They don't make them like they used to - - time for a new Fridge!

[magic clean]

Sandy

that Harvest gold Amana top freezer is from the early to mid 1970's. Mary Tyler Moore had the same in Coppertone in her new Minneapolis apartment. Come to think of it, I think the Newhart's had one too.

 

[dandureiko]

Refer Recommendations

We bought a 27cubic foot GE Profile Arctica when they first came out, with EVERYthing, Custom Cool, Refresment center (servidoor)
other than one minor thing in the first year all is fine, and that was 6 years ago. We just purchased a very highline GE Profile side by side again with lot's of features, including Custom Cool, Precise Fill, and a LCD touch pad. in stainless for the FL house, a 3999.00 refer for 1499, clearance at Sears!
I know these are made in Mexico, but at least it's north america.
We are now thinking of remodling the kitchen in CT and transitioning from Bisque to SS. I think we'll wind up with another GE SXS. one note of caution, the ONLY french door refer with ice and water in the door that is Made in USA is the Amana, all the GE's are made in Korea.

 

[danemodsandy]

Leslie:

I knew that was the Mary Tyler Moore Show fridge, but I wasn't sure how long it was made. You can see Mary's very clearly in the famous "Chuckles" episode; Georgia Engel (Georgette) goes to it early in the show and Mary goes to it right at the end.

Bob and Emily Hartley on The Bob Newhart Show had an Amana side-by-side in Harvest. I always liked the little touch of using Amanas on these sets, since both shows were set in the Midwest (though filmed in California, of course), and it was very accurate for the characters to have Amanas.

Anyone have any idea how reliable Amanas of this vintage are? In other words, would one be a good choice as a '70s vintage fridge?

 

[dandureiko]

here's the FL refer

 

[kenmoreguy64]

About the Amana....

My folks bought a nearly identical looking Amana 20 cu ft. top freezer in Almond in January 1983 for our new home in Charlotte. It had those exact same door handles, though I do not remember woodgrain trim traversing the doors lengthwise. I remember ours fondly as the "Amana 20" insert in the fridge door handle kept coming out. It has been attached by two metal snaps and adhesive. The snaps broke (why I have no idea) then eventually the adhesive got gooey and the nameplate fell out. We'd pick it up, re-stick it, and it would stay a day or two. Finally I cleaned the adhesive off with acetone and stuck the plate on with Gorilla glue. She never came off again after that.

I also remember that machine because ever so often, I'd grab the two door handles when opening the freezer, and one of my fingers would get squished between the two handles like a washer wringer. The handles were flat chromed plates, about 4 inches wide, and not very far apart. OUCH!

We gave that unit to the battered women's shelter in 2000 as my mom began to worry about it's 17-year advanced age and replaced it with a fancy Kitchen Aid. Now Mom is wondering about that one as it approaches 10 years old. I think she just wants a new one because she wants a new one....

Other than being an occasional finger press, I have nothing derrogatory to say about our Amana after 17 years of use.

G

 

[norgeway]

Why don't you!!!

FORGET all the new crap,find yourself an old fridge,if you must have a icemaker,buy a freestanding one,my 63 Hotpoint just sets there and runs....quietly...needs defrosting about twice a year and ice cream is rock hard,and NOTHING is ever freezer burned from being warmed up and frozen back,also,it draws 2.8 amps,look how much the so called energy efficent ones pull, no one will ever convince me that a frost free fridge can be cheap to run,the old Hotpoint has had 1 cold control and that is it,I think that adds up to a better deal.

 

[laundromat]

Amana 25 SXS

Magic Clean,

The Newhearts had an Amana 25 SXS. Betty White in her studio set kitchen had a FRIGIDAIRE kitchen,Custom Deluxe models.

 

[sudsmaster]

Some time ago, Maytag bought Amana. And then Whirlpool bought Amana. So my assumption is that Amanas are just rebadged Whirlpools, but I wouldn't know unless I checked them out in the shops.

