Common Reasons Your Fridge Is Freezing Food and How to Fix It

Opening your fridge and finding frozen milk, icy lettuce, or rock-hard strawberries can be frustrating and confusing. Your fridge is meant to keep things cool, not turn your groceries into popsicles. If your fridge has been acting more like a freezer lately, don’t worry- this guide will walk you through why it’s happening and how to fix it.

Blocked Air Vents

Your fridge works by circulating cold air through vents, keeping the temperature even throughout. But if food or containers block those vents, the airflow gets all messed up, and some areas become way colder than they should be. Guess what happens then? Yep, frozen food.

What You Can Do:

  • Take a peek inside. Check the back and sides of the fridge for vents. Are they covered with food? If so, move things around to create space.
  • Don’t overstuff your fridge. Overpacking restricts airflow. Think of it like cramming a suitcase- everything feels squished and out of order. A little breathing room does wonders for your fridge’s airflow.

Temperature Settings Are Off

Sometimes, the temperature dial gets bumped—maybe during cleaning or when someone reached for that last soda at the back of the fridge. If the setting is too low, the fridge runs colder than it needs to, and voilà: frozen food.

What You Can Do:

  • Check the thermostat. Ideally, your fridge should be around 37°F (3°C), and the freezer should sit at 0°F (-18°C). Adjust as needed, but don’t keep turning it up or down like it’s a DJ booth- give it a few hours to stabilize after each adjustment.
  • Consult the manual. If you’re unsure where the temperature dial is or what the recommended settings are, dig out the user manual (or Google it if you’ve lost it- happens to the best of us).

fridge thermostat

Improper Food Placement

Not everything in your fridge should be treated equally. Some foods, like fruits and veggies, are more sensitive to cold air. If they’re placed right next to an air vent or in the wrong drawer, they’re likely to freeze.

What You Can Do:

  • Use the crisper drawers. These drawers are designed for fresh produce and maintain slightly higher humidity to keep veggies from freezing.
  • Avoid the back of the fridge. The back tends to be colder than the front, so keep sensitive items like eggs, milk, or leftovers in the middle or on the door shelves.

Leaky Door Seals (AKA Gaskets)

Those rubber seals around your fridge door are small but mighty. They keep cold air in and warm air out. If they’re worn, cracked, or dirty, the fridge has to work overtime to maintain its temperature. Sometimes, it gets a little too cold in the process.

What You Can Do:

  • Inspect the seals. Look closely for cracks, tears, or areas where the seal isn’t sticking properly.
  • Clean them up. Grime and food particles can prevent a tight seal. Wipe the gaskets down with warm soapy water and dry them off.
  • Replace if necessary. If the seals are damaged, don’t wait- replacing them is a quick fix that can save you from a lot of headaches (and frozen carrots).

fridge seal issues

Faulty Thermostat or Temperature Sensor

Sometimes, the thermostat or sensor inside the fridge stops doing its job properly. If it can’t read the temperature accurately, it might keep cooling when it doesn’t need to, leaving you with a fridge that’s more like a freezer.

What You Can Do:

  • Test the thermostat. Adjust it slightly and see if the temperature changes. If it doesn’t, that’s a sign something’s off.
  • Call a pro. Diagnosing and replacing a faulty thermostat or sensor is best left to a technician. They’ll have the tools and expertise to get it sorted.

Professional Fridge Repairs in Toronto

Need professional help?

Tried everything, and your fridge is still freezing food? That’s your cue to call in the experts. A technician can check for deeper issues, like refrigerant leaks, compressor problems, or malfunctioning sensors. We specialize in reliable fridge repairs for Toronto and the surrounding areas. Don’t let those expensive baby cucumbers turn into ice cubes- give us a call, and we’ll make sure your fridge gets back to being cool (but not too cool).

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