Dear Folks,

 

About 10 days ago, my Japanese-brand fridge began acting up. I mean that the compressor sound became louder, and louder.  Then, the temperature inside the fridge, top and bottom, became more and more unstable.  And then, it pretty much stopped getting cool, not to mention cold, or freezing.

 

So then, I contacted the company, quite a few times, but they saw fit to not reply to my request for help.

 

I was surprised by this lack of follow-through on the part of the vendor/distributor. I even became a bit despondent over it.  Yet, now, I see this as maybe a good thing.

 

Before, I had no beautiful place to keep my chinaware, and other glassware. And sometimes, if I were not careful, an odd glass would fall to the floor. Beginning this morning, I think I might have found a solution which will make me satisfied, or partially so.

 

What about if I just turned my beautiful, cosmetically beautiful, Japanese fridge into a passive China Cabinet, instead?

 

How to do this?

 

This is the question, because I worry that my dishes and glassware might take on that infamous stale and musty unplugged-fridge smell.  We all know that many fridges, once unplugged, smell quite musty inside.  I don’t want this.

 

Therefore, what might be the best way to circumvent such a problem?

 

I am unwilling to drill ventilation holes in the side of the fridge, since it is still, cosmetically, rather virgin-looking, almost like it was when it was delivered to me, about five or six years ago.

 

So, if I can think of some way to turn my Japanese fridge into a China Cabinet, for the kitchen, then I will save money on buying a real China Cabinet.  And then, I can use that money to help buy another large Samsung refrigerator, the same type and size that I have now come to adore.

 

I have been wondering, if I open and close the unplugged fridge at least twice per day, whether or not this might be enough to solve the potential smell issue.  But, I really doubt it.

 

Has anyone else found a way to use a fridge as a nice China Cabinet, without the potential odor?

 

Thank you.

 

Gamma

 

Note: I feel much less stressed now that I no longer need to keep contacting the fridge supplier, knowing that I might be able to turn my failed fridge into a useful and beautiful China Cabinet.

 

Note2:  This fridge is just over 12 cubic feet in total, inside capacity. Plenty of room for dishes, and just about anything which need not stay cold.

 

Crucial Addendum:  The beauty of this solution is that….

 

1. I will not need to discard this fridge, but will repurpose it into something useful.

2. This fridge was provided with a 10-year warranty on the compressor.

3. Therefore, I can use this fridge as a China Cabinet, for at least three more years, and then, WHEN-AND-IF the Japanese company replies to my emailed request for service, before the year 2028, I can have them replace the compressor, and, once again, use this appliance as originally intended.

4. So, as you can see, this might be a win-win for me.

5. It’s sort of like turning Japanese lemons into Chinese lemonade*

 

*Here in SE Asia, we must learn to adapt and make do with whatever resources are at hand, using our own ingenuity. This is the key to being resilient enough to live in this part of the world, or anywhere in the world, I guess. It was that way during WW2 for many of our countrymen, and it is still that way, today…maybe.

 

 

 

Remove the door seals.

3 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Remove the door seals.

 

Wow.

Great solution.

I had not even thought of that.

 

a. But what about dust and roaches entering?

b. I do not have roaches in my house, but still.

c.  What about dust?

d.  Around here, there is always plenty of dust blowing in from the burning and road-driving, etc.

e.  We have dust, aplenty.  So, is there a solution to both the smell and dust problem?

 

Just asking.

 

Still, good half-way suggestion, for sure....

 

Note:  After removing the door seals, would it be fairly easy to re-install them, without damaging them?  The seals on this fridge are still in quite good condition...almost like new....

 

 

1 minute ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

 

a. But what about dust and roaches entering?

b. I do not have roaches in my house, but still.

c.  What about dust?

d.  Around here, there is always plenty of dust blowing in from the burning and road-driving, etc.

e.  We have dust, aplenty.  So, is there a solution to both the smell and dust problem?

 

 

 

 

what do you do for the above currently ?

1 minute ago, Ralf001 said:

 

what do you do for the above currently ?

 

I don't do nothing.

 

This is why I had wanted to buy a China Cabinet which would keep out the dust.

 

Fortunately, my Japanese fridge failed, and the company refuses to reply to my emails.

 

So, this is the perfect opportunity to use this beautiful fridge as a China cabinet.

 

I just don't like the musty smell of most fridges which are not plugged in for awhile....

