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irishh7 · Jul 8, 2007, 07:59 AM

Hi! I purchased a new top mount frost-free Kenmore refrigerator (very basic model - no ice maker or water dispenser) @ 1 month ago. We had problems with ice droplets accumulating on the ceiling and back of the freezer wall. This appeared to be because there was a problem with the seal on the refrigerator door. We had 3 people come to fix the seal, but it didn't change the problem. We had it exchanged (Sears will do this within 30 days if you are not satisfied). We got the same refrigerator delivered yesterday (7/7/07). The seals all seem fine, however, there are ice droplets starting to accumulate on the back freezer wall again. Is this just normal? Is the refrigerator set too cold? (I have both the refrigerator and freezer set to the middle settings - factory recommended). Has anybody experienced a similar problem - should I call service again? I am very frustrated about this. I have an older Galaxy freezer (this is basically a Kenmore brand) in our basement (left here with the house) that is @ 7 years old and it doesn't have any ice in the freezer.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance,

Dorothy

esquire1 · Jul 8, 2007, 08:09 AM

The ice droplets are condensation. If you have children who are into ref many times a day it can cause this. But to answer your question NO this is not normal and you should not have it. As for as temp the freezer side should be -5 to 5 degrees and the ref 38-40. What the techs tell you? I would keep on top of this while ist is so new. Good Luck

irishh7 · Jul 8, 2007, 08:14 AM

Hi! Thank you for responding so quickly. Yes, I agree that this doesn't seem normal. I may have to just have this returned, but then what refrigerator should I buy? Certainly not one from Sears. I will probably have a service call put in and then see what happens. I did not have anyone look at the mechanical part of the ice droplets from the old refrigerator. Everyone that came out was from the delivery part of service. We really thought that it was caused in great part from the bad seal.

Dorothy

esquire1 · Jul 8, 2007, 08:32 AM

I would ask for a tech come and look at it as well. Could be Sears has a issue with that model. I agree, the first thing I would have thought would be a seal as well. Good Luck

irishh7 · Jul 9, 2007, 05:45 AM

Hi again! I do have an appointment made with the tech to come and look at the problem. Could you give me a (or some) possible reason(s) for this to be happening since the seal doesn't seem bad. This will help when the tech does come.

Thanks again,

Dorothy

esquire1 · Jul 9, 2007, 05:50 AM

Condesation occurs when warm air and cool air mix. A difference in temp or poor air circulation

irishh7 · Jul 9, 2007, 10:37 AM

Thanks! I do agree with you. I just hope that the tech can figure out what is wrong and then correct it.

Dorothy

irishh7 · Jul 10, 2007, 12:30 PM

Hi! The tech came this morning (7/10/07). I explained the situation to him and the problems with the first refrigerator. All he did was check the seals and told me that they seemed o.k. I already knew that. He didn't check anything in the freezer even though I kept asking him if it could possibly be an internal problem. He just kept saying that there seemed to be a moisture problem. I already know that. I think that he should have at least checked something inside the freezer, but maybe he didn't know what he was doing. My main concern is if air is leaking from someplace that can't be found, then it is eventually going to make the refrigerator work harder and then if it breaks down, we will probably be out of warranty. I don't know if I will try to get someone else to check this or just return it and get a different brand, as there seems to be a problem with this particular model. I have adjusted the controls, though. I had both the refrig. And freezer parts set to the middle setting (recommended). I have now set the refrig. To 4 (one higher) and the freezer to cold (one lower). Maybe this will make a difference since there was water droplets on the back of the freezer wall last night that froze up. Do you think that maybe this is just how the refrigerator is? I really don't think so.

Any thoughts? What do you think about the control settings - am I setting them in the right direction?

Thank you,

Dorothy

johnpk314 · Jul 15, 2007, 07:22 PM

I have a Kenmore as well that went one step further. The ice droplets eventually froze in the drain that is located in the back of the freezer. This caused an ice buildup underneath the freezer bottom cover plate that eventually drained into the refrigerator section. I did a complete defrost today. If it happens again, I will have to call a technician. I agree that poor air circulation could cause the problem. However, my refrigerator is 7 years old and this is the first hiccup. If you have a technician look at your problem, please post the outcome. Thanks.

irishh7 · Jul 15, 2007, 09:10 PM

Hi! Thank you for the input! I have not scheduled another service call as of yet. I am still debating on whether to return or not. I really don't want the hassle, but I don't want to be stuck with a big bill and spoiled food in the next year or so if this is an indication of things to come. I don't have the air vents blocked in either compartment, but I think that the seal on the freezer is not as tight as the one on the fridge door. I may have someone come and see if they can correct it. I also get a light frost on part of the upper front freezer ceiling and a little on the freezer door, even when it is closed all night. That may indicate a problem with the seal - not sure. I have a Galaxy top freezer in my basement (was here when we moved in @ 2 years ago), that is 7 years old. It is a Sears fridge and it is basically identical to my new one except that it has wire shelves in the fridge part. I have the freezer packed, but not as much in the fridge. There is not one drop of ice on the back freezer wall or any frost at all. Of course, we don't go into that one as often and it is @ 10 degrees cooler downstairs. I also think that having wire shelves (which I prefer) in the fridge part helps with the air circulation better than the glass shelves.

Any thoughts? I will let you know what happens on this end.

Thanks again,

Dorothy

NewYorkOnly · Jul 26, 2009, 02:42 PM

I have had the same problem with the Kenmore refrigerator I purchased at Sears. Bought one and within two days the freezer had ice in it... had it exchanged for the same model and the next day the freezer had ice in it. My suggestion is NOT to buy a Kenmore fridge. I am now returning it for a full refund. Even the technician advised me NOT to buy Kenmore as they are not made the way they used to be. GE and Whirlpool are the way to go.

Inahurry123 · Oct 2, 2009, 05:14 PM

I also have a Kenmore refrigerator about 3 years old that has had frost in the freezer compartment-I purchased the extended warranty service and have had a tech out 4 or 5 times-each time problem remains. Between extended warranties and waiting for Sears techs who do not show up I could have purchased a new refrigerator. Will let you know how I make out. In the meanwhile I suggest you stay away from Kenmore appliances-I used to be a loyal customer but I don't even buy stocks at Sears anymore. Stick with name brands from Lowe's and Home Depot (Lowe's service contracts are much cheaper & they schedule appointments with blocks of time instead of 9 hour days).