REFRIGERATOR

[Mindy]

I am going to store my former fridge in my enclosed garage. I will have
it turned off & unplugged with the door closed since it will not be
used. I plan in the long run to get rid of it since it is 20 yeas old
but still runs. I was just getting tired of the white color & went to
black. What I would like to know is if anything at all can get into it
since I will have the door closed?? If anyone knows.. please let me
know. Thanks! ..Mindy

[Vox Humana]

"Mindy" <sandcrispies@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:11790-4168014B-367@storefull-3353.bay.webtv.net...
> I am going to store my former fridge in my enclosed garage. I will have
> it turned off & unplugged with the door closed since it will not be
> used. I plan in the long run to get rid of it since it is 20 yeas old
> but still runs. I was just getting tired of the white color & went to
> black. What I would like to know is if anything at all can get into it
> since I will have the door closed?? If anyone knows.. please let me
> know. Thanks! ..Mindy

The most tragic thing that can happen is for a small child to get into the
refrigerator and shut the door. You need to store it so this can't happen.
You can put the refrigerator in a position where the door is against the
wall, you can put a chain or rope around the door to prevent it from being
opened, or you can remove the door. There isn't any other thing that can
get into it, but if you don't clean it well, bacteria and fungus can grow
and cause a very bad odor. I stored a freezer for a couple of years, and
beforehand, I cleaned it very well and washed it out with a bleach solution.
After a thorough cleaning, I left the door open for a few days to assure
that it was completely dry.

If the only reason that you are getting rid of the refrigerator is because
of the color, you might look into having it painted. I checked out this
option about a year ago, and was quoted a fee of $110 for the first
appliance and $50 for each subsequent appliance. This was an electrostatic
painting process that was suppose to be thicker and more durable than the
factory pain job. That would be much cheaper than buying a new appliance.
If you are junking the refrigerator and you live in the US, you will have to
have the refrigerant recovered from the machine and affix a certificate.
That cost me $40 ten years ago. Then you will most likely have to pay to
have the refrigerator hauled away. Before you know it, you will have spent
$100. It is unlikely that you would get more than $50 for a 20 year old
appliance if you tried to sell it. Of course, newer appliances are more
energy efficient, but you would have to calculate the amount of time that it
would take to break even.

[Nan]

On Sat, 9 Oct 2004 11:18:35 -0400, sandcrispies@webtv.net (Mindy)
scribbled:

>I am going to store my former fridge in my enclosed garage. I will have
>it turned off & unplugged with the door closed since it will not be
>used. I plan in the long run to get rid of it since it is 20 yeas old
>but still runs. I was just getting tired of the white color & went to
>black. What I would like to know is if anything at all can get into it
>since I will have the door closed?? If anyone knows.. please let me
>know. Thanks! ..Mindy

I highly recommend removing the door and calling someone to haul it
away for you. It's dangerous to store a refrigerator with the door
on.

Nan

[Barbecue Bob]

In article <DXW9d.264833$787.88663@fe2.columbus.rr.com>,
"Vox Humana" <vhumana@hotmail.com> wrote:

> "Mindy" <sandcrispies@webtv.net> wrote in message
> news:11790-4168014B-367@storefull-3353.bay.webtv.net...
> > I am going to store my former fridge in my enclosed garage. I will have
> > it turned off & unplugged with the door closed since it will not be
> > used. I plan in the long run to get rid of it since it is 20 yeas old
> > but still runs. I was just getting tired of the white color & went to
> > black. What I would like to know is if anything at all can get into it
> > since I will have the door closed?? If anyone knows.. please let me
> > know. Thanks! ..Mindy
>
> The most tragic thing that can happen is for a small child to get into the
> refrigerator and shut the door. You need to store it so this can't happen.

As latching refrigerators haven't been made for 40 years, the most
tragic thing that can happen is for a child to *fail* to shut the door.

> You can put the refrigerator in a position where the door is against the
> wall, you can put a chain or rope around the door to prevent it from being
> opened,

We've tried that. It's inconvenient for adults who want a snack.

> or you can remove the door. There isn't any other thing that can
> get into it,

With no door?

> but if you don't clean it well, bacteria and fungus can grow
> and cause a very bad odor. I stored a freezer for a couple of years, and
> beforehand, I cleaned it very well and washed it out with a bleach solution.
> After a thorough cleaning, I left the door open for a few days to assure
> that it was completely dry.

Borax is bacteriostatic and fungistatic. If you wash a surface with
borax and water, the residue can prevent growth.
--
Barbecue Bob serving family-style roast bunny
at convenient restaurants
from Montana to New Mexico

[Mindy]

Thanks everyone for your advice! Always appreciated! ..Mindy