Freezer Not Cold Enough

Many people have dealt with the frustrating experience of opening their freezer to find half-thawed food and soupy ice cream. While it may not seem like a major issue, it can be if your frozen food starts to spoil. Discovering half frozen food in your freezer is also frustrating and distasteful. Ultimately, the whole point of a freezer is to keep things frozen. If it can’t do that, it’s not very useful.

Thankfully, dealing with a freezer that’s not cold enough can be a simple fix with help from the appliance experts at Mr. Appliance. In this article, we’ll guide you through the common causes of a freezer that’s not cold enough and provide you with some solutions and maintenance tips to keep your appliance running smoothly.

Common Causes of a Freezer Not Being Cold Enough

Freezers can rise in temperature for a lot of different reasons. Many of these aren’t serious issues, so it’s important to understand the possible causes of a warm freezer before hitting the panic button:

1. Improper Temperature Settings

The first place to look when your freezer isn’t cold enough is the temperature settings. It’s easy to accidentally adjust the temperature to the wrong level while rummaging around in your fridge.

2. Blocked Airflow

Too many objects in your freezer can block vents and impede airflow. This can prevent your freezer from reaching the proper temperature.

3. Dirty Condenser Coils

Dirty condenser coils can’t cool refrigerant to the proper temperature. This can lead to your freezer being too warm to keep food frozen.

4. Damaged Door Seals

Damaged door seals, properly known as door gaskets, allow cold air to seep out of your freezer. This makes it difficult to keep the temperature below freezing and can also increase your utility bills.

Solutions for a Freezer Not Being Cold Enough

After identifying the cause of your freezer not being cold enough, you need to fix it. Here are a few techniques you can use to rectify common issues with freezer temperatures being too high:

1. Check and Adjust Temperature Settings

Locate the temperature adjustment knob or button (consult your appliance manual for the exact location) and adjust it to the correct temperature setting. Make sure your freezer is set to at least -18 degrees celsius to ensure items stay frozen.

2. Ensure Proper Airflow:

Keep your freezer uncluttered, especially in areas around air vents. It can also help clear off any ice buildup on the walls of your freezer or spilled food and other messes.

3. Clean the Condenser Coils

Locate the condenser coils and brush off any dust, then vacuum them. Wear gloves to avoid touching the condenser coils with your bare skin.

4. Inspect and Replace Damaged Door Seals

Check the gasket around your freezer for warps or tears. To check if the seal works, close the door on a piece of paper. If the paper slides around, then the seal is not tight enough, and you will need to have the gasket replaced.

Maintenance Tips to Prevent Future Problems

Here are some tips to help you keep your freezer cold:

• Regularly clean and maintain the freezer – This prevents your freezer vents from getting clogged or blocked. Regular cleaning can even extend the lifespan of your freezer.
• Keep the freezer well-ventilated – Don’t overfill your freezer, and always keep at least a 5-centimeter gap between the wall and the sides and back of the fridge. For a chest freezer, don’t store items on top of the appliance, and leave a bit of space between it and the wall.
• Check and replace worn-out parts as needed – Regularly inspect the freezer, especially the door gasket, to identify damaged or broken parts. If you notice a damaged or broken part, call an appliance repair specialist to fix the problem.

Call Mr. Appliance to Keep Your Freezer Cold

Most of the time, a freezer that isn’t cold enough isn’t a major cause for concern. However, there are times when the issue indicates a more serious problem with your appliance. If you’ve inspected all of the areas we covered and still can’t get your freezer to the correct temperature, it’s time to call in a professional.

Thankfully, the repair specialists at your local Mr. Appliance are here to help keep all of your appliances running smoothly. When you have an issue with a freezer that isn’t cold enough, or any other appliance, give us a call or schedule an appointment online for quick and reliable repair services.