Refrigerator FAQs

Q - My refrigerator is running and not cold enough, what are some things that I could check for?

Q - What is the normal temperatures found inside my fresh food section and freezer section for a frost free fridge?

Q - My frost free fridge is leaking water inside under the crispers, what and where could that from?

Q - Can my fridge be moved on it's side?

Q - How long can I store food in my frost free refrigerator freezer and how?

Q - I feel warmth ( sometimes even hot to the touch ) around my refrigerator door openings on the cabinet, why?

Q - How long does it take a refrigerator to get down to the correct temperature?

Q - How long does it take a refrigerator to get down to the correct temperature?

A - When is starting up from room temp ( 70 degrees F inside the refrigerator ) a frost free refrigerator will normally need 4 - 6 hours running before it will get close to the correct temp. It has to remove the heat from the plastic, insulation and metal inside. The freezer will get the coldest first as all the cooling is made there and then the fresh food section will quickly follow. Most refrigerators will need 24 hours before getting into a normal on and off routine.

Q - My refrigerator is running and not cold enough, what are some things that I could check for ?

A - Some quick and easy stuff to check for is...

1) Are the interior lights shutting off when the doors are closed...2) Are the doors closing properly and the gaskets sealing as well...3) Is the fan in the freezer running...4) Is the condenser fan running at the back bottom of the fridge...5) Is the condenser coils in need of cleaning

For more specific refrigeration info please see the refrigerator pages.

Q - What is the normal temperatures found inside my fresh food section and freezer section for a frost free fridge?

A1 - The fresh food section should be approx. 40 degrees F or 4 degrees C in the middle of the fresh food section.

A2 - The freezer section should be 0 to 5 degrees F or -18 to - 15 degrees C.

Q - My frost free fridge is leaking water inside under the crispers, what and where is that from ?

A - This often is the defrost water that is leaking inside the fridge. At least once a day the fridge shuts off and a heater in the freezer section melts the frost and changes it to water, this is how a fridge can be frost free. If the defrost drain is plugged with food bits or dust, the water cannot get down the drain system and will spill out inside the fridge and often end up under the bottom crispers.

For more detailed info on the fridge drain system, please see the leaking water and drain section in the fridge pages.

If your refrigerator has an ice maker, make sure the ice maker is not leaking or it's fill tube.

Refrigerator Repair Parts