I'm in the market for a vintage fridge. Saw this for sale locally. The price is flexible, the seller states. Can anyone tell me a bit more about this fridge? Also, would $150.00 be a reasonable offer? Thank you!
1956 GE Bottom Freezer - Portland Craigslist
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danemodsandy
Well-known member
I Think....
....That $150 is a fair offer. This is not an exceptionally rare model, and it is in "needs TLC" condition, not mint condition. It's also an unknown quantity as far as the condition of the refrigeration system is concerned. It could run another 50 years. It could "die" tomorrow. That's a risk that should be reflected in the selling price.
As always, the seller may not think it's a fair offer - nowadays, some people with vintage items to sell get very exaggerated ideas of what their goodies are worth.
If you're turned down, stay in touch with the seller. Very often, someone who has asked too high a price in hopes of making some easy money will become much more reasonable once they find there are no takers.
And whatever you do, don't tell the seller they're asking too much. Say, "Hmm, that's more than I can afford right now, but it sure is a nice item. What do you say we keep in touch and if your price comes down or my cash flow goes up, maybe then we can make a deal?" Just try to keep the door open, is what I'm saying.
....That $150 is a fair offer. This is not an exceptionally rare model, and it is in "needs TLC" condition, not mint condition. It's also an unknown quantity as far as the condition of the refrigeration system is concerned. It could run another 50 years. It could "die" tomorrow. That's a risk that should be reflected in the selling price.
As always, the seller may not think it's a fair offer - nowadays, some people with vintage items to sell get very exaggerated ideas of what their goodies are worth.
If you're turned down, stay in touch with the seller. Very often, someone who has asked too high a price in hopes of making some easy money will become much more reasonable once they find there are no takers.
And whatever you do, don't tell the seller they're asking too much. Say, "Hmm, that's more than I can afford right now, but it sure is a nice item. What do you say we keep in touch and if your price comes down or my cash flow goes up, maybe then we can make a deal?" Just try to keep the door open, is what I'm saying.
Thank you...
Danemodsandy. Good points.
I notice on this site that some folks really hate the idea of having to manually defrost a bottom freezer. In your (or anyone's!) opinion, is it really THAT difficult?
So, I think I'll take a look at it, probably offer him $150.00. He did say that it needs a pretty good cleaning. If he declines, I'll take your advice on staying in touch.
Thank you for taking the time to respond!
Diane
Danemodsandy. Good points.
I notice on this site that some folks really hate the idea of having to manually defrost a bottom freezer. In your (or anyone's!) opinion, is it really THAT difficult?
So, I think I'll take a look at it, probably offer him $150.00. He did say that it needs a pretty good cleaning. If he declines, I'll take your advice on staying in touch.
Thank you for taking the time to respond!
Diane
danemodsandy
Well-known member
I Don't Think....
....The defrosting chore is that big a deal on that model. GE did make some models at that time that were difficult to defrost; I grew up with a 1958 bottom-freezer Combination (the top-of-the-line model) that had a very difficult-to-clean ice tray shelf that was a horrible nuisance at defrosting time. I used to joke that I was going to train a snake to do the job for me! The unit you're considering doesn't have that problem.
You should make sure that the freezer does not have any rips in the door gasket or any cracks in the plastic around the door opening. Both of those conditions will cause a much more frequent need for defrosting.
Twice a year should be about right for a GE of that vintage in good shape that's not in an exceptionally humid area.
So far as "some folks" hating the chore so much is concerned, we all have chores we don't mind, chores we dislike but will do anyway and chores we Will. Not. Tolerate. I personally had my fill of defrosting when I was a kid, and so I am a huge fan of frost-free fridges today. Same with oven cleaning - let the oven do the cleaning while I do something else, LOL.
It's all in what you want to deal with, which is your call, not anyone else's.
....The defrosting chore is that big a deal on that model. GE did make some models at that time that were difficult to defrost; I grew up with a 1958 bottom-freezer Combination (the top-of-the-line model) that had a very difficult-to-clean ice tray shelf that was a horrible nuisance at defrosting time. I used to joke that I was going to train a snake to do the job for me! The unit you're considering doesn't have that problem.
You should make sure that the freezer does not have any rips in the door gasket or any cracks in the plastic around the door opening. Both of those conditions will cause a much more frequent need for defrosting.
Twice a year should be about right for a GE of that vintage in good shape that's not in an exceptionally humid area.
So far as "some folks" hating the chore so much is concerned, we all have chores we don't mind, chores we dislike but will do anyway and chores we Will. Not. Tolerate. I personally had my fill of defrosting when I was a kid, and so I am a huge fan of frost-free fridges today. Same with oven cleaning - let the oven do the cleaning while I do something else, LOL.
