Frigi-Know: Your Guide to Refrigerator Troubleshooting

Unlocking the Cold Truth: Your Essential Guide to Refrigerator Repairs and Myths

We get a lot of questions about refrigerators and how to go about repairing them both before and during a maintenance call. We’ve been asked all sorts of things from the normal ‘can’t you just repair a compressor?” to “can my fridge explode??” and everything in between. So we’ve rounded up the ones we get most often while working on refrigerators and are answering them here. 

Repair-oriented questions 

Can Refrigerator Doors Be Removed/ Replaced/ Adjusted?

Fridge doors can indeed be easily removed, and when you’re done you just pop them back into place. They can also be adjusted. Most shops will have screws to help you align the doors properly, they might even be included when you purchase a fridge. If not, or if you’ve had your fridge for a while, you can always ask at a nearby hardware store.  As to replacing doors, this one is more.. Dependant on you. There are shops that can replace a door for you, we can even do that if you like. However, we will say that you might want to look at the fridge you have and consider if it’s worth it. If you’ve spent 10-15k on your refrigerator, then yes, replacing a door is absolutely a good call. On the other hand, if you only spent a third of that? Then you might as well buy an entirely new fridge for the price of getting a new door. 

Can A Refrigerator Compressor Be Repaired?

Yes! However, we will say that it’s not typically cost-effective to repair them. There’s two reasons for that. The first point is that repairing a compressor isn’t a guaranteed way to extend the lifespan of the part. You can often repair the part only to have it break again before long. Additionally, not all compressors can be repaired at all. Some are built so that once they break, that’s it, you’ll have no choice but to replace it. 

We will also point out that while a pro can replace a compressor,  attempting to do it on your own is ill-advised. Most refrigerator compressors are not cross-compatible and you’re more likely to do further damage to your fridge in attempting to replace it. It is a complex job with many potential failure points if you aren’t intimately aware of what you’re doing. 

Additionally, the failure isn’t always the compressor. It might be your fans, it might be that your refrigerator is frozen over, or it might be that the poor thing is choking on dust bunnies. While some of our other posts have pointed out ways to tell what the issue is, it’s not always easy. 

 Can You Add Freon To Your Refrigerator?

Can you the individual? No, or at least not easily. Additionally, if you’ve replaced your refrigerator since 2020, it’s no longer freon. Can a professional add freon to your refrigerator if that’s the type of coolant it uses? Yes. 

 Can My  Refrigerator Leak Freon?

Most assuredly it can, and we hope that yours never does. Freon is a gas, so the only thing you’ll smell is a slight chemical odor. Additionally you won’t see the freon itself it is leaking, instead you’ll have an oily residue that’s leftover from the freon. The only reason it will be leaking though is if something got a hole poked into it. Have you recently done a DIY repair that went wrong? Or were you a bit too pushy with making scraping out some built up frost? These are the reasons that having a professional come in is important, because you don’t want to have a freon leak. 

Can Your Refrigerator Explode 

Yup, we’re going to answer this one, so that next time a small child in your life asks, you can answer it. 

The surprising answer here is yes, a refrigerator can actually explode. HOWEVER it’s exceedingly rare. So, this is a thing that can only happen with newer fridges. Older fridges used freon, and freon doesn’t explode. R-600 however is flammable. So, to make this one happen, you’d have to a) have a newer fridge utilizing R-600 as the coolant, and b) it would have to have a hole in the line, c) it would need to have very little circulation around it and d) you’d need something with a spark. While the first one is more common these days between older fridges failing due to age, and rebates being offered to shift away from freon-based refrigerators, the rest aren’t. So long as you take care of your fridge, having a hole in the line and little air circulation isn’t likely to happen. Or if they do, you should be calling in a repair technician to fix one or both issues. As to the last, we hope and trust that all of our readers know how to be safe around fire. 

So yes, technically, your refrigerator can explode. BUT it’s such a rarity that it’s more likely that any time you hear of it you should suspect foul play rather than a natural occurrence. 

