A frosty fridge is not a happy fridge
Freezers get frosty. It’s just a fact. Air and water vapor rush into your fridge or freezer every time you open the door. As soon as that vapor settles on the door frame of the unit it starts to freeze resulting in a layer of frost. One might think, “BIG DEAL! Frosty freezers keep things cold.” Well, the bad news is that this frost isn’t good for your freezer. NOT AT ALL! If left unchecked frost will continue to grow into a block of ice that can prevent the door and gasket from sealing. Gaskets can't seal to ice or frost. This bears the question; how does one keep this pesky frost under control?
Believe it or not, most modern walk-in freezers contain at least one heating element, and the most common place for heating elements is around the door frame. These elements come in the form of a simple wire filament wrapped in either fiberglass or aluminum, and through the proper use of these wires anyone can eliminate the accumulation of frost on their cooler doors.
I’m sure many of you are already well aware of heater wires and the necessity for them in commercial freezers, but it’s important to remember that these elements don’t last forever. Despite their importance, these crucial components often go overlooked. Heater wires get damaged from daily wear and tear and in some cases burn out altogether. The most common area for them to receive damage is underneath the door threshold where they are constantly walked on and rolled over. When they stop working frost begins to build up on the door frame, preventing it from fully closing and sealing. This means it’s time to replace those worn-out wires.
When replacing heater wire it’s extremely important to do a thorough inspection of the heater wire track. Jagged edges, big dents or bends in the track can reduce the efficiency of the heater wire or even render it completely ineffective. In some cases it’s necessary to replace the track and the wire to ensure efficient heating of the door frame. Finally, when looking for heater wire it’s important to remember that the wire length must be at least the circumference of the door plus a few feet so the wire can reach a power source.
If you think your frosty fridge or freezer is in need of a heater wire and track then you’re in luck. Gasket Guy now carries aluminum and fiberglass heating wires as well as the tracks they go in.
Worried about installing one? That's a good concern! It's a bit trickier than installing a push in gasket, but if you have a medium level of mechanical skill and a little knowledge of electricity, it'll be a breeze. Just remember to bring a coat with you because those freezer get cold after a few minutes!
Questions? Just give Sean Dillon at the main Gasket Guy office a call and he can give you pretty close to step by step instructions on what to do in most cases.