What do I need to know

[caramiame]

Hi all -- I am new here and I recently became aware of the vintage ge wall fridge. I have located a couple - one that is fairly close, the other I would have to have shipped to me.

The concept would be fantastic in a kitchen I am remodeling because I am downsizing, planning to rent my current home for income while moving into the other that needs work. It has a small galley kitchen and I think the look of one of those would be so fun. My plan would be to hang it over a big sink so defrost would probably be easier.

Thing is the one close by is not functioning. Seller says that when house he bought was inspected, both inspection guy and electrician guy said it needed a new motor. He says it is a 1955. He said they turned it on and it hummed or made a strange noise so they turned it off. It has a white interior -- is that correct for that year? On the forums here I noticed a couple times people said if it was a 1958 (I think) it be so much better. I read the forum about the resistor that was located (is that a base piece to replace at the get go?) - I saw the one phase motor workaround info about the middle wire. The other choice that at the moment for ship to myself is on the wall, working, and I can see a small amount of frost on one of the freezer shelves - so I know it is in use.

Please give me advice. I was looking at trying to find the narrowest coolest (standing) newer unit I could find, preferable with a warranty (for what that's worth), and this wonderful off the floor option presented itself for less money, though refurbishing properly will be an expense, probably for any vintage fridge.

So if I were to purchase one -- whether it be these or another find -- what am I really looking at? What parts should be upgraded replaced etc at the get go. How much should I expect to budget for getting a vintage fridge operational? The walls where I would hang it are plaster -- should I gut them and beef it up?

How can I tell if a local really knows how to make things work with the kind of knowledge you all hold, just start calling? I've had some good luck and bad luck doing that.... I appreciate any info, insight, or advice you think I need to know prior to making a decision to buy a vintage fridge.

Thanks! I've enjoyed reading your threads and seeing all your cool appliances. Loved the duomatics and really impressed by the appliance overhauls and troubleshooting you all get into. What a cool forum.

caramiame

 

[turquoisedude]

Welcome to the site, caramiame!  I see you've already been checking out some of the posts about the GE wall refrigerators - there's been a bit written on the subject...

 

I own a 1956 version of the GE LW11 refrigerator - mine was, unbelievably, never used until I got it.  However after about 3 years in service, it quit on me.  It would no longer start - the compressor motor would hum then click off immediately.  In my case, it turned out to be the resistor you have identified in your post.  I got lucky and found an original NIB GE replacement and that solved the problem.  I know of two other people who had the same problem (not on the board) where a new 9-ohm resistor got their refrigerator running again.   

 

The resistor was only used on the 1955 and 1956 wall refrigerators - I don't have detailed service information, but one of the uses of this resistor was to power the two-phase condenser fan motor.  GE really went out of their way to make this compressor complicated!! 

 

From 1957 to 1960 the refrigerators used a different start relay and condenser fan setup - these were much easier to repair and find parts for (I briefly owned a 1957 model when I thought my 56 was kaput).  

 

Based on what you have described about the 1st non-working refrigerator, I'd have to take a chance on it just being that 9-ohm resistor.   However,  if the second one is already working AND a later model, this may be a better bet in the long run.  

 

To help you find out for sure what year the refrigerators are, check the model number  - a tag should be on the lower left side of the refrigerator compartment.  There is a letter after the LW11 that will identify the year of manufacture as follows: 

 

'M' = 1955

'N' = 1956

'P' = 1957

'R' = 1958

'S' = 1959

'T' = 1960

 

Consider the relative condition of the refrigerators, too.  The molded door shelves are prone to damage over the years.   If you can manage buying both, it's never a bad idea to have a source of hard-to-find parts like the fruit/vegetable slider doors or egg trays!  

 

Final word on my rant here - the cold controls on GE's of this era are iffy.  On the working model, make sure it is cycling on and off properly.  The good news is that they can be replaced but may need some tweaking to make sure they're registering the refrigerator compartment temperature correctly.

 

Hope this helps!

 

[cadman]

Hi Caramiame,

Whichever you end up getting, make sure you also get the wall mount bracket. These fridges are extremely heavy and require mounting (via the bracket) to solid studs in the wall. -C

 

[caramiame]

Thanks for this info!

Thank you both for this info! I had wondered if I should try to spring for two units... Is a white interior the right color on those 1955 models? Can I buy a mounting bracket if the unit I find or get is not functional ?
I'm going to see if I get lucky finding that resistor like you did right now and ask about serial numbers, should have done that already!



Caramiame

 

[turquoisedude]

White interior on a GE Wall Fridge

Caramiame, I am not sure what the 1955 interior colour was.  White was used in the 1959 and 1960 models (1957 and 1958's were pink, and the 56 is turquoise).  I had always guessed the 55's were turquoise too, but I can't be sure... 

 

One thing about the bracket - there are two metal straps that are attached to the rear of the bracket.  They go over the top of the refrigerator and are attached to clamps under the service panel.  They are needed to help stabilize the refrigerator, so make sure that whoever removes the refrigerator doesn't cut them off.

 

[caramiame]

Thanks for The tip about the Metal Strips!

Well I bit the bullet and bought the stuff -- need to get with seller, haul, etc.  I'm hoping son's martial arts instructor - (who is also very handy with mechanical issues) will asses the appliances and let me know what is up.  I will be sure and tell the seller NOT to cut those mounting strips!  He is supposed to wait to take it down when I am there because I want to get a quick idea while everything is still connected.

