'50s Hotpoint 1-door "Combination" Fridge

[rp2813]

I'm hoping the GE and HP experts here can answer some questions about this fridge.  It's priced to move, but has been stored for 15 years.  That might be enough reason to run away, but I'd like to learn more about it first, and the seller doesn't seem to know much.

 

I realize that the rear cold plate is a Hotpoint thing, but other than that is it equivalent to a single door GE Combination and would that include a true zero degree freezer?

 

Would there be a drain in the freezer?  It appears there's a trough below the cold plate so I'm assuming it defrosts after each compressor cycle and that there's a drain system and a collection pan down below, but no freezer drain is a deal-breaker. 

 

I like the rear cold plate design better than the ceiling mounted coils on the GEs.  While I'm not thrilled with pink, the door swing works for my space, so any information provided would be appreciated.  Besides the freezer drain, my other big concern is potential issues the sealed system may have from being non-operational for so long.  I would want it to be plugged in and proven to cool and cycle correctly before considering it.

 

 

 

 

[turbokinetic]

In general, if a Freon-type sealed system isn't leaking, then it won't hurt it to sit. The oil and refrigerant prevent corrosion or damage in the system. The things you need to watch out for are the start-relay, wiring, and thermostat having deterioration or damage from rodents or insects.

It looks like a GE cycle-defrost system, which only defrosts the fresh food compartment. The freezer does typically reach 0 degrees; however it has some unique characteristics.  Because the freezer is controlled by the fridge thermostat, it is very dependent upon the ambient temperature around the fridge.  The GE manual states that no attempt is to be made to use the freezer if the appliance is in an unheated space. This is because the compressor will not run often enough to keep the freezer cold, even though the fridge is at an acceptable temperature.

So, it's not good for a garage fridge / freezer but when used indoors it will function as needed.

 

[rp2813]

Thanks for the advice David.   You've given me something to think over.

 

 

 

[combo52]

Late 50s Hotpoint Combination Ref

No freezer drain.

 

John

 

[rp2813]

Thanks John.  That settles that.

 

[twintubdexter]

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">I'd be willing to bet if you plugged that baby in it'd work just fine...provided you could look past the pink (my apologizes to the many members that love pink.) Unless you allow frost to accumulate till it's 6" thick, defrosting that little freezer is no big deal. That freezer door does a good job of keeping frost out every time the refrigerator door is opened so that helps. Think of defrosting as an adventure. A big towel does a good job of absorbing all the defrost water. You can speed up defrosting with a hair dryer...no I don't mean putting the dryer inside and closing the door on the cord. </span>

 

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">Dave's reply (turbokinetic) is full of good, useful information. Of course you know when he says to check on possible damage from rodents he's talking about mice and rats, not squirrels. </span>