Beko Fridge / Freezer fires

[abuchan43]

There has been a lot of talk in the media recently about the de-frost timer in Beko fridge/freezers causing serious fires.

I have one of these units, model no CA541 FFW serial no 03.
What I want to know is, what exactly is the problem? were is this timer? why is it getting water in it? what should I check to see if there is a problem?

[Martin]

Re: Beko Fridge / Freezer fires

abuchan43 wrote:what should I check to see if there is a problem?

Don’t mess with it, simply contact Beko and they will fix it free of charge. Meanwhile if you continue to use it be wary of the potential risk you run, as show in recent cases on TV and in the press. 😯

[abuchan43]

Re: Beko Fridge / Freezer fires

I have done that!
Beko say that it should be alright to use unless I notice anything ‘unusual’! What do they mean by unusual, smoke, flames, flooding?
There are 500000 of these units out there and Beco have only fixed 11000, so I can’t see mine being fixed for some time. In the meantime my wife is not sleeping properly, expecting the fridge to burst into flames in the middle of the night. As an electronics technician I would like to know were the fire is likely to start, before it actually happens!

I have now fitted a smoke detector over it for my wife’s peace of mind.

[don]

Re: Beko Fridge / Freezer fires

Hi

You can check to see if your model is affected in any way by completing the info on this Beko link.

Don

[Martin]

Re: Beko Fridge / Freezer fires

abuchan43 wrote:Beko say that it should be alright to use unless I notice anything ‘unusual’! What do they mean by unusual, smoke, flames, flooding?

Smell of burning and smoke the most obvious early signs. Beko have identified that in certain extreme cases the defrost timers can overheat and could in consequence start a localised fire in the immediate vicinity. As the defrost timer is located in a combustible area it would be prudent to ensure your appliance is located in a clear and open space. With nothing blocking the air ventilation points both in front, above and behind the appliance.

abuchan43 wrote:I have now fitted a smoke detector over it for my wife’s peace of mind.

That’s a very sensible precaution on your part.:tup:

[abuchan43]

Re: Beko Fridge / Freezer fires

I still don’t know were the timer is located! Is it that white plastic box next to the compresser?
Nothing yet from Beko as to when they are coming to fix the problem.

[Martin]

Re: Beko Fridge / Freezer fires

abuchan43 wrote:I still don’t know were the timer is located! Is it that white plastic box next to the compresser?

I intimated to you earlier not the mess with it. If your appliance is tampered with in any way, shape or form then Beko may well refuse to carry out the necessary repairs free of charge.

[abuchan43]

Re: Beko Fridge / Freezer fires

I don’t intend to ‘mess’ with it I would just like to know were the fire is likely to start, but it seems to be a secret that no one in the refrigeration industry wants to get out!
I heard from Beko yesterday that they are coming to modify the fridge/freezer on Thursday. (Impressed!)

[kwatt]

Re: Beko Fridge / Freezer fires

So far as I am aware, yes the small “plastic box” contains the offending defrost timer which should look a bit like this:

http://shop.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/Refriger … Timer.html

It’s no great secret, it’s just that the general trade doesn’t have that much more information on this recall than is openly published in the public domain already and there’s really little to add at this point.

I have asked Beko for more information but they are a little overwhelmed by the huge spike in enquiries and service calls required because of the media coverage of the story. That said, I am aware that they are doing all that they reasonably can, working with Trading Standards, retailers and others to try to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

For anyone else still to book a call for this issue the online checker can be found here for the moment.

The original story we ran, which has been updated with current information on this fridge freezer recall can be found here. That story will be updated and links to any follow up stories or information will be added as we get it.

HTH

K.

[kwatt]

Re: Beko Fridge / Freezer fires

A video from Beko on the issue is now added as well as a YouTube user video showing the part affected.

There is also now an article page dedicated to this subject available here that has all the information that we have and you should need and this will be updated as required.

K.

[abuchan43]

Re: Beko Fridge / Freezer fires

Thanks to everbody for the information, If I have anymore information after the engineer has been on Thursday I’ll post it here,

[madrat]

Re: Beko Fridge / Freezer fires

I’m not very impressed with BEKO. I had no idea there was a problem until watching the one show last week. We have had one of there fridge freezers since 2006 and have not heard a thing from them. I could not get on there web sight and there phone number was just a recording saying they could not take my call. I finally got on to there website and found out my F/F was affected and recorded my details last Friday but have not heard a thing, in the mean time there is a possible time bomb sitting in the kitchen.

[kwatt]

Re: Beko Fridge / Freezer fires

I thought you were a big Beko fan madrat?

K.

[madrat]

Re: Beko Fridge / Freezer fires

I am but there service at the moment leaves a lot to be desired. If I don’t hear from them soon I will be attacking the back of the F/F with some rubber grommets and the silicone gun.

[abuchan43]

Re: Beko Fridge / Freezer fires

I’m impressed by Beko’s service.I emailed them about this problem last week and got a phone call to say that they would send someone to fix it this Thursday.
As the engineer is coming soon I’ve not looked deeper into the problem, but from what I can tell the problem is caused by the defrost timer which plugs into a socket in the roof of the compressor compartment. This timer is covered by a small square plastic box which is secured to the roof of the compressor compartment by two screws. The fire seem to start when water in the freezer compartment drains into the defrost timer cover through the socket and as there is no drain holes in the bottom of the timer cover, it starts to flood and shorts out the timer.
If this is the case, its very bad design, as someone who worked in the marine electronic industry for nearly 40 years I know that you always make a small drain hole in junction boxs to let out any water.
I will know more about the problem tomorrow.

[Author]

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