# Do I have a freezer problem? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 12, 2024, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676 "2024-10-12T02:17:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/1 "2024-10-12T02:17:50Z")
Last week the freezer was very low. It’s now extremely well stocked, and I’ve made sure to leave room for the vents and the fan. I keep it at about mid temperature always. The food is fine, it’s not making loud noises, no smells. The other day though, I noticed inside on the top some frozen frost if you will. Not a lot, but I don’t recall ever seeing it before. Should I be concerned! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/2 "2024-10-12T02:22:04Z")
Hmm. Something’s happening. Do turn it colder and make sure the fan isn’t frosted over. Is it supposed to be frost free? ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/3 "2024-10-12T02:29:55Z")
Yes, frost free. I’ll go a bit colder, ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/4 "2024-10-12T03:54:02Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > The other day though, I noticed inside on the top some frozen frost if you will Chest or upright? Either way frost-free isn’t magic. Defrosting occurs in a periodic cycle so a small amount of frost buildup for a short time is expected. Moreso after it’s been filled with new food either fresh or frozen. On a chest freezer you might see a little frost build up around the edges of the top because the gasket hasn’t sealed well when it was closed. Make sure that area is kept clean so it’s just a temporary thing. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/5 "2024-10-12T04:31:19Z")
The pair of cheap, dial face fridge & freezer thermometers I got for mine really do come in handy. I’ve had defrost problems before and the early warning sign to watch for is gradual warming. ---
**Author:** ![Snipe70e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/51bf81/32.png) [@Snipe70e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snipe70e)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/6 "2024-10-12T06:41:05Z")
Are you talking about frost forming on the top outside of the food containers or frost inside. If it is outside the container, probably just moisture from the air that was admitted when the freezer door was opened. Especially if the weather is humid. If it is on the inside of the containers it is just moisture from the food and that is also normal. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/7 "2024-10-12T11:16:01Z")
It’s an upright. There’s no frost on the food packaging, it’s just a light coating on the inside top of the freezer. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/8 "2024-10-12T11:59:55Z")
One possible cause of excess frost could be a problem with the door seal. If it has a gap, air can get in and the moisture will turn to frost. If the frost is near the edge of the door, that might indicate a problem with the seal. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/9 "2024-10-13T05:07:57Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > could be a problem with the door seal Absolutely this. We had a freezer with a failing door seal, and it was like Minnesota in February in there. The food was buried in frost. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/10 "2024-10-13T06:13:01Z")
Is it possible you blocked a fan in the freezer when you loaded all that food in there? A blocked evaporated fan can cause ice to build up. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/11 "2024-10-13T06:38:47Z")
Another vote for an issue with the door seal. Can you slide a dollar back and forth in the seal with the door closed? If so, it should be replaced (yes, I got that test from an Epcot comic book. Thanks, Goofy!). ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/12 "2024-10-13T15:05:15Z")
Nothing appears to be blocked, and there’s no frost on the food packaging. I noticed that it only appears to be to the front top of the freezer, and it’s not too bad. I am going to keep eyes on it. From what I can tell the door seal seems to be ok. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/13 "2024-10-13T15:43:12Z")
I’ve owned upright and chest freezers, but not frost-free. I have seen them in use and if I ever got another upright I’d definitely look into frost free. If my understanding of how they work is correct, they have heating elements on the coils that are usually on the shelves. Periodically it heats up the coils to melt the frost. So I wouldn’t be surprised if a small amount of frost could be found on the top. The manual for your freezer may mention that in tiny print or maybe you check online for the specific model. You could simply wipe away the frost and see if the frost returns. If the coils are defrosting properly you may not have any problem to worry about. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/14 "2024-10-13T20:20:35Z")
Yes, that sounds like a good plan. It doesn’t seem as bad today as it was earlier in the week. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/15 "2024-10-14T03:57:17Z")
Possible way to check for a seal issue is to add weight to the top of the freezer lid. If you will not be opening it for some longer amount of time. Stack some stuff on top to press the lid down extra hard. Note if there is frost the next time you open it. Unless the seal is very bad, this should make it seal up tight. If there is still frost, then it may be other issues. Also. Has the humidity in your area been extra high lately? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/16 "2024-10-14T04:03:26Z")
You can check the door seal by putting a dollar bill between the door and the frame, and then trying to slide it around the door when it’s closed. You shouldn’t be able to do it, or at least it should be pretty hard to move it. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/17 "2024-10-14T06:20:08Z")
Hey, mang. I relayed Goofy’s advice (or concern) like, four posts ago. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/18 "2024-10-14T18:35:01Z")
At least your freezer does not have [this](https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/12/colorado-freezer-body-part-homicide-investigation) problem. We hope. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/19 "2024-10-14T19:32:49Z")
> [@Kedikat](#): > > Possible way to check for a seal issue is to add weight to the top of the freezer lid. The OP has an upright freezer. Which, admittedly, he did not disclose until post #13. ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676/20 "2024-10-14T21:18:55Z")
Ah. Then a cargo strap cinched round it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-a-freezer-problem/1008676.md?page=2)