WHY IS MY FREEZER ONLY FREEZING AT THE BOTTOM OR AT THE TOP? If your freezer is overcrowded with frozen food, it may be blocking the evaporator fan and hindering the circulation of proper airflow. This can cause fluctuations in freezer temperature.
The reason why the freezer is cold at the bottom is that cold air falls down. (It is heavier than warm air). So while the evaporator is very cold (freezing cold in fact) there is no air being blown across it to cool the entire cabinet only the air surrounding the evaporator area.
Uneven cooling in a fridge, with freezing at the bottom and insufficient cooling at the top, can result from various issues such as incorrect temperature settings, a malfunctioning evaporator fan, blocked vents, damaged door seals, dirty condenser coils, overloading, or faulty thermostat.
Even with a superior airflow system, a refrigerator or freezer will be colder at the bottom. Warm air rises, so the upper shelves will always be slightly warmer than the lower portion of the unit.
Overstuffing: Cramming too much stuff in there can mess with the airflow, so the bottom freezes fine, but the top doesn't. Bad Gaskets: If the door gaskets are worn out or damaged, warm air can sneak in, messing with the freezer's ability to stay cold.
Sometimes you can troubleshoot a freezer that's not freezing by simply reorganizing the shelves. Overpacked freezer shelves can block proper airflow, which can alter the internal temperature. Avoid overfilling your freezer and keep the evaporator fan unobstructed.
In the process of pulling heat from the refrigerator, some of that heat is transferred to the sides and top of the unit to reduce condensation buildup. Additionally heat is applied to the edge of the door frame and between the doors to reduce condensation buildup during humid days.
Dusty condenser coils can't release heat efficiently. Cleaning them can improve your freezer's ability to cool. First, unplug your freezer. Move the unit away from the wall, then use a vacuum or brush to clean the coils, which are usually on the back of your unit or its side panels.
Reset your refrigerator: First, unplug it (or turn off the power at the circuit breaker), and then wait about five minutes for the electrical charge to clear out of it. Then, power it back on again.
In very cold temperatures the compressor lubricating oil becomes too viscous and the compressor can't start because of excess friction. This causes the compressor overcurrent protector to trip. If the freezer is left ON in a cold place, it will keep trying to start over and over again.
The usual evidence of a clogged drain in a Side-by-Side Refrigerator is ice under the bottom basket in the freezer compartment in addition to a puddle of water on the floor. Built-In models and most Freestanding models require service to correct the issue.
There are several causes for a refrigerator that doesn't cool, including dirty condenser coils, poor ventilation, improper installation, faulty or dirty gasket seals, unorganized food storage, appliance location and malfunctioning internal parts.
WHY IS MY FREEZER ONLY FREEZING AT THE BOTTOM OR AT THE TOP? If your freezer is overcrowded with frozen food, it may be blocking the evaporator fan and hindering the circulation of proper airflow. This can cause fluctuations in freezer temperature.
Cold air sinks, so it collects at the bottom and, in a fridge freezer, the bottom shelves will be coldest.
The outside of the freezer may feel warm; this is normal. The freezer's design and main function is to remove heat from the contents and air inside the freezer. The heat is transferred to the room air, making the outside of the freezer feel warm.
Check the settings, compressor, condenser coils, evaporator fan, defrost temperature sensor, and power supply for issues as you would in an upright freezer. You'll also need to check the lid gasket to ensure it seals properly when closed. If part of the seal is broken or weak, you'll need to replace the whole gasket.
For fast or quick freezing large amounts of food in an upright or chest freezer, turn the temperature control to THE HIGHEST SETTING (for example: 7 is the highest setting on many models) or in some older models press the yellow FAST FREEZE switch. Freezing is generally fast and efficient throughout the freezer.
Check the air vents on the freezer. Clear or move away anything that is blocking the vents. Keeping the rear of your refrigerator clean from dust and debris can also help prevent ice build up. It is recommended that the rear panel is hoovered once or twice a year.
Freezer Temperatures
The temperature of a freezer should be set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit so everything stays very cold. A freezer should be cold enough to keep food frozen and preserve it until they are ready to be cooked or reheated.
With a bottom freezer refrigerator, some of the drawbacks include: Difficult access to frozen items. You will need to bend over to access all your frozen items, and due to the setup and drawers these freezers have, it can be difficult to see items in your freezer because you will often need to stack them.