If your freezer is always chilled, then it’s successfully preserving your goods from spoilage or bacteria. However, if you notice increasing amounts of frost around your freezer’s walls or food, this means that your freezer may be damaged or overworked. Too much frost buildup can leave your food with freezer burn, which reduces its overall quality. When appliances like your freezer can no longer protect your food, it’s important to tackle the issue immediately to keep everything safe. Here’s what you should know about frost buildup and how it happens.

3 Causes of Frost Buildup

1. Weak Door Seal

Frost buildup happens when outside moisture regularly enters your freezer and becomes frozen. This can happen if your freezer’s magnetic door isn’t sealing properly. The rubber lining on the door is known as the gasket, and gaskets can become worn out or dirty when they age or are overused, which leaves the door incapable of sealing. Regularly clean your gasket by wiping it down and have it replaced when it becomes too old to correctly reseal.

2. Defective Defrost Timer 

Your freezer's defrost timer is a clock that times electronic switches between cooling your freezer with cold air and defrosting the inside. If your freezer gets too cold, it will create a deep freeze that produces frost on the evaporator coils that help keep the freezer functional. Your freezer's timer is designed to prevent these coils from breaking, but if your timer begins to malfunction, it will need to be reset or replaced with new appliances. If not, your freezer will not maintain its regular defrosting intervals and will start producing frost. 

3. Poor Air Circulation

Freezers are one of your home’s most useful appliances because most foods can freeze easily, which makes it ideal for preserving food for extended periods. But if you let your freezer get too packed, it may stop the cold air inside from circulating. If your freezer’s cold air flow is blocked, it allows warm air outside the freezer to settle in every time you open the door. This warm air will refreeze wherever it lands,  leaving you with frost.

You can keep your freezer’s air circulating by leaving an inch of space between the food and the freezer’s walls, and by not stocking more than the freezer can accept.

When you need a fresh freezer that keeps your food secure and doesn’t build frost, speak with Pacific Appliance Group Inc in Honolulu, HI. Since 1997, this team of contractors, interior designers, and appliance distributors have serviced businesses and homeowners on Oahu. They are contracted with top brands such as Maytag and Whirlpool, and work closely with customers to offer ideal appliances that fit your lifestyle. For more information, visit their website and call (808) 841-3322.