fridgenut
Well-known member
Last night I cleaned up a 1935 GE "flat top". For those of you unfamiliar with the flat top line, it is essentially a CK model monitor top with the compressor put underneath instead of on top. That means that it has all of the reliability of the CK and the looks and ease of movement of a "normal" fridge. That doesn't mean that it is light though. This monster 4 CUBIC FOOT CABINET easily weighs 200 lbs. Imagine if a 4 cu ft. mini fridge weighed that much? College kids would think twice about lugging one up to their dorm room. No, this green color is not original. Originally it would have been white. However, the paint job is decent and in good enough shape so I decided to leave it alone. Notice the picture of the terrible power cord. Totally not a fire hazard right?! I replaced all of the wiring, not just some of it. It was all bad except for one little leg going to the thermostat. But its not like I wasn't going to replace that either since I was already there. The refrigerant, like most of the CKs is Sulfur Dioxide. And yes, it is humming away in my bedroom now. I'm going to take power measurements but if it is anything like my 5 cu. ft. flat top the power usage will be minimal. I recorded a cost (at 11 cents per KWh) of a paltry $1.90 for it per month. This one will be less than that since it is smaller. I am going to stock it full of plenty of beer, liquor, soda, water, and maybe even a few treats! After all, these fridges are quick at making ice and ice cream. I posted a few recipes that I found in a 1931 manual for my DR. Oh, one other thing. This compressor, especially when it is down below the cabinet, is very quiet. You are thinking "of course, all old fridges are pretty quiet". No. Not like this. Even my other flat top, which is quiet, doesn't hold a candle to this one. I don't know if this one was babied its whole life or what but it is very happy apparently. The super gentle tone lulled me to sleep last night. The only jarring noise is the initial start noise when the start winding kicks in and makes a motor hum. The door sticker that you see was made up by me, another member of the forum, and a friend of his who does graphic work. If you have a CK or flat top this graphic is for you! It is an exact replica of the old graphic. The "short" version without the instruction text is for the "ball top" series. Check out this page and go get one!
http://rsmediasigns.com/
http://rsmediasigns.com/
