A mini-fridge is the perfect small appliance to keep your drinks cool year-round.
Mini-fridges are quite basic appliances but they are exposed to a lot of moisture and condensation.
But is it normal for a mini-fridge to freeze up at the back? Is it concerning?
There is a logical explanation for why this can happen.
So, if you find that your fridge is freezing up at the back, it’s not necessarily a sign that the appliance is on its last legs.
In fact, there are a few simple reasons why this might happen – and we’ll explain what to do.
Why Does a Fridge Freeze Up At the Back?
While it’s normal for a small amount of ice to form at the back of the fridge, there are a few possible reasons for this issue.
Reason 1: Moisture
The main culprit is frozen moisture and condensation build-up at the back of the mini-fridge.
Moisture can build up on the outside of our refrigerators while they are cooling down our food. This can lead to unexpected problems.
This means that the back of the fridge will get wet on a regular basis as a result of this.
Depending on your situation, you may also see moisture buildup on the fridge’s sides and front.
Condensed humidity/moisture forms on the refrigerator’s cooler back wall as a result of its low temperature during the cooling process.
There is a risk of ice building up on the back wall if these droplets are frozen.
For this reason, it’s important to keep an eye on the humidity and temperature of the air around your refrigerator.
Because the back of your refrigerator is the coldest part, moisture collects there as the fridge cools down the food inside.
Here’s a brief explanation of the phenomenon:
Think about drinking a cold glass of water. As you drink water, it’s possible to see droplets on the glass’ surface due to a temperature gradient that has caused vapor to condense into a liquid.
Reason 2: Blocked air vents
Another possible reason for your fridge freezing up at the back could be that the air vents are blocked.
The constant moisture can cause the coils on the back of the fridge to freeze up.
If your mini-fridge has frozen coils, it will not be able to properly circulate cold air and your food will start to spoil.
The best way to prevent this from happening is to keep the mini-fridge clean and free of dust.
You should also wipe down the coils on the back of the fridge every few months to prevent them from freezing up.
If the air vents are blocked, then cold air can’t circulate properly, and your fridge will start to ice up.
Reason 3: Thermostat too low
A mini-fridge has several cooling settings. So, another possibility for an ice build-up is that the thermostat is set too low.
You might think that the mini-fridge is fine on a low setting during the winter but that’s not necessarily true.
If the thermostat is set too low, then your fridge will run longer than necessary, and ice will build up.
To fix this, you simply need to adjust the thermostat to a higher setting. We recommend setting it to the middle or highest setting.
Reason 4: Mini-fridge is not leveled
It could be that the fridge is not level, causing the cold air to settle at the back.
A fridge must be level for the door to close properly and for the cold air to circulate evenly.
If your fridge is not level, then you will need to adjust the legs until it is.
You can use a small bubble level to check if your fridge is level from front to back and side to side.
Reason 5: The door is not sealed properly
Alternatively, the door might not be sealing properly, letting in warm air from outside.
The gasket is the rubber seal that goes around the door to keep the cold air in and the warm air out.
Over time, the gasket can become damaged or warped, preventing the door from sealing properly.
If you think this might be the case, then you will need to replace the gasket.
Reason 6: Technical malfunction
Finally, it’s possible that there is something wrong with the fridge itself. If this is the case, then you’ll need to call a repairman to come to take a look.
It could be a manufacturing problem or a wiring issue. In any case, it’s best to get it checked out by a professional.
If a fridge is freezing up at the back, check these possible causes to see if you can resolve the issue.
If none of these issues are the culprits, it’s best to call a fridge repairer to take a look.
Is it Normal For a Mini-Fridge to Freeze Up?
Regular refrigerators and mini-fridge models are all susceptible to this issue of freezing or icing at the back.
Therefore, it’s not unusual for a mini-fridge to freeze up, especially if it’s not been used in a while. If you’ve just plugged in your mini-fridge, give it some time to warm up before adding any food or drinks.
Also, make sure that the air vents are clear and unobstructed. If your mini-fridge is still freezing up, it’s possible that the thermostat is set too low.
How To Fix the Fridge Freezing Up At the Back?
It depends on the issue:
- If the fridge is not level, try adjusting the feet until it is level.
- If the door is not sealing properly, check the gasket for damage and clean any debris from the seal.
- If the thermostat is set too low, raise it to a higher setting. Try to reset the fridge’s temperature to the recommended setting of 37 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove all the food to ensure the fridge isn’t overpacked and prevent cold air from circulating properly. The food can be put back again but be sure to spread it out evenly. Don’t place too much food at the back of the fridge where the cold air doesn’t circulate as well.
- Check the coils at the back of the fridge and clean them if they’re dusty.
- Ensure that there’s nothing blocking the airflow vents.
- Check the gasket/door seal.
These are the possible causes of a fridge freezing up at the back. Try adjusting the fridge or thermostat to fix the issue first, then move on to the other possible solutions.
How to Prevent Freezing Food in the Refrigerator?
There are a few things that can be done to prevent freezing food in the fridge.
First, make sure that the fridge is leveled.
Second, check the door seal to ensure it is sealing properly.
Third, set the thermostat to the correct temperature. Doing these things should help to prevent food from freezing in the fridge.
When food freezes in the fridge, it can be thawed and eaten. However, frozen food will not last as long as fresh food.
So, it is best to try to prevent freezing food in the fridge by following the tips above.
Fridge Icing Up on Lowest Setting: What To Do?
Even if the fridge or mini-fridge is set to the lowest setting, it can freeze up, especially at the back.
There are a few things that can be done to prevent this from happening.
First, make sure the fridge is leveled. Second, check the door seal to ensure it is sealing properly.
Third, set the thermostat to the correct temperature. Doing these things should help to prevent the fridge from freezing up.
If these quick fixes don’t work, then it might be necessary to call a fridge repairman to take a look at it.
Is Ice Build-up in the Fridge Bad?
While a little bit of ice build-up in the fridge is not necessarily bad, too much ice can be a problem.
In fact, most fridges and mini-fridges do experience some ice build-up over time.
However, if the ice build-up is excessive, it can cause the fridge to work less efficiently and use more energy.
It can also cause the fridge to freeze up, making it difficult to open the door.
Too much ice can cause the fridge to work less efficiently and make it more difficult to keep food and drinks cold.
But a frozen mini-fridge or large fridge is problematic because the ice can make it difficult to open the door.
Plus, who wants food covered in ice anyway? The food should be cold, not frozen – that’s the freezer’s job.
So, if there is too much ice build-up in the fridge, it is best to remove it.
Conclusion
If a fridge is freezing up at the back, there are several possible causes.
The most common causes are that there is moisture building up which then freezes on the fridge’s back, the fridge is not level, the door is not sealing properly, or the thermostat is set too low.
To ensure a mini-fridge runs properly, be sure to keep it level, clean the door seal, and set the thermostat to the correct temperature.
