How to stop your fridge from freezing food

Have you noticed that your fridge has begun freezing food recently? After looking to cook your next meal, have you grabbed an item out of the fridge and wondered whether your freezer has magically swapped places with your fridge after you have pulled out a frozen egg or a bottle of milk which seems more like a Slush Puppy?

If this scene is inducing frosty memories that are all too similar to the situation above, it is most likely that your fridge is suffering from some sort of issue which is causing this problem. Although it is a rare occurrence, there are plenty of factors which can contribute to turning your fruit and vegetables into icicles!

Throughout this article, we will dive into seven of the most common reasons why your fridge has begun to freeze food and drink. From small simple fixes to more complex issues requiring a professional appliance repair expert; there are many reasons why your fridge is acting more like a freezer at this point in time!

If your fridge is beyond the depths of repair and you require a new fridge, look no further than Sale Appliances. We stock a wide selection of affordable fridges and deliver across Southend-on-Sea and Chelmsford. Call us on 01702300010.

7 most common reasons your fridge is freezing food

When you notice that your fridge has started freezing the items stored inside of it, it can lead to a cause of concern and panic. However, do not worry! The reason for your fridge freezing food may just require a slight tweak of a few buttons and settings in order to get it back in working order.

With that being said, it is also worth being cautious that a more extensive repair could be needed with the help of a local professional. Either way, this guide will help identify the issue at hand and should provide you with some useful information on why your fridge is freezing food.

Some of the most common reasons your fridge is freezing food include:

1. Faulty temperature sensor

2. The thermostat is set too high

3. Blocked air vents

4. Dirty refrigerator coils

5. Broken door seals

6. Malfunctioning Defrost System

7. Overpacking and Poor Air Circulation

1. Faulty Temperature Sensor

Firstly, you should go ahead and check the temperature settings if you notice that your fridge is starting to freeze items. If there is nothing out of the ordinary appearing here, it is most likely that your temperature sensor is faulty.

If you suspect your fridge's temperature settings to be giving a false reading, grab a glass and fill it with water. Once you have done this, grab a cooking thermometer and place it into the glass. From here leave it in the fridge overnight. This will give you an accurate reading of the actual temperature in your fridge.

If you notice that the reading is lower than what your fridge temperature sensor is producing, you will need to get in contact with a local appliance repair expert who will be able to identify the fault and fix the issue at hand.

2. The Thermostat Is Set Too High

In some models of fridges, the temperature gauge is placed in an inconvenient area of the fridge. For this reason, it can sometimes lead to the settings getting knocked and turned up or down. In the case of your fridge freezing things, your thermometer may have been set to a low temperature setting leading to frozen items inside your refrigerator.

Most fridges have a mark on the thermostat adjustment knob however over time this can get erased. With this in mind, it can lead to no clear way to measure the fridge temperature, leading to a fridge that acts more like a freezer, circulating cold air around your appliance.

To fix this issue, simply readjust your thermostat until you find that sweet spot! If you notice that issues persist, it is always wise to get in contact with a local appliance repairs expert who will be able to help amend the issue.

3. Blocked Air Vents

Air vents play a vital role in regulating the temperature inside the refrigerator by allowing air to circulate properly. When these vents get blocked, the cold air gets trapped in certain areas. This leads to uneven cooling and potential freezing of food items.

Blocked air vents can result from various reasons like improperly stored items or accidental blockage by food packaging. To prevent this issue, check and clear the air vents regularly to ensure proper airflow throughout the fridge.

If you are unsure of how to locate blocked air vents refer back to the user manual when you first bought the fridge. If you are still unsure, it is always worth getting in contact with a local appliance repair expert.

4. Dirty Refrigerator Coils

Dirty refrigerator coils can lead to your fridge being colder than needed thus leading to items inside your appliance getting frozen. The coils and heat exchanger are located on the outside of your fridge in addition to the evaporator coils which are found inside. When these coils get covered in dirt and dust due to being sat on the outside of your appliance usually up against a wall, it can force your fridge to work harder and harder to sustain the optimal temperature within your fridge.

Sometimes when this happens, it can lead to over cooling hence why your fridge is now acting as a second freezer by circulating cold air around your fridge when it may not be required. Fortunately, these coils are fairly easy to clean and with regular cleaning, you can ensure you do not suffer from this issue in the future.

In order to ensure an efficient cleaning to the dirty fridge coils, it is always best to follow the guidance in the

5. Broken Door Seals

When the door seal on your refrigerator is faulty, it can lead to the fridge freezing food due to the loss of proper insulation. The inadequate sealing allows cold air from inside the fridge to escape and warm air from outside to enter. This problem affects the freshness and taste of your food. Plus, it increases energy consumption as the fridge works harder to maintain a constant temperature.

One common reason for a faulty door seal is wear and tear over time.

• Remember to regularly inspect and clean the door seal, checking for any signs of damage and ensuring it’s properly aligned with the fridge door.

• Also, avoid placing heavy items on shelves near the door that can put pressure on the seal and cause it to warp or lose its shape.

6. Malfunctioning Defrost System

The defrost timer regulates the frequency of the defrost cycle. If this timer isn’t functioning properly, it can cause the freezer coils to frost over excessively. This can lead to frozen food in the fridge compartment.

Accurately diagnosing malfunctioning defrost system components as soon as possible will help ensure your fridge operates efficiently. Don't overlook small signs such as partially frozen items or excessive frost buildup, as they may indicate larger problems with your appliance's vital systems.

Overpacking and Poor Air Circulation

Overpacking your fridge can lead to poor air circulation, causing certain areas to become too cold and freeze the food stored there. When the airflow is restricted by overcrowding, the cold air may not circulate properly. This leads to uneven cooling throughout the refrigerator. This exposes some items to freezing temperatures while others remain at a more suitable level.

To prevent this issue:

• Organise your fridge efficiently by allowing space between items for proper air circulation.

• Make use of shelves and compartments effectively to ensure that cold air can flow freely around all parts of the refrigerator.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you should now have a clear idea of the most likely reasons why your fridge is freezing items inside of it and some ideas on how to fix it. As with everything, if you are unsure about the issue that is being caused or do not know how to repair the issue yourself, it is always wise to get in contact with a reputable, local appliance repair expert.

Fortunately, if you require appliance repair in the Southend-on-Sea or Chelmsford area, we also offer a comprehensive and reliable fridge repair service.

In addition to this, if your old fridge is beyond repair, we also stock a wide selection of the leading refrigeration brands such as Hotpoint, Iceking, Bosch, Indesit and many more. With fast delivery across Southend-on-Sea and Chelmsford, we can deliver and install your new fridge as quickly as possible.

If you are interested in a new fridge for your home, please speak to a member of the team on 01702300010 or visit our showroom in Westcliff-on-Sea.