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The Vintage Fridge Company
the World Of Hospitality
The Vintage Fridge Company
“The Vintage Fridge Company” was founded by John
Bodrell in 2009 after a clients request for a modern
equivalent to the look of an original timber “Ice Box”
for his new project proved fruitless.
With his proven history within the architectural
antique trade, being the proprietor of “The Cast Iron
Reclamation Company” which has been a supplier of
architectural antiques and salvaged building materials
to the retail and hospitality trade for over 20 years,
he used his contacts worldwide to begin his search
for original ice boxes and timber refrigerators. He
was initially led to France and southern Europe, but
a chance meeting led him further afield to South
America and in particular Brazil and Argentina. Here
he found some of the most beautifully made ice boxes
constructed from South American hardwoods, which
due to the strength and density of the wood, have
managed to last the test of time to such an extent that,
except from the odd blemish and “chefs temper”, they
are as structurally sound as the day they were hand
joined nearly 100 years ago.
Company” and after the lucky few have been lovingly
restored, they have been sold to restaurants, bars and
private residences both at home in the UK and as far
afield as Australia, The USA, Dubai and not forgetting
the smallest of the Balearic islands, just off the coast
of Spain.
All of his fridges are imported to the UK and then to
his Surrey farm, where, with his team and in house
joinery, they are skilfully refurbished and repaired
using traditional methods to each of his clients own
specific requirements. This includes stainless steel
lining, timber shelving, LED lighting and of course his
own bespoke taylor made refrigeration system.
Due to John’s history within the reclamation trade,
together with his skilled team working in the joinery,
they have also been able to construct accompanying
furniture and bespoke joinery for their clients to
enhance and accompany their refrigerators using
matching antique reclaimed timber. Some of these
projects can be seen within the “Portfolio” section of
his web site.
To date, over 200 vintage fridges and ice boxes have
been reclaimed worldwide by “The Vintage Fridge
The Vintage Fridge Company: www.thevintagefridgecompany.com
The Cast Iron Reclamation Company: www.castironreclamation.com