Is your KitchenAid refrigerator freezing everything? In this article, we explain the common causes of this problem and possible solutions to it.
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Why Is My KitchenAid Refrigerator Freezing Everything?
If you find your KitchenAid refrigerator freezing everything, here are some common causes:
1. Wrong Temperature Setting
The perfect temperature for a KitchenAid refrigerator is between 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything other than that may make the fridge either too cold or too warm.
So, ensure your fridge is set at the right temperature. Although KitchenAid refrigerators are preset at the factory for home usage, ensure the refrigerator’s temperature accommodates the temperature of the environment around it.
2. Disconnected Icemaker
If the KitchenAid ice maker is turned on without being connected to the water supply line, it will keep trying to make ice. This will result in frost buildup in the refrigerator compartment, which will, in turn, freeze food.
3. Blocked Air Vents
Air flows to and fro the refrigerator from the freezer through air vents. If these vents are obstructed, air circulation will be reduced, resulting in some or all of these issues:
i. Too much frost due to moisture buildup
ii. Some temperature issues like fluctuating temperature
iii. Freezing of items in the fridge compartment that block these vents
4. Leaky Gasket Lines
This is also known as door sealant. Gasket lines prevent heat transfers from the room environment to the refrigerating compartment. If gasket lines are broken, it can cause food to become colder than you desire.
This is because the cooling system will run continuously to maintain a steady temperature since the unit does not know when to shut itself off.
However, a lot of people assume leaky seals cause food to become warmer in the fridge due to the escape of cold air.
5. Defective Thermostat
A faulty thermostat will not stop working once it reaches the required temperature even if the door is properly shut. The continuous running of the thermostat will cool your food to a freezing point.
It takes only some minutes for your refrigerator to reach the optimal temperature. Anything longer than an hour means the thermostat is faulty
6. Bad Thermistor
A bad thermistor will send the wrong amount of voltage to the refrigerant system. This will cause the system to work continuously, hence, making the fridge’s temperature too cold. When this happens, items in the fridge may freeze.
The thermistor reads and monitors the refrigerator’s temperature and transfers the reading to the control board. The board will then direct the needed amount of voltage to the refrigerant system using the reading.
Parts of the refrigerant system are the evaporator and condenser motor and compressor.
7. Broken Damper Control
A broken damper will cause excessive circulation of cold air from the freezer to the refrigerator. As a result of this, food in the compartment will become frozen. The air damper controls the amount of airflow from the freezer compartment to the refrigerating compartment.
8. Dirty Coils
Dirty coils are one of the most common issues that affect KitchenAid refrigerators and they force the appliance to work twice as hard to keep up.
Both internal evaporator coils and the condenser coils on the outside play a vital role when it comes to temperature regulation. In most cases, it can lead to overcooling and increased running costs.
9. Poor Stocking
When you understock your unit, it can cause items stored within to freeze. This is because there is little food to absorb all the cold air within.
On the other hand, overstocking the refrigerator is not advisable. It will cause poor air circulation, hence, causing some parts of the unit to become warm.
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KitchenAid Fridge Keeps Freezing Everything (How To Fix)
To fix your KitchenAid refrigerator that is freezing everything stored in it, try these simple things:
1. Set Temperature to the Right Degree
While setting the fridge’s temperature to the right degree, it is also necessary to set the freezer to its right temperature (0℉). This is due to airflow between the two compartments.
Setting the freezer any lower will supply more cold air to the fridge, and as a result, cause things to freeze up. Also, keep in mind that your fridge-freezer unit is best set at ℉ and not ℃.
Additionally, when setting your fridge-freezer temperature, be sure you are setting the right dial per time. The freezer’s temperature setting should always come first. Allow 24 hours for temperature adjustment after you have set one before setting the other.
For units that have manual controls, the temperature control dials are located at the top of your fridge unit once the door is opened. The thermostat dials feature dual dials that control both freezer and the fridge separately.
