After turning the freezer off to defrost it noted the top and sides got pretty hot.Is this normal?

If the sides are hot, look at the defrost timer. Sounds like it has stopped running with the defrost elements on. The compressor has a safety switch on it that opens either if the compressor gets too hot or if it pulls too much current when starting. If your power flickered a lot before coming back on, that triggered the safety switch. Now that it's running normally, I wouldn't worry. The defrost timer is your problem now.

Hello;

My name is Peter. I am a retired field service refrigeration technician.

You are locked into the defrost mode. This is when every 8-10 hours your unit will shut down for 20-30 minutes and your defrost heater comes on and defrost your freezer cooling (Evaporator) Coil. During this cycle everything shuts down except for the light.

Your controls are usually located on the top of your fresh food section. On the bottom of your controls, near the front, left hand side there is a round hole. This is where your defrost timer is located.

With a large flat head screw driver turn clockwise. You will hear a clicking sound. Turn slowly one click a time until your unit turns on. This unit will have to be replaced. Until it is replace manually turn it off every 10 hours for 20 minutes.



Note the round stub on the left.

Don't panic about the hot sides of the freezer. It is quite common on all the freezer (make/model).

After defrosting, your removing the full temerature out of the system. It will take atleast 30 ~ 60 mins to come back to set temperature. This again depends on the load inside.

check door gasket, proper clearance from sides.the more it runs the hoter the sides get.the cooler the room temp the less it will run ect.. does it ever shut off by the control? set control on one and listen for it to shut off wait a couple min and turn it up does it come on if it doesn't it may be in defrost so wait a wile and do it again if every time it's off it won't come on (in defrost) the cold control may be bad what temp is it in there. is it frost free and is there frost buildting up where there shouldn't be it has a defrost problem

Check the condenser fan underneath the unit accessable form the back behind the cardboard cover. It should be running when the compressor runs. OR Check the evaporator behind the rear cover inside the freezer. Check for ice build up. . Light frost everywhere(NORMAL) or a partial pattern of ice(LOW ON FREON) or nothing(LOW FREON OR COMPRESSOR PROBLEM).
If the evaporator coils behind the back panel of the freezer are icing up because of auto defrost failure that will stop the circulation of cold air and eventually affect the freezer too.

check defrost timer, defrost heater, defrost thermostat. In most newer models the timer has been replaced by an electronic control board. If the heater and thermostat are ok it’ll be the control

yes, it does this, it is in defrost cycle.

It had to run longer than normal to cool down the freezer again. The heat from the compressor running is what you feel.

I would not worry about it unless it is still hot after 24 hours. Then there is another problem.

This normal operation. Happens twice a day to defrost the freezer coils. Last about 20 minutes.

feel the sides or the coils on back if it has any see if they are hot or cold

if there is air getting into the freezer because the door is not sealing properly the unit will run because it is sensing it is not cold enough inside. your unit releses the heat from the refrigerant through copper tubing that runs through the cabinet, and thats why it is hot. you need to level the unit make sure the door is sealing on the top bottom and both sides ansd then the freezer will work properly and be able to shut off after it has come down to the proper temp.