Sometimes, several compartments of the fridge or places between them feel warmer than usual. Especially the central part between the doors. And if this is a continuous case for you, then doubts and confusion regarding “why is my fridge hot between the doors” can pop up in your mind. We are here to get your back by clearing all the doubts!
Depending on the model of the fridge you have, the components or parts that trigger the temperature rise can be different. And sometimes, all the parts work perfectly, yet the doors get hot.
So, you might not understand what exactly went wrong. And for your better understanding, we will break down the probable causes for the newer and older models.
Why Is The Fridge Freezer Hot Between Doors?
The space between the fridge freezer doors can be warm to the touch from time to time. But if the doors are getting abruptly warm, then there is something wrong with the parts of the refrigerator. And here are the common causes that make the area between the side-by-side fridge doors hot:
- Dirty Condenser
To keep a fridge functioning properly, you must clean the condenser unit that sits outside regularly. It is one of the main components that maintain the cooling efficiency of the fridge. As the unit is under the refrigerator, dirt and dust can smoothly pile up on it. And guess what? Dirty condenser coils drop the cooling efficiency. As a result, the machine is getting hot between the doors.
The clean condenser coils effectively remove the heat through the coil tubes. But dirty or clogged-up coils store up the heat and cause the doors to be hot to the touch.
- Active Electric Heater
If you have an older model fridge, it is most probably equipped with an electric heater. It prevents condensation from forming along the doors of the refrigerator. And as the heater is along the edge of the freezer doors, it makes the doors hot whenever it is active or functioning.
Whenever the central panel of the doors starts getting hot, check whether the heater is turned on or not. If your newer fridge model doesn’t come up with a heater or the heater is off, then the problem might be in the condenser fan, as described below.
- Damaged Condenser Fan
Examine whether you can hear the condenser fan running correctly or not. If you cannot, it is likely that it has stopped working due to dirt. Also, the fan will function over time if the condenser coils are dirty. Therefore, the fan blade can wear out or break more quickly than usual. And a damaged fan or warping fan blade can increase the temperature in between the doors.
However, if you can hear the fan running and yet the panel between the doors feels abruptly hot, probably the damaged motor of the fan is the culprit.
How to Prevent Fridge from Getting Hot Between the Doors?
Sometimes, the DIY fixes can bring the fridge panel back to its normal temperature. So, before contacting a technician, try to follow these fixes with care.
As mentioned, most often, due to damaged or dirty coils, the fridge feels warm between the doors. So, unplug the refrigerator the right way. With a vacuum, ensure to remove the dust or dirt piled up around the coils. Then clean the coils and dirty fan with a long-handled brush.
If the fan functions abruptly, replace the fan motor. You will have to call a technician if no DIY seems to cool down the temperature in between the doors.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q’s):
- Is the Central Part Between the Fridge Doors Warmest?
Yes. Usually, the fridge is warm to the touch in between the doors. But it only feels excessively warm or hot if there is anything wrong with any component of the fridge.
- Does Leaving the Freezer Door Open Make It Hot?
If you leave the freezer door open for 30 to 60 seconds, the place between the doors starts to feel 2 to 3 degrees warmer than usual. But it will not lead to excessive temperature change.
- Does Unloading Some Items from the Fridge Prevent It from Getting Hot Between the Doors?
If you overload the fridge compartments with items, it can block the cold airflow. However, the overloaded fridge has little to zero connection to the temperature rise between the doors. So, instead of unloading items, clean up the coils and fans on a regular basis to prevent such issues.
Conclusion
You are not the only one to wonder “why is my fridge hot between the doors.” Because the owners may encounter temperature rises between the doors at times. Especially if you do not clean the components regularly.
The condenser coils and the fan can get easily dirty and stop functioning, which raises the temperature between the doors. Even if they are clean, the motor can wear out, and it reduces the cooling efficiency of the doors.
