Equipment owners are often faced with a situation where the usual Biryusa refrigerator suddenly starts to behave strangely. Instead of fresh food, snowdrifts of frost appear in the chamber, and sometimes the door cannot be opened without the use of physical force due to a frozen crust of ice. This is not just an aesthetic defect, but a signal that a malfunction has occurred in the operation of the unit, ignoring which can lead to serious damage to the compressor or failure of the defrost system.
The reasons for the formation of excess ice can be trivial, for example, violation of operating rules, or technical, related to the failure of electronics and mechanics. No Frost system or drip defrosting - both require the serviceability of many components to maintain the correct microclimate. In this article we will look in detail at why ice freezes, how to diagnose the problem and what steps to take to fix it.
Violation of the seal of the chamber and problems with the seal
One of the most common reasons why data-i="54">A “coat” or ice build-up is formed due to the ingress of warm, moist air from outside. This happens when the tightness of the circuit is broken. The main protection against this is rubber Biryusa refrigerator a “coat” or ice build-up is formed due to the ingress of warm, moist air from outside. This happens when the tightness of the circuit is broken. The main protection against this is the rubber door seal. Over time, the rubber loses its elasticity, cracks or deforms, no longer fitting tightly to the metal body.
The moisture contained in the warm room air instantly condenses on the cold walls and freezes. If you notice that ice freezes mainly on the hinge side or at the bottom of the door, carefully inspect the sealing rubber. Sometimes the problem is solved by simply cleaning it from grease and dirt, but often a replacement part is required.
⚠️ Attention: If the seal has only slightly come off, try to restore its shape using a hairdryer or boiling water, but do not overheat the rubber so as not to permanently damage its structure.
Also, the tightness may be impaired due to the skew of the door. This happens if the refrigerator is not level or if the hinges have become loose from prolonged use. Check the horizontal installation of the unit and, if necessary, tighten the adjustable supports.
Faults in the defrost system (for No Frost models)
If your Biryusa refrigerator is equipped with a No Frost system, then the formation of ice inside the chamber or behind the rear panel most often indicates a failure in the evaporator defrost cycle. During normal operation, moisture settles on the evaporator, freezes, and then automatically thaws with the help of heating elements. If this process is disrupted, the ice grows in layers and eventually blocks the air circulation channels.
The key elements of this system are Defrost heating element, defrost thermostat (or sensor) and timer (or electronic control module). Failure of any of them stops the defrosting process. For example, if a heating element burns out, the ice simply will not melt. If the sensor is faulty, it may “think” that the temperature is already high and not turn on the heating, or vice versa - do not turn it off on time.
Diagnostics of these components requires the use of a multimeter to check the integrity of the circuits. Owners often notice a problem when cold stops flowing into the main chamber, although the compressor runs continuously. This happens because the ice plug blocks the fans.
How to check the defrost heating element without disassembling?
It is impossible to completely check the heating element without access to the evaporator, but an indirect sign of its malfunction may be the absence of the characteristic sound of cracking or gurgling water in the drainage system during the defrosting cycle (if it is heard in your models).
Clogged drainage system
In models with a drip defrosting system, the water flowing down the back wall must go into a special drainage hole. If this hole becomes clogged with crumbs, mold or ice, the water has nowhere to go. It accumulates in the groove, freezes and gradually turns into a huge block of ice, which can also capture the lower shelves.
Cleaning the drainage is a procedure that you can do yourself. To do this, it is often enough to use a special soft brush wire or a syringe with warm water. It is important to act carefully so as not to pierce the plastic channel leading to the evaporator.
If the water is frozen inside the tube, defrost it by pouring a little warm (not hot!) water directly into the hole. Regular preventative cleaning will help avoid the formation of ice plugs in the future.
Failures in the operation of the thermostat and temperature sensors
Thermostat (or electronic sensor temperature) is responsible for turning the compressor on and off. If this device “lies” and shows that the chamber is warmer than it actually is, the compressor will work without stopping. As a result, the insides of the refrigerator freeze, moisture freezes out of the food and settles in a dense layer of ice on all surfaces.
In modern models Biryusa with electronic control, a control module and a set of sensors are responsible for this. The failure of one sensor can lead to an incorrect operating algorithm of the entire unit. Symptoms are often accompanied by a constant humming of the motor and the absence of pauses in its operation.
Replacing a thermostat or calibrating sensors requires qualifications, since it is necessary to accurately select an analogue with the appropriate temperature characteristics. Incorrect replacement can lead to the refrigerator stopping freezing at all.
