We are a new company located in Blacksburg, Virginia.  The idea for a modern electrical icebox originated from my desire to brew beer during the hot summer months.  The design I came up with for my own use was similar to this kitchen cabinet from the 1897 Sears and Roebuck catalog.  The two upper doors would be the refrigerator, two drawers for storing small utensils, and the two lower doors as non-refrigerated space for storing larger items such as carboys.  From this, came the idea to offer this and other models for sale to the general public.  I hope you will be as excited about our iceboxes as we are.

Since we are a start-up company I have to say that we're sorry but at this time we don't have a catalog or other literature available to send you.  Brochures will be available only after we are in production.  We have put enough information on these pages to give you a good idea of what our iceboxes will be like.  I have been building furniture and working with wood for more than ten years and have a broad experience in mechanics and electronics.  References are available on request for those with serious interest.  Please feel free to call or email me if you have further questions not answered on this website.

The ubiquitous three door design is the one most think of as an icebox.  But there were literally hundreds of manufacturers of iceboxes at the turn of the century.  They built units with four doors, six doors, seven doors, eight doors, single door with a lid and even two door (upper and lower) styles that look just like a modern top-mount fridge with the freezer above and the fridge below.  Click on the links on our homepage to see specifics on the models that we offer.
 
 

Various standard points of design for all our units are:
 
 

• All solid wood construction (no veneer or particleboard), finished on all sides; front, side, back and top.

• Exterior cabinet material will be of any wood that you might desire.  White oak, red oak, walnut, cherry, mahogany, maple, ash, pine, exotics, etc.

• The color of stain and finish will be your choice, and can be made to match existent cabinetry, although we obviously can't guarantee a perfect match.  The icebox may be shipped unfinished, which allows you to better match the stain and finish on-site.   I also offer a "distressed" finish as an option, which makes the "new" icebox look aged.

• Trim options will be available for either a simple look or for a fancier "victorian" appearance.

• Temperatures for the freezer and refrigerated sections will be individually selectable.

• The compressor for all our units may be located remotely as an option.  This would remove the noise and heat generated by the compressor out of the kitchen.  Although all our designs do incorporate the use of sound deadening materials around the condensing unit.

• Power cords will exit from underneath the icebox so that it can be hidden from view.  To take full advantage of this feature a floor mounted receptacle would have to be in place.

• Doors and face-frame will incorporate a special design that completely eliminates the problem of door stile and rail joints cracking or hardware screws coming loose.  This design does not effect the authenticity of appearance in any way.

• The installation of all mechanical and electrical components are designed to be easily replaceable.  These iceboxes are built to last generations.

• All interior electrical and plumbing lines will be sleeved so future repairs can be easily performed.  This will avoid having to disassemble the cabinet to make a repair.

• All hardware will be brass, patterned after actual antique pieces.  Nickel or chrome plating is available.

• All latches and hinges will meet UL safety standards for child entrapment.  They will be able to be pushed open from the inside with only 15 pounds of force, as per UL 250 §4.7 & §8.28.

• The brass will not be lacquered, unless requested, so they will patina gracefully over time.  Latches and hinges will be easily replaceable, thereby lengthening the service life of the unit.

• The face-frame will be heated using electronic controls to prevent moisture condensation between the doors.  This is a standard feature for all modern refrigerators.

• Insulation will be extruded and/or foamed-in-place polyurethane.  This insulation is hydrophobic and will not absorb moisture, it is the same insulation used by the major manufacturers.  The interior cabinet will be completely sealed off with this insulation to prevent condensation from forming on the exterior of the interior cabinet.

 
• All glued-up wood panels will be biscuited for superior long-lasting joint life.

• The "dorm" size units are offered without the brass icebox hardware.  All hardware on these units are hidden from view.  If you would like brass hardware on your small icebox we would be able to design a model for you with this feature.

• We have an optional through the cabinet (not through the door) brass ice water spigot, brass “drip catch” and a brass ice water tank (the brass tank comes only with the McCray style iceboxes).  The spigot and drip catch are again patterned after originals.  Unfortunately no through the door ice, antique iceboxes just didn't have this feature :^) .

• All units are available with reach-in automatic icemakers if freezer space is specified.

We are currently offering the top-mount and McCray style units at our projected wholesale price.  This special pricing will be discontinued once we are in full production.  Our prices are currently less than the Heartland and comparable to the pricing for the Elmira refrigerators.  You'll be paying less and getting a whole lot more, namely a refrigerator that looks like a genuine wood icebox!

Time to delivery would be relatively long since at this point each unit is produced one at a time.  Lead-time should be around 12-16 weeks but could be more if orders are backed-up.

Shipping can be done by a number of means, from residential freight delivery (you take delivery at the curb or driveway) to having a moving company place it in your home.  Shipping prices should be anywhere from around $350 (for full sized units) and up depending on which service you choose and how far you are from us.  Crating charges are typically around $150 for an average full-size unit.  Depending on your location we may even deliver and setup the unit ourselves.

Warranties are one year for the cabinet and three years for the mechanicals from the date of final payment.  Warranty repairs will be performed by local service companies chosen by, or if chosen by you, approved by Roseland Icebox Company.  Manuals describing operation, repair and maintenance of the icebox will be provided and will be available for download from this website.  All other questions may be answered by calling Roseland on our toll free number 1(877) ICEBOXES [423-2693] or by using this email link.

We'd be more than glad to work with you and to have you as one of our first customers.  I would love to converse further with you about what you are looking for in an icebox; size, features, appearance, etc.  If you have photos of an icebox that you like I'd like to see them too.  We are always looking for ideas and may be able to build you one just like the one you've found.
 

Sincerely,

John Flanagan
Roseland Icebox Company
Toll-free 1(877) ICEBOXES (423-2693)