Free Servel 'fridge
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Tune it up
Make sure it's in tip-top shape, or figure out a way to vent that puppy. The recall article describes what happened to my cousins who owned one of these refrigerators...they suffered mild neurological damage from the CO poisoning, and after being treated (and the Servel removed), she reminisced: "I should have realized that something was odd when the plants in the house started losing their leaves."
www.recall-warnings.com
Make sure it's in tip-top shape, or figure out a way to vent that puppy. The recall article describes what happened to my cousins who owned one of these refrigerators...they suffered mild neurological damage from the CO poisoning, and after being treated (and the Servel removed), she reminisced: "I should have realized that something was odd when the plants in the house started losing their leaves."
Recall: Servel Gas Refrigerators Still In Use Can Be Deadly :: Consumer Recalls :: Justia Inc
www.recall-warnings.com
This is interesting Jesse and Nate
It would be fun to have one and see how it all worked. And worked for so many years!
I wonder if there are any older Whirlpool gas refrigerators out there? I have seen only ads on the Whirlpools, and they talked about their Automatic Ice Makers.
Brent
It would be fun to have one and see how it all worked. And worked for so many years!
I wonder if there are any older Whirlpool gas refrigerators out there? I have seen only ads on the Whirlpools, and they talked about their Automatic Ice Makers.
Brent
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Whirlpool and Servel:
Servel was one of Whirlpool's early acquisitions - something that would become a habit with Whirlpool. Servel had been very popular in the '40s and early '50s, but by the later part of the '50s, they were in trouble, because frost-free was the new rage, and gas refrigeration technology couldn't yet deliver that benefit. There was also a problem with dated styling; Servel kept the rounded styling of the early '50s even when Frigidaire's Sheer Look changed everything.
The reason for the Whirlpool acquisition was Servel's icemaker technology; the Servel unit became the Whirlpool icemaker used by so many brands to this day, with some modifications and updates; if you look at old Servel ads touting the icemaker unit, it's instantly recognisable as the Whirlpool icemaker. Servel's last year was 1957.
Servel was one of Whirlpool's early acquisitions - something that would become a habit with Whirlpool. Servel had been very popular in the '40s and early '50s, but by the later part of the '50s, they were in trouble, because frost-free was the new rage, and gas refrigeration technology couldn't yet deliver that benefit. There was also a problem with dated styling; Servel kept the rounded styling of the early '50s even when Frigidaire's Sheer Look changed everything.
The reason for the Whirlpool acquisition was Servel's icemaker technology; the Servel unit became the Whirlpool icemaker used by so many brands to this day, with some modifications and updates; if you look at old Servel ads touting the icemaker unit, it's instantly recognisable as the Whirlpool icemaker. Servel's last year was 1957.
58limited
Well-known member
I would hate to be the one to carry this upstairs - they are very heavy. I contacted the person - if there are no takers, I need the freezer door for mine but I hope someone can fix this one up for safe use.
Don't cut the tubing.
Don't break the sealed system or you'll have an ammonia cloud on your hands.
Quite admittedly, I'd LOVE to get my hands on that unit and get it running. However, I don't have a barn or shed to store it after its running.
Hmmm. Maybe I can tack it into the gas pipe running the driveway lantern?
Drive up! Pick up a cold brew and c'mon in!!
Don't break the sealed system or you'll have an ammonia cloud on your hands.
Quite admittedly, I'd LOVE to get my hands on that unit and get it running. However, I don't have a barn or shed to store it after its running.
Hmmm. Maybe I can tack it into the gas pipe running the driveway lantern?
Drive up! Pick up a cold brew and c'mon in!!
Great History Sandy!
I had no idea that Whirlpool bought them out.
Interesting.....so much money to take over the patient of an ice maker!
I do like the looks of the Whirlpool version of the gas fridge. It was very sleek and 50's.
I can't remember who was in the ad for the "Gas" lifestyle, featuring the Whirlpool combo and such.
I would love to play with one of these Fridges.
Brent
I had no idea that Whirlpool bought them out.
Interesting.....so much money to take over the patient of an ice maker!
I do like the looks of the Whirlpool version of the gas fridge. It was very sleek and 50's.
I can't remember who was in the ad for the "Gas" lifestyle, featuring the Whirlpool combo and such.
I would love to play with one of these Fridges.
Brent
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Brent:
It does seem like a lot of trouble to go to over an icemaker, but remember - it was a very good design, so good we're still using it today. It has been modified and made, um, more economical to manufacture, but it's the same basic design, and totally recognisable from the Servel original.
It does seem like a lot of trouble to go to over an icemaker, but remember - it was a very good design, so good we're still using it today. It has been modified and made, um, more economical to manufacture, but it's the same basic design, and totally recognisable from the Servel original.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Servel Ice Maker Photo
As you can see from this 1953 ad, the icemaker is essentially the one we use today; the only differences are trim, a clear ice bucket instead of today's white ones, and a little guide chute to help the ice make it into the bucket. The guide chute hasn't been included on any Whirlpool-made icemakers in years - it undoubtedly added to the cost. Too bad - we're all familiar with how far those semi-circles of ice can travel in your freezer!
As you can see from this 1953 ad, the icemaker is essentially the one we use today; the only differences are trim, a clear ice bucket instead of today's white ones, and a little guide chute to help the ice make it into the bucket. The guide chute hasn't been included on any Whirlpool-made icemakers in years - it undoubtedly added to the cost. Too bad - we're all familiar with how far those semi-circles of ice can travel in your freezer!
athanasius80
Well-known member
Well like any continuously running burner, you have to clean it out occasionally.
And keep it defrosted. Don't let the ice build up. An idiot friend of mine had a vintage Servel, and never defrosted it. He kept the freezer door shut with a bungee because of the 4 inch ice build up. And then almost died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
magic clean
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2004
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The
Whirlpool, Seeger, International Harvester & Servel connection explained in the link.
Whirlpool, Seeger, International Harvester & Servel connection explained in the link.
