# Help -- My Refrigerator Sucks.  :-)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-my-refrigerator-sucks/509568>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 10, 2009, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-my-refrigerator-sucks/509568 "2009-09-10T16:25:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-my-refrigerator-sucks/509568/1 "2009-09-10T16:25:26Z")

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Now that I’ve gotten your attention… 😃

I have a side-by-side refrigerator / freezer combination. There are times (increasingly frequent) where the refrigerator side seems vacuum sealed. Simply pulling on the handle doesn’t work. I have to brace one hand on the freezer side and pull very hard with my other hand on the refrigerator handle.

When the door does finally open, it opens with a “whoooosh” sound, like I’ve broken a vacuum seal.

Anyone know what is causing this and how to fix it?

Thanks,  
J.

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**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-my-refrigerator-sucks/509568/2 "2009-09-10T17:26:01Z")

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Try washing the sticky stuff off the frame and seal.

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**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-my-refrigerator-sucks/509568/3 "2009-09-10T17:33:09Z")

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I’ve noticed something like this with my (standard, freezer on top) fridge. If it’s been closed for a while it will open fine, but if I close it and then need to open it again right away, it will be tougher to open the second time. I don’t have to brace my hand or anything, but the increase in effort needed is noticeable.

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**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-my-refrigerator-sucks/509568/4 "2009-09-10T18:33:42Z")

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it means that it is working. especially freezer.

when you open door (of upright unit) the cold denser air spills out into the room, that is replaced by warmer room air. when the warmer room air hits cold objects it cools. cooler air is less dense than warm air, this now cooler air is spilling out as long as door is open. as you close the door the warm air coming in to fill the space created by the air already inside which is cooling and getting denser. you air hearing the whistling through the crack as the door opening closes.

the fact that there is a suction holding the door shut (besides the magnet) and you hear a whoosh when you open the door means that the door seal is still good and working.

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**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-my-refrigerator-sucks/509568/5 "2009-09-10T19:05:01Z")

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> [@johnpost](#):
>
> it means that it is working. especially freezer.
> 
> …
> 
> the fact that there is a suction holding the door shut (besides the magnet) and you hear a whoosh when you open the door means that the door seal is still good and working.

Ok…

But I don’t think it should take 50 - 70 pounds of force to open the refrigerator. And it didn’t use to take this much pressure, so something has changed.

J.