New fridge install

[Rampant]

“What was required to remove the original fridge? Did you have to destroy the port side cabinets, or is there some clever way to get the box out?”

We haven’t completed the install yet, but the old box was removed. From secondhand info: the plate unit removal was straightforward but was difficult because the screws are into the top of the icebox. The piping came out through the existing holes. No cabinet disassembly was required.

“Our Adler Barbour unit is still working great, but the insulation in the box itself needs improvement.”

I am concerned about the quality of the insulation as well. We have not done a thing to it, so I don’t know how hard the unit will have to work once we get it up and running. Plenty of hot weather here in July to try it out! What did you use for insulation?

Charles
“Rampant” #53

[Moderator]

We insulated the box with a rigid sheet of foil covered closed-cell foam product that we purchased at our local DIY store. I think it was 1″ thick. We cut the sheet into pieces required to closely line the interior walls, and then sealed each cut edge using foil tape before installation. (It’s important to not let condensation get into insulation or the moisture will degrade the material’s insulation properties).

We positioned each cut piece inside the box with a close fit, and then to protect the foil from being punctured, we put cut sheets of formica over the installed insulation. Finally, to further stop moisture from getting to the insulation, we used caulk all the corners. So now we have a decorative formica-lined interior that is about 2″ smaller all around.

All this has noticeably reduced the duty cycle. It runs about 5 minutes out of every 25 now, when the outside temperature is moderate.

An important thing to do, however, is to ensure you still have circulation from the cold plate in the icebox to the lower portions of the box. Since we shrunk the inside area, the original shelf no longer fits. So instead, we use some baking wire racks along the back and bottom so that the goods do not sit flush with the wall, and some air circulation is possible. Hope this all makes sense!

[Author]

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