Forum Topic

Fridge 'doctor' needed

My fridge is not working as well as it should (I don't think it is anything to do with our recent very hot weather). I need to have it checked out - can anyone recommend someone who could check it and, if necessary, carry out the necessary repairs?  Thank you.

Joan Adamson ● 1519d14 Comments

Joan, there is a drain hole at the back of the fridge located in the middle with a 'gutter' either side.It may be as simple as unbocking this with a pipe cleaner or similar.An easy job you can no doubt do yourself.Worth a try.

Adrian Irving ● 1519d

Thank you Adrian. For a few months I have had to remove a smallish block of ice to the left side of the 'gutter'. I don't think the drain hole is blocked, I have checked that. Sometimes the back wall of the fridge has tiny blobs of ice attached, but after opening it, these melt and I assume eventually drip and cause this ice block on the left hand side. Thanks for responding.

Joan Adamson ● 1519d

It maybe you have it set too cold.You should also try Adrian's suggestion as food drops down the hole.

Chris Lucy ● 1519d

If the block of ice is inside the fridge below the level of the gutter then it is the hole that is getting blocked up. What happens is that the moisture in the air condenses on the gutter, and it should escape from the fridge via the hole.If the hole gets blocked, the condensed water has nowhere to escape, and the gutter fills up, and as soon as the gutter starts overflowing, the water coming out of the gutter touches the really cold back wall of the fridge and freezes.  It's a very slow process, not like a leaking tap, but gradually, over the course of a few days, you'll see the ice building up.Everytime you open the fridge door you let in air that has moisture in it. If you have tiny blobs of ice, these are fine, and the warmer air coming in when you open the frige will cause these to melt, but if you have a big block of ice, the hole is blocked.

Andrew Jones ● 1519d

Thank you both Andrew and Chris.  The gutter is not filling up with water, it is perfectly dry.  As far as I can check, the drain hole is clear.  The small block of ice that I mentioned builds up in the gutter in the far left corner. As I said, the rest of the gutter is completely dry. Sometimes the fridge is making a humming noise, I assume it is working on the cooling system.

Joan Adamson ● 1519d

The humming noise is the compressor. This pushes the liquid around inside the fridge and out into the coils in the back where it turns into a gas. This cools it down and its then pumped back inside the fridge to absorb heat. However
The compressor doesn't work all the time as if it did electtricity bills would go through the roof. It comes on only to cool down the inside of the fridge (and or freezer) and then swithches off. Its only after the temperatute inside the fridge rises by a few degrees that it come on again. The inside temperature always covers a range not a single temperature. Howver because the food inside the fridge is at a cold temperature this is fairly stable
Fridges are temperental and take time to settle down. So that if you say alter ther thermostat the fridge can take 24 hrs to adjust. You say your fridge isn't working as it should. I store tubs of set yoghurt at the back of my fridge. Sometimes when taking them out, the yogurt is really thick as it should be; at other times more liquid. When I first noticed this years ago now I was worried but this seems to be simply part of a cycle and isn't something I worry about. Obviously if food is actually spoiling this would need attention but otherwise I'd be inclined to give it a few weeks Failing that
You don't say whether its too warm or too cold, but maybe adjusting the thermostat in the appropriate direction might make a difference. Although quite why this should be necessary at this late stage is another matter 


michael adams

Michael Adams ● 1519d

Michael 07768 665618. Recently came to our rescue on a bank holiday. Excellent

Iris Hill ● 1518d

I had a similar problem during the very hot weather with my fridge and water collecting below the veg baskets.  Turns out I have overloaded the fridge which was not allowing air to circulate round the inside.  I emptied the fridge, total clean and returned a lot less more neatly stacked.  Problem solved.

Elizabeth Ross ● 1518d

Thank you for taking the time to respond so thoroughly Michael. I bought a thermometer which shows that the temperature is usually just outside the range it should be. But this is with the thermostat up at 5/5.6 (max on thermostat is 7). The handbook suggests it should only need to be set at between 3 and 4. However, milk will keep for 6 days. Concerned recently to find the beginning of mould on cooked vegetables after 2/3 days. I think the fridge needs to be checked.

Joan Adamson ● 1518d

Thanks very much for your recommendation Iris, much appreciated.

Joan Adamson ● 1518d

Thanks Elizabeth.  I don't think this is the cause of the issues with my fridge but I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

Joan Adamson ● 1518d

If you buy a mini-max fridge thermometer https://www.pharmacy-equipment.co.uk/product/digital-max-min-fridge-freezer-thermometer-tmm105/ £9.20 (others are probably available) then this should show if there is a wide fluctation in temperature which is causing the mould.  In which case, call in an expert. The thermometer if moved around should also show if some parts of the fridge are colder than others; the back and sides where the pipes run behind should be coldest; the doors less so,
Without wishing to appear a clever clogs (as if) - regardless of what the handbook says I would imagine the ideal thermostst setiing would depend both on the outside conditions — no matter how thick the insulation some heat will escape outside; (and fridge insulation can deteriorate over time with microscopic cracks developing)  and how much produce is stored in the fridge.With  less produce in the fridge there is more cold air in the fridge to flow out every time the the door is opened. Which would then require a higher setting.

michael adams

Michael Adams ● 1518d

Positively my last word on the subject;  courtesy of Professor Timothy Sly quote: Food will grow mold in the refrigerator because (a) mold spores are present in/on the food unless it has been specifically sterilized, ***(b) mold grows at psychrophilic temperatures (colder, down close to zero ***C.) Remember that molds normally grow in soil, plants, trees, which are much colder than mammals. and (c) we encourage mold growth by trapping moisture between plastic wraps, and with food covered with lids. Uncovered foods grow less mold due to the tendency to dry out. Cheese for example, should be wrapped in paper towel in the refrigerator NOT in plastic film for 2 weeks. Allow the cheese to dry out and even use grated for cooking (lasts for years in that form). unquote:
https://www.quora.com/Why-is-the-food-in-my-fridge-going-mouldy
michael adams

Michael Adams ● 1518d

Thanks again Michael for your posts. I omitted to mention that I bought 2 thermometers and have placed them in different parts of the fridge. They both show the temperature to be outside the range stipulated for a fridge. This, even when there are iced blobs on the back of the fridge!You may have a point about the amount of food stored in the fridge as sometimes that does reduce, but that has been the case for a number of years.  Your included quote on mould is very interesting.

Joan Adamson ● 1518d