French Door Fridges Problems: 3 Common Issues (Must Read)

In the 1990s, French-door refrigerators were introduced, making it easier to reach items on the bottom of the fridge without having to lean over.

The drawer is also tall enough for you to reach in and grab whatever you need from the freezer.

They became hugely popular and as a result, there is now plenty of information on their performance, including the most common problems.

Common Problems with French Door Fridges (Must Know)

Based upon my experience the most common fridge problems are water leaking, build-up of ice, and much too noisy

Now we have answered the main question, let’s dive into more detail

French Door Fridges Water Leaking All Over the Kitchen Floor

This problem is not only hazardous to anyone passing through your kitchen, but it is also difficult to resolve because it can be caused by a variety of factors.

Fortunately, the two most prevalent causes are both simple to remedy and don’t necessitate the assistance of a professional.

A plugged or frozen water supply line or a blocked defrost drain, are common causes of this problem.

Possible Solution(s):

Warm water should be used to flush the drain from inside the freezer, though debris may need to be physically removed.

To remove any stuck material, locate the defrost drainpipe on the back of your refrigerator and clean it with hot water and soap.

If you suspect the water supply line in your refrigerator is clogged or frozen, disconnect it and make sure the shut-off valve is closed.

Examine the water supply pipe next to determine if it has any fractures or tears.

If this is the case, the line should be removed. Consult a refrigerator repair professional if you find a clog that does not appear to be ice.

French Door Fridge Build-Up of Ice on the Freezer Floor

The freezer section of your refrigerator is ideal for storing ice, but it shouldn’t have a lot of it.

When the freezer is left open for an extended period, the humidity level inside the freezer rises, which can lead to ice formation.

Possible Solution(s):

When you’ve finished using your freezer, seal the door to keep the humidity levels from rising too high.

Your freezer could potentially have a malfunctioning seal, allowing outside air to enter and increasing humidity levels.

You may replace the seal on your freezer to ensure that it maintains the correct temperature and humidity levels.

French Door Refrigerator Is Way Too Noisy

Your French fridge should be your pride and joy, it shouldn’t sound like a freight training sitting in the kitchen.

Both a condenser and an evaporator fan are included in most freezers.

Your unit’s condenser coil is cooled by the condenser fan.

While the compressor is running, the evaporator fan draws air over the freezer’s evaporator coils.

Both of these fans function at the same time, and problems with one of their motors might make your refrigerator much louder.

Possible Solution(s):

You may check these fans to determine whether their motors are faulty, but make sure your refrigerator is unplugged first.

It’s best to have a qualified technician take a look.

Do French Door Refrigerators Have More Problems Than Single?

Research indicates that French Doors do not have any more problems than Conventional Fridges.

The only real difference between or complication of a French door refrigerator is the icemaker is stored in the fresh food compartment.

How Many Years Can You Expect from French Door Refrigerator?

The average life expectancy for a Refrigerator with French Doors is between 14 and 17 years, depending on model and size.

The longevity of your refrigerator is determined by how well it is maintained and built. Some models may only survive ten years, while others may last up to 19 years or longer.

If there are problems, they are usually discovered in the first several years.

What is the most reliable French Door Refrigerator?

According to the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Appliance Satisfaction Study, the Samsung brand ranks highest in customer satisfaction among French door refrigerators and is closely followed by LG.

The 2021 Appliance Satisfaction Study is based on 21,477 evaluations from customers who purchased home appliances during the past 12 months.

The study was fielded from January through April 2021.

What Do the Reviews Say?

 

I have owned three French door fridges over the past 20+ years and have not had any problems with the doors. They were whirlpool and KitchenAid models. The current one is only seven months old.

Source: houzz.com

 

I have had a French door fridge with, a freezer on the bottom, for about 15 years and have never had a problem with the doors or seals. It has never needed service either. It is a Kenmore Elite.

Source: houzz.com

 

Pros and Cons of French Door Refrigerators

Based on our research and knowledge, here are the most talked about Pros and Cons of a French Door Refrigerator

Pros

  • They look amazing with their cutting-edge design
  • Only open one of the French doors at a time to limit cold air leakage.
  • In the refrigerator section, there are a lot of storage options – drawers, adjustable door bins, and tiered shelves are all fantastic features.

Cons

  • For some people, the bottom freezer design is a big disadvantage of this refrigerator. Because the freezer is located at the bottom of the unit, you will have to lean down to reach frozen meals, which can be annoying.
  • The cost!! The benefits of having a premium fridge come at a premium price.
  • They take a heap of space, not everyone has a kitchen big enough to include a giant size fridge.

References

  • 2021 U.S. Appliance Satisfaction Study | J.D. Power (jdpower.com)
  • houzz.com

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