Common Causes of Freezer Dripping and Not Reaching the Right Temperature

28 February 2018

A kitchen staff member has just reported a dripping freezer. The unit in question is creating a small pool on the floor. There’s no way that freezer is reaching the right temperature. Alarm bells go off in the kitchen manager’s head. If the equipment isn’t keeping its contents frozen, a dangerous hygiene jeopardizing incident could be brewing. Quick, time is of the essence, what’s causing the warming effect?

A Damaged Thermostat 

Check the obvious causal factors before calling out an engineer. But be quick about it, this issue can’t be allowed to continue. Is the thermostat set at the right temperature? In degrees Celsius, we’re looking for a digital readout that sinks below 0°C. That’s 32°F for those who use the Fahrenheit scale. Use a mental checklist to explore all possible options. If the power has been knocked out, reset the circuit breaker. If it trips again, the problem is electrical, so call the engineer.

Seek Out Insulation Trouble 

This next problem requires sleuthing skill. If the door seal is damaged, the freezer can’t maintain its cooling envelope. By the way, this particular defect could be causing the circuit breaker problems. After all, the appliance compressor works harder when the enclosure warms. As that electrical unit labours ever harder, more electrical power is consumed. The result of this off-kilter battle is either a high power bill or a damaged compressor. Again, if that circuit breaker is tripping, call in an engineer. By chance, has a staff member been leaving the freezer door open? Sometimes the simplest solution is to ask around for more information.

Cracking the Mechanical Issues 

Dirty condenser coils are next. The heat exchange process works splendidly when the appliance coils are clean, but a thick layer of grime saps performance. It may involve a little acrobatics, but can someone see the dirt on the coils. Are there cobwebs and filth on the underside of the compressor unit? If there is, that’s another hygiene blunder, an oversight that must be immediately addressed. Alternatively, a low refrigerant charge means there’s insufficient chemical power in the system. The only recourse, once more, is to call in a local refrigeration engineer.

Freezer dripping incidents cause much consternation. Is the fluid water? It probably is melted ice, but it could also be freon. Refrigerant chemicals can damage the environment, so shut everything down. The cooling unit is also running continuously, but the temperature isn’t dropping, so that refrigerant level has definitely dropped. However, if the dripping liquid is water, try those common-sense solutions first. If they don’t yield results, the chamber insulation or electrical circuitry likely requires professional attention.

Mark Connelly
C&M Coolroom Services
E-mail: markconnelly@cmcoolrooms.com.au
Mobile: 0412 536 315

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