This film “Cleaning of Gas Refrigeration Units” was presented by the People’s Gas Light & Coke Company; (16). The film was created to show servicemen a new method of how to clean gas refrigeration units / gas refrigerators. Modern people may not be acquainted with gas refrigerators, but they were sold to consumers between the 1920s and 1950s, and some models are still marketed that use propane (for RVs or rural living for example) or natural gas. Absorption refrigerators such as those made by Servel Co. and Electrolux used a natural gas flame to maintain a heat exchange that cooled the food compartment. Albert Einstein (yes that Einstein) and Leo Szilard were patent holders of designs for absorption units. (The Servel units used “gas-powered ammonia absorption technology”.) These refrigerators were very quiet compared to electric models, as they had no compressor, and they cost less to operate. However they did apparently require routine maintenance of the gas burner, cleaning of the flue and baffle, as shown in the film. They also needed to be periodically defrosted. On the other hand, the gas-powered refrigerators did not use environmentally damaging CFCs, and so a case can be made that in some respects they were better for the planet.

The film begins by displaying the ‘old method’ of maintenance (:29). A maintenance man appears in front of a 60’s style kitchen with white appliances (:37). He lays a paper down, setting his tools atop (:41). He first removes the bottom kick panel (:57). Another man hands him towels and tools as he works (1:08). The refrigerator is pulled forward (1:17). The pair set to remove the back panel (1:44). A scrub brush is sent down the individual parts (1:51). A vacuum is used along the interior (2:13). Screwdrivers are put to use as the back panel is reinstalled (2:58). The men spin the large appliance back into position (3:09). He reapplies the bottom kick panel (4:07) and the clock on the wall notes the amount of time consumed (4:14). The film turns to show the new method in comparison (4:53). The maintenance man arrives with his brown paper and tools (5:16). His new tool set is zoomed in on (5:36). This time the brown paper is set around the fridge (6:09). He sets up a large vacuum compressor (7:21) to which he attaches to the refrigerator (7:33). A tube is attached to the end of the vacuum (8:00) and the machine is turned on (8:11) as the vacuum is put to use and the bag fills with residue from the flue (8:09). He cleans the top of the machine with ease (8:18) as well as the inside through a slit in the brown paper (8:46). The vacuum bag is emptied (9:02). The debris is noted on the filter (9:26). The filter is removed and patted out (9:56). He then cleans the bottom of the drip pan area (10:40) using the long necked vacuum hose. The man rewraps his tool kit (11:55) as the film concludes (12:34)

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com