Fridge "reclamation" project (pic heavy)

[BigAsh]

The back story:.....Moved into this house about 3 1/2 years ago....there was a very old fridge in the basement, an old GE apartment size model...
prior owner kept beer in there (bastid took out the case while we were at settlement!)....lt was in bad cosmetic shape but got cold so we kept it in basement.....plugged in.....sucking up electricity....not being used (we have 2 full size new fridges and a small dorm size one for my BBQ sauces, and other cooking condiments).....cleaning out basement in April......hmmm, maybe I can turn this into a humi...I decide to open door.....OMG!!!....
Ice monster took over....the inner freezer compartment was frozen shut with ice oozing out (obviously NOT frost-free).....wife sez "Throw it out!!....I say "hmmm, maybe I can turn this into a humi".......as she shakes her head and walks away...... a little paint, some elbow grease, some shelves from Chuck/Chasden, some beads from Scott/shilala, a Johnson controller from Gary/reflex, etc. etc.....anyway I defrosted (found some "mystery" items embedded in the ice, it was like the Discovery Channel!) and cleaned ....take a look....
A little ice with your fridge?

Oozing out the back/bottom of freezer:

After several hour was able to pry open the freezer door, OMG:

THe next day, ice finally all gone, notice a little door damage?:

[AD720]

Looks good Keith. I'm looking forward to seeing it all cleaned up.

[The Poet]

I do not know from personal experience, but have been told those older, thick-walled, non-frostfree fridges are the best choice for your hummie project. Best of luck with it - and the missus.

[BigAsh]

Then took apart door, removed the gasket (is it supposed to be black?!?), primer coat of paint.....



I put the first coat on already and need to take some pics....also need to get a hold of Chuck for the "interior"....traded for the Johnson controller so i can regulate temp....plan on beads for the humidity.....

[BigAsh]

Originally Posted by AD720

Looks good Keith. I'm looking forward to seeing it all cleaned up.

Thanks Andrew....hoping to get it done in time for a Philly herf by the pool...

Originally Posted by The Poet

I do not know from personal experience, but have been told those older, thick-walled, non-frostfree fridges are the best choice for your hummie project. Best of luck with it - and the missus.

Thanks....luckily she "indulges" my vices......

[AD720]

Originally Posted by BigAsh

Thanks Andrew....hoping to get it done in time for a Philly herf by the pool...

[Smokin Gator]

That is a great start to what I would bet will be an awesome humi. Thanks for sharing brother!!

[BigAsh]

Thanks Bro'....its no "Gator Den" man-cave (which is sweet btw), but its a start....

[MedicCook]

Looks like you have a good start. Can't wait until the finished product.

[cricky101]

Very cool! I subscribed to the thread so I can keep up on your progress. Good luck!

[dunng]

Very nice! Flat black finish?

[kelmac07]

Looking good Keith!! Can't wait to see the final product.

[bowhnter]

That looked rough, any hotdogs left up in there?

Looks like a nice project, Keith

Building drawers for it is defiantly doable

Another really cool thing to do would be to replace the inside (Insert) of the door with a sheet of Spanish Cedar instead of putting back the door insert. That way the inside of the door would not get in the way of the drawers and it would add major "cool factor" to the unit. Since you got it torn apart already I would consider it. Let me know the measurements and I can get you a price. If you really want to trick the thing out, send me the door, I will gut the door insulation, reline it with ridged Styrofoam and then line it with cedar and build mini trays inside the door

Chas

[kgoings]

What are you going to do about the freezer? Are you going to remove that element and just use the fridge part?

[BigAsh]

Originally Posted by ChasDen

Building drawers for it is defiantly doable

Another really cool thing to do would be to replace the inside (Insert) of the door with a sheet of Spanish Cedar instead of putting back the door insert. That way the inside of the door would not get in the way of the drawers and it would add major "cool factor" to the unit. Since you got it torn apart already I would consider it. Let me know the measurements and I can get you a price. If you really want to trick the thing out, send me the door, I will gut the door insulation, reline it with ridged Styrofoam and then line it with cedar and build mini trays inside the door

Chas

Chuck....you are an evil man.....but I like it! .....
I'll get the measurements and we'll talk.....

Originally Posted by kgoings

What are you going to do about the freezer? Are you going to remove that element and just use the fridge part?

I think the Johnson controller will take care of that....externally set the temp to 65-70.....freezer should never come into play....I think anyway....anyone with experience in this?

[shilala]

Originally Posted by BigAsh

I think the Johnson controller will take care of that....externally set the temp to 65-70.....freezer should never come into play....I think anyway....anyone with experience in this?

Yes, it will certainly come into play, it's your evaporator. It's the part that makes the cold.
Every time the compressor comes on it will get cold and all the water vapor in your fridge will condense on it.
You'll need to arrange some fans to dry the inside and outside of the evaporator (freezer) or it will drip all over your stuff.
You could insulate the outside of the evaporator very carefully and just put fans on the inside and that should work. Depends where the coils lie in the evaporator.
You really couldn't have picked a worse kind of fridge to make workable.

[shilala]

Lots of good pics of the freezer section would help.
It looks like there's a drain in the back right corner. Just can't tell.
If I could jam my face in it, I could figure something out real quick.
It's just too far away.

[BigAsh]

Originally Posted by shilala

Lots of good pics of the freezer section would help.
It looks like there's a drain in the back right corner. Just can't tell.
If I could jam my face in it, I could figure something out real quick.
It's just too far away.

According to Google maps you're only 4 hrs 37 minutes away

Here's my thought, from a completely "ignorant of refrigeration properties" standpoint:...For most of the year, the area where it will be kept will be at house temps of 65-75 degrees so either the external controller won't kick in to run the condenser, or I can leave unplugged....for the summer, when it gets hot/humid around here the AC goes on so still should be in moderate temps, but when away from house, etc. the unit will need to be cooled...So, the condenser issue may not be that big a deal ....wait, let me adjust my rose-colored glasses.....anyway, I'll take a bunch of pics of the freezer unit and post 'em up soon

[AD720]

Originally Posted by BigAsh

According to Google maps you're only 4 hrs 37 minutes away

Here's my thought, from a completely "ignorant of refrigeration properties" standpoint:...For most of the year, the area where it will be kept will be at house temps of 65-75 degrees so either the external controller won't kick in to run the condenser, or I can leave unplugged....for the summer, when it gets hot/humid around here the AC goes on so still should be in moderate temps, but when away from house, etc. the unit will need to be cooled...So, the condenser issue may not be that big a deal ....wait, let me adjust my rose-colored glasses.....anyway, I'll take a bunch of pics of the freezer unit and post 'em up soon

Is there are option to keep it in your basement? I keep my coolers in the basement and I've never seen it go higher than 70 degrees.