Frightening!
Frigidaire Refrigerator Explodes
- Thread starter whitewhiskers
- Start date
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Some of the responses say it's because of new refrigerants other than Freon are actually full of hydrocarbons (like propane) and can explode. One reply says hang onto your old fridge.
IDK, I'd have to do a little research on this. But my 25 year old KA fridge works just fine. Still.
IDK, I'd have to do a little research on this. But my 25 year old KA fridge works just fine. Still.
Almost all new refrigerators use R600 which is butane
Our 600 has been in use for over a decade in Europe, and for quite a few years here in the US.
It’s pretty unlikely something like this could happen I dare say that Frigidaire will end up paying the entire bill as the homeowners insurance will go after Frigidaire
It was a whirlpool side-by-side that blew up in Florida and we wondered if it was an early R 600 model, turns out there was a meth lab running in the house and it had something to do with the chemicals they were using to make meth.
John
Our 600 has been in use for over a decade in Europe, and for quite a few years here in the US.
It’s pretty unlikely something like this could happen I dare say that Frigidaire will end up paying the entire bill as the homeowners insurance will go after Frigidaire
It was a whirlpool side-by-side that blew up in Florida and we wondered if it was an early R 600 model, turns out there was a meth lab running in the house and it had something to do with the chemicals they were using to make meth.
John
One way to clean the 'fridge.....
And the dog is saying, "It was like this when I got here."
Or . . .
The refrigerator blew up my homework.
The refrigerator blew up my homework.
Well, I used to be a chemist of sorts, and I'd have to research what involved in making methamphetamine, but that part sounds like it could well have contributed to the danger.
OK, just googled it. Here's a summary of meth lab hazardous chemicals:
Acetone/ethanol: highly flammable.
Red phosphorus: explosive above 260C.
Hypophosporus acid: sub for red phosphorus, even more dangerous
Lithium metal: explosion and fire hazard
Plus other chemicals that can cause damage to body tissues.
Nah, glad I never took a job in a meth lab.
note: My KA SxS fridge was MFG in 2000.
OK, just googled it. Here's a summary of meth lab hazardous chemicals:
Acetone/ethanol: highly flammable.
Red phosphorus: explosive above 260C.
Hypophosporus acid: sub for red phosphorus, even more dangerous
Lithium metal: explosion and fire hazard
Plus other chemicals that can cause damage to body tissues.
Nah, glad I never took a job in a meth lab.
note: My KA SxS fridge was MFG in 2000.
Also, just took a peek inside my KA SxS fridge. It contains R134a, which is a type of Freon. According to my Google search, R134a stopped being mfg in 2021, although existing stocks can be used to service older equipment.
I think!
I think!
Ok, I'll ask... what was wrong with R134a?
Well, according to Google
"R-134a is a potent greenhouse gas with a GWP (global warming potential) value of 1,430. In other words, the greenhouse effect of the R-134a refrigerant is 1,430 times the 100-year warming potential of the same volume of carbon dioxide."
"R-134a is a potent greenhouse gas with a GWP (global warming potential) value of 1,430. In other words, the greenhouse effect of the R-134a refrigerant is 1,430 times the 100-year warming potential of the same volume of carbon dioxide."
I had seen the video prior to this posting. The lady doesn't seem like someone who would be running a meth lab in her home.
RE reply #7
Don't you know how to search something on Google?
Don't you know how to search something on Google?
I mean
She literally had a tech on the device days before.
He serviced the freezer side fan.
If he scraped the evap and caused a tiny leak, that could very well have caused a potentially explosive mixture to form in the freezer.
Unfortunately, in this case, the leak was probably INSIDE the fridge, with very little air exchange to the outside.
Much more likely to form an explosive mixture under these circumstances.
It is true that R134a is much less volatile.
But much more environmentally damaging.
Going back a couple decades, the very first fridges used pure ammonia. Exploding fridges weren't terribly uncommon in these days.