Table: Comparison of symptoms and probable causes
| Symptom | Probable cause | Difficulty of repair |
|---|---|---|
| Ice only on rear wall | Drainage clogged or heating element malfunction | Low / Medium |
| Ice around the entire perimeter of the door | Worn seal or door misalignment | Low |
| Block of ice at the bottom of the chamber | Frozen drainage channel | Low |
| Snow coat on the products | Thermostat malfunction (compressor does not turn off) | Medium / High |
| Ice behind the rear panel (No Frost) | Failure of the defrosting system (heating element, timer, sensor) | High |
Influence of frequent opening of the door and loading warm products
The human factor also plays a huge role. Each opening of the door starts an exchange of air: dry cold air comes out, and humid room air enters. If the door is slammed frequently or held open for a long time (for example, while sorting packages), the volume of incoming moisture increases critically. The system simply does not have time to remove it through the drainage or evaporator.
A hot saucepan or even just a warm frying pan placed in the chamber causes instant evaporation of moisture and a powerful release of steam. At low temperatures, this steam turns into ice in a matter of minutes. Operation Rules reads: cool food to room temperature before putting it in the refrigerator.
⚠️ Attention: Storing open containers with liquids (soups, compotes) without lids significantly increases humidity inside the chamber, accelerating the formation of ice.
In addition, loading the chamber too tightly disrupts the circulation of air flows. Cold air should freely wash food and walls. If the shelves are jam-packed, “blind zones” are formed where the temperature drops below normal, causing local freezing of moisture.
☑️ Checking operating conditions
Mechanical damage and refrigerant leak
Although it sounds paradoxical, a freon leak can also lead to the formation of ice, but of a specific nature. As the amount of refrigerant in the system decreases, the boiling point shifts and the evaporator may become coated with an uneven layer of frost, which then turns to ice. This is often accompanied by slight frost in the main chamber.
Mechanical damage to the housing, for example, dents after transportation, can disrupt the geometry of the doors or damage the internal tubes. If you notice oil under the refrigerator or hear a hissing sound, this is a clear sign of depressurization of the circuit.
Repair in such cases requires calling a technician with equipment to find leaks, evacuate the system and charge it with refrigerant. It is impossible to fix such a problem on your own without special equipment.
Proper defrosting as a method of diagnosis and treatment
Before disassembling the refrigerator or buying spare parts, Try a full defrost. This often helps if the problem is caused by a temporary electronics failure or minor blockage. Unplug Biryusa refrigerator from the mains, remove all food and leave the doors open for at least 24 hours.
During this time, all the ice, including that hidden behind the panels, will have time to melt. Water should flow freely through the drainage. After defrosting, wipe the chamber dry and turn on the unit. If after 1-2 weeks the ice appears again, it means there is a technical malfunction. If not, perhaps it was due to the operating mode.
Never use sharp objects (knives, screwdrivers) to chip ice! You may accidentally puncture the evaporator or damage the cooling circuit, which will lead to an immediate leak of freon and expensive repairs.
Why can’t you speed up defrosting with a hair dryer?
Using a hair dryer is only permissible for defrosting the seal. Directing a hot stream of air at the plastic body or evaporator inside the chamber is dangerous: the plastic can be deformed, and a sharp temperature change can damage the heat exchanger tubes.
Why does ice form only on one side of the refrigerator?
This is a characteristic sign of a leak on this side. Most likely, the problem is in the door seal or the door is misaligned. It is also possible that the cold air supply channel is located on this side, and due to a blockage or malfunction of the damper, local hypothermia occurs there.
Is it possible to operate a refrigerator with ice inside?
For a short time - it is possible, but not recommended. A thick layer of ice acts as a heat insulator, causing the compressor to work longer and harder, which increases energy consumption and wear on the motor. In addition, ice reduces the useful volume of the chamber and can damage the glass shelves when removing them.
How often do you need to defrost the Biryusa refrigerator?
Models with manual defrosting require the procedure 1-2 times a year or when a noticeable layer of ice forms (3-5 mm). Drip defrosting systems (“crying wall”) do not require human intervention, but preventive cleaning and drainage checks should be carried out every six months. No Frost theoretically does not require defrosting, but once a year it is also useful to turn it off for hygienic cleaning.
What to do if after defrosting the refrigerator does not freeze?
If after 24 hours of defrosting and turning on the unit does not start to freeze within 3-4 hours, there may have been a critical drop in voltage in the network during operation or a hidden fault compressor/start relay. Let it run for up to 12 hours. If there is no cold, call a specialist.