1960s fridge question

[jennie]

hi everyone,

I have recently spotted a 1960s English Electrics Co refrigerator that is in good working order. I’d like to buy it, but am unsure how silly it would be really…is is possible to find replacement parts/repairs for a fridge that old? Am I likely to find somebody who will be able to fix it in the event of breakdown, etc? Any thoughts? Be nice please 😉

cheers,
Jenn

[iadom]

Re: 1960s fridge question

It may be possible to obtain a thermostat to fit, any repairs to the system, although possible would not really be economically viable. Almost certain that no other parts would still be available. Also a fridge of that age would not be as energy efficient as a modern unit.

I suppose it depends how much you are going to pay for it.

Jim.

[kwatt]

Re: 1960s fridge question

Hi Jenn,

There are some companies in the States that refurbish machines like that with modern workings but I’m not sure if anyone does it here in the UK. I’d honestly doubt it as the demand would be low and the price to do it very high indeed I should think as you’re talking about bespoke one-off engineering stuff in several areas.

As Jim says, a thermostat probably, but beyond that there’s little hope of virtually any spares at all.

To change the likes of a compressor would be extremely expensive, think about £3-400 or more as it’s not going to be a straightforward change and would likely need particular care and attention.

HTH

K.

[jennie]

Re: 1960s fridge question

Thank you for the advice – I was afraid of that! I will steer clear, although it is a lovely looking fridge. I’ll save my pennies for a Smeg if I want that retro look I guess 😀

cheers,
Jenn

[kwatt]

I wouldn’t have one of those either and, I’m a service agent for them. 😉

The worst of it is, the Smeg’s the best retro one I’ve seen! 😕

K.

[jennie]

Re: 1960s fridge question

Ackk! Don’t tell me that, K! Are they that bad really? Is there a better alternative? Yikes, for the price you’d think they would be top-notch…

cheers,
jenn

[kwatt]

Re: 1960s fridge question

Here’s the problem…

You have a great big heavy thick door on a “normal” modern cabinet that you could spit holes through with a bit of effort. Let’s just say that the cabinets themselves are prone to “bending” if not strengthened correctly. Sadly it’s the way that refrigeration has gone as people demand lower and lower prices then wonder why the temperature isn’t stable and that they fail much sooner than the old stuff.

That and of course the fact that almost every other component is built to a price.

Then, when I tell people that, to get a decent (for example) US fridge freezer that they should think about spending at least £1.5K instead of the £750 Samsung or LG want hands get thrown up in horror at the shocking price. Two years or so later many are forking out the best part of another £300 to sort it for another couple of years or so, then it’s everyone’s fault except theirs for being cheap in the first place.

Sorry, it irks me at time. You get what you pay for basically to a huge degree.

Currently there is no retro look fridge or fridge freezer that I would recommend to anyone happily, to make a real one would be cost-prohibitive and people just wouldn’t buy them unless you can afford to do your weekly shop at Harrods.

As I said out of them all Smeg’s the best, most others I have seen so far have Chinese origins and are built purely to a price and have been, frankly, utter rubbish.

HTH and apologies for the rant.

K

[Dales-Electronic]

Re: 1960s fridge question

Without contradicting my friend Ken and talking about the original idea of buying an old fridge – if you like it do it, honestly, if you are buying an antique you must expect afew unusual aspects to getting it working. If you can find a handy fridge man he will be able to refurbish the unit with non cfc gas, operating thermostats and a running system. The problem you will have is that you will not be able to source things like, shelves, door handles etc. I’ve a lovely 1954 LEC running in our office – quality 😀

[Author]

Posts