View Full Version : Stripping down a fridge
smidsy
14th May 2005, 01:54 AM
Hei Guys,
Got an old old fridge that has died, this thing is a classic shape so I want to completely gut it and make it in to a cabinet.
I know the legal way would be to get a fridge techie to remove the gas with a vac pump but that isn't going to happen.
How toxic is the gas in these things - can I just vent it in the open without blowing up the neighbourhood?
Cheers
Paul
kiwigeo
14th May 2005, 11:38 AM
Smidsy,
Im not a raging greeny but CFC's have been proven to be detrimental to the environment and venting your old fridge's cooling system to the atmosphere would be about as reponsible as tipping your old engine oil into the nearest gutter.
Do you really need to gut the machinery out of the fridge to make it into a bookshelf? I once had an old GM fridge which did bookshelf duty without me needing to dick with the machinery. Wife had bought it for $50 from some old fisherman and it lasted a day before dying.
Cheers Martin :)
bitingmidge
14th May 2005, 11:46 AM
I know the legal way would be to get a fridge techie to remove the gas with a vac pump but that isn't going to happen.
So when I drown because of the rising sea level, it's going to be your fault.
Bastard!!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
If the fridge has died there's probably no gas in the lines anyway, but why remove all the gear? Just leave it all intact and save yourself a job! :D
Cheers,
P
smidsy
14th May 2005, 02:03 PM
Hei Guys,
Not sure why it died - it makes motor type noises but just stopped getting cold, the motor in it is about 16 years old.
I could leave it as is, but I've known people who've used fridges for storage and they tend to stink.
Plus the internal fittings of the fridge are a fair bit of space, what I plan to do is gut it and weld some brackets for shelves to the outer shell.
Cheers
Paul
ozwinner
14th May 2005, 06:56 PM
would be about as reponsible as tipping your old engine oil into the nearest gutter.
Problem being?? :confused:
Al :confused:
kiwigeo
14th May 2005, 08:12 PM
Problem being?? :confused:
Al :confused:
The problem with oil in the gutter.....it gets on my shoes when I walk down the street with one foot in the gutter. Was born with one foot shorter than the other.
DanP
14th May 2005, 08:55 PM
Was born with one foot shorter than the other.
Aren't all Kiwi's? :confused:
journeyman Mick
14th May 2005, 10:33 PM
Paul,
if it's one of those old fridges with the rounded top it may have ammonia gas in it. If so, you won't just be poisoning the environment, you may very well make yourself seriously sick (ie dead!)
Mick
smidsy
14th May 2005, 10:38 PM
Mick,
It is that sort of fridge (an old crossley shelvadoor) but it was re-motored in about 88 or 89 so I assume it has modern gas in it.
Cheers
Paul
craigb
14th May 2005, 11:24 PM
Exactly how much is it going to cost you to do the right thing ?
smidsy
14th May 2005, 11:29 PM
Assuming I take it somewhere to be done I would get hit a miniumum labour charge which for most places runs around $40.
Paul
Sturdee
14th May 2005, 11:42 PM
AFAIK if the compressor works but the fridge doesn't gets cold it has no longer any gas in the system so I would rip it out.
However to be on the safe side do it with the usual protection to arms and face and do it outside.
Peter.
craigb
15th May 2005, 12:01 AM
Assuming I take it somewhere to be done I would get hit a miniumum labour charge which for most places runs around $40.
Paul
Well forty bucks doesn't seem much to pay for the warm glow of rightousness. ;)