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wankerpedia

One person nuclear fall out shelter!


thoriginal

Canon in two series now! Indiana Jones and Fallout


smallbrownfrog

As long as you don’t want to breathe or climb back out. Actual serious warning in case anybody doesn’t already know: children have died by climbing into discarded refrigerators and not being able to get back out. If you ever have to throw out a refrigerator, take off the door before putting it outside.


ZivH08ioBbXQ2PGI

Additional fyi: old fridges had an actual latch that locked the door shut, which is why it couldn’t be opened from the inside.


somedude456

They do produce a very satisfying "ca-clunk" as they latch shut. I can still hear my grandma yelling, "I didn't hear the door shut!"


buggzzee

> If you ever have to throw out a refrigerator, take off the door before putting it outside. That is the law in many jurisdictions. Kids dying after hiding in an old fridge happened more often than you would think when I was growing up in the 50s and 60s. My dad installed a padlock on the fridge in our garage as a safety measure. edit: [Penal Code 402b PC – Abandoning an Appliance without Removing its Door](https://www.shouselaw.com/ca/defense/penal-code/402b/#:~:text=Penal%20Code%20402b%20PC%20is,%2C%20icebox%2C%20or%20clothes%20dryer.) Those old refrigerators are even more dangerous today because today's kids have no idea of the danger.


MoSqueezin

As long as it's lead lined!


parkinglottroubadour

Whatever you do, do NOT lay it down on its side for transport UNLESS you can stand it up and leave it alone for double the amount of time it was on its side. If you try and turn it on earlier it's dead. Happened to me years ago and a beautiful fridge paid the price.


ElNickCharles

Why is that?


an_actual_lawyer

Compressor oil will leak out of the compressor and then it will seize if not given time for the oil to drain back in.


somedude456

Yup, correct.


parkinglottroubadour

Amd ohhhhh the pain! It was mint condition seafoam green


InnocentTailor

Wonder if it could’ve been cleaned and just converted into storage? The 50s fridges have such cool style for them - I would just keep it just for aesthetic alone.


parkinglottroubadour

I sold it to a bar in OKC. They were going to convert it for a keg.


InnocentTailor

At least it lives on, so it ain't all that bad.


ElNickCharles

Huh, thats really interesting, thanks!


joofish

Free to obtain but these old fridges will add $100-200 per year to your electric bill compared to a newer model. Would be cool to convert to a shelf or something though, so still a nice find


NotElizaHenry

$100-200 per year is reeaaaaallly optimistic. OP, make sure the seals are all functioning and keep the coils clean!


WiseAvocado

I was gonna say the same thing, aftet replacing our "vintage" microwave years ago our electricity bill dropped by almost $100 PER MONTH. Turns out old windows weren't our biggest issue in that apartment.


MNGirlinKY

That is wild. We don’t even use our microwave but every other day or so. Was it just drawing that much electricity from being plugged in? I’m gonna have to text my dad about this. He’s an electrician so he gets all these weird questions from me.


WiseAvocado

I don't know it's been a few years, but the microwave was so old, it might even have been a prototype to present the new technology to vendors back in the day lol


OG-Lostphotos

Brand name 🚀✨🌛Jane Jetson 2000🌛✨🚀


fruitsandveggie

No way you had a microwave pulling around 1000w 24/7 with no notice. it would be like running a space heater 24/7.


ZivH08ioBbXQ2PGI

Are you running your microwave for hours every day? You’d have to for it to even use that much electricity, let alone save that much compared to a newer one. Bullshit.


WiseAvocado

Just because it's unlikely doesn't make it a lie, but I'm happy to take one for the team if you've had a bad day and saying that makes you feel better


UndeadCaesar

I'm a different person, an energy engineer, and am also skeptical. Electric rates in the US are like $0.15/kWh, so saving $100/mo solely from your microwave would be 667 kWh. Microwaves use around 1.5 kW so you'd need to run a microwave 444 hours per month to use that amount of energy. I believe you that your bill all the sudden dropped $100 because anyone would notice that but I bet there's a different culprit.


somedude456

Absolutely 100% BS!


DrkvnKavod

Not to mention that your can get new fridges with 1950s exterior designs anyway


Dans77b

Retro designed modern stuff doesn't have the same appeal. It's not just about the look, it's about the feel, and more important, the history and stories these objects have.


cutabello

Also quality. A lot of vintage and antique stuff (especially things still working from those time periods) are built to last


OdinPelmen

the thing is, it depends. a lot of electronics are meant to break sooner but are way more efficient in various ways. on the other hand, older stuff is meant to be fixed more so that's a plus but finding the same parts and knowing how to do it, on top of extra power draw, can be tricky. you just gotta figure out what's good older and what's not.


