[Sleeper]

I saw these photos of a refrigerator turned on its back and used as a patio chest.

I have an old refrigerator that I'm thinking about using, but I just wonder if the thing is actually running because the compressor oil would eventually clog it up or burn out the compressor with out the lubricant.

 

[Gilgaron]

I'd bet it stopped running and that's why it was converted... at that point you have a very well insulated box. Then I suspect you'd drill a drain hole and fill it with ice when you want to use it.

 

[Sleeper]

I'd bet it stopped running and that's why it was converted... at that point you have a very well insulated box. Then I suspect you'd drill a drain hole and fill it with ice when you want to use it.

Your probably right, I didn't think of that when I first saw the photo and assumed that it was working. Then I remembered the warnings about letting it stand upright over night if transported on it's side or back.
Well my refrigerator is in perfect running shape so I guess I'll pass on this idea.

 

[Bastien]

Or put the legs on the side and stand it up

 

[4DThinker]

I don't see a power cord running to the fridge in either of those photos.

 

[woodnthings]

horizontal or vertical?

I saw these photos of a refrigerator turned on its back and used as a patio chest.

I have an old refrigerator that I'm thinking about using, but I just wonder if the thing is actually running because the compressor oil would eventually clog it up or burn out the compressor with out the lubricant.

The difference is minimal, but the horizontal one looks a bit more like a deck piece. The advantage to vertical is that you can still have a working fridge within the wooden enclosure. The pump will still work, the shelves will still pull out, and the doors won't need hydraulic struts. OK, it will not have the seating advantage if that's an issue, but for my money, I'm goin' vertical and still have it work. Other wise remove the pump from it's original mount and turn it vertical like it was before and use the box horizontally... as shown.

 

[Sleeper]

The more I think about it I would rather have more patio space. When I first saw it, I was thinking more of a place to set plates or something while barbequing, but that will not work anyway if everyone is opening up the lid to get drinks. So even though it looks cool, it’s just not practical for me.