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.
Marilyn Milstein says
Is it possible to get parts for these wall mounted refrigerators? We may need a new thermostat but can’t find the serial # to see if they are available thru GE. Any suggestions?
pam kueber says
Try The Old Appliance Club for ideas
Amy says
I have a working 1957 wall refrigerator that is original to the house we just purchased. It still works great! We’ve had many people take pics of it because it’s such a rare thing to see. Ours is white! We also have the original 1957 GE wall oven that is in emaculate condition! It’s stainless. Our house was a one owner custom construction and we’ve been in it for two months now. It’s like a step back in time but we are thoroughly enjoying our kitchen. They do not make appliances to last these days.
Lisa says
I called a realtor specializing in mid-century modern but it sounds as if he is going by the comps in the neighborhood. If comps is the answer then all the other realtors are right and renovation is the only way to get the most out of the house. I can not afford to do otherwise. It is so unfortunate that buyers do not share our
love for this style. Any idea where to post for sale? Are there classifieds that cater to modernism?
pam kueber says
not that i know of.
we had a story recently of someone with mid mod original features. she tidied everything up – painted over some of the more colorful walls – staged it carefully – and told me later, she got an excellent offer right away
beware costs of updating – research indicates that, on average, homeowners do not recoup their expenditures: http://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2015/
Lisa says
I have a working yellow wall hung in my house along with a 1950’s nut one ventilation hood and yellow kitchen aid dishwasher. All work and are used!!!! They certainly do not make things the way they used to. It is my understanding the reason the refrigerator qorks to this day is that there are only three main components. I am going to sell the house this summer and the realtor says I should upgrade my kitchen as the retro buyer severely limits the niche he can sell the house to. Wondering if anyone know what I should sell them for and where I should advertise? I have seen the frig refurbished selling for over $15,000.
pam kueber says
Get a new real estate agent who caters to the retro / historical market. See: https://retrorenovation.com/2012/07/30/how-to-sell-a-midcentury-house-full-of-original-features-we-hear-from-three-real-estate-agents-who-specialize-in-midcentury-modern/
Kelly says
Anyone have tips on removing one of these from the wall?
pam kueber says
Read all the comments, I think this has been discussed. Be Careful, Very Heavy.
GET WITH A PROFESSIONAL
Michelle P Neff says
Yes I had one that died a misrible death. Lift it up it takes Two strong people. after unplugging it from the wall outlet instide the compressor compartment. Then take the bracket off the wall. It really cant be easily repowered with a new comprossor GE does not support it any more.
Its a shame too generally the kitchent they put it in were small and it hung on wall over a counter
Marilyn milstein says
We have a soffit above it. Does that have to come off first.
pam kueber says
Marilyn, I really think you need to be consulting with a professional regarding these questions. You might also try GE, which manufactured the unit. Good luck.
Jim Kohout says
10-28-15. I just finished a job in Wellsburg WV and was amazed when I saw the chocolate upper wall refrigerator hanging there. I’ve never seen anything like it in person. The homeowners told me it was put in when they built the house in 1955 and they are still using it as there only refrigerator. I took a lot of photos and offered them $2500 for it , they just laughed at me.
m osterman says
I had two of these fridges some years ago and loved them. One was pink and the other was a chocolate color. They both worked very well. I am trying to find one again for my kitchen. If you have any idea where one might be found please pass the info on to me.
Thanks, Mike
Raghu says
Hi Mike, I have an aqua blue one of these in my house, and I’m interested in selling it as I’m remodeling my kitchen — I just posted it on my company’s internal buy/sell email list.
I’m located in the bay area. Let me know (and provide your contact info) if you’re interested. Looking for $1000, but willing to negotiate.
pam kueber says
Raghu and m-o, please take all buying/selling to the forum https://retrorenovation.com/forums
no buying/selling here on the main blog or it becomes chaos
Roy Nelson says
We have an original one, installed in our parents custom home in 1956. It has worked flawlessly until three weeks ago (9/1/2015). We prefer to restore it and continue using it but may have to replace it if we can’t find anyone/parts to repair it. Any help would be appreciated: Campbell CA
pam kueber says
See: https://retrorenovation.com/2011/08/29/parts-service-and-advice-to-fix-old-stoves-and-other-vintage-appliances-a-list-of-9-online-resources/
Joana says
My grand mother had this style in a Salmon/pinkish color. It was very practical and progressive! I have been looking for comparable products, but they just don’t exist. She never had any issues and there wasn’t that problem of food you forget about at the back. There was a desk underneath the refrigerator in the kitchen, which was not popular in the kitchen until years later. I wish I had appreciated it more at that time.
Scott says
I have one that matches your description. White exterior, salmon interior. It works and has a little rust. The original wall bracket is with it, even the original cast iron bolts.
Hallie says
We have one that sadly no longer works. It was small, hung too high, and I’m tall, and the kids couldn’t get themselves breakfast till they were 10. Most challenging was defrosting while standing on chairs. But it was a great conversation piece.
But now we can’t figure out how to get it down. So any hints would be appreciated, and are there people who want these? It would be great for a mid century show.
52PostnBeam says
The fridge hangs on a long horizontal steel bracket which is bolted to the wall and positioned below the top rear edge of the fridge. So you *just* have to push the fridge up a few inches, tip forward, and then it’ll be completely free of the wall… which of course is very tricky because it weighs a few hundred pounds. Make sure you work slowly, have several strong people and a place for the fridge to “land”. A floor jack can really come in handy for the lift, you can rent one from home depot.
Also, many fridges have plastered soffitts above them, so in order to lift the fridge to remove it, the soffitt has to be knocked out. That’s why a lot of fridges stay in place and just get used as storage!
People will still buy them on Craiglist in non-working condition but $75 would be about the most to expect, since refurbishing one of these things can run up a bill of a grand or more easily, plus a huge amount of time researching someone who knows what to do and can find parts. If it’s a leak in the sealed coolant system, it can’t be repaired.
Pro tip: remove the doors if you can, before attempting to get it off the wall (since there’s no defrost, there probably won’t be wiring running through the hinge into the door). Removing the doors will protect them from dents and make the fridge a bit lighter. The textured aluminum panels on the fridge dent extremely easily. Also take care with the plastic molding around the inside of the doors because it will crack really easily on these fridges, exposing the insulation to moisture where it becomes a breeding ground for mold.
Also – as Pam always says, consult a Pro if you can! OK – good luck!!
Anne Walker says
52 post &beam…you sound like a pro!
52PostnBeam says
hah! I think at this point I am, thanks! 🙂
pam kueber says
Yes, Hallie — our readers have some experience in these issues — but yes, as 52PNB says: It’s best to consult with your own professional in terms of getting it down, especially considering the weight of the piece.
52PostnBeam says
Indeed, all that weight is dangerous. I stalked these fridges and then a few years back had the chance to buy one in working, excellent condition, close to my home, only $200 delivered … but I passed because the whole idea of having 200-300 lbs hanging on the wall seemed ridiculous. Also the 64″ width was out of proportion in a smallish kitchen. I adore the 1967 ltd. edition Sundberg-Ferar for Coldspot french door model I ended up with instead!