Condensation on Freezer problem?

meanwhile · #1 07/29/12, 10:08 AM

I have an old upright Kenmore Freezer. Never had any trouble with it. It is in the basement and has never shown condensation on it before.

Last week we noticed heavy condensation on the front. Wet - totally dripping wet. The basement itself is also more wet than we have ever had it. We have had heavy rain recently and that might be the trouble.

I have put a fan in front of the freezer to dry off the door. We also opened the door to the outside, opened two windows and set another fan in the basement to push damp air out.

Food in the freezer is still frozen solid and nothing looks like an air leak.

Is it possible that nothing is wrong with the freezer and it is just a damp basement due to heavy rains? Or is the freezer condensation making the basement wet?

Tips? What do look for? Suggestions about what to do? Thank you.

Nimrod · #2 07/29/12, 10:35 AM

Most likely there is nothing wrong with the freezer. In really humid weather my freezer get condensation on the door. I suspect this is the least insulated part of the freezer. I would let it go for a while with regular checks. If you want to stop the condensation put a dehumidifier in the basement.

Alice In TX/MO · #3 07/29/12, 10:44 AM

The insulation inside the door may be sopping wet and frozen, too. This is a problem.

meanwhile · #4 07/29/12, 04:00 PM

We put a fan blowing on the door this morning. Only set on low and that worked to clear it up. But, we also opened up the whole basement to dry it out. Maybe it is just the dampness from recent heavy rains. Will keep an eye on it but I am probably needing to buy a new freezer. I had been putting it off but a chest type would be better.

This one will not hold food for more than about 1.5 days when power is out. I am told a chest type will hold food for 3 or more days when power off.

Thanks everyone.

frankva · #5 07/29/12, 04:46 PM

Check for an air leak on the bottom corner on non hinge side. Hand. I had one that after shutting needed a push with a foot on that corner once it got old. Tightened hinges, helped a tad. Defrosted recently?

My basement cold water pipes sweat in humid weather.

Vickie44 · #6 07/30/12, 08:23 AM

When this happened to me it turned out to be a leak at the gasket in the corner of the door but it was on the hinge side.

mekasmom · #7 07/30/12, 08:28 AM

It has to be a leak of cold air from the freezer itself somewhere that hits the damp air to condense it. Not a major mechanical problem, but it does make your freezer less efficient.

meanwhile · #8 07/31/12, 10:23 AM

We are thinking it might be an air leak in the side of the door. It was fine yesterday but today it is all wet again. Yesterday we had the back door open and had a cooler drier day but today it is pouring down rain again.

rambler · #9 07/31/12, 10:41 AM

Do the dollar bill test on the door, if it slips ot the gasket needs replacing.

Condensation happens when hot moisutre laden air hits cooler air. The moisture no longer fits in the cooler air, so it condenses out.

Either your fridge is leaking cool air, or the air is more moist than usual, or both.

Venting a cool basement to hot humid air does not help eliminate condensation. The hot outside air will continue to meet the cooler air in the basement, and continue to cool doen & drop off moisture as it cools. Curculating outdoor air through a basement probably does not help your problem.

If you determine the freezer gasket is good, then you likely need a dehumidifier to keep your basement from molding from the excess humidity.

--->Paul