Questions and answers

The fridge compartment is often recommended to be around +4 °C and no higher than +5 °C, the freezer around −18 °C. The numbers on the dial mean different things on different models, so match them against the manual and check with a thermometer.

The door is the warmest spot: it is opened all the time and is the first to meet room air. It is fine for things that cope better with temperature swings, while perishables are better moved to the shelves inside.

It is better to let a dish cool a little before putting it away. A hot pan warms up the food around it, adds moisture and makes the motor run longer. Leaving food out on the counter for a long time is not a good idea either.

Cold air needs to move around inside the compartment. If the shelves are crammed full and food is pressed against the back wall, some areas get warmer while ice forms in others.

Usually not. The clicks come from the thermostat or relay as the motor switches on and off, and the gurgling is refrigerant moving through the tubes. Be concerned about loud knocking, grinding or vibration that was not there before.

Most often warm, humid air is getting in: the seal does not fit tightly, the door does not close fully or is often left open. Test the seal with a sheet of paper and check that the cabinet stands level.

In drip defrost models the back wall frosts over and thaws from time to time, and the water drains away through the drain hole. If water is pooling, the hole may be blocked: clean it carefully as your manual advises.

Find the source: spoiled food, spilled juice under a drawer, dirt in the folds of the seal or in the drain hole. Ordinary cleaning with a mild cleaner and thorough drying usually helps. A fridge switched off for a long time should be left clean, dry and with the doors ajar. If you smell burning or hot plastic, unplug the appliance and call a technician.

If the fridge does not cool even though the thermostat is set correctly and the door closes tightly; if the motor never stops or will not start; if you hear knocking, smell burning or the circuit breaker trips. These are not jobs for a DIY repair.

How the diagnosis works and whether you will be told the cost before work begins, what paperwork you will receive after the repair, whether there is a warranty on the work and any parts fitted, and what it covers. Clear answers to these questions are a good sign.

Empty and clean the compartments, secure or remove the shelves and fix the doors shut. It is best to transport the fridge upright; if it has to lie down, check the manual for which side is allowed. After transport lying down, let it stand before switching on for as long as the manual specifies.

It still contains refrigerant and oil, so it must not be dumped or taken apart at home. Ask your local council or waste authority where large household appliances are accepted for recycling in your area. Sometimes the old appliance is collected when a new one is delivered, so it is worth asking in advance.