old freezer info

[Lee Kramer]

Hello,

I have a late 1950's early 1960's International Harvester chest freezer in my house. It was here when we moved in and is too large to move out. The unit seems to work fine, we have used it for the last 5 years. The only thing I have noticed is that the seal around the door seems to be getting stiff and slightly brittle. Is there any way of getting a replacement? I know looking for new parts is not possible. Also I need to defrost the unit, it now has a frost ridge at the top of the sides that will not let me slide the wire racks around anymore anything that I should look for or check out? Is there a drain I have looked on the inside of the unit and can not see one?

Thanks in advance,

Lee

[Joseph Meehan]

Lee, using a freezer from the 50's or 60's is going to cost you so much in additional electric usage that you can afford to pay someone to take that one out and bring you a new one. Those things ate electricity.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

You may have to retrofit a newer gasket. Truth is, you'd be better off cutting it up if you have to in order to move it out. The price of the gasket, combined with the saving in electricity of a new unit, will pay back in a very short time. Ed

[TURTLE]

This is Turtle.

Go to your local appliance parts house and know what the shape and if it is maginetic or just rubber type gasket and buy some universial gasket material to rerun the gasket around there. You can get this stuff enough at about $25.00 to $35.00 and just cut it to fit. If you buy the OEM stuff already cut and ready to install you are looking at about $100.00 or so on maginetic type. Now Duct Tape and Super Glue work pretty good.

TURTLE

[jeff]

Hi,

Not all freezers had a drain for defrosting, if not visable yours may not have one. Lay some bath towles in the bottom to catch the water and prop the lid up/open so any ice in the lid can defrost and drip out, have some towels on the floor as well.

There are many places that can make a new gasket for you....

Check with local parts depot to see if they can get one made for you.

jeff. Appliance Repair Aid

[Rob]

The freezer being that old must cost you quite a bit to run compared to present day energy efficient units.

[m Ransley]

I have an old IH also after eating 35$ a month in electric I turned it into clothes storage.