Cleaning
Q.	My ice cubes taste and smell bad. Is there anything I can do to help the problem?
A.	Because ice has a tendency to pick up odors easily, you should clean your ice bin regularly and discard any ice that is more than a week old. Be sure to wipe up any spilled food and discard items that are not well-wrapped. Finally, check your water supply. A recent change in the chlorine level or poor quality water will influence the flavor of ice cubes.
Q.	There is a lot of frost build-up inside my freezer. How can I eliminate it?
A.	If it is a manual defrost unit, frost build-up is normal, especially in very humid areas. Simply defrost the unit on a regular basis or when you see more than a quarter inch of frost build-up. Frost also can be caused by an air leak in the unit so it is important to make sure the door gaskets are sealing properly. You can cut down on frost by limiting the number of times you open the door - air that flows in when the door is open will lead to frost build-up.
Q.	How can I get an odor out of my freezer?
A.	Since odors come from food, make sure all foods in your freezer are properly packaged in wrapping materials made specifically for freezers and be sure to clean up any spills immediately. If the odor persists, clean your unit and consider using a product called Odorid, available through Sears PartsDirect at 1-800-4-MY-HOME. Ask for part number 690073-D/47.
Energy_Other
Q.	How long do freezers usually last?
A.	With proper maintenance, freezers can last 15 years or more.
Q.	How can I figure out how much energy my freezer uses?
A.	Simply multiply the nameplate wattage by the number of hours it operates. Sometimes a nameplate will show amps instead of watts. You can convert amps to watts by multiplying the amps by the voltage. Voltage at most outlets is about 120.
Q.	When shopping for a new freezer, what kind of warranty should I look for?
A.	Most units come with a full one-year parts and labor warranty and a limited five-year warranty on the cabinet liner and refrigerating system. Some manufacturers and companies, such as Sears HomeCentral, offer optional maintenance agreements that save consumers money over the life of the model.
Q.	What is the "lens indicator" in my freezer?
A.	The "lens indicator" is a window you can look through on your freezer to view the frost build-up. This allows you to determine if your freezer needs to be defrosted.
Maintenance and Repair
Q.	Lately, my ice cream has been getting soft in the freezer. Is this in indication that there is something wrong with my freezer?
A.	Not necessarily. Make sure the condenser coil is clean and that your freezer's air control is set high enough. You also may want to store your ice cream on the bottom of the freezer instead of storing it in the door.
Q.	My ice maker is not making enough ice. What should I do?
A.	There are several things that can effect a freezer's ice making ability: Make sure the sensing lever is free to move up and down Be sure the water to the unit is on fully Check to see if the unit is level Set freezer temperature level between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit Turn on/off lever to on position
Q.	My freezer makes a lot of noise. What's wrong?
A.	There are several reasons why your unit would make noises. First, make sure it is level. Then, check to see if anything has fallen behind the unit and is causing a vibration. Next, be sure the unit is not touching the wall. There are some normal sounds that your freezer will make like water striking the heater, defrost water running into the drain and the snapping sound of a timer (on automatic defrost models).
Q.	My freezer doesn't get cold enough. What's wrong?
A.	Make sure there is enough air around the unit to allow the condenser to cool properly. Also make sure the door is closing completely after each opening and that the door gasket is pliable. You may also want to set the temperature control at a colder setting.
Q.	Why isn't my freezer running?
A.	First, make sure the cold control and the on/off switches are in the on position. Then, make sure the unit is plugged into a live outlet - you may need to check the fuse and circuit breaker as well. If you have an automatic defrost unit, it may be in a defrost cycle so wait at least half an hour to see if it starts running again.
Q.	My freezer runs much longer than I think it should. Is there anything I can do?
A.	There are several things to keep in mind: 1) Newer models may run longer than older ones to maintain an even temperature but their overall energy usage is lower and 2) an empty or almost empty freezer will run more than a full one. One thing you may want to check is that there is sufficient air circulation around the unit. The unit should not touch the wall or be located in an unventilated area.
Q.	Why is moisture collecting on the outside of my freezer?
A.	In very humid areas of the country or in an unventilated location like a basement it is normal for some moisture to collect. If your model has a power miser function, make sure it is turned to the damp weather or on position.
Q.	Should I be concerned that the walls behind my unit are hot?
A.	Walls will be hotter on humid days or if there isn't enough air around the freezer for proper circulation. If you have a newer model it is normal for the walls to feel warm. Please review your owner's manual for a full explanation.
Q.	I plan to store my new freezer in my unheated garage. Will it be a problem for the freezer to be kept in an unheated area?
A.	It will not harm the freezer to be kept in an unheated garage.