Monitor top refrigerator

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That's a 1928 or 29 DR2 on a painted cabinet. For $250 and working, it's worth it. I bought a similar one for $200 with issues, but a porcelain cabinet. It weighs close to 400 lbs. Bring a dolly and a recycle bin to hold the top!
 
Looks like a deal for one that early and still having the ice trays. And that's just their asking price. You can maybe get it cheaper considering there likely aren't any Twin Lakes locals who are interested or people willing to make the drive to get it.
 
oh man.....

I really like these monitor tops. Get it, that's not bad for one that appears to be working good!!!
 
How practicle

are these for everyday use? They look great, I don't see many around here. I knew relatives that had them, one great aunt used to complain about what a job it was to defrost it but then again she waited so long in between times she did it. Ralph, any suggestions about what I should keep an eye out for in my place? These seem like they would be great as an extra one to keep on hand for times when the main unit just can't hold everything (holidays, parties). The price seems good for one in that condition -and running.
 
Monitor tops are just fine for beverages or food. They were made before frozen foods were around, so keep that in mind. I have multiple monitor tops, so defrosting is a breeze. Transfer food to another and shut down the one to be defrosted. All you need is a pan under the evaporator and go play on-line awhile!

Don't use sharp objects defrosting or you might kill it. Use proper respect, these fridges are at least 71. This is the first series a DR. They're more finicky, but very cool. There's a little heater behind the name plate on the neck of the unit that does go bad. If so, they don't run as well. People seem to think fridges should run well in an unheated garage. There you have a condenser coil trying to get warm in a cold room so the evaporator can keep the cabinet cold. It's just overly hard on the fridge. I seem to remember reading a 1960's Gibson manual that recommended NOT using the unit if the temperature was under 60. Well, that was an ugly avocado Gibson, not a 1928 GE! Put that in your house properly displayed and hide a crappy chest freezer in the pantry.
 
Heater Element

Travis, long ago I tracked down a modern GE part to replace the bad heating element. Back then it was part# WW8X64 if memory serves me. It was metal rather than looking like a stick of chalk like the original, but it did the trick.

Greg, these are great machines and very quiet with a distinctive whirring sound you'll only hear from a monitor top. You can find later ones with a larger evaporator made of metal instead of the less practical porcelain tube. There are also some fun looking later models with a ball on top instead of the usual coils. Get with Travis for full details. Since my '39 Westy gave up on me, I'd love to replace it with a small monitor top if I could find one, but any little old fridge will do as a replacement.

Does anyone know what has/will become of our late buddy Monitor Top Mike's collection?
 
Mike Arnold...

I went to visit Mike and his partner last year. I spoke with his partner Keith on Christmas eve, shortly after Mike died. I haven't heard a peep out of Keith since, despite numerous calls and a letter. Mike's collection of actual appliances wasn't that large, but he did have parts saved off of numerous other appliances. It's sad. I miss talking to Mike. If he was around, I wouldn't be so uncertain what to do with my sick baby fridges.
 
Heating Element

I was just wondering what the purpose of the heating element is? Certainly wasn't self-defrosting.....
 
Mike, the heating element keeps the refrigeration oil warm. As opposed to the actual refrigerant, which would be sulfur dioxide in this case. Travis, correct me if I'm wrong on any of this.

Oh, and Mike, don't you need to get yourself over to the "Hide or not to hide" thread and post your picture?????
 
And another things in a Monitor Top's favor, they cool _fast_. Sulfur dioxide is a fast working refrigerant. My machine starts frosting the evaporator within 20 minutes. Beat that modern machines!
 
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