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Original poster

Mini Fridge Saga Help please

59 replies

Efacsen · 26/10/2023 17:18

I need a mini fridge in my room - they seem to be going out of fashion in favour of chillers etc and so not easy to find

At last my little fridge was delivered today and there is my food for the next 5 days waiting to be put away

In the process of un-packing it the styro-foam surrounding the coolant pipe was removed

I'm not convinced that this was the correct thing to do - the instruction booklet is no help and there is contradictory advice online

Please does anyone know if this is right or wrong - and if wrong will it be dangerous to switch on/use the fridge??

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Original poster
Efacsen · 27/10/2023 11:59

Update on my boring trivial domestic crisis

Turned the fridge on at 10.30am and it's getting nice and cold in there

Seems like the insulation is to make it more energy efficient and stay cold in a power cut - also to do with higher environmental standards wrt leakage of coolants

Thanks all you really helped

OP posts:
Spookymormonhelldream · 27/10/2023 09:59

@23Oct I know you are in theory but in practice it never works for me 🤷‍♀️ so I use the main site if I want to post a pic.

LylaLee · 27/10/2023 09:33

Some apps are different. Press the +

Mini Fridge Saga Help please
Original poster
Efacsen · 27/10/2023 09:16

CranfordScones · 27/10/2023 09:07

The coolant is compressed and passes to the evaporator coil in the fridge cavity where it collects heat (thus cooling the inside of the fridge). I believe it's the pipe that connects those two parts. It's insulated so it's not collecting ambient heat until it's inside the fridge cavity - so it makes the fridge work more efficiently.

As others have said - verify that it should be insulated, if you can - and if so, get some pipe insulation. It should work fine without it, just uses a bit more electricity or maybe doesn't cool as well.

That's really helpful thank you

I've found the bits in the bin now so will be able to buy the correct stuff

It like a plastic foam not polystyrene

OP posts:
CranfordScones · 27/10/2023 09:07

The coolant is compressed and passes to the evaporator coil in the fridge cavity where it collects heat (thus cooling the inside of the fridge). I believe it's the pipe that connects those two parts. It's insulated so it's not collecting ambient heat until it's inside the fridge cavity - so it makes the fridge work more efficiently.

As others have said - verify that it should be insulated, if you can - and if so, get some pipe insulation. It should work fine without it, just uses a bit more electricity or maybe doesn't cool as well.

FeelingFrustratedAgain · 27/10/2023 08:15

HeatherMoores · 26/10/2023 21:17

Ah right so cold but not as cold as a fridge. Never knew there was any such thing.

I think in the uk they are all called fridges you just have to be careful and check how cold they get. I discovered this anomaly when I almost bought a wine fridge to be used for food - they are not cold enough for good ok for drinks though.

23Oct · 27/10/2023 08:00

Spookymormonhelldream · 27/10/2023 07:56

If you're using the app you won't be able to post a photo. Don't know why. Use the main MN site and you should be able to upload your screenshot

You can post photos on the app, look!

Mini Fridge Saga Help please
Original poster
Efacsen · 27/10/2023 07:58

23Oct · 27/10/2023 07:36

Who took it off, your son? Why has this made him angry with you?

You can still use the fridge as long as it's maintaining temperature, it'll just be less efficient

He's someone who doesn't read instructions [like lots of people I understand!] and just ripped it all off - I don't really want to say any more about it - it's not really relevant and not a great start to his holiday We'll sort out that aspect between ourselves

If it just means the fridge is less efficient then I'm okay with that for 5 days

OP posts:
Spookymormonhelldream · 27/10/2023 07:56

If you're using the app you won't be able to post a photo. Don't know why. Use the main MN site and you should be able to upload your screenshot

MollyScamp · 27/10/2023 07:41

Well hopefully you can get someone to purchase and attach the insulation foam or that you can get it online and do it yourself. I think the fact that it is held on with cable ties would strongly suggest it shouldn’t have been removed.
I don’t understand the bit about radiating heat, perhaps the pipe radiates heat and the insulation captures and dissipates it and thereby prevents the wall behind the fridge getting hot and burnt as such (peeling paint, scorching the wall etc). I am not a plumber/electrician/scientist, I am just speculating.
best of luck with it.

