The GE Monitor Top Refrigerator-- Part 2: The First Affordable Refrigerators

With a price tag of $300, these models were considered  the first affordable refrigeration units for the average family.  Many utility companies offered  the GE Monitor Top refrigerator to their customers for as little as $10 a month, simply added to their monthly utility bills.  (But, you have to remember, $300 or $10 was a real lot of money back then.)

Although a few minor  features were added along the way, such as enclosed condenser coils and slide out shelves, the basic design  of the Monitor Top remained the same  from 1927 to 1936.  All of these models were cooled with one of two refrigerants at the time:  sulfur dioxide or methyl formate.

The most popular model of the Monitor Top was the standard  single door unit, offering the customer  5 to 7 cubic feet of food storage.  In addition, GE produced an even larger two-door unit as well as a three-door one.

--Cooter