The GE wall refrigerator-freezer is the vintage kitchen appliance that perhaps draws the most gasps from readers when they see one for the first time. And, it’s one of the appliances that inspires many folks to ask, “Why don’t they make this today?” Why did it disappear? I have a few hypotheses. According to the copy in these marketing materials (part of my personal collection), the GE wall refrigerator-freezer was introduced in 1955 — the same year that GE introduced the Wonder Kitchen and a whole suite of kitchen appliances all meant to encourage the “built-in” look.
Here’s what the ad says about this exciting new invention:
… This magnificent refrigerator-freezer that hangs from the wall provides a completely new and advanced concept of modern living. Truly, it is the most convenient and magnificent refrigerator-freezer ever produced!
The advantages of this new G-E Wall Refrigerator-Freezer are obvious: there’s no need to bend or stoop for foods because everything can be seen at a glance… It can be installed directly above a work counter to provide extra counter surface. And, there’s room in the kitchen for extra base cabinets because this compact new appliance occupies no floor space.
…Six Mix-or-Match colors including white.
Specs: “This de luxe refrigerator-freezer has 10.7 cubic feet of storage room — 8.7 cubic feet for fresh food and 2 cubic feet for frozen foods. It is 5 feet 4 inches long, 3 feet 3½ inches high and 17½ inches deep.
- Long-lasting baked enamel with a wide band of textured aluminum.
- All 3 doors are kept shut by famous alnico magnets. No handles, no catches.
- Separate vegetable and fruit compartments have transparent sliding doors.
- Top shelf provides space for tall bottles. Shelves are adjustable to various levels.
- Separate compartments inside door or butter, egg rack; and door shelves for small jars and cans.
- Zero-degree food freezer has room for up to 83 packages of frozen foods.
- Four new-style Mini-Cube® ice trays.
- Frozen fruit juice storage rack.
- Dependable whisper-quite ealed-in G-E refrigeration unit is built into the refrigerator. No need to install it separately.
Above: Note the special hanger gear on the wall. Readers experienced with this units advise: If you find one to buy for your kitchen, Be Sure to Get The Hanger Thingie!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these “live” working in a reader’s kitchen. But I see no reason that these could not still be used. They may require some refurbishing.
Mix-and-Match style: Above, this image produced to advertise Armstrong Flooring shows just how the different GE cabinets and appliance colors could be mixed and matched Mondrian-style.
Above: Another interior design from Armstrong floors — Note here, how the GE wall refrigerator-freezer unit is built into an appliance wall. Cool to the max. Plus: Love that floor!
Above: Here’s the GE Wonder Kitchen.
Above: Reader Chris scored a GE Wonder Kitchen, refurbished it, and installed it in his apartment, which is in a building designed by Mies van Der Rohe.
Okay, so can I now really blow your mind? Above: A full GE Refrigeration Center — combining the wall refrigerator-freezer with base cabinets refrigeration and even tucking in two Cabinettes. I don’t know the year of this ad, although this marketing image is somewhere in my files.
Above: And this one blows our minds too: The GE Partio Cart, introduced in 1960.
Why did GE wall refrigerator-freezers fade from the marketplace?
I hypothesize: (1) An 8.7 cu.ft. refrigerator was not “enough”, especially as manufacturers continued to offer new, larger refrigerator designs. (2) Kids could not reach the refrigerator. (3) Many women [average height was 5’4″, I remember reading once] themselves had trouble reaching. (4) I’m guessing these were expensive.
Mary Stephens says
Despite the fact that size would have its drawbacks in some situations, I can see these being utilized in “tiny house movement” style small houses and apartments where less is more. In that context I really like the idea. As the one picture shows, they can be mounted lower, and also in the “island” arrangement servicing might be less of an issue.
Barb S. says
I second that question! Looking for pink as well. (However, my local auto body shop did a great job of matching my current fridge to my petal pink GE stove.)
Sheryll says
I have one of these working refrigerator/freezer combinations (pink) in my kitchen. I would hate to lose it. It is a great conversation piece in my 1950’s home. It is not frost free, but then, having to defrost it forces me to clean it out once in a while.
Chris says
I have one of these in working condition. Is there a market for this? Right now it keeps my beer cold in my garage…
Kimberly Barton says
So glad that I found this website. I was researching the history of the GE wall mounted refrigerator and here you are! Great resource! Bookmarked!
I just listed a mid-century home for sale in Annapolis, Maryland that actually has the original GE Wall Mounted refrigerator in the kitchen and still working since installation in 1957! (Yes, there are photos online of the refrigerator if you click on the kitchen. It’s the yellow model and not sure what year it is yet.)
The owner said that it’s been in continuous working condition since his mother had the home built in the 1950’s. And the kitchen, as with most of the rest of the house, is pretty much unchanged too with the exception of him adding corian counter tops in the 1990’s.
There are a lot of mid-century homes in the area that have to overcome the stigma of being “museums” of the past. Today’s buyers always want to rip out stuff from houses to replace with today’s appliances. And it makes me sad to see perfectly good appliances, (usually that have withstood the test of time better than today’s appliances), discarded to the dump.
Thanks for giving me hope that the features of this home may be cherished by someone. Now, on to find out some history on the dishwasher! Cheers!
John says
I just got finished speaking with the architect and he said that the kitchen originally had a ge wall refridgerator!
Kelly says
I am a lucky, lucky girl! I bought this very wall fridge from a neighbor and guess what – IT’S PINK! However it has love scars and needs a repainting. I’ve zeroed in on the proper paint (thank you Pam) but now need to be taught the proper approach to repainting it! Does anyone know what to do? Thank you in advance!
pam kueber says
I am not an expert on this. However, I do advise: Please remember that old paint can contain lead — be sure to consult with a properly licensed professional before you proceed so that you know how to handle.
Anne Walker says
I read each comment and went to directed sites. I’m encouraged to find people still talking about this 2013 since most of the posts I’ve read between last Friday & now have been old ones. I known about these wall hung units for only a few days, but I’m almost obsessed now with trying to find one.
Barb S. says
Anne, be sure to save a search on eBay and check craigslist every day. I drove all the way from Cleveland to Boston to get one, only to find it didn’t work. Then I found another one from two lovely gents in Indiana. Only four hours away! I found both on eBay.
I don’t use craigslist much, but my brother says ads for cool vintage appliances can be pulled within an hour of listing because of the quick response of buyers. Good luck! I really love mine.
Patrocoa Koko says
Wow, how fun to see our old Refrigerator again. My folks bought ours brand new in 1955 and it hung on the wall in our very tiny kitchen until we moved in 1965. The “Fridge” went with us to the new apartment and lived there until they retired to Florida in 1970. It then moved into our home and we loved it until it finally died (compressor froze up and we could not get a replacement) sometime in the 1980’s. I LOVE IT. Even for our family of three, we had plenty of space and I didn’t mind defrosting it.. I really miss it.!
Marie says
Me too. I was a kid when we had ours and all I had to do to get to it was pull up the kitchen stool. It was such a logical and space saving device they really should be brought back!
Nancy says
I saw some of these wall-hung units back in the 80s when I was a farm equipment salesman. I remember going into this kitchen in a really remote farmhouse ‘way down in the mountains between two southern PA counties and there were several units in a teal blue color. I just stood and stared. They were gorgeous.