Hotpoint Mistral: Won’t Freeze

[michaeld]

I’ve got an old Hotpoint Mistral Freezer. It’s worked fine for the last few years, so long as I defrost it every year or 2.

Last Friday the temperature rose suddenly (more so than when it normally needs defrosting) to about 0 deg C, so I defrosted it over the weekend.

On plugging it back in after 24 hours the temperature has only gone down to -3. It seems to be beavering away, but not freezing properly. I’ve checked and the large-ish metal cylinder at the back is hot to the touch.

Anything obvious worth checking, or is it time to replace it?

Thanks,

Michael

[spimps]

Re: Hotpoint Mistral: Won’t Freeze

Have you cleaned out the condenser underneath,switch off, back and front lower panels off and in with the vacuum and a paintbrush etc

[ServEng]

Re: Hotpoint Mistral: Won’t Freeze

compressor may be on its way out

[michaeld]

Re: Hotpoint Mistral: Won’t Freeze

spimps wrote:Have you cleaned out the condenser underneath,switch off, back and front lower panels off and in with the vacuum and a paintbrush etc

I have now … and it made no difference, so given its age I’m assuming it’s a goner. Thanks for the advice.

In terms of replacing it – I can get staff discount on Siemens and Bosch. Would you recommend one or both of those brands?

Thanks,

Michael

[don]

Re: Hotpoint Mistral: Won’t Freeze

michaeld wrote:
In terms of replacing it – I can get staff discount on Siemens and Bosch. Would you recommend one or both of those brands?

I would recommend both. They are from the same BSH stable, well made with a two year warranty on Bosch, Siemens next level up in terms of build and accessories etc. They will cost more but in most instances come with a five year warranty.

HTH 🙂

Don

[michaeld]

Re: Hotpoint Mistral: Won’t Freeze

I would recommend both. They are from the same BSH stable, well made with a two year warranty on Bosch, Siemens next level up in terms of build and accessories etc. They will cost more but in most instances come with a five year warranty.

HTH 🙂

Don

Thanks – much appreciated. The ones I’ve been looking at have a 2 year warranty but, based on your advice, I think I’ll still go for a Siemens.

One thing I’ve been wondering – my 15 year old freezer was a ‘frost free’ one. However none of the ones I’ve looked at (under the counter models) are automatic defrost / frost free. Have things gone backwards over the last 15 years?

Michael

[don]

Re: Hotpoint Mistral: Won’t Freeze

Not backwards as such it`s well documented on this site and other forums that frost free has it`s own reliability issues compared to a static freezer. Couple that to the price of a frost free under counter appliance your Bosch would be in the region of £400 which is just to expensive on what would then be a low volume seller.

The only manufacturers I am aware of which produce under counter freezers are Hotpoint and Zanussi.

HTH 🙂

Don

[michaeld]

Re: Hotpoint Mistral: Won’t Freeze

don wrote:Not backwards as such it`s well documented on this site and other forums that frost free has it`s own reliability issues compared to a static freezer. Couple that to the price of a frost free under counter appliance your Bosch would be in the region of £400 which is just to expensive on what would then be a low volume seller.

The only manufacturers I am aware of which produce under counter freezers are Hotpoint and Zanussi.

HTH 🙂

Don

Ah – that explains it. Many thanks

Michael

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