For the last couple of posts I’ve talked about dining in the 1919 – 1921 period. The Lessons in Cooking book I wrote about comes with pictures on the proper bread kneading technique as well as examples of well-organized kitchens. The stoves and ice boxes pictured look like cooking was a lot of work. We are so lucky to live with modern appliances that free us from the drudgery of stoking the oven with coal or wood or hauling ice to keep food cold. We really don’t appreciate the strides made until one of our appliances goes out – like my refrigerator did Tuesday night.
I went to get a bowl of ice cream after dinner Tuesday night and noticed the ice cream was more like soft serve. I figured I hadn’t shut the freezer door completely after playing around with the ice maker earlier in the afternoon. I checked the ice cream a little later in the evening and it didn’t seem to be getting any harder but the other food was frozen so I wasn’t too concerned. The next morning I got up and immediately checked the freezer. The food was still frozen but the thermometer showed a rise in temperature overnight. And, the refrigerator was not making its usual noise. George was already at work by the time I deduced that the condenser had failed. I thought about calling our appliance repair guy (yes, he’s a real repair man – not a guy from Sears) but figured the refrigerator was pretty old – 12 years and two days to be exact – so a condenser would probably cost as much as a new fridge. George confirmed my thoughts so, after moving everything out of the old fridge into ice chests and our other freezer, I went out to hunt down a new fridge. WOW, what a selection. Side by side, freezer top fridge below, fridge on top freezer below, the new units described as a french configuration. Ice and water in the door, shopping list holders, digital temperature readouts and adjustments. All I want is a refrigerator; something that keeps frozen food frozen and everything else cold. The only other feature, besides an ice maker with ice and water in the door, was a drawer for cold meat and cheese, in addition to the vegetable and fruit drawers. To go with the other appliance the unit had to be black or stainless.
Do you know how hard it is to find an appliance that works for you and can be delivered on a timely basis? Not easy my friends. One store had the perfect refrigerator but couldn’t deliver it until March 13! I can’t live out of ice chests for two weeks and we can’t have guests here without a functioning refrigerator so that unit was a non starter. Another store had nothing I liked in stock. I was beginning to despair. After about 4 hours of shopping at home improvement stores and Sears I found the perfect unit at a local appliance store. One that could be delivered today! So now I am waiting for my new refrigerator. The old one is empty ( obviously) and cleaned. I have relocated any furniture that could hinder the transport of the machine to its final resting place. It’s due to be delivered between 3pm and 6pm. With my luck it will be closer to six and I’ll need to get dinner and restock a fridge at the same time. Or, maybe we’ll go out. I’m sure a burger and beer will sound pretty good about then!
Have you read my post about when our stove went on the brink and we had to flip the switch in the electric box to use! That went on for a couple of weeks! I hope the refrig came on time and hopefully closer to the three than the six! Are you happy with your new frig?
New fridge is great. Only complaint it that the ice is a bit smaller and it takes longer to dispense but I’ve got time!