Fridge has packed up - what do I do?

[orangejuicer]

It looks as though our fridge/freezer has packed up. It's been making a horrible noise this morning and doesn't seem to be working properly since we switched it off and on again.

It's full of food, not to mention medication Is there anything I can salvage? We have a mini fridge which we might use to store DP's insulin temporarily. Hopefully we can get one on next day delivery!

Big pile of food in a cold location wrapped in several blankets keeps cold for hours. Could save a fair bit of the hardier/frozen stuff if you can get same or next day delivery. I remember my parents doing it annually when fridge/freezers had to be defrosted. Also, it's worth asking neighbours if you have good relationships. I would help out with storage even in these times.

Grab a load of freezer insulated bags and bags of ice and pop the things you can salvage in there until you get a new fridge? That’s if you can get it next day

Ask neighbours/friends if the have any space in their fridges/freezers (or mini fridges, plug in cool boxes etc).

Cardboard boxes are also good insulators, also polystyrene packaging so if you have any of them pack as much together as possible and put it in the coldest room you have (garage or outdoor building?)

Anything that defrosts, cook, it will keep longer.

When my cooker broke, I bought one for next day delivery from AO.com so you might be able to get something there? Good luck!

Check it isn't just dust on the back.
Vacuum the slats and then see if it works.

Thanks very much everyone, some really good ideas!

Hoping to get one off ao tomorrow, just looking now.

DP thinks it's the compressor rather than dust/ventilation but will definitely look at that too.

We revived our ancient fridge freezer one summer by vacuuming the vents.

It was warming up and genuinely thought it was a goner due to age and it being very hot at the time, but no, it lived on but ours is indestructable - is currently about 22 years old and would have been about 15 at the time.

I've also had next day delivery from Currys. I know people always fall over themselves to recommend John Lewis, but when our dishwasher broke and the washing up was piling up, Currys could deliver next day and JL would have taken a week and have been more expensive.
Plus a friend who always buys her appliances from JL has endless problems such as damaged products, missed deliveries etc etc but would never use anyone except them because 'JL have great customer service, everyone knows Currys are shite and I've never heard of AO.com'.

I also use the car for (semi) cold storage at this time of year. Is great at Christmas and I have an order of priority. Meat and fish go in the fridge and things like cheese and veg stay in the car boot.

The car is a good shout thanks!

Think Argos may do same day delivery. Maybe worth a look.

Your fridge/freezer is very well insulated so using it as a cold box, putting the ice in there is the simplest option!

Ao deliver next day. Keep it closed. They can survive 24 hours.

If it was a Hotpoint, they can get the motor iced up. It will restart once it has defrosted. Works best without the top drawer of the freezer in. Replaced mine now.

Thanks, yeah found one on ao, just checking DP is happy with it. Fridge is still cold so keeping it closed as much as possible.

It's a samsung, not a hotpoint but it is about 12 years old so has done a fair stretch.

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Fab tip thanks!

Yep same happened with our Samsung last month. Unfortunately it still lives in the back garden because the council won't come and move it from there. They want me to move it to the top of the front path. It's 7ft tall and I'm 5' 2", so that's not going to happen. Might turn it into a planter in spring

I also use the car for (semi) cold storage at this time of year. Is great at Christmas and I have an order of priority. Meat and fish go in the fridge and things like cheese and veg stay in the car boot

Oh, that is genius, wht have I nver thought of that?

OP hope you get ia new FF soon, or are able to revive your existing one.

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