How often is 'normal' to defrost an upright freezer?

Daily Life, Swiss News and General Topics
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We gave away our very old chest freezer and decided to upgrade to an economic modern small freezer to save electricity. The AAA +++ type of thing.

So that was 2years ago, and we bought a new small freezer (AAA++ whatever best for electricity saving) from XYZ popular appliance shop. At the time we were offered to pay a bit extra for a Guarantee extension to 5 years (Lucky for us we did this!)

I noticed an extreme ice build-up after 3 months and defrosted it. Again after another 3 or 4 months. Then we didn`t need it again so turned it off, until we bought a sheep in Feb this year. Turned it on, when cold, installed meat. Forgot about it. (I did notice everytime I went into that room that the motor seemed to be always running but ignored it as co-incidence of timing)

2 weeks ago, going to the big freezer next to it, I noticed the door of small freezer was open about 6 inches ......... inside was packed SOLID with ice that had obviously pushed the door open!

We managed eventually to get the draws out and repack the still frozen meat into the big freezer.

Contacted the shop`s customer service and they sent a service man yesterday to look at it - (3 years to go to end of warranty).

This guy fiddled with some instruments, and then spent time gazing at freezer. When I asked him what was wrong with it he said "These models have a manufacturing fault in the door and cabinet - so you have to defrost it every month" (!)

I told him that is ridiculous - for the shop to even sell a piece of *#ç like that to the public, to take it away and replace it with a functioning freezer. Of course he mumbled and wouldnt do anything. Husband has emailed the firm that sold it to us requesting a replacement that doesn`t chew electricity and ice up every MONTH.

Now we await a reply. I did tell them too that if no satisfaction I would publish their name on the Swiss English Forum that has 84,000 members, and on my Facebook page.

What is the general EF opinion of this type of thing happening? And of course, my question ...... How often is normal to defrost a freezer?

Usually defrosting a freezer is last on my list as have never had this type of problem before. Maybe once a year maximum? Every 2 years? Or has the general standard of modern freezers declined so drastically - and although advertised as "electricity saving, only cost more to run and maintain - like a great big joke?

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I agree defrosting this often is unreasonable.

This may not help with your complaint but FWIW......

I suspect the problem is that the door seal is allowing outside, relatively wet air to enter and that is serving as the source of the ice. You could try working on the seal yourself and see if it is damaged or not making good contact. Perhaps it is repairable, preferably by the store.....

Also, if you do have an air leak, all of the claims around energy efficiency are out the window. That may be sufficient grounds for replacement for an advertised feature that is not being met.

Very frustrating, and I'm sure others can suggest some good ways to have your problem resolved.

3
With fridges and freezers, if the door doesn't seal when it closes, the compressor has to work much harder trying to maintain the cool and frozen temperatures, respectively.

This undoubtedly produces much more icing and uses more lecky, to boot, and will shorten the life of the compressor.

Until we moved a few years ago, we had an old 'inherited' Baunecht that was about 25 yrs old. It was in the cellar and my wife did it once, possibly twice a year - no more.

It was replaced with a Nordfrost 'frost free', bought from Aldi, for about 400 chufs. As the name suggests, in over 3 years, it hasn't needed defrosting.

If you have to replace, it's worth looking out for this offer in Aldi's ad. mag. as they seem to repeat it a few times a year (or similar branded frost free freezer from another outlet - for more money).

4
Most modern freezers do not need to be defrosted by you, they somehow do this automatically.

As was mentioned it sounds like a door or door seal leak in which case you will be using a lot of electricity.

Try writing direct to the manufacturer saying you are unhappy with the shop service.

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No-frost deep freezers arent supposed to build ice in them at all. and for that short of period its definitely not usual. It may also caused by a loose door, but I guess you would have discovered this if that was the case. I think you should give out their name, and they should replace or refund you with the worth of same class no-frost deep freezer. Good luck!

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Never as far as I'm concerned.

If there is no ice then you don't need to defrost them and since mine doesn't get ice I don't do anything.

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The fact that the Serviceman`s explanation was that "It`s a manufacturing default in the cabinet/door" should suffice for a re-call of the product, hey? And a replacement?

Ja, what you all say about defrosting - that has always been my experience.

I only usually defrost when I want to clean the freezer, or its empty anyway and going to be put on hold for a while.

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We bought an upright freezer, a Novamatic from Fust (A+ rated). It has been on continuously since delivered 7 years ago and has no ice build up at all and apparently never needs defrosting.

So I think your engineer is telling porkies...

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Never.... unless i moved

10
We had a frost problem with our VZug freezer, which we suspected was coming from faulty hinges. We called them directly, told them the freezer type, they confirmed that there was indeed a fabrication failure with this model, and they sent new hinges for free. We mounted the door ourselves with the new hinges and haven't had a problem since.

Quick, painless, cost friendly.

Just give the producer a call.

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He`s not "my" engineer - he`s the Fust Service guy driving a big van with XYZ SERVICE written on it - sent by them.

Yes, ours is a Novamitic - Typ: TF100-1B

Maybe 7 years ago they were making a better quality product?

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Ours (the freezer not the engineer, as we've never needed one) is a TFN 22260-IB.

Dump the service outfit and go to Fust direct - preferably the salesman you bought it from...

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@smoky

I agree with the comment that the open door is the source of the problem. Other than the seal issue, there may be something inside "pushing" the door open. Have a close look. Is there something on the door that is touching the food that you have inside? The door may shut ok but the door seal will eventually pop. Open and close the door a few times to see if the door shelves touch something. I think that this is the issue (assuming you and everyone else who opens the door are closing the door which I imagine you are)

The other idea is that the freezer may not be flat on the floor. If it is leaning forward, this might be enough to break the seal. Try putting some "wedges" under the front feet to lean it back.

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Thank you for your helpful and sympathetic replies.

About the service attitude, someone phoned O/H on Friday offering to fetch this freezer and replace it with another model of the same type, which O/H refused, quoting the Serviceman`s opinion that this model has a factory fault, and that we`d rather pay more for a better quality model.

This person said they`d enquire "higher up" about us paying more for an improved model, and Tuesday (tomorrow) a decision should be reached.

About the door not being properly closed: It has an alarm that sounds if the door is open for more than a few seconds and one has to close the door to shut off the alarm. The alarm does work. But it did not work when freezer sneakily oozed out extra ice!

Well, we`ll see what Herr Higher-up has to say tomorrow.

15
Well the saga seems to be arriving at a favourable ending.

A phone call on Friday at 7.30am from Fust Service offering to fetch the old freezer and in it`s place the same size/make but new model freezer together with the guarantee Extension of 5 years.

So tomorrow should see us happy.

At least a pleasant outcome - considering all the moans one hears about Service in CH?

I`ll let you all know if it actually happens ......

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It happened!

7.15am bright and early, doorbell ....... Fust Service with a brand new, new model deepfreeze. Unpacked the carton to take away all the polystyrene/cardboard, and carted it down to cellar for us, then took away the old one.

Lekker good Service hey? (I`m amazed)

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Only because you made a fuss and complained to them .......... not just to your neighbour like a normal Swissie

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Seems it`s a good week for me this week in Switzerland - I`m "training" O/H in how to get Customer Service for faulty products.

But shall discuss that in another thread, it`s too interesting (to me anyway) to stick it in here with Defrosting a Freezer ... hahaaha (I have to type my smileys as pc is not allowing me to post them)