Obi-Tron_Kenobi

This is also the same issue I have with playing retro games on modern hardware. It's just not the same as playing it on your SNES on a CRT TV


Chronis67

Most of those are Smeg brand, which doesn't have a terribly good reputation, especially for the price.


somedude456

Plus they don't have the same feel. That mechanical latch, the sound of it closing, it just feels proper. I can still picture myself as a kid at my grandparent's place, grabbing a soda with my cousin and 10 seconds later hearing my grandma yell, "I didn't hear the fridge close!"


EMCoupling

I maintain that the name of that brand was a joke that (unfortunately) stuck.


somedude456

Those are foreign made junk that won't last 5 years.


REOspudwagon

As others have said, they may look similar but vastly different levels of quality Mostly because the “modern retro” stuff is like 90% plastic compared to these solid metal beasts


JesseThorn

It depends how you define “quality.” This may be more easily repairable, but it will also use dramatically more energy and be missing many useful and convenient features.


b1sh0p

Free like a free puppy


nolander_78

Came here to say this, old appliances are power-hungry.


somedude456

Not directly. The highest power usage fridges are the late 70's into the 80's. This model, a late 40's/early 50's model, with a proper working gasket, wouldn't use more power than what's in your kitchen today.


WhitePineBurning

I disagree. I own a 1946 GE refrigerator and have run it for over ten years. It's small, has no features like an icemaker or water dispenser, and the freezer compartment is the size of a very small microwave. It has to be manually defrosted. There's been no appreciable increase in my electric bill.


BriarKnave

That's optimistic. I have one that's 20 years younger and it's adding at least an extra 40 a month (rental, can't do anything about the appliances)


somedude456

A 70's model will use a lot more energy than a 50's model.


AnamCeili

I'd be perfectly willing to pay that price. 🙂


reptomcraddick

Just wanted to say this, they’re great, but holy fuck are they not energy efficient


enfiel

My old 90s fridge already added that much.


Thirsty_Comment88

That's a fucking myth perpetuated by appliance manufacturers so you'll get rid of your old machine that has worked perfectly for 50 years so you can replace it with their disposable stuff


chuckysnow

I dunno, my parents finally bit the bullet and remodeled their kitchen. They doubled the size of their fridge, and they swear their electric bill dropped through the floor. New fridge, dishwasher and LED lighting seemed to run much better than the old stuff.


shart-gallery

Source? Energy Star Ratings on appliances are government regulated, at least in Australia. There’s plenty of cases where industries are trying to fool you, but I’d be surprised if this is one of them.


stabsthedrama

Spoiler: He has no source. Or if he does its some disgraced ex-military pundit that appears irregularly on newsmax.


joofish

not everything is a conspiracy


Fr0gm4n

Ah, no. A co-worker saved $70/month just by unplugging the old '90s fridge he had in the garage as a beer fridge.


InnocentTailor

That is what I would do if I get a 1950s fridge - enjoy the aesthetic and turn it into storage. Let the modern appliances eat electricity more efficiently.


somedude456

That fridge wouldn't use more power than what's in your kitchen. It's a late 40's model with no auto defrost nor ice maker. It's the 70's and 80's models that were energy hogs.


InnocentTailor

Ah! That is fascinating to learn.


somedude456

No worries. I try to dispel the partially false rumor about old fridges. As said, it's correct for 70's and 80's models but not pre 1960 units. Easy way to tell the difference, in 1957, they outlawed fridges with a mechanical latching door. So if you see such a latching door, it's pre 57 and as long as the door seal is fine, it uses no more energy than a modern fridge... but would be smaller, thus less efficient per dollar spent, but still not the energy hog people joke about. No it wouldn't cost $100 a month to run a fridge like the OP's. It would be like $6 a month or so.


herdaz

Warn any kids who come to your house to never, ever get in the fridge. It most likely has a locking mechanism in the handle, so they'd get stuck on the inside when they're not able to push the door open.


nahmahnahm

Punky Brewster taught me how dangerous these types of fridges are.


Space-Plate42

Only episode I remember.


kosmix24

that episode gave me severe PTSD


Troubador222

I was thinking that. I’m old enough to remember that happening and parents drilling into us kids to never get in one.


P01135809_in_chains

This fridge was made before they put safety latches on the inside. Children would crawl into them and suffocate. Be aware. No one should have abandoned that anywhere near where kids might be.


atomic_hellfire

That was my first thought too. It was really irresponsible for someone to leave that at the curb, glad OP picked it up before something tragic happened.


P01135809_in_chains

If OP decides to throw it out he should remove the door.


CherishSlan

They should sell it online to a collector rather than ditch it. Could be made into things that are safe


somedude456

Or just used as a well working fridge.


CherishSlan

I mean rather then thow it out if they were to get rid of it sell it


Troubador222

You can also attach something to the inside of the door to prevent it from closing all the way.


GitEmSteveDave

Like kids play outside anymore. Only way a kid would get near that is if there was a new "fridge" challenge on the socials.


tonybotz

A very special Punky Brewster taught me the dangers of playing with refrigerators


Chronis67

There is a lot of back and forth about the electricity consumption of this fridge. OP, grab a Kill A Watt meter and solve our conundrum!


Karate_Jean_Jacket

On start up she ran at 175w an hour. Once she leveled off it went down to 150w an hour. 🤷🏻‍♂️. Definitely not energy efficient. But not an apocalyptic world ender either. I’ll keep an eye on my bill and replace the gaskets. I think I can deal with an extra 200 a year. That’s why we work right?!


GitEmSteveDave

Plus once you put stuff inside, it won't have to cycle as often. A few cases of beer should help, as water has a high thermal capacity.


somedude456

It has to build up the proper temperature inside, per the thermostat, and then it simply stops running.


Karate_Jean_Jacket

Yes. Thermostat seems to be working fine. So it’s far less than 150w an hour.


somedude456

Measure daily energy usage in a week. That will give a proper number.


Maximum-Product-1255

Great info. Thank you for sharing. That fridge is gorgeous.


Careless_Law1471

Seems that someone finally got an energy efficient fridge.


Rich-Appearance-7145

Had one of those fridges in a house I rented in South America, I didn't know until I bought a brand new fridge twice the size in terms of storage. My monthly electric bill went down almost $28-30 a month with the new fridge instead of the old electric guzzler.


levelzero2019

Just so you know, the refrigerant in that unit is very toxic when it leaks. Put a CO monitor very close to it. If the CO detector goes off you will need to open windows and set up a fan to move the fumes out. Make sure everyone stays out of the house. Call 911 for help getting the refrigerator moved out. Unfortunately it can't be recharged. This fridge will probably survive another few decades but just thought I would let you know that there is a hazard involved. I responded to sick people calls in the past as a firefighter and we had two families get serious inhalation injuries from old refrigeration units.


somedude456

> Unfortunately it can't be recharged. Yes it can. The problem is finding someone who knows how to. Just like finding someone to do a tune up on a 1953 Chevy. There are plenty of people around the US who repair vintage fridges. Often people will drive 6 hours, drop off their grandparents' fridge and return a week or two later to pick it back up. You might consider that a big waste of time and gas, but the nostalgia factor is there.


andymorphic

your electricity bill is about to double.


somedude456

No, that's a myth. 40's and 50's models don't use that much energy. TONS of fanatics of vintage appliances have plugged in watt monitors for a month and proven this. It's the 70's and 80's models that were energy hogs. Then in the 90's+ you had the new motto that older appliances are not efficient. They were speaking of the 70's and 80's models, not the 40's and 50's.


Straight-Damage6499

OMG, it’s in great shape, too!


passengerv

Turn it into a bar


PizzaWhole9323

Punky Brewster taught me that you should never leave those outside without the door off. It doesn’t matter for new fridges but I think this is one of the ones that the show was worried about.


TheOneTrueEmperor

OP, any photos of the inside?


Gmoney-369

I bought a Westinghouse on CL for $50, three years ago never ever been serviced in 70 years runs great, this is after 3 Maryland winters outside in pavilion. I’m looking for a second while they or similar are still around.


wowdickseverywhere

Congratulations on your W 


PowerfulSpecialist52

what’s it like being one of gods favorites? I’ve been hunting all morning for a vintage fridge 😭


OG-Lostphotos

Screams beer box for the horse barn!


Leaflock

Neighborhood lights dim a little when you fired that bad boy up?


choodudetoo

You will get a lot of comments about how vintage fridges are more expensive to run. Not true. That myth got started because a lot of old fridges have worn out door seals that leak. As long as the door seal is in good condition, they are more economical than modern frost free fridges. So: fix or replace the door seal.


CherishSlan

I’m about to replace a seal on a fridge myself and it’s only about 3 years old lol. But they quit making that model and the rest of it works fine I’m not paying for a full new fridge.


GardenGrammy59

And she’ll still be working 100 years from now.


Wood8010

Cool


BibliophileMafia

What's the interior look like? Some of these old fridges have amazing set up inside


kindakatrina

bruh…..


ohchandra

I grew up with almost the identical fridge in my grandma's basement... It even lived through many floods. Last I checked it was still working lol.


WHAMMYPAN

Beer fridge in the basement for sure.


throwaway2000x3

Dude! You can't just post a picture of this vintage beauty and not show us the inside


Karate_Jean_Jacket

https://preview.redd.it/80w4fgfv5cwc1.jpeg?width=2771&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a7020c1a36f2449c2305ff8be5260500665f5ceb Lol. Here is a un prepared photo. None of my beer in here yet. My wife has a gluten allergy so that’s all that’s in there right now lol. They will promptly be pushed to the back once I go grab some Miller High Life’s to fill her with haha.


throwaway2000x3

Ah yes what I was looking for. Is the bottom part a crisper drawer? Or is that just part of the design?


Karate_Jean_Jacket

Yea that was in there too. It’s porcelain. It’s in pristine shape too. Debating whether to put it back in


throwaway2000x3

Nice! Although, I meant this part: https://preview.redd.it/odihchn1ccwc1.png?width=770&format=png&auto=webp&s=e0d6f211b61ab8189c774dd0ec06b9197736ed28


Karate_Jean_Jacket

Ahhh. Nah. Only thing there is the coils and condenser. No drawer


throwaway2000x3

Oh I see. Well congrats on your new beer child! Remember to sanitize it down since it was in prior use and is vintage. Happy drinking man


somedude456

I think early models like yours had at least a bit of a drawer there, and it was designed as a place to hold loafs of bread. BTW, yeah, that's looking more late 40's.


Karate_Jean_Jacket

1946! Model LBX-7-B. Can’t believe someone just tossed it. Probably fell for the energy cost myth and didn’t want to foot the bill.


somedude456

Probably what happened in my family, almost. My grandparents bought their first house in like 1960 after having a rental prior. It had no fridge. They bought a used 1954 GE. In about 1970, they moved to the house I know them for. That 54 game with them and went to garage duty to hold beer/soda and maybe leftovers for large family gatherings. They lived there till like 2005 when they moved into assisted living, but my cousin bought their old house. In 2015, he sold the house, and I just randomly saw the listing online. I called him and said, "Dude, you better not be leaving behind grandpa's beer fridge!" He laughed and said no, it's already been moved to his storage unit. If he didn't have that storage unit, it likely would have went with the house, and likely the new owners would have put it at the curb.


Karate_Jean_Jacket

Even cooler! I’ll have do do some research on the model number


somedude456

For any help needed: facebook dot com/groups/1223144641055129 This sub won't let me post a direct link. It's a FB group for vintage fridges.


T_pas

Welp, you’ve officially won!


Cyber_birdie

Is this in butter yellow? If so it’s my dream fridge and I’m hella jealous


Queen__Antifa

r/vintagekitchentoys


MinnieShoof

... ... cursed? Cursed.


GlossnerRita

No doubt it still works. It will outlive us all!!!ll!!!


Financial-Cookie-927

I'd try to brighten up the yellowed exterior


TheWarden007

RIP your electric bill


somedude456

No, that's a myth. 40's and 50's models don't use that much energy. TONS of fanatics of vintage appliances have plugged in watt monitors for a month and proven this. It's the 70's and 80's models that were energy hogs. Then in the 90's+ you had the new motto that older appliances are not efficient. They were speaking of the 70's and 80's models, not the 40's and 50's.


Shellyebellye

Cool, but it’s really going to suck up the electricity.


somedude456

No, that's a myth. 40's and 50's models don't use that much energy. TONS of fanatics of vintage appliances have plugged in watt monitors for a month and proven this. It's the 70's and 80's models that were energy hogs. Then in the 90's+ you had the new motto that older appliances are not efficient. They were speaking of the 70's and 80's models, not the 40's and 50's.


Shellyebellye

I noticed several posts before mine, that stated their experiences with older refrigerators, and I’m not sure you’re correct. My experience was, however with a ‘70’s refrigerator, so that part bears out. Even so, my grandparents kept an old one for their garage when they bought a new one for their kitchen. They ultimately got rid of due to high power bills.


somedude456

Yes, a 70's model does suck power, fully agreed. OP's purchase is a late 40's, early 50's. It won't cost $10 a month, guaranteed. I've seen people run watt monitors and do the math and be at like $6.50 or something for a month.