In conclusion, refrigerators can be a source of many questions and concerns, both for those looking to repair them and for those curious about their potential dangers. From adjusting doors to the complexity of compressor repairs and the use of refrigerants like freon, we've covered some of the most common queries surrounding these essential appliances. It's important to remember that while refrigerators technically have the potential to explode under specific circumstances, it's an exceedingly rare occurrence, especially with older models. By ensuring proper maintenance and addressing any issues promptly, you can keep your refrigerator running smoothly and safely, reducing the likelihood of any unexpected and dramatic outcomes.

If you find yourself in need of professional assistance with your refrigerator or any other appliance, don't hesitate to reach out to Appliance Rescue Service. Our expert technicians are ready to help you with all your appliance repair needs. You can give us a call at ((214) 599-0055) or visit our contact page to schedule an appointment. We're here to rescue your appliances and provide you with peace of mind.

Additional Reading:
Refrigerator Cooling Issues? Check These 5 Things!

Why Is My Refrigerator Making Weird Noises!?

How to Time Your Next Appliance Purchase For the BIGGEST Impact

When to Shop for Appliances to Get the Best Price 

In the not-so-distant past, choosing new appliances was a straightforward affair. You could stroll into a store or browse online, comparing prices and features at your leisure. The real challenge lay in deciding what you truly wanted. 

Then, along came Covid. It disrupted lives, decimated workforces, and sent shockwaves through global supply chains. Suddenly, the once-simple task of buying an appliance became a high-stakes game of availability. It didn't matter if it was the color, model, or features you desired; the key question was, did the store have it, and did your wallet agree?  

Adding to the complexity, inflation reared its head, driving prices upward. Now, even if you were comfortably well off, you needed to do research to ensure that the appliances you were considering were worth the money and would hold up. It's why we often advocate repairing appliances whenever feasible instead of rushing into new purchases.

 In this ever-evolving landscape of appliance shopping, consumers face new challenges and opportunities that have emerged in recent times. The COVID-19 pandemic brought about disruptions that forced us to rethink how we approach buying appliances. However, despite the challenges, there's a silver lining for the savvy shoppers who are willing to adapt and strategize.

Right now, a hybrid shopping experience is emerging, offering hope to that savvy consumer. The patient and the discerning can unearth hidden deals. There are three levels to this shopping mastery, each requiring a varying degree of research and patience. As we delve deeper into the world of smart consumerism, it's crucial to understand that each level of shopping mastery comes with its own set of advantages and trade-offs. Whether you are a Holiday Shopper, an End-of-the-Year Shopper, or an Off-Season Shopper, your success will largely depend on your ability to research and exercise patience. 

Level One: The Holiday Shopper

Meet the Holiday Shopper, the master of waiting for strategic moments throughout the year. They keep an eagle eye on sales flyers, marking their calendars for keywords like "President’s Day," "Memorial Day," "Fourth of July," "Labor Day," and the ever-enticing "Black Friday." Shopping during these events yields discounts on the latest models, spanning a wide array of appliances. The only downside? You can't predict what will be on sale or if your coveted model will remain in stock. 

Level Two: End-of-the-Year Shopper

For those who desire something new but don't want to gamble, the End of the Year Shopper is the expert choice. By biding their time until the final quarter of the year, they increase their chances of snagging a current-year appliance or one just a year or two old. As manufacturers make room for new arrivals, retail stores gleefully slash prices on older stock. The catch? Hoping that the appliance you want is available and on sale. 

Level Three: Off-Season Shopping

Enter the apex of savvy shopping - the Off-Season Shopper. These aficionados research beyond the obvious seasons, such as buying heaters in July or air conditioners in December. They've discovered that grills can be purchased in December/January, ranges and ovens in May, and refrigerators in September and October can be prime deals. Why? We can't say for sure, but the data confirms these as the best times to score the biggest discounts.

Here are some crucial shopping tips, regardless of your Savvy Shopper level:

Talk with store employees to uncover insider information on upcoming sales and product availability.

Do your homework in advance and act swiftly when holiday deals emerge, as they tend to vanish quickly.

However, it's essential to acknowledge that this type of shopping demands patience, a commodity not everyone can spare. When your oven gives up the ghost just days before a big dinner, time isn't on your side.

