Tip & How-To about Refrigerators

Is the refrigerator level?

Many times I come across people and installers that actually use a level on the top of the refrigerator to see if it is level.

What refrigerator leveling means is to adjust the legs or wheels in such a manner that it of course does not rock but that it is tilted back far enough that the doors when empty, held 1 inch open, then released, close without any other effort than releasing the handle. If your doors do not close in this manner than your unit is not refrigerator leveled.

Now there are exceptions to this rule but the exception is a very small difference in the amount of inches you hold a side by side open. And I will explain why. Most side by side refrigerators have whats called a door cam. It actually lifts the door at the bottom as you open it and then it falls shut. Tilting it back is not as important as doors that do not have lifting cams.

Also check your doors every six months and what you will be looking for is if the door lifts as you open it, is it square with the frame of the unit and the other door and are the cams and hinges well lubricated. Side by sides tend to wear door cams where the other types do not wear as fast.

You would be amazed at how many problems you can avoid just by understanding leveling and checking your doors once in a while.

I am sure this will help someone.

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Kenmore refrigerator model 253.7481240B Having a problem with the doors not staying closed. I received new door seals but that doesn't seem to be the problem. The doors don't seem to be level. The Bracket-upper hinge is all plastic. I noticed that on some refrigerators it is made of metal with plastic covering. Is this a common problem with this model.

You should level your door first This is probably the problem. There should be a cosmetic plastic cover over your top hinge remove it by prying it off then there should be 3 10mm or 5/16 screws that hold the door hinge on loosen them slightly and move the door to level it may help to have someone help you hold the door but normally the magnetic strip in the door seal will hold it. When its level across the top retighten the screws. If I need to clarify something just let me know good luck
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TOP MOUNT FRIDGE WATER LEAKING INSIDE OF UNIT UNIT STILL COLD. WATER DOESNT SEEM TO GET DOWN TO THE PAN

Your refrigerator has a drain that leads to the exterior drain pan beneath the refrigerator. Occasionally this drain can become clogged resulting in standing water inside your refrigerator. A similar drain exists in the freezer, which when clogged results in ice build up on the floor of the freezer.

The drain is located either on the floor of the refrigerator, beneath the vegetable crisper, or in the wall behind a drain funnel.

Clear the drain by forcing a solution of water and bleach or water and baking soda into it with a basting syringe. If the solution will not flow through, slide a length of ¼ inch flexible tubing into the drain tube to push the clog through to the drain pan. Remove the tubing after clearing the clog.

NOTE-(This may be a leveling issue as well)

It is important for the refrigerator to be level. If it is not level, doors may not open or close properly and may not seal tightly. Also, drainage from the defrost cycle might be impaired as might the ice making cycle. The appliance was engineered based on it being installed in a level position. While there may be some tolerance for out-of-level installation, the appliance will operate at its best when properly leveled.

Place a level on top of the refrigerator near the front. Do not put it on the door because the door may not be aligned with the refrigerator case. Check that the refrigerator is level from side to side. Next turn the level to check that it is level from front to back.

If it is not level, adjust one or more of the adjustable leveling feet until it is level. The feet are bolts that can be turned to raise or lower the refrigerator. If they cannot be adjusted with your fingers, use a crescent wrench or pliers.

If you have an ice-maker, it should also be checked for level after first leveling the refrigerator. An ice-maker that is out of level will spill water into the ice bin or into the freezer. It can be repositioned by loosening the mounting screws, adjusting it for level and then re tightening the screws.
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both doors open at same time

check the leveling of the frige. if unlevel it will offset the doors. with the doors closed they should be as close to even across the top
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