I’m sure when you think of refrigerators, ice build-up seems like a normal occurrence. It’s a box designed to keep things cold, so I understand how a person could think that. However, it’s not normal. It’s actually dangerous to the performance of your fridge and the quality of your food. The best way to stop ice from building up in your fridge is to ensure that you have a good-quality refrigerator gasket. Here is how gaskets prevent ice-build-up in your fridge:
In case you didn’t know, gaskets are the seal on the fridge door that keeps all the cold air in and the warm air out. The reason that your foods are fresh and there is no ice buildup in your fridge is because of that gasket. You might be wandering onto this page because there is ice build-up in your fridge–in that case, you might have a faulty gasket on your hands. Perhaps it was installed wrong, or maybe it has just been worn out over time. Either way, change that gasket! It is extremely important to make sure that your gaskets are functioning correctly. Or else…the ice might take over. Your food will go bad. Your electricity bills will go up! My point is that gaskets are truly a hidden hero and should be inspected regularly.
Ice build-up in a refrigerator typically occurs when warm air slips into the fridge and creates condensation on the surfaces in the fridge. We do not want condensation to develop in the fridge because either mold and mildew form as a result or ice builds up. When there are small leaks in the fridge door’s seal, condensation can occur. This moisture will eventually freeze and create ice. Ice doesn’t seem like such a scary thought, but in case my earlier reasons didn’t convince you, higher electricity bills will. Not only will your food quality be worse, but your electricity bills will go up because the fridge has to work harder to keep the desired temperature.
Gaskets prevent ice build-up by creating an airtight seal on the fridge door, acting as a barrier to keep warm air outside. Also, gaskets are made of flexible rubber material that allows it to conform to the refrigerator door. A very important and often overlooked part of maintaining a kitchen is to maintain gaskets. You should think of this piece of rubber every time you open your fridge door because, with each opening, that rubber is becoming more and more worn. It wants to keep ice out of your fridge and keep your foods healthy and delicious, but over time, it cannot function the same as it used to. So, add gasket maintenance to your endless list of kitchen maintenance. Although, I would recommend putting it toward the top because they are a higher priority in the restaurant industry than most people realize.
To maintain your gasket, first, keep it clean! Dirt and food debris build up over time on the surface of gaskets and prevent them from sealing properly. Just clean it with mild soap and water to return it back to peak performance! Also, make sure to check for damage–any signs of wear or tear in the gasket may mean that it’s time to be replaced. If the door isn’t closing properly, that’s a more obvious sign that you need to check out your gaskets.
I hope I’ve stressed the importance of the gasket enough in this article, though it is a helpful tool that is widely overlooked in this industry. Appreciate your gaskets! Show them some love, and in return, they will bring you good food and lower energy bills.
Reliable Gaskets is the #1 Gasket service company in Southern California. We service all types of commercial kitchens, ranging from amusement parks to small-owned businesses. If you give us a call, we can custom-make and install your gasket in a matter of days. Here’s our motto: high quality, superior service, and affordable prices. You won’t regret giving us a chance to service your business!
