[neustkg]

Had a question about the freezer part of the fridge. It had previously been very full and I noticed that when it became about half empty, the temperature is hovering on the higher side (maybe mid 20's F). I turned the temp control down one click and waited maybe 3 hours. It seemed to go down to -10F or so , but later I noticed it was up around maybe 15F. What temperature range can I expect in the freezer and can anyone recommend the best temp range as a goal? Also, how much space do I need to keep between food stored and the vents at the back of the freezer? Is the temperature range affected by a completely full freezer vs. half full vs. empty?

The fridge seems to be cooling OK (35F).

[denman]

When measuring your temp you have to make sure you do not measure just after a defrost cycle. That is why they recommend that you place the thermometer between some food packages so you get a more accurate overall reading. Bagged peas and corn work great

[neustkg]

Well, it's been a few days now and the temperature was staying around 22F. I had two $5 dial thermometers in the freezer. One out in the open by itself, the other wedged between some food and both were within one degree. Since the freezer wasn't very full, we moved the food to our freezer in the kitchen, so the Amana is now empty and temperature is 22F constantly. Refrigerator temp is right were I want it at about 35F.

This Amana fridge is a garage fridge and we normally kept it very full. It was working very well this way, but when it got to about half full, the temp started hovering on the high side (I'd like to see 5F). Now empty, it is around 22F. I have a few questions:

1) I have heard that the refrigerator part of a fridge/freezer works well in the garage, but at temps below 45F, the freezer might not work as well (coolant has problems keeping up). Is this true?

2) Someone once told me that a totally full freezer keeps cooler better than a half or empty freezer. Is this true?

3) If my freezer is at it's coldest setting and the temp is higher than I want it to be, would my freezer temperature control be going bad? Are they easy to replace?

[denman]

Fridges do not work well in cold areas.
The exterior temp has to be around freezing before it will affect the compressor.
This is because the compressor has oil in it, the oil thickens and the compressor has trouble starting (same as a car). Freon has no trouble flowing at low temps.

Your fridge section is dependant on the freezer section whatever happens in the freezer will eventually have an impact on the fridge.

What is happening is that because it is cold outside the fridge compartment never warms up enough to start the compressor but your defrost cycle still works. The defrost cycle ends but the fridge does not start because it is still too cold, so you get large temp variations and food in the freezer can actually start to thaw. Warm air rises so it has a tendency to stay in the freezer even with the fan going.


The only reason the amount of food in the freezer makes a difference is because of thermal mass. It takes longer for 10 pounds of food to change temperature than it does one pound of food so you see a more stable temperature.

You cannot really assess a temp control unless the unit is run in a standard environment ( ~75 F )