I used to have a friend who grew up in the desert around Barstow, California. He was a pretty funny guy and he used to tell me tall tales about his childhood including a game they played with refrigerators. According to him, he and a few other teenagers would form two teams, retreat to their respective sides of a canyon and with help from some judicious dirt piling and a little dynamite left over from the area’s mining days, they would launch ancient refrigerator carcasses across the canyon at their foes. Luckily, no one died or was seriously hurt, but remembrance of this tale makes me think that there are likely some equally creative but less destructive re-uses for these retired appliances.

(Disclaimer: Although the little boy in me yearns to launch his own Frigidaire, the adult in me knows this is a tremendously dangerous activity and I strongly urge the readers to not try this at home, but be content with safer mischief like potato cannons. Oops, did I say that?

Also, refrigerators are not toys and are dangerous because children can climb inside old refrigerators and suffocate. Be careful.)

So what could be on the list for safer, more responsible reuse of those ancient and energy inefficient cooling machines? Here are few options:

1. Back porch cooler during the cooler months

2. Moth-proof storage areas for winter clothes

3. Smokehouses for curing meat, fish, or fruit

4. Pest-free storage for pet or livestock feed

5. Storage place for paint in a cold garage or basement

6. Compost Bin

7. Tool chest

8. Mini-Root Cellar

Helpful Resources:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2205241_refrigerator-smoker.html

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf780593.tip.html

http://www.greendaily.com/2008/03/30/5-ways-to-reuse-an-old-refrigerator/

What creative use do you have for an old refrigerator?

Bob Ferris

http://bob-ferris.blogspot.com