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Old 07-14-2016, 11:42 AM   #1
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Default Freezer door hard to open.

OK, this may sound stupid, but the freezer door on my 189FBR is extremely hard to open. It has nothing to do with the lock. I suspect it has to do with the magnetic seal/vacuum that occurs when you close it. Its so bad that I feel like I could literally break the handle trying to break the seal of the door. Has anyone had this problem and is there a solution? I actually have been thinking about taping a match to the seal, but that would likely let a lot of moisture in which would condense and freeze.
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Old 07-14-2016, 03:04 PM   #2
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Try a dab of vaseline on the seal. Start with a small area and see if it helps. It can easily be wiped off if does not help.
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Old 07-14-2016, 03:06 PM   #3
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I should add that the idea of the vaseline is to avoid having both halves of the gasket freeze to each other.
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Old 07-14-2016, 03:17 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twinster2 View Post
OK, this may sound stupid, but the freezer door on my 189FBR is extremely hard to open. It has nothing to do with the lock. I suspect it has to do with the magnetic seal/vacuum that occurs when you close it. Its so bad that I feel like I could literally break the handle trying to break the seal of the door. Has anyone had this problem and is there a solution? I actually have been thinking about taping a match to the seal, but that would likely let a lot of moisture in which would condense and freeze.
Hi Twinster2,
You are correct... When the freezer is cold and you open the door, the cold air inside is warmed by the warmer room air, then when you close the door, the warm air inside the freezer is cooled and it contracts, creating a vacuum that makes opening the door difficult... This usually will normalize after a few minutes and the door should open normally... My wife will often open the freezer and get something out, then close the door, if she tries to open the door again right away, she can barely get it open...

Try the vaseline also as profdant139 pointed out to see if that helps as well...
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Old 07-19-2016, 06:40 AM   #5
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We have experienced this as well but we can open it. I guess I am just glad to know that the door closes securely, though we have not needed the freezer for any food storage yet. We will in September on our nine day trip around the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
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Old 07-19-2016, 11:35 AM   #6
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Michigantraveler- My wife and I will be doing a pre-retirement trip to the UP in September as well. We plan on spending 2-3 weeks stopping at state and national parks along the lake shore.
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Old 07-19-2016, 01:10 PM   #7
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Michigantraveler- My wife and I will be doing a pre-retirement trip to the UP in September as well. We plan on spending 2-3 weeks stopping at state and national parks along the lake shore.
Wow! That will be fantastic!!
We are starting at Colwell Lake for two nights, then Ft. Wilkins at the tip of the Keewenaw, then McClain, Fayette and Hartwick Pines on the way back home.
We are happy to at least have electric at each one since it will be getting dark earlier then and chilly at night.
Also will be visiting with Paul's cousins in Alberta and Escanaba along the way. Maybe we will run into you depending on your schedule.
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