Noisy Fridge

ripplyuk

I had to replace my washing machine only a couple of weeks ago and now the fridge freezer is playing up! It’s making a grinding noise and it’s so loud, it can be heard all over the house, including upstairs which makes it hard to sleep. I can make it be quiet for a while by pushing on the side of it, or just giving it a shove, but it doesn’t last long. Turning it off and on again at the switch also shuts it up for a short time until it ‘clicks on’ again. 

Does anyone know what I could do to fix this? Is it breaking down? It seems to run for a lot longer than it used to. It would only come on for about 5mins and then go off again but now it’s on for ages. 

grumbler

IMO, grinding noise from a fridge is very unusual and indicates something really bad

EssexExile

Is it frost free? Could be a fan hitting ice. The usual answer is to turn it off for 24 hours to let all the ice melt then turn it back on again. Of course that means eating all the frozen food!

ripplyuk

EssexExile said:

Is it frost free? Could be a fan hitting ice. The usual answer is to turn it off for 24 hours to let all the ice melt then turn it back on again. Of course that means eating all the frozen food!

No, it’s not frost free. I defrost it myself every 6mths. It was done last month. 

The freezer is completely full so I really don’t want to waste everything 😕

Grenage

If it's making a noise that loud then it's probably about to die anyway, so you might as well lose the freezer for 24 hours on your terms.  Any relatives or neighbours that could store it temporarily?

ripplyuk

Grenage said:

If it's making a noise that loud then it's probably about to die anyway, so you might as well lose the freezer for 24 hours on your terms.  Any relatives or neighbours that could store it temporarily?

They have all been stocking up for the lockdown and have no room either. 

If I order a new fridge, can I put the food straight into it once it arrives? 

lesalanos

ripplyuk said:

Grenage said:

If it's making a noise that loud then it's probably about to die anyway, so you might as well lose the freezer for 24 hours on your terms.  Any relatives or neighbours that could store it temporarily?

They have all been stocking up for the lockdown and have no room either. 

If I order a new fridge, can I put the food straight into it once it arrives? 

It will need to get to temperature first but keeping the doors shut on your old one should suffice

EssexExile

You have to let a new fridge settle for a few hours before you turn it on. You could in theory then put all your frozen stuff in it as soon as you turn it on, personally I'd turn it on & wait a while to make sure it actually works before loading it up!

ripplyuk

The old one would have to be removed by the delivery guy when they bring the new one. I’ve no other way of getting rid of it. Would the food be ruined if I put it all in the new fridge straight away? 

Ectophile

When their big chect freezer needed defrosting, my parents would place a few old blankets on the floor.  Then pile the frozen food in a big heap, and wrap the blankets around it.  The food would remain frozen for hours while the freezer was defrosting.

suki1964

Mine made dire noises just before lockdown and died the week before

I bought locally and they told me the fridge/freezer had always been kept upright whilst they had it and would load and deliver it upright so yes indeed I could use it straight away

So I plugged it in and let it run 30 mins and loaded her up. Lost nothing

The standing time is advised if its been stored lying down, gives time for the gasses to move or something