Fridge/freezer problem?

textbook

Bigphil1474 said:

Yes, that is way too much Ice and needs a full defrost. Unless you have a frost free one, it's worth doing a defrost once a year. Plan to wind the freezer contents down to coincide. Freezers tend to work better when they are fuller as well.

From a food safety point of view, perishable food should be kept at at least 8oC, so you should aim to keep the fridge at 5oC (to take into account the door being opened and closed etc). The old FF we had was about 5oC different between top and bottom which was a problem, so we just put things like jams and sauces at the top around 8oC and perishables in the middle around the right temp, and drinks near the bottom which was near to freezing. Fortunately our newer one is more balanced. Fridges can struggle if over filled, so try and avoid that, and keep stuff away from the back. As others have said, drain needs a clean out.

We had a milk bottle leak in our other fridge a few weeks ago and it all went down the drain hole - took me ages to get the drain container off so I could clean it out. They aren't really designed to be removed, as above the heat from the compressor is supposed to evaporate the small amount of normal water you might get. If it doesn't come off easily, search for that model and see if there is a video to help. I had to basically use brute force to remove mine whilst holding the compressor to stop that coming off with it. 

How much of a problem is the cracked tray in freezer part of fridge/freezer?   Will it affect keeping everything frozen?

Photos show how I'm getting on, seems drainage is hole isn't blocked or at least now after I pushed a brush in there

twopenny

Is that another drainage hole below the clear one?
If not what is it? It looks bunged up.

Looking good though. Perfect weather for it to defrost fast 🙂

It's unlikely the draw will make any difference if everything is wrapped properly.
Or you could find some plastic to back that. I found duck tape has stayed put in my fridge.

Measure the drawer, go to recycling centre if they do swaps and see if they have one or local store that sells freezers and see if there is one in something they are ditching for a customer.
We have someone with a truck that takes all the random hardware from folk. They would look out for one for you for a tenner.

Bigphil1474

Great work.

We've got a cracked drawer in our freezer, makes little difference so long as it maintains it's shape reasonably and doesn't damage the cooling pipes or any brackets when being pulled in or out. Mine cracked when I tried to shove too much in it.

textbook

Bigphil1474 said:

Great work.

We've got a cracked drawer in our freezer, makes little difference so long as it maintains it's shape reasonably and doesn't damage the cooling pipes or any brackets when being pulled in or out. Mine cracked when I tried to shove too much in it.

I noticed one of the pipes the silver or whatever 
has peeled off gone brown or rusty.

The drainage pipe in the back wasn't connected to the hole at the top

twopenny

Not sure what the other hole is. Does that show burning or age?

A teapot spout brush is really useful for all sorts.
There are different shapes and just a couple of pounds. I use them to clean waste pipes and small holes.

Toothbrushes for the grids while you're there.
But it's looking great on the whole. Should work much better 

Albermarle

Bigphil1474 said:

Yes, that is way too much Ice and needs a full defrost. Unless you have a frost free one, it's worth doing a defrost once a year. Plan to wind the freezer contents down to coincide. Freezers tend to work better when they are fuller as well.

From a food safety point of view, perishable food should be kept at at least 8oC, so you should aim to keep the fridge at 5oC (to take into account the door being opened and closed etc). The old FF we had was about 5oC different between top and bottom which was a problem, so we just put things like jams and sauces at the top around 8oC and perishables in the middle around the right temp, and drinks near the bottom which was near to freezing. Fortunately our newer one is more balanced. Fridges can struggle if over filled, so try and avoid that, and keep stuff away from the back. As others have said, drain needs a clean out.

We had a milk bottle leak in our other fridge a few weeks ago and it all went down the drain hole - took me ages to get the drain container off so I could clean it out. They aren't really designed to be removed, as above the heat from the compressor is supposed to evaporate the small amount of normal water you might get. If it doesn't come off easily, search for that model and see if there is a video to help. I had to basically use brute force to remove mine whilst holding the compressor to stop that coming off with it. 

I understood that a temperature difference between different parts of a fridge is normal , and the usual recommendation is to put fresh meat, chicken etc on the bottom shelf, which should be the coldest.
Cooked meat, eggs, leftovers, yoghurts etc will be fine on the top/middle shelfs, with drinks ( or put them in the door)
Unless you want very cold drinks.

textbook

temperatures ok?   Or is thermometer broken or freezer/fridge broken?

Bigphil1474

That's showing -24oC which is fine for a freezer (I always get confused with negative Fahrenheit measurements). Should be at least -18oC but the extra few degrees won't make a huge difference and will help when the temp goes up after opening.

textbook

Bigphil1474 said:

That's showing -24oC which is fine for a freezer (I always get confused with negative Fahrenheit measurements). Should be at least -18oC but the extra few degrees won't make a huge difference and will help when the temp goes up after opening.

Worth getting a better thermometer or this ok?

Yorkie1

That one looks fine