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Mistake that makes your refrigerator break down quickly, reducing its lifespan by a few years

These habits can make your refrigerator go bad quickly, so stop them before it's too late.

28 February, 2024

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The lifespan of most refrigerators is over 5 years, but with proper maintenance, they can be used for more than 10 years. However, there are also some cases where they break down even though they have only been used for a short time. The reasons that cause refrigerators to deteriorate before their lifespan is not only due to technical faults but also to user behavior. Let’s see if you have these behaviors.

1. Setting the temperature inside the refrigerator too high

The optimal temperature for a refrigerator is from 0-4 degrees Celsius, because if it is higher than this level, bacteria will grow rapidly, reducing the freshness of the food or even producing mold. For a freezer, the optimal temperature is -18 degrees Celsius.

2. Placing the refrigerator too close to the wall

The refrigerator cools through the compressor shell at the back. Therefore, to allow the refrigerator to dissipate heat well, you should not place it too close to the wall. The optimal distance between the refrigerator and the wall is 15 cm or more.

3. Placing it near a heat source

Do not place the refrigerator in places with high heat sources such as direct sunlight, gas stoves, electric rice cookers, electric pans, or any other heat-emitting devices, as it will affect the refrigeration process of the refrigerator. It also makes the refrigerator work harder and consume more energy.

4. Putting hot food in the refrigerator

Keeping hot food in the refrigerator can cause the temperature inside the refrigerator to be higher than the required temperature, affecting the preservation process. As a result, the food may spoil or deteriorate due to the refrigerator not being cold enough. On the other hand, putting hot food suddenly into the refrigerator can cause “thermal shock” to the food. From there, harmful bacteria will easily grow and develop, contaminating and spoiling the food. It is not safe to consume such food, and in the long run, it is harmful to health.

Another point is that when bringing hot items into the refrigerator, the compressor will have to work harder to balance the temperature inside the refrigerator, reducing the working lifespan of the internal system.

5. Not using food preservation trays

Raw foods such as fresh meat or vegetables, even if they are packaged in plastic-wrapped foam trays, still need separate trays when placed in the refrigerator. Dirt and chemicals on the packaging can contaminate other foods and make the refrigerator dirty.

6. Overloading the refrigerator with food

If the refrigerator is too crowded to the point where there is no space left, the cold air will not circulate properly, resulting in unstable temperature inside the refrigerator. When the temperature inside the refrigerator is unstable, it is also difficult to preserve the food properly. In addition, the freezer compartment should not contain too much food or water bottles. If the refrigerator door carries too much weight, it can damage the door and even damage the rubber seal.

7. Leaving the refrigerator empty

By An Nhiên – Vietnamnet

Frequently asked questions

There are two main reasons for this: technical faults and user behavior. Regarding user behavior, certain habits can accelerate the deterioration of a refrigerator, as outlined in the subsequent questions.

An optimal temperature range for a refrigerator is between 0-4 degrees Celsius. Deviating from this range can promote bacterial growth, compromising food freshness and fostering mold. Maintaining the ideal temperature prolongs the life of your food and your appliance.

The refrigerator’s cooling mechanism relies on dissipating heat through the compressor shell at the back. Placing it too close to the wall hinders this process. For efficient heat dissipation, maintain a distance of at least 15 cm between the refrigerator and the wall.

Positioning the refrigerator near direct sunlight, gas stoves, electric rice cookers, or any heat-emitting devices will disrupt the refrigeration process. This not only impairs the refrigerator’s performance but also increases its energy consumption as it works harder to maintain the desired temperature.

Introducing hot food to the refrigerator can raise its internal temperature, affecting the preservation process. This may lead to food spoilage and provide an environment for harmful bacteria to thrive. Additionally, it can cause “thermal shock” to the food, compromising its safety and your long-term health.

Even when packaged in foam trays, raw foods like meat and vegetables can contaminate other items in the refrigerator. Separate trays help maintain hygiene and prevent the transfer of dirt and chemicals from packaging to other foods and the refrigerator itself.

A crowded refrigerator impedes the circulation of cold air, resulting in unstable temperatures. This makes it challenging to preserve food effectively. Additionally, avoid overloading the freezer compartment with food or water bottles, as excessive weight can damage the door and the rubber seal.

No, it is not advisable to leave a refrigerator empty for extended periods. (To be answered by the client or requiring additional information)