small fridge getting hot

creepster

We have a Russell Hobbs RHTTLF1 small fridge which we bought some three years ago.

It was good for more than two years, and is in a suitable airy location, but for the last six months, the sides are getting very hot. TOO HOT TO TOUCH!!

Can anyone give advice about this or recommend a small fridge where this does not happen?

flaneurs_lobster

When a fridge is getting too hot to touch then it's time to turn it off.

Have you tried de-dusting the cooling fins at the rear with a vacuum cleaner?

QrizB

Welcome to the forum.

It was good for more than two years, and is in a suitable airy location, but for the last six months, the sides are getting very hot. TOO HOT TO TOUCH!!

With many refrigerators and freezers, the condenser (the bit where the hot compressed refrigerant goes to cool and liquify) is no longer exposed at the rear of the appliance, but is concealed behind one or more of the sides.

When the fridge is under high load, eg. after putting room-temperature foods or drinks into it to cool, the side(s) will get hot as the compressor works hard to remove the heat from the contents.

This is particularly noticeable during periods of hot weather when (a) "room temperature" is higher, and (b) demands for cold food and drinks increase.

Have you been making particularly heavy use of the fridge in recent months, due to the repeated heatwaves?

grumpy_codger

The door seal is worth checking.

creepster

Thanks for the comments.

The fridge was fine for more than two years but started getting too hot to touch recently. We don't use it especially often.

Is this a regular problem with small fridges .

I don't want it to catch fire

QrizB

Is it still getting hot, now that the weather is more normal?