Any advice on replacing the seal (gasket?) on the door of a full-size, standing freezer?
Question:We will be throwing this out in a few months, but until then we will want to eat the frozen meat and food inside. I've never replaced a gasket before. Anything I should know?
Answers:
Get the model number and serial number and have the name of the freezer. Go to an appliance part store and give them this info. They will supply you with the new gasket. It should be simple to put on. The store might give you some tips/
Soak the new gasket in hot water. The seals come stuffed in a box or bag and hot water will make it easier to fit without any leaks. Once the gasket is installed close the freezer door, then try and immediately opening it. If the seal is good, you will feel some resistance trying to open the door. If the door opens easily, then you got a leak somewhere on the seal.
model and serial number of freezer, put new one on, get hair dryer to loosen up for seal
You have to be very careful not to break the plastic door liner when replacing the gasket. You also need to tighten the screws around the door (if it has screws) so the door is planed evenly so when it shuts it shuts making contact with the frame all the way around. If tightened unevenly the door will be flexed to where the gasket won't be sealing in a corner or two. I used to put them on only barely tightening the screws so I could still plane the door properly then tightened in the corners and again check the seal. Once all the screws are tightened use hair dryer to make the gasket more pliable in the sections that aren't sealing. Those areas are usually pretty easy to fix. Be patient, never having done one it will take you an hour or more.
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