But thinking further:
R290 has been in use in heat pump tumble dryers for a few years now, as well as fridges over here.
And I have yet to hear of any explosion regarding a fridge, freezer or dryer.
I guess it is very much a case of "If it works it works, if it dosen't it REALLY dosen't."
She literally had a tech on the device days before.
He serviced the freezer side fan.
If he scraped the evap and caused a tiny leak, that could very well have caused a potentially explosive mixture to form in the freezer.
Unfortunately, in this case, the leak was probably INSIDE the fridge, with very little air exchange to the outside.
Much more likely to form an explosive mixture under these circumstances.
It is true that R134a is much less volatile.
But much more environmentally damaging.
Going back a couple decades, the very first fridges used pure ammonia. Exploding fridges weren't terribly uncommon in these days.
But thinking further:
R290 has been in use in heat pump tumble dryers for a few years now, as well as fridges over here.
And I have yet to hear of any explosion regarding a fridge, freezer or dryer.
I guess it is very much a case of "If it works it works, if it dosen't it REALLY dosen't."
Refrigerant leaks in refrigerators and freezers, etc.
I have been complaining for over 20 years, but the thickness of the aluminum evaporator‘s in refrigerators and freezers has decreased to the thickness of a throwaway beer can.
Millions of refrigerators fail every year due to small leaks. It wouldn’t cost the manufacturer two dollars to use a heavier gauge tubing and have a durable evaporator.
Maybe this issue will take on more urgency now that they’re using a flammable refrigerant they need to build these things properly.
As part of the drive to be more sustainable in operating cost as well as disposal waste the Consumer Product Safety Commission or the EPA should require a 12 year warranty on the refrigeration systems of all home refrigerators, and freezers .
This would give the manufactures the incentive to build them properly.
John.
I have been complaining for over 20 years, but the thickness of the aluminum evaporator‘s in refrigerators and freezers has decreased to the thickness of a throwaway beer can.
Millions of refrigerators fail every year due to small leaks. It wouldn’t cost the manufacturer two dollars to use a heavier gauge tubing and have a durable evaporator.
Maybe this issue will take on more urgency now that they’re using a flammable refrigerant they need to build these things properly.
As part of the drive to be more sustainable in operating cost as well as disposal waste the Consumer Product Safety Commission or the EPA should require a 12 year warranty on the refrigeration systems of all home refrigerators, and freezers .
This would give the manufactures the incentive to build them properly.
John.
Tom,
Of course I know how to search something on Google.
Do you?
Of course I know how to search something on Google.
Do you?
I think Tom asked chetlahem. Apparently you both have blocked someone so the Reply numbers are mixed up. I haven’t blocked anyone and for me it’s reply# 8 as it looks.
but the thickness of the aluminum evaporator‘s in refrigerators and freezers has decreased to the thickness of a throwaway beer can.
I believe this design is used to increase efficiency ratings. This is also becoming a problem in newer heat pumps as well, reducing their lifespan to 10 years or less.
Thiner evaporator tubing
Would not make a refrigerator the least bit more efficient in operation.
It’s done for cost savings and cost savings alone. I know several refrigeration engineers, and they have agreed with that assessment.
John
Would not make a refrigerator the least bit more efficient in operation.
It’s done for cost savings and cost savings alone. I know several refrigeration engineers, and they have agreed with that assessment.
John
So let's hypothetically say there was a leak that allowed the R600 to build up inside the refrigerator. What would be the ignition source? Not the door switch, as the lady was away from the refrigerator when it happened. Don't most newer models use external circuit board relays to control functions, eliminating the old style mechanical thermostat inside the box? I do have a 6cf GE fridge I use at work with a mechanical thermostat inside the box and it uses R600. The charge is only 35 grams but still enough to cause a problem in the event of a large leak. Maybe the thought is most leaks, if and when they occur, are of small enough nature to be diluted by the opening of the doors, until its noticed that its not cooling properly anymore. I guess as more of these units make there way out into use, we will see how they hold up.
