Insulating a fridge water line

[nate379]

Anyone know a source for insulation for small lines... like 1/4" plastic line?

The water line for my fridge goes in the back and under the fridge up into the door.

The issue is the line runs near the motor and also near the floor (radiant floor). The first glass of water is hot as piss because of this.

 

[kbs2244]

The smallest of that gray split tube pipe insulation I have seen is for 1/2 inch pipe.
But I don't know why it wouldn't work for this.
I don't see any need for it to fit tight.

 

[lawfarm]

FYI, on my fridge, there's a coil of plastic line in the fridge that water goes through before it comes out the door-front tap. You may want to look in the fridge and see if you can reroute the line through the refridgerated (cooled) part of the unit.

 

[nate379]

Yeah there is a coil in the fridge side, but it goes from there out to under the unit to the bottom hinge on the freezer door. There's really no way to re-route it, I did think of that as well.

It's more or less pointless to get water from the fridge since I have to dump out the first glass of water. It's easier to pull it from the tap instead.

 

[tbob]

Why not try some rubber fuel line like you find at an auto parts store. Put a slit in the side and wrap it around. I would think that the thick rubber would have some insulating value
Terry

 

[nate379]

Good idea! I don't even have to slit it because the hose has a quick disco near the door so the door can be removed.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I don't know how well rubber is going to insulate, but you could use a fuel like to increase the thickness of your line so that small pipe insulation would work. There's also adhesive backed tape insulation that could go around the line (or the fuel-line jacketed line).

Seems odd that a cold water dispenser on a fridge would have this issue. With hot water lines, there are sometimes very small trickle-back lines and a supplemental pump installed to keep the water circulating, as needed, so it's always hot right up to the faucet.

Is it a stock setup you're working with?

 

[nate379]

Yeah it's the factory setup. Brand new Frigidaire fridge that was over $2000.

I don't understand why it's run like that, but it's pretty stupid.

 

[fatboy99]

I would call the dealer and ask them to fix the problem for that kind of money it should be cold
Brad

 

[nate379]

Yeah I would think "for that money" but it's actually a fairly average side by side fridge. I walked in the store, figuring $700-800 max. Yeah... that would have bought the bottom line freezer on top unit.

I have had the fridge since March but I just noticed the hot water thing not too long ago when a friend commented about it. I normally get some ice, fill the water and let it sit a while before drinking it.

 

[Torque1st]

Sounds like you need to get some ice then hit the tap water.

When the water sits for a while in the line no amount of conventional insulation will keep it cool.

 

[nate379]

True, though insulating it will at least help keep the line off a 70-75* floor and 100 something degree air flow from the motor and condensor.