 

 

I have already completely cleaned the fridge, top to bottom.

 

It is spotless.

 

But, i still worry about the unplugged fridge smell.

 

45 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

So then, I contacted the company, quite a few times, but they saw fit to not reply to my request for help.

 

Refrigerator is purchased from store and supplied with warranty document one must complete and return to initiate warranty period.

Service under warranty is then obtained by calling service center number. Hitachi Toshiba and Mitsubishi all have active service centers in Thailand that answer the telephone and deal with your request.

 

 

27 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

But, i still worry about the unplugged fridge smell.

 

Place ozone generator inside fridge be sure to treat yourself to a moderate exposure.
 

 

46 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Note: I feel much less stressed now that I no longer need to keep contacting the fridge supplier, knowing that I might be able to turn my failed fridge into a useful and beautiful China Cabinet.

 

 

 

22 minutes ago, Fruit Trader said:

Place ozone generator inside fridge be sure to treat yourself to a moderate exposure.

 

With the door closed, the fridge door, would that mean that the ozone generator would be running on battery power...or something?

I do not completely understand your suggestion.

 

Note:  Concerning your image of a scrumptious fruitcake....

You know I am, and...

The knowledge does not bother me, in the least.

 

 

 

Please let it never be said, on TV, that I do not take my own suggestions to heart, when DIY projects are needed.

 

 

I am enjoying my new Japan-Fridge-cum-China-Cabinet.

 

Hope this image is helpful to some TV members, too.

 

 

you were concerned earlier that taking the seals out would allow roaches in

 

dont you think that leaving the door open is a bigger risk?

20 minutes ago, JellyBabies said:

you were concerned earlier that taking the seals out would allow roaches in

 

dont you think that leaving the door open is a bigger risk?

 

a. As I qualified, previously, I have no roaches in my house, not even the type of roaches that some save for smoking later.

 

b. I was concerned mostly about dust and lizards, and droppings of lizards.

 

c. Yes.  This solution is not yet....PERFECT....and....

 

d. This is the principal motivation for my posting this Topic, in the DIY Sub-Forum.  I need a solution which will allow me to keep the doors mostly closed, but one which will also not contribute to that un-plugged-fridge smell, which all of us know so well.

 

 

Note:  The beauty of turning my Japan-Fridge into a China-Cabinet is that it uses far less electrical power to operate.

 

 

 

 

Stop drinking

and throw it away.

On 11/29/2025 at 12:41 PM, frequentatore said:

Stop drinking

and throw it away.

On 11/25/2025 at 4:01 PM, GammaGlobulin said:

 

I don't do nothing.

 

This is why I had wanted to buy a China Cabinet which would keep out the dust.

 

Fortunately, my Japanese fridge failed, and the company refuses to reply to my emails.

 

So, this is the perfect opportunity to use this beautiful fridge as a China cabinet.

 

I just don't like the musty smell of most fridges which are not plugged in for awhile....

 

 

Quite simple really,,,,just change the slant on the eyes....I apologize immediately,,,,a kindergarten joke maybe. Use

On 11/25/2025 at 6:49 PM, Ralf001 said:

Remove the door seals.

The biggest problem that y

Gobo , the biggest problem that you are gonna have is confict between Japan and China who are not getting on too good these days so you might have to  put them them on seperate shelves.

 

50 minutes ago, wavodavo said:

The biggest problem that y

Gobo , the biggest problem that you are gonna have is confict between Japan and China who are not getting on too good these days so you might have to  put them them on seperate shelves.

 

and ?

#1...unplug fridge.
#2...write china cabinet on the door.
#3...jobs done, crack a beer sit back and enjoy your work

I keep an old fridge in the workshop,great to keep oil and funnels dust free.

3 hours ago, wavodavo said:

The biggest problem that y

Gobo , the biggest problem that you are gonna have is confict between Japan and China who are not getting on too good these days so you might have to  put them them on seperate shelves.

 

 

The worst problem I might encounter is the smell, if doors are kept shut for weeks on end.

I think this smell is not caused by China.

I know it is not.

 

50 minutes ago, jvs said:

I keep an old fridge in the workshop,great to keep oil and funnels dust free.

 

I agree.

Quite foolish to discard or trash a perfectly good refrigerator, even though it does not cool.

The case is still good and mine is like new.

 

Insects will never get in when the doors are closed.

 

Quite a bit of space.

 

It will last for another 50 years, at least.