Display ice cream freezers make a regular humming sound, but if you’re hearing loud or strange noises, you should look into it because it indicates the freezer is struggling with something. It can be a small issue or a big one. So, use this guide to identify common causes of a display ice cream freezer making strange noises, so you can decide whether you can fix the problem yourself or if the unit needs commercial freezer repair.

Causes Of A Noisy Display Ice Cream Freezer

The Unit Is Not Level

This is a common and easy-to-fix cause of a noisy ice cream freezer. If the floor is uneven, the unit wasn’t installed properly, or the legs were damaged over time, the freezer will vibrate and shake much more than it should. This will create louder vibrations and other noises.

Loose Compressor Bolts Or Any Other Component

Any component or its housing or bolts can loosen, leading to noises because a display ice cream freezer vibrates in its normal operation. When anything is loose, it will move or hit any nearby wire or wall due to the vibration, producing much more noise.

So, check the compressor for loose mounting bolts and rubber feet. Plus, inspect the fan blade and fan motor mount for any loose bolts or items. Sometimes, the metal sheets that make up the side panels can loosen due to a removed bolt or damage. This can also create loud rattling noises. Moreover, a loose drain pan can produce rattling sounds as well.

If any exterior part is rattling or hitting something, you may be able to fix it. But for anything interior, have an expert check the components. They will also check the coils because they can sometimes produce noises if bent for any reason.

Dirty Condenser Coil

The condenser coil is the exterior coil that helps in removing heat during the cooling or freezing process. This coil should be cleaned once every few months or more frequently depending on the location of the ice cream freezer. If not, dust and debris will settle on the coil and act as insulation. This will hinder heat dissipation of the coil.

So, the fan that’s installed with the coil will speed up or keep working for a longer period. Moreover, the compressor may also work for longer. This can make your ice cream freezer louder than normal. So, clean your ice cream freezer often to avoid this problem.

Obstructed Or Dirty Condenser Fan

Speaking of the condenser fan that’s near the condenser coil, it can also collect a lot of dust and must be cleaned even more often than the coil because the fan is usually in front of the coil. If something is obstructing the fan, the noise could be the fan hitting it constantly during its operation.

Or, as dust and debris build up, it creates layers on the fan. This can bring changes to the rotation and balance of the fan. As the fan is installed in a tight space, any small changes in its rotation or balance can lead to the fan’s rotors hitting the housing, creating loud noises.

It’s also possible that something like a plastic wrap or something is stuck on a fan blade, making unusual noises as the fan blade rotates with the foreign item stuck to it. Even when the fan blades are not obstructed, an imbalanced fan can make more noise than usual.

Long story short, many minor things regarding the fan can make it noisy. So, clean it often to avoid most of the issues. The exterior of the ice cream freezer should be cleaned every day or as required, along with the fan. You can take up the task of cleaning the condenser coil once a month.

Worn-Out Fan Motor Bearings

Commercial ice cream freezers have at least two fans. One is installed on the exterior near the condenser coil and the other is inside the unit near the evaporator coil. These fans have motors that power them. Motors have bearings that can dry up over years of operation. Once there is not enough lubrication in the motor, the internal parts make high-pitched squeaking or squealing noises because of friction.

Most commercial appliances come with motors that have sealed bearings. They are lubricated during the manufacturing process and should work for many years. But when the bearings dry up, you can’t lubricate them. You will have to replace the motor by hiring commercial refrigerator services Fairfax Station. However, you can still ask an expert if the bearings can be lubricated or not.

Damaged Door Gasket

The doors of ice cream freezers have a gasket that seals the door when closed. This keeps too much humid air from the outside getting into the cooling section of the unit. But if the door gasket is worn or damaged, or the door is left open too frequently, humid air will keep getting into the unit, speeding up ice buildup on the internal walls.

This will also create the issue where the ice will build up near the evaporator fan. It will keep hitting the ice, producing noises. Plus, this problem can also affect the unit’s performance and it won’t be cool enough.

So, inspect the gasket and have it replaced if worn or damaged. If you leave the door open a lot, try to keep the door shut when not serving customers.

After fixing the gasket, defrost the unit, dry it up completely, and then turn it on.

Ice Buildup Around The Evaporator Fan Motor

It was mentioned earlier that there is a fan near the evaporator coil. Both of these components are inside the unit, though hidden. They are critical components that make the air cooler and improve the airflow.

If the ice cream freezer is not cleaned or defrosted regularly, ice may keep building up to the point that it obstructs the evaporator fan. The fan will keep hitting the ice, which will produce loud noises.

This will also impact the airflow inside the ice cream freezer and impede its performance. The unit may not be cool enough to keep the ice cream soft and frozen. It would either become rock hard or start melting. Both are bad for business. You want the ice to be soft yet solid enough so that it doesn’t melt away in seconds.

Therefore, you must defrost your ice cream freezer periodically. If it has automatic defrost, make sure that it’s working. In case auto defrost is not working, have an expert troubleshoot it. And if your unit needs to be defrosted manually, perform the task when you see more than 5mm of ice buildup.

Important: Turn off the unit, leave the door open, and let the ice melt naturally. Never use any item like a knife or any other pointy tool to remove ice.

Conclusion

A noisy ice cream freezer can be due to uneven flooring, a loose component or bolts, an obstructed condenser or evaporator fan motor, worn-out fan bearings, or any other reason. So, it’s better to hire an ice cream freezer repair Chantilly professional who can inspect it thoroughly and fix the problem.