How cold should the thin capillary into the fridge be?

[RicardoGonzalezIII]

Hi

our normally reliable Ariston fridge (integral stand alone BO1610 I) has started to build up ice at the very top back and the lower parts of the back wall seem a little warmer than normal. Having genned up on the principles of refrigeration I am now wondering if the condensed liquid is evaporating too far around the refrigeration coil. The compressor is running and is uncomfortably hot to the touch….does this sound normal or are things running a little too hot round there?

Any advise appreciated….new fridge is on order but my curiosity and tightness makes me still wonder if I can sort this problem out.

Thanks

[Martin]

Re: How cold should the thin capillary into the fridge be?

The high pressure gas enters the evaporator at the top usually so that section of the evaporator plate will tend to freeze more so than at the bottom. During the summer months the room temperature is likely to average around 21C+ so your fridge is going to be working harder and therefore the running time longer. Statistically the fridge door is opened and closed far more during the summer season than at any other time of the year. That allows the warmer room temperature to enter the fridge at the top as the cool air escapes into the room at the bottom.

[RicardoGonzalezIII]

Re: How cold should the thin capillary into the fridge be?

Are you saying this is normal then Martin? The fridge seems markedly warmer and even on a 5 setting doesn’t seem appreciably cooler. Also never noticed this before. I have to be honest I’ve lost a bit of confidence in the food quality and am thinking that replacing the 10+ year old fridge with a new one might be the best option economically anyway!

[Martin]

How cold should the thin capillary into the fridge be?

RicardoGonzalezIII wrote:Are you saying this is normal then Martin?

Not at all, I’m merely offering an explanation toward what you have noticed about your fridge. What is also important to note is that a fridge should maintain a temperature no warmer than +5 Celsius. To check that partially immerse a thermometer into a cup or jug of cold water and leave on the centre shelf overnight.

If, even set on the lowest thermostat setting, it fails to go down to or appreciably lower than +5C then you have a problem.

I hope that has been of some help? 😀

[SAMURI]

Re: How cold should the thin capillary into the fridge be?

It sounds like it might be low on refrigerant or the compressor is not pumping correctly.

Not a DIY job.

Bob

[Author]

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