We've got an old Sharp large upright freezer that has started playing up.
I'm looking at buying a replacement but thought I'd ask here for any possible suggesting whether there's anything I can do to save this one from landfill.
The problem is that the bottom shelves freeze normally (ice is solid) whereas the top shelves don't freeze (icypoles are liquid).
The shelves are metal baskets so the air (the freezer is 95% empty now) should be flowing freely throughout the inside.
Thoughts?
Have you turned it off and let it defrost for a few days?
anything I can do to save this one from landfill.
Ring a local metal recycler. Most of the time they will come and collect it for nothing if you can't take it to them.
If not, ring your local council. They often have a metal recycling portion of the tip that will take large metal things like fridges for nothing.
As always, YMMV…
First thing, I'd be looking at frost. If there's frost build up on the upper portion of the evaporator, then it won't cool the air, leading to liquid icypoles, but will cool anything in direct contact. Usually the evaporator is at the back of interior, but its behind a false plastic wall. So you turn the freezer off, remove everything and then pull off the plastic back which is held by clips, or occasionally screws. If you see a bunch of snow, you know thats the problem.
Alternatively take everything out of the freezer, put it in an esky for 6 hours, and allow the ice to melt. You can speed it up a bit by putting a small heater inside (low heat!) and closing the door. Make sure it's one with a thermostat like this
Thanks for the comments.
I haven't tried anything yet, so I'll start with the off/on bit first (this should address any potential frost issue as well).
The I'll try the fan (hard to access at the moment) - although a motor does come on and off at various times.
I have minimal electrical mechanical knowledge so I don't know whether a freezer just has a fan as a motor or whether there are other motors that I am hearing.
Anyway.. thanks for the suggestions!
Let's see how we go.
ps anyone want a free 'bargain' ? - 1/2 frozen container with the label '2017 prawn stock' !!!
Does the evaporator fan motor work still?
The cold air is falling to the bottom and not being circulated by the fan.