Over-zealous fridge!

Hello all,

Currently, I'd say the block of ice at the back is about 4 inches deep.

I wonder if it is a thermostat issue or something to do with the large grills on the back. Or the drainage ditches on the inside at the back that lead into a hole. It's actually a fridge freezer so not sure if that has an impact. I don't know about the settings or the best number to have it on (we have it on 3 out of a possible 5).

Catherine

Hi Catherine,

If you could cite the make/model, it would be easier to diagnose the problem.

I might even be able to get you some sort of instruction manual from on-line sources. You can PM me if you wish.

Ice 4 inch is normal in a few weeks but not in a few days. Even so it's a bit too thick. Keeping salad leaves creates more ice. Water from the leaves go straight to the ice block.

Thermostat issue - most likely. Defrost first then, Try reducing the setting to 1. This seems the most likely solution.

Get a fridge thermometer. It should be 2-6 C in the Frdge and -12c in a two-star and -18c in a 3-star freezer. The thermometer should cover these ranges. Most useful to monitor the thermostat setting.

Large grills at the back (evaporation grills) - Not likely.

Drainage ditches - not likely.

Good Luck.

Prashna

Ha! A fridge expert... Well, now we've got your attention, Prashna, maybe I could mention mine? It's a Smeg that we bought on eBay and in many ways it's a similar problem. Even though we keep it on a low setting, the inside ices up at the back and large lumps of ice form round the narrow copper pipes at the bottom of the rear. It is also quite noisy. All of this seems to improve when we defrost it, but we shouldn't have to do that every month, should we?!
Thanks for any suggestions...

Ha! A fridge expert... Well, now we've got your attention, Prashna, maybe I could mention mine? It's a Smeg that we bought on eBay and in many ways it's a similar problem. Even though we keep it on a low setting, the inside ices up at the back and large lumps of ice form round the narrow copper pipes at the bottom of the rear. It is also quite noisy. All of this seems to improve when we defrost it, but we shouldn't have to do that every month, should we?!
Thanks for any suggestions...

Smeg is there on-line. Here

[DLMURL] http://www.smegtech.com/site/smeg/pdf_libretti/CR330A-EU.pdf [/DLMURL]

and the complete range here:

http://www.smeguk.com/catalogue/Fridges.aspx

Same problem same solution.

Any watery stuff, lettuce, Cucumber (cut) Melon or and cut fruit really.

Water WILL evaporate and settle straight on the cooling pipes (in your case the copper ones at the bottom rear).

Solution - do not let watery stuff evaporate inside fridge.

Or defrost every month.

Tough. But Laws of Physics.

An expensive solution - Frost-free models.

Cost more to run but generally less defrosting required.

Good Luck.

Prashna

Fridge/Freezer basics

Ha! A fridge expert... Well, now we've got your attention, Prashna, maybe I could mention mine? It's a Smeg that we bought on eBay and in many ways it's a similar problem. Even though we keep it on a low setting, the inside ices up at the back and large lumps of ice form round the narrow copper pipes at the bottom of the rear. It is also quite noisy. All of this seems to improve when we defrost it, but we shouldn't have to do that every month, should we?!
Thanks for any suggestions...

Hi supersub and Catherine,

Basically all such are similar, and most unlike Vulcan devices, which do not suffer from such problems.

‘SMEG’ is a good make with its instruction manual available online. I did give the address in my previous post. Catherine, you could download and read that for guidance, even though your make (Ariston) is no longer sold and the manual not available on-line.

The basic suggestions I have summarised first. But those without the necessary scientific background might benefit from the advanced info provided below.

Enjoy:

Basic Fridge info

To avoid undue frost build-up

• Buy a good fridge thermometer, (about £4 or less) to monitor temperatures inside Fridge/Freezer and keep these under control. Brannan 22/485/2 is good. It looks like this

see: [url] http://www.brannan.co.uk/products/kit_freezer.html [/url]

• Set thermostats to give correct temp inside. Do NOT overcool.

Fridge 2-6 C ( higher temp = less frost) Milk is safe at 5 –6C.

Freezer 18 C.

• Do NOT leave fridge/freezer doors open for more than the absolute minimum. I try to limit open time to 5-10 seconds.

Opening the door and then thinking about what to take out, is fatal.

• Check that all door seals are sound. If not, replace.
• Defrost regularly. No more than 15-20mm of frost (0.75 inch) is ideal. Do not exceed 1 to 1.5 inches (25-40mm).

Ice is an excellent insulator. Ice on freezing coils mean motor has to work far longer than it should. That accelerates further frost build-up.

To avoid undue noise

• Ensure that fridge is level and stable.
• Defrost regularly.

More advanced stuff (Optional but helps)

It’s useful to know how refrigeration works. See:

Interactive pictures and useful glossary here. Move mouse over parts and study carefully.

[url] http://www.ior.org.uk/ior_/fantastic_fridges_site/science/fridge1/fridgediag.htm [/url]

Descriptive info here:

[url] http://www.mansfieldct.org/schools/mms/staff/hand/heatrefrig.htm [/url]

Good advice here:

[url] http://www.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=refrig.htm&url=http://www.doityourself.com/appliance/refrig.htm [/url]

List here: [url] http://home.howstuffworks.com/refrigerator8.htm [/url]

Hope this helps.

Prashna

Thanks very much for that, Prashna! That's very comprehensive - I will study it carefully (it's amazing what you learn on healthypages!)