|
Adding food
Don't add more than 50 pounds of additional
food over a 24 hour period. Exceeding this limit may overload the cooling
system and either cause the compressor to fail or become inefficient due to
overheating. The compressor may become so inefficient that the food will
defrost even though the cooling system is working at its maximum.
top
of page
Adding food to new freezer
At startup a new freezer (including the air inside,
insulation, metal, and plastic) will be at room temperature. Therefore,
allow a new freezer to operate for approximately 24 hours before adding
food. Not allowing the cool down period, or adding food prematurely, may
result in the food not freezing properly.
top
of page
Chest or upright, which is best
They both work equally well. Upright
is more convenient for food placement and removal. Chest freezers tend to be
more efficient to operate and consume less electricity. Chest freezers are
usually manual and will need to be defrosted every year. Many upright freezers
are self-defrosting. Check the Energuide sticker on a new freezer for a sense of
which is better for your particular needs. If you expect to use the freezer for
long term storage a chest is usually better because they operate at a
slightly lower temperature than an upright.
|
Chest |
Upright |
|
lower purchase price
|
higher purchase price
|
|
manual defrost
|
self defrost available
|
|
long term storage
|
medium term storage
|
|
poorer food access
|
easier food access
|
|
less electricity
|
more electricity
|
|
limited options
|
more options such as quick freeze or temperature alarm
|
top
of page
Cleaning
Use an light, unscented all-purpose cleaner and a
clean soft cloth. Rinse using clean warm water and then dry with a clean
cloth or towel. Avoid any cleaners that contain bleach, or strong
scents.
top
of page
Defrosting
Chest freezers
need to be defrosted about once a year to remove any accumulated ice
buildup. When defrosting a chest freezer look for a drain plug on the
exterior. It should be
at the bottom edge right at floor level. It is often designed to look like a
raised piece of plastic and blends into the exterior surface. If unsure
check your Use and Care Guide. The plug makes defrosting easier by allowing
the defrost water to be drained into a shallow pan.
top
of page
Moved
freezer and now it does not work
Chest freezers can develop problems after
being moved. This is usually because of being handled roughly. If not
working after a move check the rear for loose or broken wires.
top
of page
Does
it have to be level
Freezers should be
relatively level to allow the lid (chest) or door (upright) to close
properly. If left unleveled for a long period of time the freezer body can
become so deformed that the lid will not close properly.
top
of page
Freezer burn
Usually seen as a
drying or darkening of foods, or a buildup of ice crystal within the food or
packaging. This is not the fault of the freezer but rather the
result of food de-hydration caused by the refrigeration action. To maximize
storage time use freezer storage bags with a sealing top, or storage
containers with snap on lids. Any food left in a freezer more than 6 weeks, no matter how well
wrapped, will often show signs
of de-hydration.
top
of page
Lid
- flexes a lot
Normal for a modern chest freezer.
Probably a self-leveling lid. This type of lid is designed to compensate for an slightly
unleveled machine or floor.
When closing lid one of the
corners may not close properly. Lift lid about 6 inches and slam down firmly. If
lid reseals it is a self leveling type of lid. Due to the looseness of the lid design it requires an occasional hard closing to
realign itself.
top
of page
Lock
Some freezers come with a lock built into
the lid handle. This allows the lid to be locked to prevent children from
accidentally climbing inside the freezer and becoming asphyxiated. To
prevent children access to the key hang it up very high, such as on a nail
at the ceiling level.
top
of page
Ice
buildup at lid
Some ice buildup near the inner edge
of a chest freezer is normal. May need to be defrosted. Check that gasket is sealing properly
around whole perimeter of lid. If not check if freezer is level. Also check if gasket
has cracks or splits that can allow air infiltration.
top
of page
Gasket
- not sealing properly
How do I
check if my lid gasket is closing properly?
Place
a dollar bill between the gasket and the cabinet and close the lid so that
the bill is caught between them. Then pull the bill out slowly to feel for
resistance. You should feel definite resistance on the dollar bill as you
remove it. Do this at one foot intervals around the perimeter of the cabinet.
The resistance should be consistent. If the dollar bill indicates less
resistance at some points of the perimeter then this may indicate the gasket is starting to wear
at this point.
top
of page
Noises
Upright
freezers are usually frost free. Therefore they can make all sorts of
strange noises when operating. Noises such as cracking of ice, slight
whining when operating, gurgling, or water dripping are common to modern
upright freezers. The new ozone-friendly refrigerants used in modern
freezers contribute to an increased noise level.
Chest freezers
are generally quieter during operation than upright freezers.
top
of page
Power
Indicator light flashing
This can mean many different things depending upon
the model you have. Generally it indicates that the power to the freezer went
off recently. If you had a recent power outage to your home unplug for 30
minutes and plug in again. If indicator light does not stop flashing then you
may need to telephone for service.
top
of page
Run time very long
If the freezer is new it may run almost
constantly for first few days. A new freezer should be operated for 48 hours
before adding food otherwise may become overloaded.
Run time for an upright freezer is
significantly longer than for a chest freezer. An upright may start every 15
minutes while a chest type of equivalent size may only start every 60
minutes.
top
of page
Run time very short
A freezer that turns off and on every few
minutes is having major problems. It may have a cold control that is
failing, a compressor starter that is failing, a compressor that has become
inefficient, or a leak in the refrigeration system. All of these are
problems that will require a service person.
top
of page
Temperature
The operating temperature for an upright
freezer is approximately -10 Degrees Fahrenheit. For a chest freezer
it's approximately -20 Degrees Fahrenheit.
top
of page
Temperature
light flashing
May be
because the interior temperature is too warm. Check that the lid or door to the freezer is closed.
If it was accidentally knocked open within the last few hours this problem can
result. Check freezers operating temperature with an accurate thermometer. Should be
approximately 5 degrees Fahrenheit for an upright freezer and -10 degrees Fahrenheit
for a chest freezer. If not as indicated telephone for service.
top
of page
Can
I operate outside or in garage
A freezer is
meant to be operated indoors. If operated out of doors serious damage can
result to both the machine and the food. If left in an unheated garage the
food will probably stay frozen most of the year but the cold outside temperatures
can result in damage to the machine. Manufacturers may void the warranty
of any machine not operated within normal indoor temperatures. Check your
Use and Care Guide for manufacturers suggestions.
top
of page
Can
I operate in closet
A freezer
operated within a closet will run too hot
due to the increased ambient temperature of the confined space. This can detrimentally effect the
freezer operation and harm the refrigeration system.
top
of page
Can
I operate on extension cord
Most household extension cords will cause the
refrigeration system to overheat due to the voltage drop. Never operate an appliance on
something such as a lawn mower cord, or a light lamp cord, as it can cause serious damage to
the appliance.
If the line cord has to be extended use one
made specifically for appliances. They are expensive, and are
only available in short lengths to a maximum of about 12 feet.
top
of page
|