A freezer is something you might find it hard to live without, so it can be a little troubling when you start seeing too much frost build up inside. Here are four common reasons why that might be happening.
1. Broken Self-Defrost System
Most modern freezers have self-defrost systems that start up periodically to melt any frost and allow water to drip into a pan just beneath the freezer. However, the self-defrost system can sometimes fail, which means frost is going to build up. In many cases, frost will build up on the evaporator coils, so your freezer will no longer be able to stay cool. There are several parts that make up your self-defrost system, but most of them can be put right by a freezer repair professional.
2. Broken Seal
Your freezer might look like it has a complete seal, but looks can be deceiving. If even a small amount of air is getting into your freezer, the machine will have to work harder to create cold air, and the moisture in the outside air will freeze. One way you can check for this is by looking at where the frost is forming. If you see it forming mostly around any part of your door, it's likely the seal there has started to fail.
3. Temperature Too Low
A freezer is meant to be cold – what many people don't know is that they can be too cold. If you have too much frost, take a closer look at that frost. Is it light and fluffy, a bit like newly-fallen snow? If so, there's a good chance the interior temperature is set too low. When your freezer is too cold, there's no chance to remove moisture, so that moisture will turn to light frost. Check your owner's manual for the correct temperature operating ranges, then make any necessary adjustments.
4. Storing Wet Packages
In an ideal world, you'd be able to take food instantly from the freezer at your grocery store to your freezer at home, but that's clearly not possible. On the trip from store to home, food will likely defrost a little. When this happens, the outside of the packaging gets moist, and putting moist items in your freezer will increase the amount of frost. If you're packing in lots of packages after each shopping trip, the added frost could become noticeable, so start wiping down wet packages before you put them in your freezer.
