Worried about freezer

[RSKY]

I have a Kenmore upright freezer that we purchased in 1976 or 1977. So it is at least forty one years old. We defrosted both it and the two year old small chest type Monday. I put one of the remote outdoor temperature sensors in the chest type and it showed 0 degrees F. I googled it and the ideal temp for a freezer is -10F to 0F. Then I put the sensor in the 40-year old upright. At it's lowest setting it will only reach 14F. And it is full of frozen vegetables, fruit, and meat. None of which I want to loose.

I moved the old upright out into the garage sometime after I retired in 2011 and painted the door (Wal-Mart $.99 cans of spray paint) and hosed it off on the back and bottom. It didn't seem to run as much after that but that was several years ago. It does have a 1" crack in the liner on one side and a 1" diameter hole under the door that is sealed with duct tape.

Should I be looking for a new upright freezer?

RSKY

 

[frugalangler]

At 40 years old, I'd be replacing it. It's likely to turn into a PITA, you might be able to service the refrigerant, but compare the value of a chest of lost food to the cost of a new one, and you're likely gonna be money ahead to replace, plus it will run less $ to operate by far.

 

[coldsteelva]

If you have your freezer in an unconditioned garage, the extreme cold is what is causing freezers to fail. The compressors aren't really designed to function below 55-degrees or so. Best bet would be to unplug it, open it to atmosphere. Once the temps rise, you can get another 40 years out of it.

 

[KennyG]

Given the improvements in efficiency, junk the old freezer even if it does work OK. Especially if you can get by with a new second chest type. Old uprights are horrible electricity hogs.

 

[mddorange]

If you have your freezer in an unconditioned garage, the extreme cold is what is causing freezers to fail. The compressors aren't really designed to function below 55-degrees or so. Best bet would be to unplug it, open it to atmosphere. Once the temps rise, you can get another 40 years out of it.

This is the correct answer but for a different reason.

Any good serviceman will tell you that as the temperature around a refrigerator or upright freezer gets colder, the higher the temperature inside will be. The chest type will continue to maintain the cold temperature because it was made to be used outside. You can purchase refrigerators and upright freezers that will work in the cold, but they cost a lot more.

 

[RSKY]

The freezer is sitting in the utility room which stays 65+F. It is not in an unheated garage.

 

[grsthegreat]

ive placed in use recording meters on old and on new freezers. you'd be amazed how much electricity and old refrigerator or freezer suck down. i had one older refrig that was using $14/month in electricity, where the new one was using less than $2. Also the old one was manual defrost the new was auto defrost. doesn't make sense to keep the old ones especially when there the cheapest kitchen appliance you can buy. a 22Cf upright runs about $250 at home depot.

 

[mddorange]

The freezer is sitting in the utility room which stays 65+F. It is not in an unheated garage.

In that case, it is time to replace it.

 

[Ford850]

Check with your electric company to see if they have a turn-in program for old appliances. First Energy does that. They haul the old one away and give you $50.

 

[RSKY]

ive placed in use recording meters on old and on new freezers. you'd be amazed how much electricity and old refrigerator or freezer suck down. i had one older refrig that was using $14/month in electricity, where the new one was using less than $2. Also the old one was manual defrost the new was auto defrost. doesn't make sense to keep the old ones especially when there the cheapest kitchen appliance you can buy. a 22Cf upright runs about $250 at home depot.

This old one is a 20-21 cu. ft. I got all exited about your post until I checked the Home Depot website. They have a 3 cu. ft., yes, that is three cubic foot, for $235. Anything the size I need is way over $500.

RSKY