On one occasion or another you may have noticed that the back of your fridge has frozen, but this is something which is more common than you may think.
Why does this happen? In this article, we will be exploring just how a fridge works and what makes it freeze the way it does.
Why Your Fridge Freezes
The reasoning behind your fridge freezing up is fairly basic. As the fridge is cold, this creates moisture which gravitates towards the back of the fridge (the coldest area).
In turn, this moisture will eventually cool until it is turned into a liquid.
The cold from the fridge then works to cool the liquid so much so that it turns into ice, and this is what you will see on the back of your fridge.
Although it is normal to see build-up of ice in your fridge, this is not always for the best.
It is important to keep an eye out for this frozen moisture and when you do come across it, take the next steps to do something about it.
How To Prevent Ice Build-Up
It is necessary to know how to reduce ice build-up in your fridge as too much ice can lead to temperature problems.
As it is important for the temperature of a fridge to be regulated, we have put together a list to allow your fridge to thrive and stay optimal.
Check The Thermostat
The answer to your fridge problems may be as simple as checking the thermostat.
You want your fridge to be cold but not too cold to the point of your food and drinks freezing.
The recommended fridge temperature according to the FDA is 40 degrees or lower.
Keep Your Doors Closed
One habit which many people seem to have is leaving their fridge doors open.
It may be that you are taking out a bag of vegetables and leaving the fridge door open whilst you are cooking or forget to close it all the way.
By leaving this door open, however, you are allowing warm moist air to enter which will create this ice.
Organize Your Fridge Correctly
The organization of your fridge is very important for reducing ice build-up.
The way food and drink items are placed and the amount gathered in one area can make a huge difference.
If your fridge is overfilled, this essentially blocks the airflow and thus traps cold air. This will ultimately lead to ice building up.
Clean Your Vents
Not many people know the value of cleaning your fridge’s vents, but this should be made a habit of in order to protect your fridge from freezing up.
As well as moisture from the air, clogged up vents can also be another reason for ice forming.
To prevent this from occurring, clean your vents once every six months using warm water filled with soap and a bristle brush.
Storing Hot Dishes
When it comes to storing away hot dishes, you need to be careful.
Although there is no harm to storing away your leftover hot dishes in the fridge, it is best to leave the dish to cool first.
By placing a hot dish in the fridge, the moisture from the heat will only create more ice at the back of your fridge.
Manually Removing Built-Up Ice
Another option is to manually remove your built-up ice by hand.
Although this will not work to prevent the build-up, this is a good method to manage it and to keep your fridge in good condition.
Hot Water
The first method to remove built-up ice is to take a bowl of hot water, a cloth, and wipe down the iced surfaces of the fridge.
By doing this, you will be melting away the ice without damaging the fridge. After this is done, wipe down that surface with a dry cloth to get rid of the liquid.
Kitchen Utensil
The second method is to use a kitchen utensil, such as a spatula, to scrape off and dislodge the ice.
You have to be careful with this method as you don’t want to damage the inside of your fridge, however this works to get rid of any tough clumps of ice.
After this ice has been removed, sweep it out from the fridge.
Temperature
The final method is to adjust your fridge’s temperature accordingly to melt away the ice whilst keeping your food and drinks at a suitable temperature.
Your fridge should be set between 37 degrees Fahrenheit and 40 degrees Fahrenheit – make sure that this temperature does not change.
If the temperature is set any lower, then this will only encourage further ice to build up. The objective is to avoid this.
Final Thoughts
In this article we have given the answer to a popular question – “why is my fridge freezing up at the back?”.
The one main reason for this build-up of ice is the moisture which gathers in a fridge. This moisture can gather for several reasons, but it all leads to the same results.
In the end, that moisture gravitates towards the back of your fridge, creates a puddle of liquid then transforms into ice.
However, with all this being said, this is not something we can always control but is something we can look out for.
At least once will we experience a situation with a fridge freezing up but that is out of our control. All we can do is try to find the source and find a way to prevent it for the future.
Above, we have come up with a list of options to prevent ice-build up and to create a healthier fridge.
There are many ways to do this such as remembering to shut your fridge door, cleaning your vents, and making sure to not store food when it is piping hot.
Overall, your fridge freezing up in the back does not indicate anything bad but just means some things can be changed.
After reading through this guide, you will be able to explore the changes that can be made and better the quality of your fridge.