 

[circlew]

Made in Amana, IA

When Whirlpool bought Maytag, therefore acquiring Amana, they kept the plant in Amana, IA. That facility is the one that makes the bottom-freezer machines. They are sold under the Whirlpool, Kenmore, KitchenAid and Maytag brands in addition to Amana. The differences are in the exterior trim and minor interior variations. I think the Ft. Smith, AR factory is originally the Amana SxS mfr. location, but not sure exactly what is made there at the present. I think all top-freezer models are now coming from Mexico, as they represent a small part of sales compared to a few years ago.

 

[petek]

It seems to me that everyone (well not everyone) I know seem to be having problems with their new(er) fridges these days. Ours is barely 4 years old and already had a repair, now it's acting up again, it's a Danby all fridge. My sisters new GE in her apartment has had 2 breakdowns in a year as have many in the building. It's enought that I might even consider an extended warranty if we go out an get another one.. I kinda like the Samsung french door,, won't get one with an icemaker or dispenser though.. don't want to bring home anymore problems.

 

[spankomatic]

I have always liked the Brady Bunch refrigerator....

 

[spankomatic]

How about an Electrolux ???

 

[kenmoreguy64]

CircleW -

I was curious as to what was being made where, so I called Whirlpool yesterday. I have a 2003 21 cu ft. Whirlpool top freezer and asked them two questions - 1) what are the comparable models today, and 2) where are they made? I was given two models (again, that are comparable to mine) and both are made in the U.S. So, if they are tranferring the top-mount boxes to Mexico, which I've heard before, it hasn't been done yet.

Gordon

 

[petek]

Today in my "out and abouting" I perused a couple of furniture, appliance stores which had after Christmas sales. I checked out the Samsung 18cu ft french door on sale for $849. What surprised me though was how "light" the doors are on that thing. There's zero weight in them like they're hollow plastic, no solidity feel at all to them. Check it out next time you're in a store. Now if that's a good thing or a bad thing I don't know..

 

[westingman123]

not a new idea, but...

I have a 1950 International Harvester and a 1953ish Philco. I grew up with the Harvester, the Philco was a find...anyway, both of them outperform the new GE in the house; better produce, solid ice cream, and so what if I have to defrost now and then? My suggestion? Find a vintage you love and go for it! We all just need a friend who can paint like our buddy from "da hood" LOL

 

[douglasdc6]

One easey way to see if the evaporator has a leak is to check for oil in the primary drain pan under the frige.

My problem is I get atached to my refrigerators so if a leak should ever happen I will fix the leak & replace the compressor as well.

Problem is now days servicemen do not run the vacuum pump long enough & usually do not stick around to adjust the freon level after the box has pulled down .

They overcharge the system & leave & the compressor dies in less then a year.

I see this all the time .

What it comes down to is how attached you are to the box.

 

[circlew]

Oops,

Gordon, glad you checked that out, and that they are still making some T.F. models in US. I really hate giving out incorrect info. Looked at the article again online and it was announced in August that the Evansville plant would close sometime mid 2010, so guess it's still in operation.

 

[danemodsandy]

Leslie:

This Amana SXS is like the one on the Bob Newhart Show set, except it's Avocado instead of Harvest. This one is also a show-biz refrigerator; I found the pic in the Universal Studios prop shop rental catalogue online. No, it's not for sale - they do a rental business only. Dammit.

 

[dandureiko]

Though I have new GE Side By Sides. I must tell you this story
Friend of mine has a circa 1760 colonial in Brookfield, CT. in the 1928 remodeled kitchen, he has a GE Monitor Top.....and had a new GE top mount hidden in the pantry. Of course a year after he bought the top mount it failed. he called GE , they sent a repair guy out....
WELL, he walked in the kitchen, saw the 1928 GE, and said CRAP, I don't have parts for that!
to which my friend said:
"NO that's from 1928 and it's running just FINE, it's the crappy NEW ONE THATS BROKE!
trust me it's a true story!
Dan

 

[qsd-dan]

trust me it's a true story!

You don't have to convince us here at AW, lol.

Cool story, btw!