What Is a Refrigerator Gasket?
Your refrigerator doors are one of the most important features of your refrigerator. They are responsible for keeping cold air in and hot air out preserving your food items. The gasket is an important part of your refrigerator that goes unnoticed or cared for until you begin to have a cooling problem. Does this Spark an idea?
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Purpose
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A refrigerator gasket is the rubber strip that surrounds the interior perimeter of your refrigerator and freezer door. When you shut either door, your gasket creates an airtight seal. As long as your gasket is in good condition, it will continue to keep your food products fresh.
Profile
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Even though a refrigerator gasket functions the same way for all refrigerators, not all gaskets are alike. The gaskets on each model of refrigerator have a specific profile. Your gasket profile includes how wide and how thick the outer portion of your gasket is, and how the back of your gasket is constructed. The outer portion of your gasket is the side that you can see when you open your refrigerator door.
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Construction
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One of the basic materials used to make your refrigerator gasket is PVC resin (polyvinyl chloride). PVC resin is a powder that is mixed with additives to create a hard or flexible product. Located on the inside of your refrigerator gasket is a magnetic strip that causes your gasket to hold tight when you shut your refrigerator door.
Prevention/Solution
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You can check to see if your refrigerator gasket is in good working order by using a very simple technique. You can slide a one-dollar bill, or whatever you have available, between your gasket and where your gasket meets your refrigerator. If you have side-by-side doors, place your bill on the hinge side of your refrigerator door. Leave a portion of your bill sticking out, and pull the bill out after you have closed the door. If you feel a slight resistance, your gasket is in good shape. If there is no resistance at all, your gasket is worn and should be replaced.
Warning
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If your refrigerator gasket is worn out, it can cause your food to spoil, or reduce the length of time that your food remains fresh. A worn out refrigerator gasket will also cause your motor to work harder to keep your refrigerator cool. The lifetime of your refrigerator will be drastically reduced.
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References
- Photo Credit réfrigérateur image by dead_account from Fotolia.com
