Why does my manual defrost freezer get ice built up on the top coils only?
There are a few common issues that will cause ice buildup:
The first thing to check is the freezer gasket on the door. Is the door sealing properly? If not, wash the gasket
with warm soapy water and see if that helps. If the gasket is old and brittle, maybe try a little Vaseline on your
finger and rub the seal. This can help to make the seal more pliable, so it fits tighter.
You can check the seal on the door with a piece of paper. Start at the top, close the paper in the door and pull.
If the seal is good, it will pull hard. If the seal is loose, when you pull the paper will come right out. Keep moving
the paper down to check the whole seal.
Look for any cracks or gaps in the freezer construction – if there is any, it could be letting warm air in causing
moisture to condense and freeze on the coils.
Are you putting hot food in the freezer? Placing hot food in the freezer will cause humidity, contributing to
frost build up. To prevent this, let food cool off before you put it in the freezer.
Finally, you could have defrost system failure. If this happens it may not clear the defrost as designed and
cause ice to build up on the coils. This can be caused by a faulty temperature sensor, heater, or control board