Why is my Fridge hot between the doors? Should I be worried?

Wondering? Why is my fridge hot between the doors? Let's look into this and help you fix fridge overheating issues and avoid dangerous situations.

It’s confusing, isn’t it? The machine you bought to keep your food and drinks cold feel hot. You’re probably worried as hell – whether your refrigerator is malfunctioning and likely to explode, causing your house to catch fire. The nightmarish thoughts just keep piling up, so now you are, looking up on the internet, “Why is my fridge hot between the doors?” 

If you’re looking for answers, you’re in the right place. Stick around as we’re shedding light upon why your refrigerator may feel hot on the outside when you touch it and what fixation steps you can take if needed.

Why is my Fridge hot between the doors? Should I be worried?

Why is my Fridge hot between the doors?

There is no one specific reason for this. The matter is problematic if your refrigerator is always extremely hot, along with consistent cooling issues. You should immediately check out the following parts of the fridge for a thorough inspection: 

Why is my Fridge hot between the doors?

Condenser Coils

This is the first to inspect because the condenser coils control cooling and temperature. Suppose you haven’t cleaned them in a while or since you bought your refrigerator. In that case, it’s likely that the coils are filthy and murked with dirt, dust particles, mold, grime, dead insects, and whatever else found their way to the coils. 

If you see the coils are clogged up, they won’t be able to release heat. Therefore, the hot air will keep piling up inside the fridge without getting expelled. That means the cooling process will be hindered. Also, your refrigerator will need more electricity because the compressor is overworking to regulate the temperature back to the optimum. Eventually, this mess will cause your refrigerator to become hot between doors. 

Motor Fan Blades

The condenser motor fan is responsible for allowing ventilation and good airflow. By the way, it’s not supposed to operate 24/7 but only when needed. 

Therefore, when excess heat is trapped inside and not being able to get released outside, the internal temperature will become abnormal. That’s when the fan blades keep rotating non-stop for an extended period, causing the motor to be overheated. Eventually, the capacitor may fail, forcing your refrigerator to stop working.

What to do if the panel between the Fridge and Freezer is hot? 

As mentioned above, you need to inspect the condenser coils and fan blades or motor to identify the issue and then act accordingly.

Clean Condenser Coils and Motor Fans

Check if your coils and fan motor are in a damaged state or have become worn-out or not. You should consider repairing them or replacing the parts with new ones. However, if they are working fine and it’s just that they have simply become too dirty, it’s time to grab some gloves and start cleaning!

First of all, clean your condenser coils using a coil brush. In most popular models, coils are generally located at the bottom near the compressor at the back of the fridge. And for wiping the dust off your fan blades, you can use an old toothbrush. 

Suppose these areas at the back of your refrigerator have been infested by flies, bugs, or roaches. In that case, you should immediately get rid of them by using HIT spray cans or other insecticides. Diatomaceous Earth powder will also come in handy to get rid of them.

Try resetting the Refrigerator

However, after a thorough inspection, you realize that the condenser fan and coils are clean, free of pests, and functioning great. You can take out everything from the refrigerator and then unplug the fridge. We are trying to reset the refrigerator, so now you should turn the fan blades in a clockwise motion. It’s a simple process and only takes about a few seconds. 

Now you wait a while for the fan blades to set in line. After waiting 10 to 15 minutes, you can feel free to plug in your refrigerator and put everything back inside.

Still not solved? Seek Professional Help

If the problems persist after carrying out all the instructions so far. In that case, we think you should seek professional help and ask an authorized refrigerator technician to come over and investigate.

Is it normal for a Fridge to be hot on the sides?

Imagine running for 24 hours straight; wouldn’t your body feel hot and generate heat? Now picture your refrigerator in your shoes. The fridge in your house is the only machine running non-stop without a break, so it’s normal for the external surface to feel warm. 

If you understand the mechanism of the refrigerator, things will get clearer. The gasket of the refrigerator doors keeps them sealed and air-tight to prevent moisture from sneaking inside and condensation from forming on the outside. 

Now, whenever we open the refrigerator door, some warm air from outside does get in. Hence, the compressor has to work harder to regulate the internal temperature, generating heat that dissipates to the sides of the fridge.

That’s why if you have a side-by-side refrigerator at home, you will occasionally notice that the sides are hot, which is nothing unusual.

Can your Refrigerator catch on fire for being too hot?

We don’t mean to scare you, but this can be possible under extreme circumstances. Especially if the capacitor is completely damaged and there’s constant gas leakage because of a faulty power unit.

However, if you take good care of your refrigerator by replacing the old worn-out parts and regularly keeping the fridge clean inside and out. In that case, you’re good to go for the long term.

Final Observations

The thing is, it’s pretty normal and nothing unusual if your refrigerator exterior or the area between the doors feels hot at times. However, if your fridge is not cooling properly as well, with condensation forming outside. That’s when you should be worried and take things seriously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can fridges explode?
In a nutshell, no. However, a part can fail suddenly, causing the gas to discharge. Even that is unusual, and it’s mostly just noise. Probably a loud pop followed by the rushing of gas.
What happens when refrigerator compressor overheats?
A refrigerator compressor is a mechanical part of your fridge that turns the coolant into gas and is the most crucial part of your fridge. When the compressor overheats, it can cause a fire and be very dangerous.