Shelves for fridge?

[Friends call me Pac]

I found this fridge on the curb last night.



A new couple had bought the house and didn't want it so they set it out as a freebie. They didn't know if it worked or not but I thought if it doesn't work I am not out of anything. I brought it home and put it in the garage. I plugged it in and it seemed to be working normally. I placed a cup of water in the freezer and this morning it was frozen hard. Looks like I have a free working fridge to store my powder in now.

The problem, if it is indeed a problem is there are no shelves. Has anyone made shelves for a fridge before. I'm thinking wood but I wanted to see if anyone out there might have a better idea.

[MrWolf]

No idea of the opening sizes, but refurb those white wire shelves used for storage?

[darkroommike]

My local landfill also recycles fridges (mostly for the Freon) and let me search through the shelves stacked along the wall for shelves the right size.

[country gent]

One plus to wood would be the added "barrier " between powders on each shelf. 1" is recomended by most codes. The wire racks may need to be reinforced some to hold the weight that can be put on shelves storing powder in taller 8 lb cans. 1" ply wood or cdx could be cut to size to fit easily provide a barrier between shelves and be amply solid.

[leadman]

If you intent to have the fridge running with powder in it you want to ensure the air can still circulate. The wood might also shrink as the moisture will be removed from if with the fridge running.
A scrap yard might be a source also for shelves.

[corbinace]

Is there any chance that the shelves are still around at the old home? You might stop and ask.

[Friends call me Pac]

We just got back from where we picked it up. We were told it did not have any shelves in it. My Father told me do not use wooden shelves. He said there needs to be air circulation. He was an appliance repairman for 30+ so I'going to listen to him.

I was actually wanting to use wood because of it's strength. I am worried about the wire bowing when I do get shelves.

Great ideas and I thank you.

[shooterg]

Here, the local appliance guy has a "scrapyard" of broken down fridges. I got one of the side shelves from him when I broke one while cleaning the fridge(wife never found out !) Knowing the make of yours, you might find someone similar to find factory shelves. If you use wood, why not just drill holes for circulation / Our new fridge has solid glass sheving so they must not impact circulation too bad.

[fiberoptik]

Sidewalk shopping for old grill grills, other fridges. local dump/scrapyards work too. Could make em out of plywood with lots of breathing holes drilled in patterns.


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[dverna]

Use composite deck boards with an inch gap between them

[Friends call me Pac]

I went to the local fix it shop. There was a nice lady helping me and she was really trying hard to find a 22" x 12" rack that would fit. She found a oven rack that was oh so close. It was maybe 1/4" off. I took it to the house to give it a try but no luck. When I went back she had some other kind of rack to try. The platform was the correct dimensions. The bottom support bars stuck out 2" from the platform. I bought them and cut the extensions off. The shelves then fit perfectly. They are very stout too and seem to be a rubber coated steel of some sort. It is a good day.

[Pine Baron]

Well played. sir, well played indeed.

[Finster101]

If it doesn't work it's a great place for powder and primer storage. A couple of desiccant bags and you are good to go.

[bangerjim]

That is why FREE many times is NOT free. I have passed up lots of stuff like that because they were missing parts you probably cannot find easily.

[lightman]

I have a dedicated beer fridge in my garage. I replaced the wire shelves with tempered glass. They are plenty strong to hold an entire shelf of bottled beer. I think it cost about $17 per shelf. If you consider doing this, measure carefully as tempered glass can not be cut and fridges are not square.

[DLCTEX]

That one may have had glass shelves, as does mine.

[dave524]

Depending on the age, some old fridges are not very energy efficient. Watch for an increase in your power bill, could be costing you more than you think.

[Blackwater]

With some precision measuring and carpentry, you can make much better shelves than the originals ever could be. And for storing powder, I think I'd prefer the heavier duty self-made ones. Glues today hold up entire homes! A fridge shelf ought to be duck soup!

[thegatman]

Peg board might work to. Reinforce the bottom with 1 X1's

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I have a similar frig (no shelves) in my garage, I just use three plastic crates stacked.