(This was previously posted on rec.food.equipment, but I thought I would see if alt.home.repair had any input. Is there a more appropriate group?).
Hi, During a recent kitchen remodeling project, we had a sub-zero model
642 side-by-side installed. So far, it is everything we expected, but I have an "Is this normal?" kind of question. Every time the freezer door is opened and then closed, a vacuum is created by the warm air contracting as it cools. The air that equalizes it enters through the main seal around the door making a hissing noise for 15 to 30 seconds during which time, the door can't be opened. I am impressed that the freezer is sealed well enough to cause that to happen, but I would think sub-zero would have added some sort of check valve to control it rather than having it hiss at you for 30 seconds. The manual has a "noises that are normal" section, but doesn't describe this. Is there something that got blocked off during installation that I should open up? The installers mumbled something about "That's to dehumidify the moist air that entered the freezer while the door was open", but that doesn't make a lot of sense to me.One more detail. About 20% of the time, a gurgling sound is made in addition to the air entering through the seal as though air was also entering through the defroster drain line.
Thanks, Pat