Why Experts Urge Putting Plastic Wrap in Your Fridge Door Before June
With the warming weather, refrigerators have started to operate at a higher intensity. However, in many households, a hidden issue is causing the refrigerator motor to run non-stop for hours and food to spoil prematurely: Worn-out door seals. Experts suggest a practical method that anyone can easily implement at home to check the integrity and sealing of the appliance's door.
Here are the details...
The flexible rubber seal of the refrigerator is tasked with keeping the cold air in and barring the warm air from entering.
To determine whether this gasket has lost its flexibility, follow the steps below:
Cut a thin strip of cling film (or a piece of flat paper).
Position this strip so that half of it is inside the refrigerator and the other half is outside, along the edge of the door.
Gently close the refrigerator door.
Pull the strip that's outside towards yourself with your hand.
If your cling film or paper is sliding effortlessly without any resistance, or if the lid tumbles to the ground as soon as it's closed, it's an indication that your seal has loosened and lost its functionality.
A good seal should firmly grip the material it is sandwiched between, offering noticeable resistance when you pull on it. It is recommended that you repeat this test at various points on the lid.
When the refrigerator door seal leaks, cold air escapes from the fridge throughout the day. In order to maintain the interior temperature, the motor runs continuously, which stealthily causes your electricity bill to skyrocket.
More importantly, the leaking warm air creates hot spots within the refrigerator.
Bacteria proliferate much more rapidly at temperatures above the ideal cold; this prematurely ends the shelf life of dairy products, leftovers, and charcuterie items, often days in advance.
If you detect gaps in the seal during the test, there's no need to immediately panic. Experts suggest the following steps:
Firstly, thoroughly clean the crumbs and grease accumulated between the folds of the seal with warm, soapy water, then make sure to dry it.
For seals that have lost their shape, soften them by applying a gentle heat (for instance, from a hairdryer), manually adjust their form, and then apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly.
Experts advise against placing perishable foods such as milk on the door shelves of the refrigerator, which are the most exposed to air, even if there's no leakage. Instead, they recommend storing these items on the back and bottom shelves.
Additionally, foods such as raw meat, chicken, and fish, which could potentially drip, should be securely stored on the bottom shelf; whereas salads and leftovers should be placed on the upper shelves.
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