It's all in what you want to deal with, which is your call, not anyone else's.
It's all there, including the meat pan up top but is missing ice trays down below.
It's in nice shape, but I wouldn't pay $400 for it. I have the top freezer version of this fridge from 1957. Defrosting isn't a real big deal, but I also don't have a rolling basket assembly to get frozen in place if I let things go too long.
I think if you stay on top of it, you can defrost fairly quickly. There's a drain in the bottom floor of the freezer so melted ice build-up simply flows away into a pan underneath the fridge. Just make sure the pan is still there.
I use a vintage electric heater designed for the purpose of defrosting. From emptying the fridge, plugging in the heater and walking away, to returning to free up any remaining sections of ice and wiping the interior dry, I'm done in about an hour, with very little effort.
Keep in mind that with this style of fridge, you can't have the hinged side up against a wall. You need to allow room for the thickness of the door to open. Starting in 1957, the exteriors took on the modern day squared off look, doors were outfitted with shoulder hinges to allow them to be built in and eliminated the need for the extra room on the hinged side, and the units had clean backs with coils placed under the fridge and a fan to provide "forced draft" cooling of the condenser, a system that's found on all but the cheapest models of refrigerators built today.
If you'd rather not defrost, GE rolled out its "Frost Guard" system starting with the 1959 models.
It's in nice shape, but I wouldn't pay $400 for it. I have the top freezer version of this fridge from 1957. Defrosting isn't a real big deal, but I also don't have a rolling basket assembly to get frozen in place if I let things go too long.
I think if you stay on top of it, you can defrost fairly quickly. There's a drain in the bottom floor of the freezer so melted ice build-up simply flows away into a pan underneath the fridge. Just make sure the pan is still there.
I use a vintage electric heater designed for the purpose of defrosting. From emptying the fridge, plugging in the heater and walking away, to returning to free up any remaining sections of ice and wiping the interior dry, I'm done in about an hour, with very little effort.
Keep in mind that with this style of fridge, you can't have the hinged side up against a wall. You need to allow room for the thickness of the door to open. Starting in 1957, the exteriors took on the modern day squared off look, doors were outfitted with shoulder hinges to allow them to be built in and eliminated the need for the extra room on the hinged side, and the units had clean backs with coils placed under the fridge and a fan to provide "forced draft" cooling of the condenser, a system that's found on all but the cheapest models of refrigerators built today.
If you'd rather not defrost, GE rolled out its "Frost Guard" system starting with the 1959 models.
Vintage electric heater, or a heat gun, just use a low setting, and don't aim it at the plastic.
If I were interested, and they proved it worked flawlessly, $150.00 is about all I would give for it. Good luck with your purchase attempt.
If I were interested, and they proved it worked flawlessly, $150.00 is about all I would give for it. Good luck with your purchase attempt.
Defrosting Manual Defrost Refrigerators
About the best and fastest way to do this a big pot or pan of boiling water placed in the freezer, Other great way to defrost is a portable fan blowing into an open freezer area, this is a great way to defrost in the summer as it can noticeably cool and dehumidify the room where the ref is located.
Electric defrosters should be used with great caution, I have seen many classic refs destroyed by these devices.
John L.
About the best and fastest way to do this a big pot or pan of boiling water placed in the freezer, Other great way to defrost is a portable fan blowing into an open freezer area, this is a great way to defrost in the summer as it can noticeably cool and dehumidify the room where the ref is located.
Electric defrosters should be used with great caution, I have seen many classic refs destroyed by these devices.
John L.
Thank you...
all for the timely and astute replies! rp2813, I hadn't thought about the clearance issue. Also, I too noticed the missing ice cube trays, as well as the unit missing one of the large freezer baskets. I believe the model initially had two? Thank you for the tip about making sure the freezer pan is still there.
I will check to make sure, Damemodsandy, that there are not cracks/tears around door gaskets as you suggested.
I will give it a look this weekend, and let you all know what I find/decide. Thanks again to all!
all for the timely and astute replies! rp2813, I hadn't thought about the clearance issue. Also, I too noticed the missing ice cube trays, as well as the unit missing one of the large freezer baskets. I believe the model initially had two? Thank you for the tip about making sure the freezer pan is still there.
I will check to make sure, Damemodsandy, that there are not cracks/tears around door gaskets as you suggested.
I will give it a look this weekend, and let you all know what I find/decide. Thanks again to all!
bootsnslicks14
Well-known member
So did you end up buying this fridge?
I remember seeing for sale in Craigslist, then the seller stuck it on Ebay and then it disappeared?
I remember seeing for sale in Craigslist, then the seller stuck it on Ebay and then it disappeared?
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