Damaged my freezer

duncan32

I have done a silly thing. Being impatient to defrost my freezer I used a big flat edged screwdriver to scrape away the top, thinking this would save time before going with the standard hot water in a bowl approach. I know. What a prize plonker.....

Anyway, one minute in and a hiss started up. I immediately realised this was a BAD THING, so found some superhuman strength and picked the freezer up (full of food) and carried it outside into the garden - obviously unplugging it first.

So, I am assuming that this freezer is now dead. No problem. I had two freezers anyway and now I have found that I can fit all of the food into one and therefore its going to be a lot cheaper presumably when I get my next utility bill! My only concern is, is the freezer safe sitting out in my back garden for a couple of days until I can arrange for it to be transported away to an appropriate location? I am assuming the hiss was escaping gas? Or maybe it was compressed air? I'd be appreciative if someone could give me a bit of advice.

Thanks!!!!

Duncan :eek:

ariba10

It would be the coolant gas.
It is all gone now so safe to leave it where it is untill it can be disposed of.

Moss5

The hiss was the refrigerant escaping.
The latest advice I have seen is to remove the door to stop children hiding inside.
Your local council will advise on removal. You may have to pay.
If you were buying new, the supplier would dispose of old 'free of charge'.
You should not have risked your health by lifting it outside. Just ventilate the room to allow the refrigerant to escape. New refrigerators may be charged with LPG (flammable) gas. The volume of charge is very low. If punctured, it may be wise to not use naked flames/cigarettes, or switch any electrics on or off until the room is vented. The LPG gas is heavier than air, so difficult to clear from a cellar.

duncan32

Thanks you two.

So, its safe outside then? With the weather like it is, no one is going outside for the next few days (its in the back garden). Regarding risking my health lifting it outside... well, I thought that I'd possibly be risking my whole family's health leaving it in the kitchen so didn't feel that I had a choice. Just pleased that I lift weights twice a week, 'cause it sure was a heavy lift!?!

Thanks again for putting my mind at rest. I certainly shall not be looking for short cuts to defrost the remaining freezer anyway!

Duncan

Jay-Jay_4

If it makes you feel any better..... A couple of years ago I defrosted my freezer with a hammer and chisel....... same thing happened

I now stick to a meat hammer and two hairdryers :rotfl: :rotfl: "I know I know" but OMG I'm SOOO impatient!

MissG_2

Jay-Jay wrote:

I now stick to a meat hammer and two hairdryers :rotfl: :rotfl: "I know I know" but OMG I'm SOOO impatient!

I use a hairdryer and it works a treat

vansboy

You might like to check the contents policy on your insurance.

Accidental damage & food waste = claim MAYBE worth doing.

Depends on your excess & how cheap you can buy a new freezer & how much the premium increses next year!!

VB

Poppycat

Well to late now, but I do recommend a frost free freezer. I hated that job of defrosting, now I never have too. You loose a small amount of space due to the fan pumping cold air inside, it isnt a lot, and because the freezer isnt ice inside a part form the food, you gain extra space anyhow due to no thick ice building up and I assume the freezer will be more efficent to run.

Wirenth

Its funny you should say that, Poppycat. What make is yours? Our LEC is 'frost-free' and requires defrosting every year. :rolleyes:

We put a big mixing bowl full of hot water in the freezer compartment and shut the door. Go back and replace the water after 20 minutes. All the ice peels away (removable by hand). Defrosts usually take an hour; most of this time is spent mopping up the water.

Cagey

You have just made the hole in the ozone layer a bit bigger but I have to admire your strength Duncan.

Poppycat

Mine is a Beko. I have had the frost free for about 4 years now, never been done other than a quick wipe round the edges, seal. Only fridge as been cleaned.

It has a ego setting and super fast freeze.