Effects of Broken Gaskets in Freezers

10 April 2018

A broken freezer gasket is allowing warm air into a hard-working freezer. The compressor unit responds to the leak by working harder. It’s going to wear out soon unless the broken seal is replaced. Continuously operating compressors, pools of water, spoiled food, and increasing operational costs, all of these problems can be explained by calling out a service engineer, someone who’ll likely go straight to that broken gasket.

Coping with Counterintuitive Effects

If warm air is getting inside the freezer, why is the refrigeration unit gaining a layer of ice? Speaking plainly, the equipment is doing too much. It’s running continuously because the sealed enclosure is starting to warm. It’s a hopeless battle, this accelerated refrigeration cycle, for more warm air replaces the now cool air, and so on. If the gasket damage is bad enough, the refrigeration equipment is going to fail. However, a sort of balance can be achieved. The warm air is still there, but the overburdened cooling gear is keeping the freezer at the desired temperature, as set by the thermostat. However, the loser in this battle is always the equipment coils, for coils ice-up when gasket damage remains undiscovered.

Loss of a Food-Safe Environment

Even if the low temperature overwhelms the leaking air, the thermal envelope is now compromised. Temperature fluctuations will take place over the course of a day, the food will defrost partially then freeze again. That’s not an acceptable situation. For starters, the food will spoil and lose its fresh taste. Worse yet, the bacteria inside the food will be stimulated. Bacteria grows when subzero conditions aren’t properly regulated. Strange odours propagate due to the rising mercury. Water is dripping, a patch of ugly mould is forming on the ceiling, and the broken gasket is still concealing its wound. Even the kitchen owner is feeling the bite, but he hasn’t gone near the freezer for weeks. In this unfortunate case, the operational bills are going through the roof. Bills of fresh currency may as well be pouring through the gasket, for that’s where the energy is being lost.

Lost cooling potency triggers a battling compressor unit. Ironically, the toiling equipment only worsens the problem. After all, extra electricity consumption equals a larger energy bill, something a catering establishment loathes, and with good reason. However, the worst is yet to come. The dripping water is feeding mould, and the pooled liquid slippery, which means a possible industrial accident is imminent. Meanwhile, the poorly regulated temperature is producing spoiled food and a potential health hazard. Identify, address, and repair that broken gasket quickly.

 

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

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