The center strip that divides the fridge and the freezer is hot to the touch -- so hot it will burn my hand. How can I fix, and is there any fire danger?

Hi, welcome to FixYa.

I`ll start by letting you know first the heat between the doors is normal, yes...to a degree, and done by design to help prevent moisture along the "breaker strip"/divider.(where the doors come together when shut)

If all else appears fine (temp. Ok, fans running, no significant frost build up on freezer back wall) it's likely nothing to be concerned about.

**Just be sure the condensor fan isn't jammed and still turning.** The fan at the back next to the compressor...In fact that is what I`d look for based on your post.
But just so you know, the amount of heat can be determined by several factor's such as,

1) temperature setting - lower ( colder ) the temperature is set the more the run time the hotter the strip.

2) The ambient temperature - hotter the environment the more the unit runs to compensate, hence the hotter the strip.

3) The amount of "fresh" content added to the unit ( especially freezer section if unfrozen items added ) - new items add a lot of warmth thus demanding the unit to run more to remove this heat (btu`s or british thermal unit`s )causing the strip to be hotter.

4) Build up of dust & dirt on the condensor coils - this also causes the unit to run excessively which in turn makes for more heat on this strip.

These are all things which can and do determine the amount of heat between the doors.

Another factor to always consider is of course If it is hot where you live the unit may just be running more to compensate as with other factors I mentioned.

Hope this answer's your question and let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank's for coming to "fixya" and good luck moving forward.

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Regards,

Macmarkus :)

I have exactly the same problem with my Westinghouse side by side! And it only happens when it's hot in the house. Would love to hear what's wrong. And the fridge is 5 years old. Bought new.

You either have obstructed coils (lots o dust) under the fridge or the fan that is supposed to draw air across them has ceased to work. Check the coils and clean as necessary, and check the fan. Maybe you will get lucky and find something caught in it. If the fan is not working, leave the back cover off the fridge and put a small window or box fan back there until you can get the fan replaced. The fan will keep the fridge running for you in the meantime.

That fan behind the refrig , is the fan that cools the compressor . It should be running any time the compressor runs . If not running , replace it . The center divider between the fridge and freezer ( front strip ) should be getting hot to the touch if the fan is not running .

the refrigerator has mullions simaler to the veins underneath your skin to aid in cooling .the first thing to check is the fan by the compressor is it running while the compressor is if so the next thing to inspect is the condensor coils usaly underneath the fridge or directly on the back of the fridge alot of times these get clogged with lint and or animal hairsimply unplug the fridge and gently brush off the lint and vacume.your feed back on the resolve for this issue would be gratly app.

This is normal. This is a defroster to keep moisture from condensation from freezing the doors shut.

Normal for that strip to be warm since the cooling system is routed right behind it for heat transfer and to eliminate condensation. Will be warmer with increase in room temp, but if it is a significant change you should inspect/clean the coils behind the panel in the rear of the unit.

That is a heat strip to prevent condensate near the door seals and yours is possibly shorting out because the control fo it is defective. Send me the model number for your Roper and I will look at the diaqrams to confirm my theroy. Thanks, Sea BreezeEnter your model number at the link below and it will take you to the parts and photos.http://servicepartstec.blogspot.com

we have same one ours gets warm but not hot enough to discolor you better call for service immediatly definate fire danger good luck

when is the last time you cleaned the condenser coils the areas you describe are supposed to be hot there is a loop there to keep the door gaskets dry but should not be too hot pull the fridge out check to see if the fan is running on the compressor then unplug the unit and clean the coils the only other thin that will make it super hot if there is a leak in the low side of the system and has drawn air in see if cleaning the coils fixes it first and we will go from there