Older Sub Zero fridges

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Baz

Not sure what a sub zero fridge is. But I just moved the one from my parent's house into my storage unit. Would have given it to you, Shaun. My storage unit has electric (2 outlets plus 2 overhead shop lights) - now a working fridge - and lift table - and soon to have stereo!

That is great Baz and could have picked it up in early March going to Amelia Island.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Some thoughts on the subject. My Monogram fridge lasted somewhere around 30 years before compressor went out. Loved that fridge. Food lasted forever in it. Can't find another like it though there is one in NH but I'll spend $200 just to get it. One thing I like is how many older Sub Zeros are for sale on FBMP, so they have to be reliable in some way. Plenty of new Frigidaires and Samsungs too.

This may sound a little odd but one over-arching theme in my life is aesthetics so whether it's for home or the shop, anything like this I have to like seeing it and have to like opening the door to seeing what's inside which includes the feeling of opening the door which is slightly analogous to closing a 911 door. New fridges are too light.

I like the style of older fridges though a few new Samsungs I've seen aren't bad. Lot of scratch and dent Frigidaires. I recently bought a $3000 Frigidaire induction top range on FBMP for $200. It had clearly fallen off a forklift. Took it apart and straightened all the sheet metal so the front door closes now, and if I got new sides for $100 each, it would be brand new to take home, but perfect for a Cerakote oven for fans & housings. So many cool features including a ball bearing pull-out rack.

This 642 is one I want to look at, $750 but I'd offer $400 and see where it goes.

[Tobra]

Seems like there would be more motorcycles

You can't replace the compressor?

[Bugsinrugs]

My sub zero is 30 years old. Had some minor issues but the two compressors just keep humming along. That model(550) had issues with condensation freezing at the bottom of the non frozen food side. They finally came up with a fix that cost a couple hundred. $7000 new back in 1995 is now around $12,000-15,000.

[Danimal16]

Shaun, I love my 642.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Thank you Dan and Bugs, good to hear. Snowing tomorrow so I'll try this week for it.

[Rot 911]

When it comes to any appliance, old is good. New, not so much. But you know that.

[Gogar]

I bought an almost new BI-36 nine years ago off Craigslist and it's been awesome and I've spent $0 on repairs so far. I love it and I'm pretty confident from my experience with SZ and Wolf that if I need repair the parts chain will be robust and I can talk to a helpful person - in the USA - in English , if I need to. That has value IMO.

[rrichar]

Our last one lasted 39 years until the freezer side compressor went bad. No issues during those 39 years. Had to be replaced because compressor failed and system was 2 Freon generations old and was not compatible with new parts. Could have replaced entire system at $5,000+, decided to get new one because of the age of the rest of the unit and the other compressor. A not well known rebate of 5%, maybe it was 10% can’t remember, from the manufacturer is available for existing unit owners when buying a new one!

[blucille]

2003 we built our kitchen. Sub zero fridge. Zero issues. Absolutely nothing. In fact. I just changed one light bulb last week. That’s it. I clean the condenser coils every year or two when I think about it.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

This 642/F was made in Jan 2000. 2 years ago they updated to stainless panels and seller states "professionally serviced two years ago and the tech said it was in terrific shape and that as long as we kept vacuuming the intake vent (it gives a message when it needs it) it should serve us well for many more years."

On the pricier side but I like that it has been given a clean bill of health

[blucille]

I suspect it’s the same mechanicals of my bottom freezer. Nice find.

[908/930]

Shawn, Using one of those in a shop? They are really intended to be built into cabinets, if not you need to make sure you have it fastened to a strong wall, 500+lbs of fridge falling on you could hurt.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by blucille

I suspect it’s the same mechanicals of my bottom freezer. Nice find.

They're really are quite a lot of these for sale so I want to be choosy. I prefer the bar rail door handles to these strips but I more prefer a fridge with a clean bill of health so I'm leaning toward this one.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by 908/930

Shawn, Using one of those in a shop? They are really intended to be built into cabinets, if not you need to make sure you have it fastened to a strong wall, 500+lbs of fridge falling on you could hurt.

Thanks, yes, I've got concrete walls and a hammer drill ready to go.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

This is one reason I got a Sub Zero, easy to work on and also worth working on vs replacing. The one I got, the freezer compressor was replaced a year ago. Owner didn't know if or when the fridge compressor had been but we both thought a 25 year old fridge would have had a new compressor by now.

Fridge stopped cooling well a few days ago. Lot of research, with Youtube degree in hand, $28 later it's back to work. The compressor was original made in September 2000.

When it finally quits, an original entire kit goes for $500. Just need to braze in the lines and the dryer, and it will last another 25+ years. Cant beat the access, can't imagine being a regular fridge tech crawling around on dusty floors.

[masraum]

Nice!

[cjh]

My Mom's Sub Zero was 54 years old when it went down the road with it's new owners. Still was a very good freezer.

[LWJ]

Yeah baby!!!! I really do like my subzero. Cost me $8K in 2007 or so. When my most expensive car at the time was far less. Mine keeps on ticking...

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Well done!