Frost Free Fridge-Freezer

[kriskwery]

There's a tongue twister!

The freezer part doesn't stay frost free! In December I noticed it was somewhat iced up, so removed all items and defrosted it. It became apparent that there was an ICEBERG behind the internal back panel. With a screwdriver (to remove panel) & a hairdryer (to speed a slow thaw) & cotton buds (to check/clear the drainage hole), I did the bizz & trusted all would be well again.

Silly me! It is now icing up again, big time. For info, it's a Hoover HF27C 001, about 6 years old (sadly, out of guarantee). I have read the instruction book thoroughly but it's no help.

Any bright ideas out there, please?

[Clanad]

I'm not familiar with your brand or model but the frost free mechanism usually works the same way on all models, at least here in the U.S. When you had the panel removed, you should have noticed one or two small (maybe 1/2 inch diameter, 5 inch long) light bulb lookin gadgets. These are actually heat lamps. The frost free device has a timer or perhaps an ice detector that tells the freezer to shut off and enter a defrost cycle wherein these bulbs light up, melts any frost or ice, the melt-water of which goes down the afore-mentioned drain. One or both bulbs have burned out. It's possible there may be another type of heat producing element, which has probably gone south on you. These are easily changed, once you locate the appropriate part number, especially since you already have acquired experience in removing the panel you discussed... Best of luck!

[B00]

And I'd like to know how a lettuce got there in the first place.........


sorry.........I'll get my coat :-(

[BillyNoMates]

No offence to the previous poster but the UK frost-free freezers usually have a fan which blows around the air inside to prevent it from condensing on anything and forming ice.

Some also have heaters in the side walls to assist this process and to reduce humidity. (Yes, I know heaters in a freezer !!).

The fan is the main part which stops frosting - if yours has one can you tell if it has failed ?

[heathfield]

Some have lamps, but in the UK it's mainly a heater element, (like the one in an oven) controlled by a timer that comes on briefly every 24 hrs.

It would appear that either the timer or the element is kaput.

N.B. Using a hair-dryer is a seriously bad idea, it can very easily damage the thermostat, as I know to my cost!

[winny]

I have a Zanussi one that did this years ago. The engineer said thet if you leave the door open too long the cooler fan thing works so hard it freezes the pipes at the back. I think these are the drainage pipes you were talking about. I did as he said and as you did and it happened again. I called him back and he gave me one of those "you are an impatient house wife" looks. You should leave it empty for 24 hours before switching on as there is a maze of pipes you cannot see. This works a treat although it is a bit tempremental if you do leave the door open too long. My husband hates it and says a frost free freezer shouldnt freeze up. I of course like it as for the little but of trouble it is to close the door quick means I havnt got to do all that ice chipping. My sister has a newer one and has no trouble at all. Mine is prob about the same age as yours. Hope that some help.

[xxyyabikes]

Hi,maybe the defrost timer is 'cattled'

[kriskwery]

Phew, I'm pretty certain it doesn't have a fan. And I'm very well disciplined about shutting both the fridge & freezer doors quickly.

I suspect heathfield's idea of an element best describes what I remember behind the panel, though unable to check at present as it is icing up and I shall wait for it to get a bit worse before I go through the defrost struggle again, especially as I'll be doing it without the hairdryer in future!

Wot's "cattled", xxyyabikes???

[family car !]

Could be the defrost timer. This turns the compressor off and a heater on, in your freezer! I had this issue on a Zanussi.

[tete]

Hi, i have the same problem with the same model. There is fan - btw :)
Does any one get resolve it?

thanks