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.

What Temperature Should Your Refrigerator Be?

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Refrigerator thermometer inside the top shelf of a cool food storage fridge to make sure perishables are kept safe and cold enough.

We know that refrigerators are supposed to keep our food cold, but how cold is cold enough? If your fridge is too warm, your food will spoil, and if it’s too chilly, it will freeze. The key is finding an optimal temperature range, but not everyone knows what that is. Fortunately for you, the experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service are here to help – read below for all of the answers to your temperature-related questions.

 

What is the best temperature for your refrigerator?

According to scientists, bacteria growth rates spike at about 40° F, which is why this temperature range is considered to be the “danger zone” for food. On the other side of the spectrum, water freezes at 32°. For these reasons, the optimal temperature range for your refrigerator is between 34-38°.

 

How do I know if my refrigerator is at the right temperature?

Like anything else, the easiest way to measure the temperature of your refrigerator is with a thermometer. Some models have these built in, but if yours doesn’t, don’t worry. You can find thermometers made specifically for your refrigerator online or at a local retail store. Once purchased, set the thermometer on different shelves to make sure the temperature is consistent throughout your whole refrigerator.

 

Do you have any tips for keeping a consistent temperature?

If you find that you are having trouble keeping your refrigerator’s temperature consistent, these tips will make the job easier:

  • Open your refrigerator door less. If you are cooking a meal that requires multiple ingredients from your fridge, take them all out in one trip. Avoid keeping the door open for long periods of time.

  • Vacuum the condenser coils. These are located on the back of the unit and release heat. If they are coated in dust, warm air can’t escape and your refrigerator has to work harder to keep cool.

  • Make sure the seal is not damaged. The rubber seal on your door forms an air tight barrier. Just one small crack or loose edge can allow cold air to escape your fridge, even when the door is shut.

 

If your refrigerator is too warm, trust the experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service to keep it cool. As New York’s premier fridge repair service, we have all the tools and experience needed to fix any make or model of refrigerator. Our phone lines are open 24/7, so call us anytime 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.

How to Get Rid of Your Refrigerator Odors

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Upset housewife with foul meal

Think about all of the food that sits in your refrigerator on a daily basis. Fruits, vegetables, raw meat, eggs, cheese, and leftover Chinese – it’s no surprise that you will deal with unpleasant odors from time to time. If your refrigerator is reeking to high heavens, here’s how to squash the stench.

Remove the source of the smell.

What’s causing your fridge to stink so bad? Rotten eggs? Spoiled milk? Expired meat? Whatever it is, get it out of your refrigerator and into the outside garbage ASAP. If the source of the smell isn’t obvious, a full clean out may be in order.

Open a box of baking soda.

Baking soda has been used as a deodorizer for decades. Your mom, and even your grandma, probably had a box of it in the fridge at one point. Just open up a new box of baking soda, stick it in the refrigerator, and let it naturally absorb any smells. You should notice the difference within 24 hours.

Use air-tight containers.

One way to prevent refrigerator odors is by storing all of your food in air-tight containers. Sure, it’s easier to put the leftover pizza in the fridge in the box that it came in, but putting it in a container first will prevent your fridge from smelling like day-old pepperoni.

Speedy Refrigerator Service is New York’s premier refrigerator repair service. With over 75 years of experience, trust our licensed technicians to fix any make or model of refrigerator, freezer, wine cooler, or ice maker. We offer 24/7 coverage and guarantee one-hour service to Long Island, Queens, and New York City. Schedule your in-home repair today by calling 866-782-9376.