You could indeed gut a fridge/freezer and use it, I haven't done it but I'm sure you could.
Your fridge, so you want to gut it?
If it has no refrigerant in the pipes your laughing. Just pull all the old bits you don't want, just watch the compressor if turned up the wrong way oil could leak out and spoil the carpet/rug.
If it has got gas inside, there are two routes, I'm going to advise on the correct legal way to do things.
Take the unit to a refrigeration repairer and see if they can reclaim the gas for you. Once the gas is gone your free to play as you wish safely.
The second route and the not so environmentally friendly way, take refrigeration device outside and cut a pipe then move away sharpish.
I think just make sure the gas is empty and work in ventilated area, drilling a hole through the skin of a fridge under pressure makes you jump and is somewhat dangerous.