Remember, purchasing new appliances isn't your sole option. There are many instances when repairing is in fact, a far better choice, both from a financial standpoint and an availability standpoint. That is where we come in. You can reach out to Appliance Rescue Service, the most trusted appliance repair service in the Dallas Metro Area. We're here to work with you, whether it's extending the life of your current appliance or fixing a malfunctioning one. Contact us at  (214) 599-0055 or come over to our contact page to schedule a technician visit that suits your schedule.

Additional Suggestions: 

6 New Appliances To Consider In 2023

5 Tips for DIY Appliance Repair

7 Most Common Issues With Your Ice Maker & Their Causes

 Pin Down What’s Wrong With Your Ice Maker With Our Handy Guide 

For all that, it has a very simple job, your ice maker can become messed up in some truly unique ways. All you want is to be able to get a cup of ice, but your ice maker isn’t working the way that it’s supposed to. Maybe the ice is too small, or it’s hollow, or it’s not producing ice at all. When this happens, it helps to have a diagnostic sheet. Consider this post your handy diagnostic sheet to figure out why your ice maker is acting up. 

Whether you’ve got a standalone freezer or a built-in one, these will almost all apply. 

A quick note, some of these are easy enough to fix on your own, and we’ll tell you how to do it. Others, due to difficulty of access, or difficulty to test, we’re going to recommend you reach out to your preferred repairtech for that. 

Why Is My Ice Maker Is Not Working Or Not Making Enough Ice? 

There are several reason why your ice maker might not make enough ice, or any ice at all. To start off with you’ll want to check the control arm. This is the bar that senses when the ice maker has made ‘enough’ ice and it tells the freezer to stop. Make sure that yours isn’t loose, broken or accidentally caught in this off position first. The next step is to check out if your freezer or standalone ice maker is too warm. Just like your refrigerator, if your ice maker or freezer can’t ‘breathe’ or their internal temperatures are set too high, you’re not going to get a happy machine. So, you’ll want to make sure that there’s nothing blocking your compressors or vents, and that you have the temperature set around 0*F. A final one that you can check for yoursel fis whether or the water filter is clogged. If it’s been more than a year since your last changing, it’s time to get that done. Ideally you should change the filter every six months, but if you can’t we understand. (Although whether your ice maker does is a different matter.) 

Courtesy of Meruyert  Gonullu

Finally the two points that can cause your ice maker to not make enough ice that require professional help is if you have a defective water inlet valve or if your water inlet tube has frozen. For the first you need to check and see if the water inlet valve is working properly, and that requires testing the pressure of the flow. The second requires very carefully apply enough heat to defrost the tube, without damaging it. 

Ice Maker Is Making Ice, But Is Not Dispensing

Fortunately when it comes to the ice maker making ice but not dispensing, it’s much easier to deal with than your ice maker not making ice at all. 

Courtesy of Meruyert  Gonullu

If your ice maker has a clump in either the bin or the chute, you aren’t going to be getting an ice out of the ice maker until that melts. Your best bet is to lay down a towel and allow it to melt naturally. Or, if you’re impatient and very precise, you can choose to use an ice pick to try and chip at it to get it out. We don’t advise this one as it can damage your ice maker if you miss, but it is an option. The other option is that the auger, the spiral arm, that drives the ice towards the chute and breaks up clumps, has had the motor freeze over. If you don’t use your ice machine regularly, this can happen.  If this happens, it’s going to be behind the freezer wall, and it won’t actually be easy to see. You’ll only be able to guess that that is the issue by watching and seeing the auger isn’t moving, which not all freezers will allow. This is another one that’s delicate and requires a professional. It’s too easy for water to damage the motor further, and we really don’t want that. 

The Ice Maker Is Making Ice Cubes That Are Too Small

Courtesy of Vlad Samoylik

You might also have it that the freezing rods for your ice maker, if you have a standalone, have accumulated a large mineral deposit and this can cause issues. What happens is that the minerals stay between the freezing rod and the water, creating a barrier that keeps your ice from freezing properly. In that case you’ll need to defrost your ice maker, empty it, and descale the machine. That is going to look different depending on the machine, but if you’re uncertain you can always check the manual.  If you’ve got poor water flow to your ice maker on the other hand, if you have poor water flow, that’s going to be a different matter. If the water isn’t flowing easily, you’ve got several different causes to check out. First, go back to your water filter, hasn’t it been changed recently? (Are you seeing how many issues are caused by a poorly maintained filter?) After you’ve checked that, check out the water line on the back or sides of your freezer or ice maker. You want to make sure that there aren’t any twists or kinks in the line. Finally,  you’ll want to check if your freezer or ice maker is level. It might sound odd, but if your unit isn’t level then the water won’t flow properly into the tray and that is going to give you cubes that are too small/misshapen/hollow. 

