When plugged, it shorts the surge protector and outlets.

A surge protector for a freezer is a good idea. To conserve energy? On paper it looks good but seriously only real savings are on bigger equipment.

I need your model number I cannot pull up views without the model number. The number most times looks like 321.654987 Thank You, Sea Breeze
Kenmore

You can buy a kit from whirlpool. In the kit is a metal tab that mounts onto the defrost heater. It is long enough to go into the hole. When the heater comes on for defrost the heat transfers down to the hole and keeps it from getting plugged up with ice. Part number 819043

If you need further help, reach me via phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/dan_73bbd84fe1d95b61

Safety is not an issue, the problem you may have, depending on the surge protector, is that when the compressor starts up the amps drawn from the circuit is very high which could cause the surge protector to trip, then the power would be shut off to the refrigerator,NOT A GOOD THING!
Good luck !

i know where your going and its a good thought
read your compressor, it will label the start up amp,
it may even be on the model label
it will give you the rated amps and the start up amps
this is current draw to run
as well as start up a stopped motor
depending on the age
most units use about
short of that use a 3x method
if it has the run amp x3 is startup
then read your surge protector if its rated higher than the amps needed to start the unit
then you should be fine
i will say most SP are rated at 15amps
my freezer is rated at 18amperes

There are whole-house surge protection devices but they are not user installable. Find two electricians to give you a quote for your application.

can you verify the odor. Does the odor smell like burnt wire insulation or of that of burnt meat?

That alarm is there for a reason. Grab your owner's manual and see the different things it can mean. If the gas is getting low, that could be it, and you'll want to solve it as early as you can.

Sometimes a power surge or brown out can make that alarm go off. Try unplugging it for 5 minutes.

if thats the case should be an apparent wire off, somethings shorting directly to ground. the chest freezer has all of its wiring behind the access panel on the side of unit , no other wires in machine id look right there for something obvious

well don't be surprised, these electronic fridges run on dc electronics also and are sensitive to power surges. is this the freezer because there's no thermostats just the limit control. use a surge protector on the outlet to protect the electronics. if your still having problems get the limit sensors changed first (if applicable). if you want to go the safe way, I'd consider buying a surge protector and connecting it to the power.you can e-mail me with any questions @ [email protected]