Whether it’s leftovers from dinner or store-bought frozen food you’ll cook at a later date, freezers can save both food and money. Even though freezers are very simple to use, things can still go wrong. Some problems are simply human error, while other problems will need some simple repairs to fix.
The following are 5 common problems you may experience with your freezer, and some easy tips on how you can troubleshoot them before calling in a Colorado Springs freezer repairman to fix them.
1. My freezer is not cold enough
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a freezer should be kept at 0⁰ Fahrenheit to preserve your food. Foods kept at these temperatures are considered safe for long-term storage.
A freezer that’s not stored at the proper temperature can pose health risks. Food can become warm enough to promote bacterial growth and put you at greater risk for foodborne illnesses. If you suspect your freezer isn’t sufficiently cold, check the temperature settings. Sometimes the dial can be turned accidently. Some freezers have a built-in thermometer. If not, you can buy one to check your freezer’s temperature.
2. My freezer is too cold
How can a freezer be too cold? Yes, a freezer should be cold enough to freeze your food. But if it’s too cold then you risk an increase of frost and ice build-up. If you notice that your refrigerator feels warm, but the freezer is very cold, then your defrost heater might be defective.
The defrost heater turns on throughout the day to melt any frost accumulation on the evaporator coils. When the heater malfunctions, frost will build-up, eventually not letting air flow properly through the coils. This prevents cold air from getting to the refrigerator. The defrost system will need to be tested to determine which component is bad.
Other causes can be a defective evaporator fan motor or a problem with your damper control assembly. Check your refrigerator’s owner’s manual for more information about these parts.
To keep your freezer running efficiently at all times, defrost it regularly. If you need to defrost manually, then it is recommended that you do so about once a year, or if there’s more than one-fourth inch of ice build-up – whichever comes first.
3. Frost inside of freezer
Most freezers will have at least a little frost build-up. However, if it becomes excessive then it’s important to find out why.
There can be a few causes:
- Gasket is ripped
- Freezer door left open
- Frozen freezer drain tube
Basically, anything that lets in warm air will cause frost to build-up in your freezer. If the freezer drain tube freezes, then you’ll moisture will back-up into your freezer, also causing frost.
4. Bad tasting ice in ice maker
Nothing is more refreshing than a glass of ice water on a hot day. And nothing can ruin that glass like bad tasting ice. Generally, this isn’t a big problem and can most likely be remedied fairly easily. Here are a few common causes of foul tasting ice:
Dirty water filter – Your refrigerator’s water filter needs to be replaced regularly (the exact frequency is determined by the manufacturer). After you change the filter, fill a few glasses of water from the water dispenser to get clean water flowing again.
Stale ice – Stale ice is simply when ice has been stored in the freezer too long. As a result, it can start to absorb odors from the food. If you’re not using your ice maker a lot, you can empty the old ice out to make room for fresh ice cubes.
Water supply – Your water supply might be contaminated with sulfur, excess mineral, salt or other impurities. While there’s nothing you can do about the water supply, you can minimize its effects by changing your refrigerator’s filter frequently.
5. Freezer burned food
Freezer burned food is usually more of a problem with how food is wrapped or package, not necessarily because of the freezer itself. Freezer burn happens when the food becomes dehydrated, and the water molecules inside the food are replaced by oxygen.
You can prevent freezer burn by properly packaging your food using freezer bags. Keeping your freezer full will also minimize freezer burn. If you plan on keeping foods frozen for a long time, use extra packaging to keep air out.
Most Freezer Problems Are Easy To Fix
Modern refrigerators and freezers should have few problems. The 5 issues listed above are the most common problems you’ll run into. Most have easy solutions that you can perform yourself, without having to call a Colorado Springs freezer repair technician. Following the preventative maintenance tips in your unit’s instruction manual will keep your freezer running efficiently and preserving your food for years to come.