The Ice Maker Is Making Too Much Ice

Courtesy of Cottonbro Studio

This one isn’t one we encounter too often, but occasionally we do get calls of “help my ice maker is making too much!” Fortunately, these are quick to diagnose. Start off by checking the bin for your ice maker. If the bin isn’t placed right, then the control arm (or other sensor) won’t be able to tell if ‘enough’ ice has been made. So, do a quick check to see if the bin is sitting properly. After that, you’ll want to take a look at the control arm itself. Earlier we talked about how a broken control arm could cause your ice maker to make no ice. This is the opposite problem. If the control arm is outright broken, it could cause the machine to produce continually. Finally, some freezers have a shelf that sits under the ice bin. You’ll want to make sure that you have one if you’re supposed to, as that links to how well your control arm works. If you don’t have one, but are supposed to, you can either reach out to a repair shop to purchase one, or see if the manufacturer of your freezer has one still in stock. 

The Ice Has An Odd Taste

Courtesy of Enrique Zafra

There’s nothing worse than getting your ice and discovering that it tastes terrible. There’s a few different reasons that can happen, and your water filter is one of them. If your water filter is expired or full of contaminants, it is reducing the ability to keep that out of your water. Old ice cubes are another issue. If you don’t use your ice maker regularly, ice can sit in the bin and acquire tastes from the freezer or the minerals left in the filter.  Last but not least, if your ice maker is within your freezer, poorly wrapped freezer items can lead to your ice picking up scents and tastes. 

The Ice Maker Is Leaking

Courtesy of Enrique Zafra

If your ice maker is leaking, you would naturally look to see if any of the lines are cut or buttons are pressed in. And that’s a good start. However, you might also be looking at ice clumps getting stuck and melting or your refrigerator not being level. These are common issues and easy enough to fix. 

The Ice Maker Itself Is Frozen

Our final issue is when the ice maker itself freezes. This might be that the entirety of the ice maker freezes up, or that the motors do. In either case, it points to one of two issues. Either your temperature is set too low, or your water inlet tube has frozen over. If it’s the first one, it’s easy enough to fix. If it’s the latter though, you’ll want to call in a professional to assess the situation and bring the proper tools to warm things back up without damaging the freezer. 

Some issues are easy to fix when it comes to your ice maker not working, others require a professional to look into. Whichever camp you’re in at the moment, Appliance Rescue Service is here.  We understand that you don’t always have time to break an issue down and fix it, and that’s why we work with your schedule to send out one of our technicians. We want to help get your home running smoothly again. 

Did we answer your question? Let us know over on our Facebook page! 

If you’re having issues with your ice maker, or any of your other major appliances, you can reach out to us via our contact page or by giving us a call at ((214) 599-0055). 

Additional Posts To Read 

Refrigerator Troubleshooting    

Ice Maker Maintenance     

37 Reasons To Have Your Appliances Maintained Regularly

How You Can Avoid Costly Repairs

If you're like most homeowners, you rely heavily on your major appliances to keep your household running smoothly. From refrigerators and washing machines to stoves and dryers, these machines make our lives easier and more comfortable. But did you know that regular maintenance is necessary to keep them working properly? In this article, we'll explore why it's important to have your major appliances maintained on a regular basis. So sit back, relax, and let's get started!

Let’s take a look at what it means to keep your appliances ‘maintained,’ shall we? 

Maintain  - 

To keep in an existing state (as of repair, efficiency, or validity) : preserve from failure or decline.

So, it’s a matter of regular repair to keep your appliances from decline or failure. That makes sense. 

What problems can regular maintenance prevent? 

