I have a 1948 Frigidaire refrigerator that still runs. It’s the type with the small freezer compartment at the top, like the one in this YouTube video: 1948 GM Frigidaire refrigerator make over - YouTube
I’m not sure of the model number. “ML-77” is stenciled on the back.
The freezer has no door, and it ices up badly, inside and out. I’d like to turn off or disconnect or even remove the freezer. Any suggestions?
Also, any tips on where I can find a user manual? I’ve done a little hunting online, with no success yet.
-Stuart
the freezer is the evaporator. You can not remove it if you want the device to still function.
Thanks for the reply. Can I turn the freezer off, or to the lowest possible temperature setting? I don’t see any controls for the freezer - just the main refrigerator control dial.
There is only one control for that type of unit. Typically, there will be a metal capillary / probe of the control that will attach to the evaporator.
The freezer (walls / compartment) is the evaporator. That gets cold (real cold and will ice up). Heat rises, cold sinks. The cold from the evaporator sinks and cools the rest of the fridge compartment.
No different than todays modern “mini fridges” like a 1.7 ~ 2.7 cubic foot haier.
They need to be manual defrosted. It is recommended to defrost when the ice gets to be 1/8 ~ 1/4 inch thick.
You should shop for or fabricate a door to cover the front of the freezer compartment. That will not stop it from getting coated with ice but it will keep the contents of the fridge compartment from getting too cold.
Barryware, thanks for the explanation. Our problem is not that the fridge compartment is getting too cold, but that the ice around the freezer is bad. It gets inches thick, a lot faster than it used to. Would that be because the fridge door isn’t sealing well and a lot of moisture is getting in?