Couple's 70-Year-Old Electrolux Fridge Outlasts Modern Appliances

A couple in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, are believed to be the owners of Britain's oldest working refrigerator, an Electrolux appliance purchased in 1949 for £49. The 70-year-old unit remains operational and has been keeping food and drinks cool during the recent summer heatwave, a period during which the couple's modern fridge-freezer malfunctioned.

The vintage Electrolux, approximately two feet wide and three feet tall, is estimated to be worth around £2,200 today. Its owners, both in their 80s, have been using it since shortly after World War II. Domestic appliance sales company John Kerry & Sons discovered the appliance when they visited the couple's home to repair their broken modern fridge-freezer, which had likely failed due to the high temperatures.

Adam Kerry, a salesman at the company, noted that the couple's parents originally bought the fridge second-hand in the 1930s. He described the appliance as "tiny," with a clipped metal latch, and unable to hold much more than two stacked Coca-Cola bottles. While it lacks the energy efficiency of modern units, he attributed its longevity to its "quality" and workmanship.

The couple consider the fridge a "family heirloom" and use it during busy periods, such as Christmas, or for storing seasonal produce like apples. They moved with the appliance to Sussex, residing there for 40 years before returning to Gloucestershire in 2006.

This vintage appliance's operational status contrasts with a claim made in 2021 by King Charles, who suggested his then 67-year-old Frigidaire at the Castle of Mey in Scotland held the title of Britain's oldest working fridge. That appliance, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall, was purchased by the Queen Mother in 1954, two years after she acquired the Scottish estate.

The Queen Mother reportedly selected the Frigidaire herself from a local supplier. The castle's managing director, Shirley Farquhar, described the fridge as an "essential part of the kitchen" and "certainly built to last." Its only known disruption occurred in 2000 when underfloor heating was installed, affecting its temperature control. It has functioned perfectly since being placed on blocks.

In 2021, discussions emerged regarding the environmental impact of domestic appliances, with proposals for regulations that would require appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and televisions to have guaranteed longer lifespans. These potential regulations include legal requirements for spare parts availability for at least seven years post-sale, clear labeling of expected product lifespans, and a new kitemark to signify adherence to high standards.