The fridge manufactured in 1910, had undergone a professional conversion for use in a restaurant. (Representational photo)
A refrigerator bought on Facebook Marketplace has turned into a major home renovation project for a couple in Michigan, US. Melani Heldt, 34, and her husband Adam paid $4,995 for an antique icebox manufactured in 1910, only to discover that getting the 1,000-pound appliance into their farmhouse would take seven weeks.
The refrigerator, measuring seven feet in height and width, required specialist movers, reinforced floors, and alterations to the house before the family could begin using it.The couple eventually paid $1,200 to transport the appliance, far more than they had initially expected, according to People Magazine. Another $800 went towards getting it operational. However, despite the additional expenses and the work involved, they have kept the refrigerator and even given it a name: Freddy.The purchase was part of a much larger plan to renovate their home. Melani and Adam had relocated from Arizona to Michigan after buying an old farmhouse without visiting it beforehand. They wanted to rebuild parts of the property themselves, with their two sons growing up in a home they had helped improve.Their kitchen was the first room they decided to renovate. But while the couple had already removed the existing fittings, they struggled to find a refrigerator that suited the space.
For nearly two months, the designated area remained empty. Their search eventually ended with an appliance that was more than a century old.
Why the couple chose a refrigerator from 1910
According to People magazine, Adam discovered the icebox while browsing Facebook Marketplace. The listing caught their attention because the appliance was unlike the refrigerators they had been considering.It was originally manufactured in 1910 but had undergone a professional conversion for use in a restaurant.
The conversion had been completed a few years earlier, and the appliance was still working. The restaurant was closing, which is why it had been offered for sale.At first, the couple discussed the idea jokingly. But they soon began considering whether they could actually use the refrigerator at home.They travelled for an hour and a half to examine it and take measurements. The seller offered to hold it for them, giving them time to decide whether the purchase was practical.They eventually went ahead, although the price of the refrigerator was only the beginning of their expenses.
The biggest challenge was getting it inside
The refrigerator's size and weight made ordinary household moving arrangements unsuitable. The couple approached movers experienced in transporting heavy equipment, including bank safes.They initially believed the job would cost a few hundred dollars. Instead, complications during transportation increased the bill to $1,200.
One difficulty was that the appliance could not fit through the available doorways. Its refrigeration lines had to be disconnected and the compressor removed so that it could be taken out of the restaurant and brought into the farmhouse.Even after it reached their property, getting it into position remained difficult. The movers had to take it up the porch steps and manoeuvre it through the dining area. Adam also removed a door and its surrounding frame to create enough clearance.The moving team spent around three hours positioning the refrigerator inside the house. By then, seven weeks had passed since the couple purchased it.However, having the appliance indoors did not mean it was ready for use. The family still needed to make sure the old building could safely support its weight.
Farmhouse needed additional support
The refrigerator weighs more than 1,000 pounds, making its placement particularly important in a property built in the 1800s.The couple chose a corner close to the farmhouse's external foundation walls. There was a basement beneath the room, supported by an old stone foundation.To make the floor stronger, they installed metal beams beneath the floor joists. The additional support was intended to prevent the weight of the refrigerator from causing the floor to collapse.The appliance remained empty for approximately a month after being moved into the room.
Melani was still trying to arrange the electrical and plumbing work required to get it running.Once it became operational, another issue emerged. Although the icebox had been converted into a refrigerator, it still required regular attention to its drainage system.The original appliance had used a large block of ice to cool its compartments. Following its conversion, a small pipe had been installed to drain water, but the couple had not connected it to their home's plumbing.For about a year, they have been collecting the water in a stainless steel bowl and emptying it every two or three days. They have even set reminders to make sure the container does not overflow.The couple intends to connect the drainage pipe to a pump in their basement, which would remove the need to empty the bowl manually.
The antique appliance is now part of family life
Despite the complications, the refrigerator is now being used to store the family's food. One of its compartments has been set aside for the couple's two sons, who use it for their drinks and snacks.Their unusual purchase has attracted interest from others considering similar appliances. Melani said some people had contacted her after finding antique refrigerators of their own, with several exploring the possibility of converting them.