When we send out our technicians to your home for a top-down maintenance check, they’re going to look at all of your appliances. Your refrigerator, oven, range, ice makers, dishwasher, washer and dryer, everything gets checked. Why? Because everything has small ways that they can go wrong, which, if caught, can prevent an exorbitant repair bill for you. 

Refrigerator Maintenance

When it comes to the refrigerator, many things need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Your condenser coils and fan need to be cleaned regularly so your fridge doesn’t have to work as hard to keep cool. You’ve also got the water filter, which should be checked every six months, and some refrigerators also have an air filter that needs to be changed yearly.  We also check the defrost drains, as those also need to be cleaned yearly. The one thing that needs to be checked regularly, but not necessarily messed with, is your door seals. Making sure the seals are still shutting properly means that your fridge will close and cool properly, rather than trying to cool your entire kitchen. (Because that is an electric  bill none of us need.) 

Oven Maintenance 

For your oven, one of the first things that needs to be checked is the temperature. It sounds odd, but imagine if you try to bake a cake at 350*, but your oven is actually at 400* and only reading at 350? That can and does happen. So we check any time we’re called in to ensure that everything is working as it should. We also look at the cooling and convection fans to make sure they’re spinning easily to cool or circulate the air within your oven.  From there, we’ll make sure that the door seals are still good and that the elements aren’t overheating, either due to a fault or summer heat. Finally, if you have a gas oven, we’ll check the igniters. They need to be cleaned regularly to ensure you don’t have a buildup in the line or the oven. As we mentioned in a previous post, it’s best to leave this to a professional so that you don’t accidentally break something and cause a gas leak. 

Stove/Ranges/Cooktops Maintenance 

Your stove or cooktop is checked at the same time, especially if you have a gas version. We want to make sure that the pilot lights are not having issues and that the burner ports and igniters are clean. 

Ice Maker Maintenance 

We’ve mentioned just recently that your ice maker needs regular maintenance, and that includes both free-standing ones and those that are built into your refrigerator. This means that when you ask for a maintenance check, we’ll be looking at them, no matter what type you have. 

For both types, we’ll check the water flow to make sure it’s working as it should and giving you a full ice tray. If you have an in-refrigerator ice maker, we’ll want to check to ensure that there aren’t any Tephlon chips, as that has been noted as a serious health hazard. For a freestanding ice maker, we’ll want to go for a thorough cleaning at least once a year, if not every six months. From there, we’ll also check in on the pressure switch and be sure to clean the condenser coils as well. Those are just as important to your ice maker being able to breathe as they are to your refrigerator. 

Dishwasher Maintenance 

Your dishwasher has one of the longest lists of things that need to be checked, because there are so many parts packed into a small area. We’ll look at your seals and clean them as well, if needed, as well as the filters for your dishwasher. We want to look at the spray arms to ensure they’re not clogged and at the heating element to ensure that it’s still heating and not damaged. The draining process of your dishwasher will also be checked so that you don’t get an unfortunate overflow situation. We’ll also make sure to run a dishwasher cleaner once a month if you schedule that often. 

Washer Maintenance 

Finally moving out of the kitchen, let’s head over to your laundry room. Here, we’re going to take a look at your washer first. We’ll make sure that it fills properly on both hot and cold settings, as well as ensuring that it drains properly. We’ll want to take a look at your hoses to ensure there isn’t any damage or kinks in the line that can lead to issues. We’ll also make sure to clean the door boot and coin trap if your unit has them. We’ll also check on the springs or traps and run a cleaner on a monthly basis. 

Dryer Maintenance 

Our last stop, at least for this tour, is your dryer. Here, we’re not cleaning as much as we’re double-checking everything. We’ll check your venting to make sure that it isn’t obstructed by lint, debris, or clothing that the dryer goblins have stolen. We’ll also make sure that the vent chute and filter are clean and ensure that air is flowing freely through the machine. We will ensure that your dryer is rotating smoothly and without any unusual sounds.

Disclaimer: Although we’ve laid things out in this order, it doesn’t mean that our technicians will go in this order, as it varies on a number of factors. 

With that, which appliance do you think should be checked over most often? Let us know over on our Facebook page! 

