Refrig: Freezer-compartment-door sometimes open quarter-inch or so

[David Combs]

Sometimes, after someone has been rooting around in the freezer part of the refrig, and when done pushes the door closed, even "slams" it a bit, because of how frozen food got moved around, it pushes the door open a small bit, like a quarter or third of an inch or so.

Problem is, you don't notice it.

(The freezer compartment is *lower* part of this refrigerator -- I like it that way, being 6'2"!).

Not so good, being open that "small" amount for, say, overnight! (*I* know it's potentially dangerous -- parts of food near that leak goes from 5F to maybe 25F, still staying "frozen", but it's different.

And if it actually gets some parts up to 40F for from anywhere from 20 min up, before the door gets closed tightly, and it goes back down to 5 above, well, it's not a good situation, for sure.

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I'm sure mine isn't the only household on this newsgroup that's had this problem from time to time, what with all the family members who retrieve stuff from the freezer.

So, what kind of easy scheme do you guys use to make sure the freezer door *cannot* inadvertently come open?

Maybe some kind of glued-on latch, maybe?

Anyway, I could sure use some ideas!

Thanks,

David

[cshenk]

"David Combs" wrote .

Happens. If the door is even, you may just need to adjust the feet better. Most of them have feet that can screw out a bit to handle a slightly less than even floor. You screw the front ones a little longer out and it helps.

If it's a rather old unit that doesnt have that adjustable footing, you might be able to shim up the front about 1/4 inch with some sort of coasters. These 2 are basically the same and really fast and harmless to try.

I'll add you have some other problem with the seal but in an older machine, you may be able to salvage it if whatever the others who know more than I, is not possible for you.

Grin, 5'1" and I too like the bottom freezer types since I don't need in there nearly as often as the rest of the fridge! Oddly, they are rather hard to find so when I got my last one, I had to go with a top unit.

[JoeSpareBedroom]

Here are some similar household issues:

- "Someone" consistently doesn't set up the shower curtain right, so the bathroom floor gets wetter than it should.

- "Someone" consistently stuffs the toilet.

The solutions don't involve buying, adjusting or modifying anything. The solution is to teach the "someone" how to do things right. So, no latch on your freezer. Deal with the "someone".

[ransley]

Does it slide in, then raise front metal feet so gravity helps it close.

[Steve]

Possibilities:

• The hinges are out of alignment. Loosen the hinges and adjust them so the seal doesn't rub on the hinge side.

• The seal is dirty. Clean it with a mild kitchen cleaner. Make sure to get the crud out of the cracks. Clean the metal, too. When you're done cleaning, clean it again with a new rag.

• The seal drags excessivly. Lubricate the surface of the seal with petroleum jelly. This requires only a very thin coat. If you can see and feel it, you put on too much.

• The seal is just worn out. Replace it. Remember to do the cleaning and lubricating.

Free tip: To test for a good seal, close the door on a banknote. Try to pull the banknote out. It should resist pulling out, but not to the point of tearing. Repeat all around the door--the seal might be too tight in one spot and too loose in another.

[David Combs]

Thanks for the replies.

Making it worse than just gravity is that some stuff inside got moved, so that it's weight (heavish) is somehow vectored towards the door.

So the door swings shut, you hear it do that, but then that weight goes to work, opening the door.

Maybe even it falls down a bit, getting wedged between something now behind it and the door.

Does anyone get *that* kind of problem?

(Yeah -- one answer, "eat the damn food!, and then don't keep it so full in the future!")

David

[JoeSpareBedroom]

Everyone has this problem at some point. It's a human problem, not a refrigerator problem. Change the behavior which causes the problem and you'll be all set.