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.
Anne says
I would love to see these make a come back. A newer, bigger design that is not too high, so the average person could reach it. These are awesome.
Dennis says
We have been building a new porch on an older home being redone. I was inside today and the owner showed the fully functional GE wall mount refrigerator! It is white outside with a pinkish interior. They really are small inside. Only as deep as a wall cabinet, obviously, but with a thick back wall for the coils and insulation. Still it is well worth having along with a conventional unit. Dennis
anonymous says
How sad to see this tonight…..as GE Appliances are, for all intents
and purposes, no more. Electrolux bought it out. GE is nothing more now than a military industrial consortium, with no actual presence in the “white goods” marketplace, save the logo.
Dave says
My folks’ house (completed in late 1958) had one of these GE wall mounted refrigerator/freezer combos plus we had a drawer type freezer. They lasted until about 1969 when my mom got a Whirlpool “french door” refrigerator with a bottom freezer. These are now the latest rage.
Al Sado says
My mom had a turquoise wall refrigerator and she loved it…. It continued to work from 1955 to 1981 until my sister sold it after my parents died….to my knowledge it was still working…..GE made great products and very innovative…. And GE still does makes great products …and still very innovative!
Jeff says
I have the turquoise wall mounted refrigerator, and sadly the compressor and coil in the freezer compartment stopped working. No one can fix it! Otherwise pristine condition inside and out…..one day I’ll find a capable repairman……
Madeline Webb says
I have a friend that still has hers and it works beautifully. I am a WW2 baby boomer and until 2 days ago I am never seen one, it is absolutely fantastic, progession can be a sad thing!
Thank you for the windrrful education!
Austin DeVincent says
Hey there. My wife and I bought a 1941 house this past August. Included with the purchase was a fully operational hanging refrigerator in the hilarious yellow color. The interior is a salmon color, and definitely “vintage”.
I’ve read a couple places where it is explained that this model isn’t dependable. We have had no issues with it except taking out a shelf to fit a full gallon of milk. It’s a great fridge and extremely quiet, but we quickly learned that it just isn’t big enough to store a frozen pizza. It keeps you eating healthier, though. That’s for sure!
Susie aka cooknwoman says
I would love to have a wall refrigerator-freezer and a vintage stove/oven with bread warmer being that my kitchen is my favorite room in the house even if I’m using a half working oven and toaster oven because my oven has been on the blink for 2 1/2 years at least I have a kitchen – and a home- I’m very blessed!! As some have little or nothing.
Diann Wilson says
Are these still being made? The older I get the harder it is to bend down into the refer. so this would be perfect for the kitchen in my home.
pam kueber says
No.