Why Your Freezer Ices Up: Causes and Prevention

For businesses reliant on commercial freezers, ice build-up can be more than a mere inconvenience; it can hinder operations and shorten the lifespan of the equipment. Understanding and addressing the causes of freezer ice is crucial for maintaining consistent performance and preserving the integrity of stored goods.

Here, we cover the reasons why your freezer ices up, the technical side of frost formation and different ways you can prevent ice buildup in your commercial freezer.

Let’s delve into the primary reasons behind frost formation in freezers. Understanding these causes is the first step towards effective management and prevention.

A compromised door seal allows humid air to infiltrate, which then freezes, causing frost. Maintaining a tight seal is essential to keep cold air in and warm air out, ensuring the freezer operates efficiently.

Setting the freezer temperature incorrectly can also lead to ice build-up. Placing hot food directly into the freezer can raise the internal temperature rapidly, exacerbating the frost issue.

Frost formation in freezers primarily begins on the evaporator coils. Then when cool, these cold evaporator coils attract moisture from the warm air that enters the freezer (typically when the door is opened). This moisture condenses and quickly freezes upon contact with the cold coils, leading to frost buildup. Over time, this frost acts as an insulator, impeding the coils’ heat absorption capabilities and diminishing the freezer’s efficiency.

The defrost cycle, designed to periodically warm the coils, melts away this frost. However, if the cycle is inefficient or the freezer is frequently opened, allowing more warm, humid air inside, frost can accumulate faster than it is removed, leading to significant build-up inside the freezer.

Here, we’ll discuss practical solutions and maintenance tips to reduce and prevent frost in your freezer.

Inspect and Clean Your Freezer Regularly

Defrosting the freezer and cleaning it regularly helps keep ice at bay. Once the freezer is defrosted, clean it using a warm water and baking soda solution to remove food particles or liquids and limit ice formation. Also inspect the condition of your door seals, and replace them when they wear down.

Monitor Temperatures and Store Food Carefully

Properly storing food and maintaining the ideal freezer temperature for various items can significantly minimize frost formation. A lock freezer can go a long way in this regard, as it helps reduce temperature fluctuations. Organizing the freezer with adequate air flow in mind is also helpful in preventing frost.

Open Freezer Doors Less Often

Limiting the time when the freezer door is open can go a long way towards reducing frost build up. Consider investing in a commercial reach-in freezer with a glass door to avoid having to open the door to see what’s inside.

As you can see, freezer icing can occur for a number of reasons, but each can be addressed by being more proactive with the care and use of your freezer. Regular maintenance and adopting preventive measures are essential in ensuring the longevity and efficiency of commercial freezers. That said, these measures are most effective when applied to quality equipment.

To this end, HABCO offers a range of top-tier commercial refrigerator and freezer solutions, designed with the latest technology to ensure optimal performance and ease of maintenance. Explore our solutions to find the perfect fit for your business needs.