Alternatively, you can consult the user’s manual for more on temperature adjustments.
2. Turn Off the Ice Maker
KitchenAid fridge ice maker should only be turned on if the water supply line is connected to a source of water.
For some KitchenAid models, turning off/on the ice maker can be done manually, and it is simple. Lower the wire shutoff arm to turn on, and lift it to turn off. Listen for a click after you have turned it off to confirm that it is switched off.
On the other hand, some KitchenAid ice makers automatically shut off once the ice storage container is full. Do not try to force the wire arm up or down.
Neglecting this could cause the following:
i. The ice maker keeps trying to make ice, thereby, causing a buzzing sound.
ii. The fridge or freezer compartment becomes too cold.
iii. Items in the crisper freeze.
3. Free Up the Air Vents
Ensure air vents are free to allow proper circulation of air between the fridge and freezer compartments. The location of air vents varies depending on the model of the fridge. Locate these vents, both in the fridge and freezer compartments, and ensure nothing is obstructing them.
Do not store temperature-sensitive food, such as eggs, in this area.
4. Change Broken Gasket
Once you notice the door gasket is broken, replace it immediately. This will not only save you the trouble of having your food frozen, but it also saves energy, too.
Before replacing the gasket, you can also try the following options:
i. Always ensure your fridge’s door shuts properly.
ii. Ensure the refrigerator is level because poor levelling can cause poor alignment of the door magnets.
5. Replace Defective Thermostat
You can either use a multimeter to check the condition of a thermostat or do that manually. The multimeter will test for continuity, so check to see if continuity changes as you change the temperature setting. If continuity does not change at all set temperature, it means the thermostat is faulty and should be replaced.
In the same vein, checking manually will require you to pay close attention. Here is what to do:
As the compressor is working, set the temperature dial to its highest temperature setting and listen for an audible click.
If you hear a click, it means the thermostat is in good condition and shows the cooling system is shutting down. But if you don’t hear this click, the thermostat could be bad, so, change it.
You cannot service or repair a thermostat, so it must be replaced once it is faulty.
6. Change Bad Thermistor
A multimeter is also what you will use to check the condition of the thermistor. Use the multimeter to test the thermistor for continuity and resistance. Once there is a temperature change, the thermistor’s resistance should change. Therefore, if the resistance remains the same, it means the thermistor is faulty and needs to be replaced.
7. Replace Damaged Damper Control
Check the damper control to see if it is malfunctioning. The damper is located between the freezer and fresh food compartments. If the damper sticks open, then, it is bad and should be replaced.
Other things you should check to see if the damper should be changed are:
i. The control knob: if it is not moving freely, replace the damper.
ii. The casing lining: a lined sealant should cover it to prevent air loss.
iii. The temperature bulb: it should be in its right position.
8. Clean Dirty Coils Or Replace Them
Replace severely damaged coils, although cleaning them efficiently is ideal. Follow the steps below for your safety, and to prevent damaging the fridge if you want to clean the coils:
i. Pull out the refrigerator and unplug it from the wall socket.
ii. Remove the grilles from the unit.
iii. Clean the coils with a vacuum that has soft brushes.
iv. Use warm soapy water to wash the base grille.
v. Dry and re-attach.
This next solution may seem simple but it works.
9. Properly Stock the Fridge
Simply ensure there is enough food to absorb cold air. And keep temperature-sensitive food away from air vents or freezer areas. You should also ensure the vents are free from any obstruction, so as to maintain the right internal air circulation.
Recap
Sometimes, negligible things may be the reason your refrigerator freezes things stored in it. Other times, it could be a result of some technical faults.
However, if your KitchenAid refrigerator is freezing everything and you are in doubt about any of the steps, please chat with any of our qualified and experienced technicians. They can help you fix whatever problem your KitchenAid refrigerator may have.
Alternatively, you can also contact your KitchenAid service center to request service, especially if you still have an active warranty.
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