If you want to get started on having your appliances regularly maintained, you can reach out to us via our contact page or by giving us a call at ((214) 599-0055). 

Don't Overlook Your Ice Maker: The Benefits of Regular Cleaning

Why Neglecting Your Ice Maker Can Be Harmful

Why Cleaning Your Ice Machine Is Important

It's just an ice maker, right? What is it that could be so harmful about water running through it? Well, that depends. Is your ice maker hooked up to a purified source of water or a filter? If the answer is yes, great! You might have to do this half as often, but you still need to do it. 

If not, think about your coffee maker or teapot. Have you ever noticed the white film that builds up around the edges of it? Or the slightly mineral-y taste that you get after a while? What about the way it beeps at you and says, "Please clean"? All of these are because of scale build-up. Your ice maker won't just build up mineral deposits, though; it can also build up slime or mold. 

So, your ice maker, just like all of your other appliances, needs to be cleaned regularly. To keep it functioning properly and also to keep you and your family healthy. Your ice maker should be cleaned and sanitized at least once every six months if not every other month. It's a simple enough process to do on your own, but if you don't stick to it regularly, it can lead to many different issues. 

If You Notice Any Of The Following, It's Time To Clean Your Ice Machine. 

- Ice maker is slow to harvest, or it's not releasing the ice.

- Ice maker doesn't switch into harvest mode

-The ice is soft or cloudy

- The ice is incomplete 

- Ice maker is producing very little ice 

Tools And Materials Needed For Cleaning Your Ice Machine

You only need four things to start cleaning your ice machine at home.

• Dish soap

• Distilled white vinegar

• A fresh toothbrush 

• Water 

• A bowl 

Step-By-Step Instructions For Cleaning Your Ice Machine

Now for the reason you actually came, how to clean your ice maker. 

-Start by prepping your ice maker. Unplug the unit and take it either to your sink or outside so that you can drain the water from it. On most models, there is a latch that you can either flip or remove to start the draining process. 

- Clean your ice basket and the scoop with warm soap and water, then rinse thoroughly and set aside to dry. If these have become molded or crusted with scale, you'll want to soak them with the vinegar in a large pan for at least 15 minutes before attempting to clean them. After the scale has been removed, then wash them with warm water and soap as normal. 

- Mix equal parts water and vinegar and scrub the inside of the ice maker. Using a sponge or a rag, scrub away at the material, making sure to rinse your sponge often. Do your best to hit every surface in the ice maker that you can get to, or else the grime will continue to build. 

- For any areas that are hard to reach or stubborn, grab your toothbrush and a small dish of undiluted vinegar. 

- Do a final cleaning by mixing a new batch of the water to vinegar solution and pouring that into your ice maker. Let it turn that into ice, then dump it after. 

-Rinse the ice maker with clean water several times to remove any of the vinegar, and then feel free to continue making ice as normal.  

Tips For Maintaining Your Ice Machine Between Cleanings

Like we said at the beginning, if you don't maintain a regular schedule of cleanings for your ice machine, you're going to run into problems. Fortunately, many of them are preventable with a little TLC. To keep your ice maker running smoothly, do the following: 

Keep it clean

Change the filter as needed. 

Don't forget to descale it

Deal with clogs when you notice them. 

Make sure that the machine has room to breathe on all sides. 

 The Benefits Of Regularly Cleaning Your Ice Machine

So, to reiterate, cleaning your ice machine regularly is important. It ensures that your ice is sanitary, which means no mold or slime. It means you get lots of ice for your drinks and or to munch on. It aids in keeping your family healthy, and it extends the life of your ice maker. 

With all of that in mind, let us know what your favorite type of ice is over on our Facebook page. Do you prefer cubes, spheres, or pellets? What about chips or shaved?

Disclaimer: The number of ice makers on the market would require an entire website on their own. Because of that, this is a general guide, not a specific one. Read this to get the general idea and your product manual for the specifics of your model of ice maker. 

If you don't have the time to do regular maintenance, you can always give us a call. Appliance Rescue Service not only does repairs, but we also offer maintenance services for ice makers and all other major appliances, so you have time for what matters. You can call us at ((214) 599-0055) or go to our contact page to set up an appointment.