Category Archives: Refrigerator Repair

How to Fix a Frosty Freezer

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Does the inside of your freezer look like it was hit by a blizzard? Just follow the steps below to manually defrost your freezer, then find the cause of the problem to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

  1. Unplug the freezer from the electrical outlet.
  2. Remove all food and place it in a cooler or your second freezer to keep cool.
  3. For the quick method, melt the frost using a hair dryer on low heat. Make sure that the hair dryer doesn’t come in contact with any water, and don’t keep the nozzle pointed at one place for too long.
  4. For the longer method, line your freezer with towels and leave the door open overnight. The ice will eventually melt, and the towels will help prevent the water from leaking on to your floor.
  5. No matter which method you use, thoroughly dry the inside of your freezer with a clean towel in order to prevent mold.
  6. Plug your appliance back in and re-stock it with food.

Be advised that this method is only a band-aid approach. In order to prevent your freezer from frosting up again, you need to find the source of the problem. Here are a few common causes of frosty freezers:

  • Damaged gasket. The rubber gasket (or door seal) creates an airtight barrier between your fridge and the outside world. One small rip or tear in this seal can allow warm air to enter, even when the door is closed. The moisture from this warm air condenses and freezes, turning into frost.
  • Temperature set too low. Most freezers have an adjustable thermostat to control the temperature. Ideally, your freezer should be as close to 0° F as possible. Frost build up may indicate that your thermostat is set too low.
  • Freezer is too full. When your freezer is overfull, air can’t properly circulate, which causes frost to build up.

Can’t get your freezer to stay frost-free? The refrigeration experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service can! Our licensed professionals have more than 75 years of experience fixing refrigerators and freezers in the NYC area. We guarantee one-hour service to New York City and Long Island! Call us anytime to schedule your same-day freezer repair at 866-782-9376.

How to Fix Common Freezer Problems

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From too much cold air to not enough, your freezer can experience a wide variety of problems. Luckily for you, the repair experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service are here to walk you through all of your issues. Read below for step-by-step solutions for some of the most common freezer problems.

Warm Air

Does the air in your freezer feel warmer than it should? Most refrigerators only have one cooling mechanism for both the fresh food and freezer compartments, so here is how you should handle the problem:

  • If the air in your refrigerator also feels warm, turn down the thermostat and wait 24 hours. If you notice no change, contact a repair service before your food spoils.

  • If your refrigerator is cold but the freezer is not, your cold-air inlet is probably blocked. Find this hole (located in the freezer section, usually covered with a plastic grate) and make sure that it is unobstructed, along with the surrounding area.

Frost Build-Up

When frost builds up on your freezer walls, air circulation is reduced and storage space is minimized. Here’s how to manually defrost your freezer:

  • Unplug your appliance and take all of the food out of the freezer. Melt the ice build up on the walls using a hair dryer on a low setting. Be careful not to let any water touch the hair dryer, and don’t aim at one spot for too long.

Freezer Burn

“Freezer burn” happens when food is damaged by the conditions of your freezer. Although still edible, freezer burned food is usually dry and discolored, making it unappealing. Prevent it by:

  • Keeping your freezer full. Food in an empty freezer is more likely to get freezer burned.

  • Keep your food wrapped up in airtight packaging.

No Ice from Ice Maker

If your ice maker has stopped producing fresh cubes, here is what to do:

  • Check the control arm. Most ice bins have a metal arm that locks in an upright position when the bin is full in order to prevent it from overflowing. It’s easy to accidentally move this arm up. Gently push down the arm and you should see ice within an hour.

Still having issues with your freezer? Don’t worry, the repair experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service are just a phone call away! If you live on Long Island or in New York City, call us to schedule your same-day appointment at 866-782-9376.

Why Your Next Refrigerator Should NOT Have an Ice-Maker

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If you are in the market for a new refrigerator, you have a lot of things to take into consideration. You must think about the appliance’s size, style, storage space, and energy efficiency. You also need to consider additional features such as touchscreens, temperature-controlled compartments, and ice dispensers. While all of these features seem like obvious benefits, one of them might actually bring some hidden drawbacks.

The downfall of ice dispensers

At first thought, ice dispensers are great, right? Who doesn’t want an on-demand supply of ice cubes available at the push of a button? Unfortunately, they are not as great as they sound. Let’s take a closer look:

  • Ice dispensers bring added costs. iStock_000075196475_SmallNot only will a refrigerator with a built-in ice dispenser have a higher price tag, but they create additional costs down the road too. You have to consider that your utility bill will go up due to an increased use of water, and you will periodically have to buy new filters.

