What to do with a broken refrigerator

RogerMcAllen · Jun 18, 2009

I had my GE 4.4 cft refrigerator set up for a 5 gallon keg, a 3 gallon keg, and my CO2 tank. Just got the second hold drilled for the 2nd Perlick tap. Life was good, but then I came across this thread where a guy was looking to mod the same fridge. In the OP there was a link to this thread that talked about how easy it was to bend down the freezer section to make room for two full sized kegs and the tank. I decided, hey, I can do that. So I did, had the damn thing just about where I wanted it, made one last tweak and then "hiss". The tubing cracked right where it met the freezer section.

Now what do I do with a broken fridge with two perfectly drilled holes for Perlick taps that used to hold a 5 gallon keg, a 3 gallon keg, and a 5lb CO2 tank?

Dwain · Jun 18, 2009

There were probably 2 sounds like that. The first one was the hissing as the freon escaped. The second one was that situation sucking. Sorry about the bad luck - Dwain

ikelso · Jun 19, 2009

don't know anything about refrigeration, but is it impossible to use some epoxy to patch the hole and then take it somewhere to get some freon put in it?

Munch671 · Jun 19, 2009

I had a similar situation. It sat outside laying down for a few months when a buddy came over and said, "hey, if we strip all the heavy stuff out of that, make it look some what nicer with some paint or something and leave it laying on it's back, we have the largest beer cooler for parties."

I thought this was a great idea, so I drilled a hole in the bottom of the fridge, added a drain valve for water. Now we just throw some ice in it and use it as a giant cooler. I haven't gotten around to painting it or anything yet, (not that it looks horrible) but plan to soon.
Thinking of adding some old dolly wheels I have laying around and a handle to transport it around the yard easier.

RogerMcAllen · Jun 19, 2009

Munch671 said:
we have the largest beer cooler for parties

Sounds good to me. I figure I could also take out the thermostat for a potential keezer build in the future.

Any other ideas?

sketerbuck · Jun 19, 2009

I'm not sure how big it is but I made a nice temp. controlled fermenter out of an old chest freezer. With the ice chamber and fans , it works great.

sketerbuck · Jun 19, 2009

By the way I almost did the same thing. I just got lucky.

uglygoat · Jun 19, 2009

you can't use epoxy on the hole, there's too much pressure. you could possibly braze some new tubing, and have it filled with refrigerant. but that will cost you more than a new 'used' fridge.