 

I've learned a ton about vintage appliances, mainly from this site.  Thanks very much for your efforts and offering this to people. Sharing your passion for these rarities helps others to follow suit in this throw away world.

 

I found out that the house was vacant for about 9 months until it sold, had been owned by a university professor - who willed his house to the university. 

 

I got these model numbers: 134929 is on the stove top and oven in the house, 167231 is the fridge model #?  there is also a dishwasher. Hopefully all goes well - this will either save me a ton or cost me a ton.

 

Here's some pics -- let me know if you see anything I should note.  Thanks you all for helping me.

 

[caramiame]

On a side note...

While continuing to read stuff I saw it mentioned that the fridge can be smelly?  It came to mind just now because the baking soda box is pictured inside the fridge.  Do you have issues with that?  Other things said it kept vegetables fresher much longer than new fridges and that the freezer,  even though it must be defrosted -- you don't get freezer burn?  what's your experiences, tips and tricks?  

 

[vacbear58]

Never mind just the fridge

Looking at your great pictures you should be going for the whole damm kitchen. It looks in such great shape it would be a shame to split it all up after 50 odd years

Good luck with it

Al

 

[turquoisedude]

I second what Al says!  That's an all-GE metal cabinet kitchen - I see what looks to be the original wall oven and pull-out dishwasher, too.  It's probably a good thing that I'm far away from this... LOL 

 

Based on the style of the dishwasher, I'm thinking the kitchen is pre-1957, so the fridge may indeed be a 1955 model.  

 

The refrigerator model number should start with LW-11;  if it helps, here's a photo of the location of the model tag from the 1957 model I no longer have.  Note the plate in the lower left, inside the fruit and vegetables compartment.  You can also get a glimpse of the plate for yours in picture number 5 attached in the post showing the rest of the kitchen. 

 

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[cadman]

Also note that the wall oven is one of the pre-cost-reduced versions that have the cast and plated control knobs instead of the stamped aluminum ones that are so prevalent. This kitchen is definitely worth grabbing!

 

[swestoyz]

Wow, what a stunning kitchen!  Great find, and to have the original dishwasher is amazing!

 

I believe the white interiors on the fridges are 1955/1956 models. 

 

Ben

 

[hooverwheelaway]

That kitchen is TO DIE FOR. I agree, you should get as much as you can out of that kitchen. Good luck on your endeavors!

Cory, I think those knobs on the oven would indicate 1955; they're different than what's on our 1956 range, which has the stamped knobs.

 

[caramiame]

Alas -- My Dreaded-ful Update

Yes it was to die for and the seller cancelled out.  I won on ebay (2500 for the lot) and then he told ebay his kitchen was out of stock and told me he was sorry.  He wanted $4500 buy it now but I know the fridge needed work which he did not disclose, in fact it sounded like he was unsure about the functionality of the oven and dishwasher, too, prior to my placing a bid under that info.  There were about 14 metal cabinets more or less.  So if anyone wants his number -- I have it.  I could not swing his buy it now at $4500 with no firsthand knowledge and limited resources for making repairs...

 

 I spent a lot of time researching too! blah, blah, boo hoo!  If someone wants to drive to oklahoma and pay his price, I am sure he would not go back on that sale for the money he really wants, but he got a lot of calls with 14 watchers -- maybe someone made him a better deal....  

 

If not, maybe to save the headaches he should have paid for a reserve price instead of minimum bid $2500 buy it now $4500 -- honestly, based on my research even with all of it, due to the unknown variables, and helping him to demo his kitchen for his remodel by removing the whole thing into a truck with our help -- I thought it was fair, plus not one of the other 14 watchers placed a bid to my knowledge.  Cost to transport is prohibitive, I checked on other items...

 

It was a short lived dream. Darn it all.

 

 

[rp2813]

Out of stock?  That's total BS and ebay should realize it.

 

You're better off anyway.  One of these days you'll find a unit within driving distance and you can check it out before you buy.

 

[turquoisedude]

I'd report the seller if I were you - this is completely unfair!

 

[cadman]

Cara, sorry to hear that! On the bright side these kitchens do turn up pretty frequently, and I'd be surprised if he sees $4500, let alone $2500. In fact, we've seen a few examples posted here stagnate at much lower asking prices. Keep your fingers crossed and something will turn up! -C

 

[vacbear58]

Ebay rip off

Cara
I would like to join my fellows in offering my sympathies over this aborted sale - at the very least I would give him negative feed back. Certainly sounds like you had a lucky escape for even at $2500 you could still have considerably more to spend to get it into order.

But take heart - as has been noted above these do crop up reasonably often, keep your eyes peeled here, ebay, craigslist and also check real estate listings in your area with a particular emphasis of homes built between 1955 and 1965 which are most likely to have had this type of kitchen built in. If you feel so inclined, once the property sells you can always drop a note through the door stating your interest in the kitchen. If concerned about your privacy (as we all should be) set up a Hotmail or gmail account and buy a cheap "pay as you go" cell phone specifically for the purpose of receiving emails and calls arising from such enquiries.

Good luck, your "new" kitchen is waiting out there for you, I hope it does not take too long for it to turn up.

Al