23Oct · 27/10/2023 07:36

Who took it off, your son? Why has this made him angry with you?

You can still use the fridge as long as it's maintaining temperature, it'll just be less efficient

Original poster
Efacsen · 27/10/2023 07:35

romdowa · 27/10/2023 07:21

If it had to be picked off in lumps then it wasn't supposed to be removed.

That's my feeling

Also no instructions in the manual to remove before use

OP posts:
Original poster
Efacsen · 27/10/2023 07:34

MollyScamp · 27/10/2023 07:06

There is one here on an eBay listing. if you scroll the photos you can see the white insulation foam on the pipe. This is not polystyrene but it is insulation. You should be able to buy it in any DIY shop in the plumbing section. Send your angry young adult out to buy some, it might cool him off.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/403889977627?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5339016704&toolid=10049&customid=FG_IE

Thank you that's exactly it

No trips to DIY stores - he's already gone to work then straight from there he's away on holiday - like many people he doesn't get a lunch break

I understand why he's angry - it doesn't help in solving this

Insulation seems a strange thing to put on something you want to radiate heat

OP posts:
romdowa · 27/10/2023 07:21

If it had to be picked off in lumps then it wasn't supposed to be removed.

Trumpton · 27/10/2023 07:14

Has the white insulation been taken off?

Mini Fridge Saga Help please
Original poster
Efacsen · 27/10/2023 06:54

Sgtmajormummy · 27/10/2023 06:42

Typical back view.

Thank you that's pretty much what it looks like!

OP posts:
Original poster
Efacsen · 27/10/2023 06:52

Bubbles254 · 27/10/2023 06:43

Why don't you just contact the manufacturer to ask? Or if the same fridge is available on amazon you could post a question on the q&a on the amazon product's page.

I think people here will just be guessing without knowledge of the model you have.

I tried phoning last night - permanently engaged until lines closed at 8pm will try again when they open at 8am

Model is Mini fridge/table top fridge Simple Value DF1-06 from Argos

OP posts:
Sgtmajormummy · 27/10/2023 06:50

That photo is from a current LG model on sale.

Original poster
Efacsen · 27/10/2023 06:44

Sgtmajormummy · 27/10/2023 06:34

Unless you spent a lot of energy ripping off something that was supposed to be permanent, I’d say you’re safe to go.
The coolant pipe is quite fragile and away from the rest of the machine so they put protection on it for transport.
If you’ve read the instructions you’ll have seen it needs a certain time for the coolant gas to “rest” before you switch it on.

I bought a 50x 50 mini fridge this summer between my old one breaking down and the new one arriving so my memory’s fresh. I got rid of it for half price because it held so little (not even 1.5litre bottles as a drinks fridge).

I didn't actually see it being removed - the pieces that came off weren't tiny and had to be picked off - came away in medium sized lumps pretty easily

I've had one before too when my fridge-freezer died -went to Oxfam electricals cos it was just in the way not being used

Previous one had a 'naked' coolant piping but was quite a while ago so maybe progress

OP posts:
Bubbles254 · 27/10/2023 06:43

Why don't you just contact the manufacturer to ask? Or if the same fridge is available on amazon you could post a question on the q&a on the amazon product's page.

I think people here will just be guessing without knowledge of the model you have.

Sgtmajormummy · 27/10/2023 06:42

Typical back view.

Mini Fridge Saga Help please
Sgtmajormummy · 27/10/2023 06:39

.

AlisonDonut · 27/10/2023 06:36

What is the make and model of your fridge?

Original poster
Efacsen · 27/10/2023 06:36

AfterWeights · 27/10/2023 06:16

I think i would say small fridge op. "The term "mini fridge" is indeed used inaccurately to describe many low quality coolers that "chill" drinks with a fan.

Thanks

I really just want to know if a vital part has been removed or if it was just packing - packing usually comes in moulded pieces which you just take not tightly encasing things

It's important to me because it's the majority of my food for next week and I can't get to the fridge in the kitchen atm Buying it was a stop-gap just to cover the next few days and if I hadn't got it I would have done a different shop of non refrigerated food

Also I'm upset about my son being so angry with me

OP posts: