What do you know about this GE upright freezer?

[spacepig]

I am tempted to go look at it this weekend. It reminds me a lot of my 1955 combination refrigerator so I'm wondering if this was made the same year. I've found pictures of similar ones on the internet, but not much in way of description. The closest I could find was this booklet for an HU-15, but the badge on the front is different.

 

[rp2813]

The interior has the '55 color scheme, and the exterior looks about right for that year as well.  If it's still in proper working order, it will probably remain that way indefinitely. 

 

I'm looking for a vintage freezer too, but a little newer with better door storage.  I also think I would prefer wire racks over solid shelves strictly for defrosting purposes, as I think the heat from my Red-E-Defrost would circulate better and the water would find its way to the drain easier.

 

[ken]

Ive never had an upright with solid shelves but Ive often thought it might be easier to defrost as the ice cant accumulate between all the holes like in a wire shelf model. I imagine the ice would come off the shelves in large pieces after a small amount of melting had happened?

Anyone here have or had both and can give their experience between the two? [this post was last edited: 1/8/2018-17:15]

 

[spacepig]

Ease of defrosting is definitely something to take into consideration, and I can see pros and cons for both wire and solid. I found an advertisement for a similar freezer, but it doesn't mention model number or year. However, judging from the picture, it looks like the shelves pull out for easy access, but if they're frozen due to ice accumulation, I'm not sure if that helps for defrosting.

 

[rp2813]

The copper trim on that model above would indicate 1956.

 

Ken, you make a good point about the ice being easier to remove.   I've wrestled with chunks that were frozen around tubing or shelf components more times than I want to remember.

 

I like the sliding shelves too.  That's another argument for solid shelves -- at least on the GE's.  I guess the cooling coils are only on the top shelf and the bottom one above the baskets.   Good design.

 

[ken]

Ralph,

Do you mean the copper color under the handle? My 55 GE refrigerator has that same copper coloring on the ribbed area under the handle. I also have a 56 which changed to a magnetic latch. Don't know if the freezer did also.

 

[cuffs054]

Very close to the one that followed us to FL in 57. The big GE emblem on the bottom would light up until X temp was reached. So when defrosted it was my job to sound the alarm when the light went out.

 

[rp2813]

Very cool about the indicator light!

 

Ken, I was referring to the copper trim on the shelf fronts and door storage areas.  The '56 GE refrigerators had copper shelves paired with turquoise liners inside the cabinet and door(s).

 

[ken]

Ralph

Didn't realize you were referring to the one pictured in the ad. Thought you meant the one posted by Jeannine.

 

[appliguy]

Ralph the freezer in the ad does not have a turquoise liner

and the 1956-57 GE upright freezers had magnetic door latches like their counter part fridges, this model has a mechanical door latch and since the one in SpacePig's photo is from 1955 then I am 99% certain that the one in the ad is from prior to that....PATRICK COFFEY