Thread Number: 72610
/ Tag: Refrigerators
Vtg GE Combo Fridge Advice |
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Post# 959271   9/26/2017 at 13:18 (2,403 days old) by sarahperdue (Alabama)   |   | |
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Hi Y'all,
I'm looking at this vintage fridge for my unconditioned country house. The seller is asking $400. I'm considering offering $275. I currently have a 1990s Frigidaire that is rusting everywhere even after a good cleaning, drying and painting... My thoughts are that the 1950s fridge would fare better because it was built when most kitchens were not air conditioned and because it has more insulation. I've read about refrigerator energy consumption from the 1940s forward, and it sounds like this fridge will also be more energy efficient. The seller says that it is in great working condition. It looks like the gasket is not sealing well around the lower part of the freezer door. I know this is a really open ended question--but what things are likely to go wrong and how difficult will it be to repair... Also, any flaws with my reasoning for switching to a vintage fridge? Thanks, Sarah |
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Post# 959276 , Reply# 1   9/26/2017 at 14:03 (2,403 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)   |   | |
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Hi there Sarah -
I had a similar GE combination and it is a great fridge. A bit on the small side for a full family with today's food packaging but it worked well with just myself. The compressor started getting weak on mine after using it for a year. It wasn't a Freon problem from what I was told and it would stay at the set temp, but ran almost constantly. You may want to check it out to make sure it is running/cooling and cycling on and off with periods of down time before the compressor kicks back in. I have an NOS gasket (I think for the freezer section) that I'd be willing to sell you if you do buy this one. Ben |
Post# 959280 , Reply# 2   9/26/2017 at 14:21 (2,403 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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I don't see mechanical latches, but I also don't see the typical GE alnico magnets or the strips they stick to. Does this box have an early version of magnetic gaskets?
It's a nice fridge, and provides more usable space than later models with spinning shelves. Depending on how much use it gets, and with a good gasket on the freezer, you probably wouldn't need to defrost it more often than every six months or so. I can see neither the a drain in the freezer (if it has one), nor the configuration in the fresh food section for condensate there. Kind of an oddball model that looks early, yet has later treatments, like the door handles.
I would ask the seller to plug it in and make arrangements to see it the following day. I also don't think it's worth more than $250, and even that's high. A GE that's a couple of years newer would offer a limited amount of in-door storage in addition to the butter keeper. |
Post# 959288 , Reply# 3   9/26/2017 at 15:08 (2,403 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)   |   | |
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Post# 959299 , Reply# 4   9/26/2017 at 15:59 (2,403 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Post# 959462 , Reply# 7   9/27/2017 at 16:07 (2,402 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)   |   | |
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I'd say this could be anywhere from a '50 - '52 model. This basic cabinet style was used as early as '47, and until the new restyled models came out for '53. Link is from Aug. '50. CLICK HERE TO GO TO CircleW's LINK |
Post# 959475 , Reply# 8   9/27/2017 at 17:03 (2,402 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Tom, thanks for that link. I guess GE decided against placing the magnets inside the gaskets for a period of about 20 years, which seems odd since that's how everybody else has been doing it for decades.
It seems to me that it would be more difficult to find a replacement of this type of gasket for the freezer unless there's something generic that will work. I replaced the "bubble" type gasket on my '57 Combo's freezer door and it made a huge difference, cutting defrosting jobs down to less than twice a year. I also like having the two adjustable magnets on the door to tighten the seal if necessary. |
Post# 959752 , Reply# 9   9/28/2017 at 22:27 (2,400 days old) by appliguy (Oakton Va.)   |   | |
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It is a 1951 model.....I have both the catalog page and the owners manual for this model that confirm that date as being correct....here is a link to a copy of the owners manual on eBay.......PAT COFFEY
CLICK HERE TO GO TO appliguy's LINK on eBay This post was last edited 09/29/2017 at 04:00 |