Does anyone know early Frigidaire fridges?

[athanasius80]

I just found an early to mid 1930s Frigidaire, and I'm tempted. Does anyone know the reliability of these machines? What about availablity of parts or ability to do my own repair work on them?

I know thats a lot of questions. Thanks a lot guys!

 

[qsd-dan]

I personally don't know their track record for reliability, but I see them on Ebay and Craig's List all of the time claiming that they're in perfect running condition and never had a repair. I've never seen one for sale where the seller claimed that the unit didn't work or was functioning improperly. I'd say that's a good sign :>)

Finding NOS Frigidaire parts for them would be next to impossible. However, I'm sure that most parts could be grafted with generic "off the shelf" parts as far as compressors, lines, and thermostats go.

 

[gyrafoam]

My 1933 is a belt-drive unit and works just fine. Parts may not be as scarce as you think---the problem will be tracking them down (which also will include getting someone to take the trouble to go look on those obscure back shelves where the old stock is kept!).
I have Frigidaire manuals going back to the 1920's. If you need some specific information I will send you a copy of those pages concerned.

 

[panthera]

Neat

But many refrigerants of that era were seriously dangerous. So if you do go for it (I would in a New York Minute!) be sure you know what you are working with.
It's funny, tho' - a lot of these early units are well into their 70's or older and still working perfectly. How many of today's refrigerators will still be working in 10 years? Answers the question who won the war between the engineers and the marketing people.

 

[goatfarmer]

I've got a mid 30's Frigidaire, that still cools beautifully. Some of the other parts, like shelves, etc, might be hard to find. If it's fairly complete, I'd go for it. I think the place in Georgia can convert them to modern refrigerants, and compressors. Sulphur Dioxide is one refrigerant to be wary of, I don't think Frigidaire used it.

 

[laundromat]

Frigidaire did use it untill they, along with E.I Dupont, developed Freon.Oderless,tasteless non toxic.I forget the year but I believe it happened some time in the 40's.Anything prior to that was dangerous.

 

[danemodsandy]

Place In Georgia:

It's Antique Appliances; contact info is:

30 West Savannah Street
PO Box 389
Clayton, GA 30525
OFFICE: (706)782-3132 • FAX: (706) 782-7326

One of their specialties is converting older units to newer refrigerants; they also carry generic parts such as cold controls that work with most refrigerators. They have door gasket material for a lot of older units, as well. A link to their website is below.

http://www.antiqueappliances.com/

 

[travis]

Old fridges...

I think Frigidaire used so2 as a refrigerant until the early 30's. They later developed R-12, but there were a few years that they used some other refrigerant, like 34-38. They later went to R-12 until it was deemed hazardous.

I have a 1938 Frigidaire. The refrigerant name is on the back, but I'm not man enough to move it tonight to read the label. It wasn't R-12.

The antique fridge world is truly at loss with the death of Mike Arnold. He knew his stuff by living through the history of appliances.

It's my impression that Antique Appliances in Georgia is more interested in cosmetic restoration of the appliance rather than rebuilding the guts. I think most of the time they throw out the old compressor and go back with new.

I have many so2 refrigerators and don't give too much thought about the danger of them being toxic. If you have a leak it stinks to high hell and you leave the house. Leaks don't just happen by themselves. They're caused when folks get impatient defrosting and use sharp objects. They can also occur when moving a fridge roughly.

Aside from the compressor, most old fridges need to be rewired as the insulation has become brittle. A relay or a cold control can be sustituted with a mondern replacement as long as it fits and doesn't detract from the fridge.

I hope to become more involved in vintage appliance repair in the future, but I need to get the building rehabbed before I can worry about that. A friend and I have 70 something old fridges that need attention.