also interesting for the fact that it is right at the transition between the ice box and the refrigerator.

[SecoKid]

I would like to get it restored and working as a refrigerator again. I will be buying a house soon and had plans of fixing it up and putting it in the house. But after moving it I've realized it will not fit inside any standard door and it took 11 guys to move it! So sadly I think it is too big. Once I get it restored I hope to find a good home for it in a restaurant, bar etc.

[waywardangler]

Just think of this repurposed as a beer and wine cooler in your favorite watering hole.  Now wouldn't that be a GRAND statement!

[talesofthesevenseas]

Yeah, that would be SO COOL behind an antique bar, filled with beer and white wines! Let's hope you get a house with French doors!

[talesofthesevenseas]

Here's one similar selling on Craigslist for $1500:

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/app/1893105085.html

[fancypants]

Nice display cooler , SecoKid .

It looks as if someone had it running (or tried to) fairly recently , by the age of the t-stat .
It also appears to have had some replacement/service work on the compressor/coil unit (maybe just a 'quick' R&R job on the reefer unit MIGHT get it up & running (leak test,compressor oil test,evacuated & recharge) .
I'd guess that it's an R-12 unit , which would/might be wise to replace with a more modern compressor & coil , if the intent is to have it run for years .

One problem around here (Pacific NW) with items like yours , when used in a food-service location , is that Health Departments tend to disapprove of non-stainless steel/galvinized-lined refridgeration units .... when used only as a 'prop' (non-working) there's no problem , though .

Looks like a fair-sized project , with finding matching hardware to replace the broken/missing hinges a part of it .
I hope it finds a happy home !

Thanks for posting your item on the forum , SecoKid .

[cogar]

And so would I, ...... had to have it. A great piece.

And SecoKid, just about every house has at least one 36" wide exterior door so its 35" width shouldn't be a problem.

[SecoKid]

Tales,
Thats my fridge! I guess the PO hasn't taken down the listing.

The PO said it was running until the late 80s. I'm not familiar enough with the mechanical equipment to date that part of it. When it quit, they just put it against a wall in the dining room for decoration. And the 35" width is the body. The width of the crown on top is 38"

[KC]

I would so use that some way or another.

Agree about the refrigeration issue.  You might clean it out really good.  Some bacteria/mold can revive itself if you use it even tho it hasn't been used for awhile!

NICE!!!   NICE!!!   NICE!!!!   NICE!!!  NICE!!!

[cogar]

And the 35" width is the body. The width of the crown on top is 38"

The doors are already off and the molding around the top could be removed quite easily and then re-installed after the refrig was moved.

[talesofthesevenseas]

Hey one of these beauties just showed up on the San Francisco Craigslist. It's a little smaller, and it works. They are asking $500 for it.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/atq/1969884579.html