If you have a Frigidaire Gallery freezer, you may have noticed some frost or ice buildup inside it. This can be annoying and inconvenient, as it can reduce the storage space, affect the food quality, and increase the energy consumption of your freezer. But why does it happen and how can you stop it? In this blog post, we’ll explain the causes and solutions of frosting up in your Frigidaire Gallery freezer.
Frosting up in your Frigidaire Gallery freezer can happen due to several reasons, such as a faulty defrost system, a damaged door seal, or a humid environment. To stop it, you need to identify and fix the root cause of the problem. You may also need to manually defrost your freezer from time to time to remove any excess frost or ice.
Why does your Frigidaire Gallery freezer frost up?
Your Frigidaire Gallery freezer is supposed to be frost-free, meaning that it has a defrost system that automatically melts any frost or ice that forms on the evaporator coils. The evaporator coils are the part of the freezer that create cold air by circulating refrigerant. However, sometimes the defrost system may fail or malfunction, causing frost or ice to accumulate on the coils and inside the freezer.
Some of the possible causes of a faulty defrost system are:
- A defective defrost thermostat: The defrost thermostat is a sensor that monitors the temperature of the evaporator coils and triggers the defrost cycle when they get too cold. If the defrost thermostat is defective, it may not activate the defrost cycle or cut it off too soon, leaving frost or ice on the coils.
- A faulty defrost heater: The defrost heater is an element that heats up during the defrost cycle and melts any frost or ice on the evaporator coils. If the defrost heater is faulty, it may not heat up enough or at all, preventing the frost or ice from melting.
- A broken defrost timer: The defrost timer is a device that controls how often and how long the defrost cycle runs. If the defrost timer is broken, it may not initiate or terminate the defrost cycle properly, resulting in frost or ice buildup on the coils.
Another possible cause of frosting up in your Frigidaire Gallery freezer is a damaged door seal. The door seal is a rubber gasket that forms an airtight seal between the door and the freezer body. It prevents warm and moist air from entering the freezer and cold air from escaping. If the door seal is damaged, torn, or worn out, it may allow air leaks that can cause condensation and frost formation inside the freezer.
A third possible cause of frosting up in your Frigidaire Gallery freezer is a humid environment. If you live in a hot and humid climate or if you place your freezer in a damp area, such as a basement or garage, you may experience more moisture and humidity inside your freezer. This can lead to condensation and frost formation on the walls and shelves of your freezer.
How to stop your Frigidaire Gallery freezer from frosting up?
To stop your Frigidaire Gallery freezer from frosting up, you need to identify and fix the root cause of the problem. Depending on the cause, you may need to replace some parts or adjust some settings. Here are some steps to follow:
- Check the defrost system: To check if your defrost system is working properly, you can perform a manual defrost cycle by unplugging your freezer and letting it sit for 24 hours with the door open. This will allow any frost or ice to melt and drain out of the freezer. Then, plug in your freezer and observe if any frost or ice forms again within a few days. If it does, you may have a problem with one of the components of your defrost system. You can use a multimeter to test each component for continuity and resistance. If any component is defective, you should replace it with a compatible part.
- Check the door seal: To check if your door seal is damaged or worn out, you can inspect it visually for any cracks, tears, or gaps. You can also perform a dollar bill test by closing the door on a dollar bill and trying to pull it out. If you can pull it out easily or feel any resistance along different parts of the seal, it means that your door seal is not forming an even and tight seal. You should replace your door seal with a new one that fits your model.
- Check the environment: To check if your environment is too humid or damp for your freezer, you can use a hygrometer to measure the relative humidity level in your room. Ideally, you should keep your freezer in a room with a humidity level between 30% and 50%. If your humidity level is higher than that, you should try to reduce it by using a dehumidifier, an air conditioner, or a fan. You should also avoid placing your freezer near heat sources, direct sunlight, or moisture sources, such as a sink, a faucet, or a window.
How to manually defrost your Frigidaire Gallery freezer?
Even if you fix the cause of frosting up in your Frigidaire Gallery freezer, you may still need to manually defrost your freezer from time to time to remove any excess frost or ice. To manually defrost your freezer, you can follow these steps:
- Unplug your freezer and empty it of any food or items. You can store your food in a cooler or another freezer while you defrost your freezer.
- Place some towels or pans around the base of your freezer to catch any water or drips that may come out of the drain hole.
- Leave the door open and let the frost or ice melt naturally. You can also use a hair dryer, a fan, or a sponge to speed up the process. Do not use any sharp or metal objects to scrape off the ice, as this can damage the freezer.
- Wipe up any water or moisture inside the freezer with a dry cloth. You can also use a mild detergent and a soft cloth to clean the interior and exterior of the freezer. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or scouring pads that may scratch or damage the surface.
- Plug in your freezer and reload it with your food or items. Adjust the temperature control to the desired setting and wait for the freezer to reach the optimal temperature.
FAQs
Q: How often should I defrost my Frigidaire Gallery freezer?
A: The frequency of defrosting your Frigidaire Gallery freezer depends on several factors, such as how often you use it, how humid your environment is, and how well you maintain it. Generally, you should defrost your freezer at least once a year or whenever you notice more than 1/4 inch of frost buildup on the walls or floor of your freezer.
Q: How long does it take to defrost my Frigidaire Gallery freezer?
A: The time it takes to defrost your Frigidaire Gallery freezer depends on how much frost or ice there is inside it and how you defrost it. Normally, it can take anywhere from 4 to 24 hours to defrost your freezer completely. You can speed up the process by using a hair dryer, a fan, or a sponge to melt the ice faster.
Q: How do I prevent frosting up in my Frigidaire Gallery freezer?
A: To prevent frosting up in your Frigidaire Gallery freezer, you should follow these tips:
- Keep the door closed as much as possible and avoid opening it frequently or for long periods of time
- Make sure that the door seal is intact and forming a tight seal around the door
- Keep the temperature control at the recommended setting (usually between -5°F and 5°F for the freezer)
- Keep the freezer at least three-quarters full to maintain a stable temperature and reduce air circulation
- Avoid placing hot or moist food in the freezer
- Keep the condenser coil clean and free of dust and dirt
Conclusion
Frosting up in your Frigidaire Gallery freezer can be caused by several reasons, such as a faulty defrost system, a damaged door seal, or a humid environment. To stop it, you need to identify and fix the root cause of the problem. You may also need to manually defrost your freezer from time to time to remove any excess frost or ice.
