Commercial refrigerators freezing up is a common scenario faced by many, where the aftereffects are plenty. From damaging stored food and increasing electricity costs, there are various reasons why this happens.
However, with a clear understanding of your commercial fridge, it becomes easier to prevent freezing up and seek professional assistance on time. This blog takes you through the various causes of commercial refrigerator freezing and the simple preventive measures you can take.
Common causes of commercial refrigerator freezing
There are several reasons why your commercial refrigerator might be freezing up on the inside:
- Incorrect temperature settings: If the thermostat is set too low, the compressor runs excessively, which lowers the temperature, leading to freezing. Most of the commercial fridges work best around 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit. If set lower, the temperature drops further, and the insides of the refrigerator may freeze entirely.
- Defrost cycle problems: If the defrost system is not functioning properly, the frost and ice can build up on the coils. This blocks the airflow and freezes the fridge interiors.
- Damaged or worn-out door seals: If the door seals are leaky or loose, it lets in the warm air, which makes the fridge difficult to cool, leading to ice formation in some areas.\
- Environmental factors: If the fridge is placed near a wall or in an area without correct ventilation, the appliance’s cooling efficiency is interrupted, which results in freezing issues. Blocked air ducts or poor circulation: If food items or containers are blocking the air vents in the refrigerator, this can cause the cold air to pool in certain areas, which freezes items unevenly.
How to prevent your commercial fridge from freezing?
To successfully prevent your commercial fridge from freezing, it is important to practice the right usage and maintenance measures:
- Check the door seals often for cracks or wear-outs and replace the damaged seals on time to maintain the cold air in.
- Use an external thermometer to see if your fridge lacks a built-in display to track temperatures accurately.
- Ensure to position the fridge at a place that has sufficient space around it for airflow. Do not place it in areas with extreme temperature changes.
- Regularly clean the condenser fans, coils, and ventilators to maintain smooth airflow and the performance efficiency of the fridge.
- Make sure the defrost cycle is running smoothly. In case the ice build-up appears, you can manually defrost.
- Set the fridge temperature between 35 degrees Fahrenheit (35°F) and 38 degrees Fahrenheit (38°F) to prevent overcooling, as it can freeze the food.
When to call a professional technician for help?
Despite implementing the preventive measures by yourself at home, if you still encounter cases where your fridge starts freezing up again, that is the cue for you to seek professional assistance.
Here are some of the strong signs your fridge needs expert care:
- Faulty wiring or sensors can lead to temperature fluctuations, causing freezing within the fridge.
- In case of defrost system failures, such as poor functioning of the thermostat, heater, or timer, it can cause freezing issues as the ice does not melt properly.
- Poor functioning of the evaporator coils, fans, or compressors can result in uneven cooling or cold spots, which freeze certain areas of the fridge interiors.
- Continuous ice buildup from moisture that entered the fridge due to blocked defrost drains or door leaks can cause freezing. Note that this can happen even if the temperature is set right.
- A failed thermostat or control board can make it difficult to access temperature accuracy and cause the compressor to run too long. This can result in freezing of the fridge from the inside.
Conclusion
As you can see, a commercial fridge freezing up is usually caused by either faulty parts, wrong temperature settings, or poor maintenance. While you can fix most of the causes for your fridge freezing up, at times, the issue needs expert hands for lasting performance of the appliance.
If the freezing persists, prompt action becomes necessary, where you call a professional technician. At Air Freeze, our expert team brings more than 28 years of expertise in our refrigerator services, from installation and maintenance to repair. Connect with us today!
