I need to know where to buy a thermometor for or freezer and one for fridge. Also someone gave us a freezer but it is 20 years old they think. I have it plugged in now to see how it does, but the gasket needs replaced as they had let it mildew and bleach is not taking it off. If we can get it to work we figure free will work until we need to update. How do you know how energy efficient an appliance is? How cold should a fridge and a freezer be?

I would appreciate any input, I did look below but the only thin I saw was the repair clinic and 3 posts on what type to get. And yes, it is a chest freeeezer!

Lynn

-- Lynn (johnnypfc@yahoo.com), September 05, 2001

Answers

Lynn, if the freezer (or fridge) runs for a while then switches off it is probably functioning. On the other hand if it runs continuously that means it is unable to draw the inside temperature down to the thermostat setting, this could be due to a bad termmstat or because the refrigerant gas has escaped in either case it is unlikely to be economic to repair. I suggest you avoid anyone who recommends re- gassing unless you can get an explanation from them as to why the new gas will stay in the circuit when the previous stuff escaped.

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), September 05, 2001.

Any hardware store will carry refridgertor/freezer thermometers. They usually just hand from the shelves or wire seperators inside the fridge/freezer. If if is 20 yrs old it probably won't be super energy efficient,as compared to todays models. Like ours you will have to jack the thermostat up in summer and down in winter to save money. fridge part should be between 35 to 40 degrees,with your freezer 0 to 15 degrees.

-- TomK(mich) (tjk@cac.net), September 05, 2001.

Hi Lynn, any Restaurant supply store will carry them. We had a restaurant, and the temps for the refrig. and freezer were the 1st thing the health inspector checked. Tom is right on with his answer.

-- Annie (mistletoe@kconline.com), September 05, 2001.

Lynn, you might want to watch your electric bill once you get it running. Older freezers burn a heck of a lot of electricity. Mine is over 15 years old and it works fine, but I'm going to replace it as soon as I can get the money together.

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), September 05, 2001.

It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how unusual a topic I may come up with to ask a question, invariably someone asks the question right before I do. Just this weekend hubby and I were discussing our freezer situation and commented that the smaller 9 cu ft one which has not been plugged in for a year needs a new gasket and we were wondering where we could get one and if it was worth replacing them. The freezer works fine but the gasket needs replacing because it is letting air into it and it is icing up everything. Hubby suggested I ask on the forum where we might get a gasket. I don't think anyone has answered that part of the question because they seem to be just talking about the thermometers. Anyone know where to get a replace ment gasket?

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), September 06, 2001.

Lynn & Colleen

Gaskets can be found thru any "appliance supplies and parts" place.look in your local phone book or there are some on the web. You might have trouble getting one right away for old refrigerators/freezers they might have to special order for you.

-- TomK(mich) (tjk@cac.net), September 06, 2001.