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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??

OP posts:
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8
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).

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.

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

@goneaway2 re terminology

My appliance is just a very small fridge 45cm x 45cn x 51cm - variously called mini fridge, table top fridge, compact fridge

Your picture is of a chiller or cooler which is for chilling drinks [or make up] runs at much higher temp ie 10-18 degrees so not intended or suitable for refrigerating food

I only mentioned chillers/coolers in relation to them being more popular and how difficult it was to find the one I wanted and bought to store food

OP posts:
goneaway2 · 26/10/2023 22:16

The inside of one.

Mini Fridge Saga Help please
goneaway2 · 26/10/2023 22:15

Are you in the USA or UK? I think your terminology of mini fridge may be confusing people. This is generally what is meant by a mini fridge in the UK, they are tiny and are used for keeping drinks cool. Not sure what you mean by chiller.

Mini Fridge Saga Help please
HeatherMoores · 26/10/2023 21:17

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

WiddlinDiddlin · 26/10/2023 21:11

Take a photo, save it to your device. In the post go to 'add image' and you upload the image from your device and it'll show up in your post unless it is too large I suspect.

You can't copy and paste an image into a post as you write one though, no.

OP posts:
FictionalCharacter · 26/10/2023 20:49

I’ve never seen any fridge with polystyrene on the pipes or anywhere near the compressor. Where was the online info saying that the foam should be left on the pipe? How could that be unsafe?

LylaLee · 26/10/2023 20:46

Efacsen · 26/10/2023 20:39

Thank you

This is the picture for reference [not my fridge]

https://paradiseapplianceservice.com/refrigerator-repair/refrigerator-compressor-too-hot-heres-what-to-do/

But that doesn't show what you've accidentally broken off.

Original poster
Efacsen · 26/10/2023 20:46

LylaLee · 26/10/2023 20:41

Enquiring minds want to know.

OP is using a phone or a computer. Fine, if it's a desktop which can't be moved. But a laptop or phone can take a photo just fine.

Show quote history

I followed the instructions on how to do a screenshot x5 -didn't work

Not able to get downstairs atm because of my health

No kids involved - young adult

OP posts:
LylaLee · 26/10/2023 20:41

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 26/10/2023 20:37

Not the point but I have questions:
Why can't you take a photo?
Why do you need a fridge in your room?
What's it got to do with your kid?!

Enquiring minds want to know.

OP is using a phone or a computer. Fine, if it's a desktop which can't be moved. But a laptop or phone can take a photo just fine.

OP posts:
Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 26/10/2023 20:37

Not the point but I have questions:
Why can't you take a photo?
Why do you need a fridge in your room?
What's it got to do with your kid?!

FictionalCharacter · 26/10/2023 20:32

Can you not even post the link to your Google image search results page?

Original poster
Efacsen · 26/10/2023 20:30

FictionalCharacter · 26/10/2023 19:33

Screenshot the Google image page, save the screenshot and insert it into your post using the “add image” tool when you write the post.

Show quote history

Thank you I've tried that and it still didn;t work for me - really useless at these things

I'd normally ask my DC but currently too cross with me because I won't turn the fridge on

I've looked at hundreds of pics of the back of fridges - virtually none have foam

And have been wondering why a coolant pipe would need insulation because it's function is to radiate heat not retain heat

OP posts:
kweeble · 26/10/2023 19:40

Mini fridges only run around 10C lower than the room temperature so it wouldn’t be as cold as a fridge

FictionalCharacter · 26/10/2023 19:33

Efacsen · 26/10/2023 19:12

I've found a google image that's almost exactly the same as the back of my fridge
but when I cut and paste it fails to paste

Is there a special knack to copying google images?

Coolant pipe on image has no covering just the narrow metal pipe

Screenshot the Google image page, save the screenshot and insert it into your post using the “add image” tool when you write the post.

Original poster
Efacsen · 26/10/2023 19:12

I've found a google image that's almost exactly the same as the back of my fridge
but when I cut and paste it fails to paste

Is there a special knack to copying google images?

Coolant pipe on image has no covering just the narrow metal pipe

OP posts:
Original poster
Efacsen · 26/10/2023 19:08

@FictionalCharacter thank you I didn't know that!

OP posts:
FictionalCharacter · 26/10/2023 19:05

Efacsen · 26/10/2023 18:26

I've fed this back and am now being told it was polystyrene encasing the coolant pipe not styrofoam

Not sure if that matters if it was insulation? Didn't look like protective packing

On my fridge freezer the coolant pipes are all open to the air not covered in insulation

Styrofoam is exactly the same thing as expanded polystyrene. We call it polystyrene in the UK, and in the US they call it styrofoam.

LylaLee · 26/10/2023 19:02

Efacsen · 26/10/2023 18:50

Unfortunately I can't post a photo

?

Original poster
Efacsen · 26/10/2023 18:50

Unfortunately I can't post a photo

OP posts:
LylaLee · 26/10/2023 18:47

Post a photo for better advice.

Original poster
Efacsen · 26/10/2023 18:26

I've fed this back and am now being told it was polystyrene encasing the coolant pipe not styrofoam

Not sure if that matters if it was insulation? Didn't look like protective packing

On my fridge freezer the coolant pipes are all open to the air not covered in insulation

OP posts:
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