Way OT: Old Refrigerator

I was guessing 40 years, but she didn't think it was that old.

It has "Frigidaire - made only by General Motors" on a nameplate on it...

I was going to make it into a smoker, if it isn't collectible or anything like that...

Thanks for any advice,
Howard

The ones I have seen used old electric frypans for a heat source, sitting right at the bottom where it should be coolest. The control should be protected from anything dripping on it. Around here, they usually use apple wood for smoking, since there are lots of them in the area. I have always wanted to try hawthorn, to maybe actually find something the hawthorns are good for!

I also would attach a heavy padlock and hasp to lock the door closed, both to protect the items being smoked and to prevent children from getting inside. It is important that the temperature not be too hot or too cool when smoking, and obviously different things take different amounts of time to smoke. You might want to set it up so some smoke can escape, and so there is some airflow, but make it controllable.

Smoked trout is some of the best eating I have ever had. Makes my mouth water just thinking about it. Good luck!

However, if it is a LP gas refrigerator (that works) then you might find a buyer for it. People with hunting cabins and houses off the electric grid MAY be interested in your old refrigerator.

Old cook stoves as well as the early electric refrigerators sell for high dolllars. There are several companies that restore them, and have waiting lists with clients that have ordered them.

In regard to engergy usage - I think you'd be surprised how much hype is involved with the claims of higher efficiency with newer appliances. I have tested many. I just got done checking total current draw on a new chest freezer -with the highest efficiency rating. Ran it for three months - and the compared it to my older International Harverster freezer - made in 1948. Very little difference in current draw. The old 1948 IH freezer uses 560 KWh per year. The new high efficiencly freezer which is smaller uses 426 KWh per year - sitting in cool basement. Energy Star rates it at 313 KWh per year.

My energy usage assumes daily use of refrigerator in a room that is 70 degrees or warmer year round. Not a freezer full of frozen meat in a "cool" basement that is rarely opened. Apples to oranges.

Clearly there are some people who have too much money and spend it on collecting things that have imaginary values. Collecting tractors could be considered one for some people. Especially if they don't ever actually use the tractor. My 1955 Ford is used for farming NOT for show.

I was at an tractor auction last month, and besides tractors, there were two old, crappy looking GE montitor-top refrigerators. Each brought over $500 and there were many bids - all crazy people I guess.

I will also add, that some people collect older stuff just they like the way it looks, feels to have around, etc. If they can afford it, what's insane about that? But, let me add, that some older things -including cars, trucks, tractors, cook stoves - and yes - even old refrigerators - sometimes work pretty well for certain things.

Seems - at times - use of word "insane" is a bit relative. To me, buying a new car or truck for over $40,000 would be an insanse thing for me to do - but I don't give a d*man one way, or the other who else does it. Those that do so, with no money and choose to go into hock ?? Well, some might think that's nuttier than buying an old frig.