  • Ice dispensers take away storage space. If you already have trouble fitting food into your freezer, an ice dispenser isn’t going to make things any better. Valuable storage space will need to be given up in order to accommodate an ice bin, which is something most people don’t realize until it’s too late.

  • Ice dispensers need to be repaired more. This is the biggest downfall of ice dispensers: they break down. According to Consumer Reports, refrigerators with ice dispensers break down at a higher rate than those without them, and the repairs tend to cost more. Is it really worth it?

New York residents can have peace of mind knowing that if their refrigerator does break down, help is just a phone call away with Speedy Refrigerator Service. With one-hour service to all of Long Island and New York City, don’t trust anyone else to fix your refrigerator, freezer, wine cooler, or ice maker. Give us a call at 866-782-9376 to schedule your same-day appointment.

Causes of Most Refrigerator Problems

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Refrigerators are complex machines that require many different pieces to work together in order to function as a unit. If just one of these pieces fail, your whole appliance can suffer as a result. Here are some of the most likely causes for your refrigerator problems.

Dirty Condenser Coils

Condenser coils are responsible for releasing heat, but are known to accumulate dust. When this happens, you may notice that your refrigerator constantly cycles on and off, or has trouble keeping your food cold. Clean these coils (located on the rear of the refrigerator) every six months using the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner.

Faulty Gaskets

The gaskets are the rubber seals that run around your refrigerator and freezer doors. They form an air-tight barrier, and one little rip or tear can lead to temperature problems, condensation, and a spike in your energy bill. Inspect your gasket every other month, looking for small cracks or loose edges. If you notice any problems, replace it immediately.

Clogged Drain Tube

If you have an auto-defrost freezer, the melted ice runs down a drain tube in the back of your refrigerator, where it empties into a drip pan under your appliance and eventually evaporates. All of this happens inconspicuously, unless there is a clog. A clogged drain tube can cause water to pool at the bottom of your refrigerator, causing many people to panic thinking there is a leak. Don’t worry, a clogged drain tube is an easy DIY fix, click here for instructions.

Malfunctioning Compressor

Similar to the engine in your car, the compressor is the heart of your refrigerator. If it starts to malfunction, things can go downhill very quickly. Neglecting a failing compressor to the point that it totally breaks down will result in a trip to the appliance store for a new fridge. If you suspect your compressor is beginning to fail, contact a local appliance repair service immediately.

Residents of New York City and Long Island can count on Speedy Refrigerator Service for all of their refrigerator repair needs. We offer same-day service and complete most repairs in the comfort of your own home. Call us any time at 866-782-9376 to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed technicians.

Easy DIY Solutions for a Warm Refrigerator

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The job of your refrigerator is quite simple: keep your food cold. However, how it gets the job done is actually a very complicated process.

Your refrigerator requires many pieces to work together in order to function properly, and if just one thing goes wrong, the whole unit will fail. If your fridge is too warm, try fixing it with these easy tips from Speedy Refrigerator Service.

Adjust the Thermostat

Almost every refrigerator comes with a thermostat, whether it is an adjustable knob or a digital screen. Sometimes, getting your refrigerator to cool down is as simple as adjusting the thermostat. Turn it down and wait 24 hours to see if your refrigerator’s temperature has dropped at all.

Check the Gasket

The gasket is the rubber seal on your refrigerator door and is responsible for forming an air-tight barrier. Just one small rip or tear in the gasket can cause your appliance to lose cold air, even when the door is shut. Closely examine your gasket for cracks, worn areas, or loose edges, and replace it immediately if you notice anything wrong.

Vacuum the Coils

The condenser coils are located on the back of most refrigerators and are responsible for releasing heat. Over time, these coils can become coated in a thick layer of dust, which hurts your refrigerator’s energy efficiency and ability to cool off. Clean your condenser coils twice every year by using the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner.

Sometimes, a warm refrigerator isn’t always this easy to fix. Some issues, such as a malfunctioning compressor, should be left to the professionals. That’s where Speedy Refrigerator Service comes in.

If you have tried these solutions to no avail, it’s time to call in the experts. Speedy Refrigerator Service offers around-the-clock, 24/7 service to residents of Long Island and New York City. If your refrigerator, freezer, or ice maker breaks down, call us any time at 866-782-9376.