38 year old Keezer... a new "Facelift"

I would like to start off by saying that there are a number of "great people" on this website that give great information on the hobby of home brewing. I'm new to the site and it has already inspired me to start brewing once again. The downside however, is the fact that seven years ago when I "got out" of the hobby. I sold off all the equipment. So at the present time. I've started collecting equipment here and there. I'm looking forward to the future to brew my first batch after many moons and empty kegs!
So with that being said. I was on craigslist several nights ago and came across this ad for a "freezer/keg holder". The guy was asking $25 bucks for it. In the ad was the fact it was "old" but in good working condition. The front had been repainted a metallic blue. It only had two pictures of the freezer showing the door closed and then open with three Corny's sitting in it and a twelve pack of "bud". So, I replied to the ad. Two days later the guy replied back and several questions later I agreed to buy the freezer from him with the purpose of turning it into a upright keezer or even a fermentor for Lagers. The following day, I backed my truck up to his carport where the freezer had been sitting against a wall. Long story short..he picked up the freezer which use to belong to a little old lady. (I didn't even ask what ever happened to her) and he repainted the front since it was in pretty rough looking shape.
I went "wow" that's an "old looking" freezer. He said "yep" and re-adjusted his Johnson temp control he had hooked up on the outside of the freezer to show that it would "kick" on and was working right.
Upon going to move the freezer to the bed of my truck. I made the comment "is this heavy?" All I can say is "wow" this freezer weighs a ton...like an old battle tank!
Later that night upon doing a "Google search" of the GE Hotpoint freezer. Google let me down, there was nothing on this freezer. I did however find GE Hotpoint website. So I shot them an email asking for there help on the age of the freezer. I was curious of how old the freezer was and when it was manufactured. Within a day I received a reply from there Appliance Consumer Specialist asking for more information on the freezer (serial number). With this I got a response.


So there you have it. A 38 year old freezer still Freezing just like the day it was born!
Now being as anal as I am. I wanted to re-do the freezer. I just can't let it sit there looking a little rusted and all it needs is a good "makeover" to remove some of the rust etc..

Here are several pictures of the progress. Start date 12/15/2009. Currently un-complete.

http://s862.photobucket.com/albums/ab181/Southern_Yankee_Photos/

Do you have a power meter, like a kill-a-watt, to plug it in to? I'd be conerned about efficiency with a unit that old...

Boondoggie said:

Do you have a power meter, like a kill-a-watt, to plug it in to? I'd be conerned about efficiency with a unit that old...

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Good question. Yes, I plan on using a P4460 Kill-A-Watt EZ. I hope it doesnt cost that much. But we will see. Also Im installing a Ranco ETC-111000 for the temps.

My conditioning/grain storage keezer was built in 74. I bought it from the original owner, a little old lady. She still had all the original paperwork, I paid $40 for it.

You do know that by doing so much work to that keezer it will die the next time you plug it in.....:cross:

wildwest450 said:

My conditioning/grain storage keezer was built in 74. I bought it from the original owner, a little old lady. She still had all the original paperwork, I paid $40 for it.

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Nice! I bet its still running strong? Is it me or did they build things (freezer's, refrigerator's, CARS) Better back in the day?

ftlstrings said:

You do know that by doing so much work to that keezer it will die the next time you plug it in.....:cross:

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LOL yeah, After I removed the inside panel to take a look. I replaced it and then started it up again just to make sure it did work. But your right, After I do all this to it...give it a month or so and watch the thing die on me.

SouthernYankee said:

Nice! I bet its still running strong? Is it me or did they build things (freezer's, refrigerator's, CARS) Better back in the day?

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Yup, i've had it for a year now.

The newer freezers/fridges user probably 1/4 or less of the power of the old ones. You may blow your "savings" just running that old beast.

i hate you. a lot.

motobrewer said:

i hate you. a lot.

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Cheaton said:

The newer freezers/fridges user probably 1/4 or less of the power of the old ones. You may blow your "savings" just running that old beast.

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Im sure you are right. Ill see when I'm finished working on it and plug it into the Kill-A-Watt monitor. I figure if I can get another year or so from it I'll be happy. But also would like to see the cost of just how much cash it will take to run it.