Broken freezer

[netibiza]

Can anybody tell me if it is dangerous to plug in a f/freezer after I have poked a hole in the works and gas has excaped.  Hubby is away til Saturday and have freezer full of food.  I was obviously defrosting it and there was an awful smell and a hissing noise. It stopped soon after, but what else can I do.  Can't ask neighbours for help, not that sort of neighbourhood - and don't want to loose all the food if poss.  Also if I leave it runny will I be poisoned during the night with the gas.

[kazza12345]

hmm, dont know the acftual answer, but if the gas has escaped, the how could you be poisoned by it?  I would think it probably wont work

[Robinia]

Oh no neti!  I did that once & I'm afraid it's.. er to put it politely - broken.  I've found this for you but it's not good news I'm afraid...

http://www.fridgedoctor.com/frequently-asked-questions/freon-and-punctures/ran-for-15-hours-after-a-hole-was-punctured-need-a-repair.html

sorry it's a long link!!

[Clanad]

Robina's web site gives you about all the information you need, but just to reinforce the bottom line... if you hope to salvage any of the compressor don't run it.  Perhaps the system can be repaired and the Freon gas replaced, but if you run it then any chance of a relatively cheap repair will be out the door, so to speak... The gas is inert and non-toxic as well as being non-flammable, so don't worry about that aspect of your dilemma...You can probably stretch the defrosting time of the contents if you place some blankets on top of the food and keep the freezer closed...

[netibiza]

Thank you all - just as I thought - it's irreparable.  Over here in Ibiza they don't bother repairing this type of damage and anyway its 18yrs old.  Just worried about dying in the night (apparently no prob) setting the house on fire again no prob. Was hoping to save the food but by the time I order a new one, at earliest tomorrow, but prob have to wait for hubby as he's paying for it, so it'll be Monday before I buy it and could be 2-3days before its delivered. Of course I'll deny any poking - it just happened!!�!

[Robinia]

I wish we'd had the internet when I broke our fridge neti so I could have denied all knowledge of how it happened!!  I phoned my husband's mate first as he was an electrician & he told me in no uncertain terms that it was 'broken' but it was old anyway so it wasn't too tragic.

If you'd like to start cooking anything that's thawing we'll all be over asap to help you eat it!!  (Glad you're getting a new freezer soon).