Would it be wise to lube refrigerator seal?

[Bennylava]

I got a new whirlpool refrigerator, and even after a couple months of daily usage, you still have to yank or pry the door open. It moves the whole fridge or shakes whatever is inside. Can I remedy the situation by wiping a little WD-40 on the door stripping/seal? Or would that be a bad idea?

If so, is there anything else that might be done? Seems like an oversight on their part, it's pretty difficult to open.

 

[bmxdukie]

I would use a little spray silicon. The oil in wd might be hard on the rubber seals.
Just my two.

 

[The Cobbler]

is the resistance the magnetic seal? lubrication won't ease that
shaky fridge makes me think it needs levelling /adjusting

 

[Metal-Marc]

Chicken might taste weird if you spray WD-40 in your fridge. LoL

Lube with butter or olive oil!

 

[Norcal]

The biggest killer of refrigerator door gaskets is sugar, sticky soda, juices, jam, jellies, all get on the gasket & will simple cause them to tear, simple housekeeping will protect the gasket.

 

[drmarkr]

It's not the seal....it's the magnet that's holding it tight.

What do you do about it? Not sure. But at least you know you're not wasting energy cooling the kitchen from a poor seal!

 

[Lassen Forge]

You have to wipe it clean every so often, brand new there's no reason to lube anything... I suspect what's hanging up is the magnet in the rubber seal... or sticky stuff on the rubber from manufacturing... or some kind of food debris. THERE IS NO WAY a new rubber seal should be sticking to anything... or need ANY kind of lube.

If the fridge is rocking, it needs to have the feet adjusted so it sits flat and level on the floor.

And even then NEVER use WD40 (or other petroleum based oil) on rubber - it will ROT that rubber faster than ice melts in the sahara desert.

IF I had something like a 70's or earlier fridge with those seals on it and they were starting to be iffy, I'd use a silicone based lube (Shin-Etsu is my preferred seal restoration lube) but a NEW fridge DEFINITELY doesn't need lube of ANY kind. They are made to be dry and clean.

 

[MBfreak]

Check the pressure equalizing channel.
You open the door, warm air goes in.
Close the door, the volume of the warmer trapped air goes down as well as the pressure, as it cools off .
The pressure differential over the door makes it hard to open.
There is usually a 10 mm "leak pipe " somewhere in the back panel that equalizes the pressure by letting warm air seep in
Make sure it is not taped over or clogged.

Ola

 

[big.jim]

as above vacuum can cause these issues , try pushing a finger into the seal from the side to see if that makes a difference

 

[jack stand]

Sounds like you just need more groceries in that fridge!

 

[ez-duzit]

First secure the fridge from moving. If the magnetic seals are too strong apply plastic tape to the mating surface. Use your head regarding the use of toxic lubricants around food.

 

[dchawk81]

Sounds like you just need more groceries in that fridge!

If by groceries you mean beer, I agree. The glass bottles will plant it down.

 

[Kuma601]

May not be the seals but the way they installed the door cams. How well does the door close if you open it to a 90 degree position? They usually close gently but if it slams itself closed I would call service and have them adjust/replace those door cams. You can DIY this and the parts vary from $18-$30 depending on the model. A little bit of silicone grease also helps on the cams for easier closing and opening.

Over time the composite cams to wear down so that the door does not self close.

 

[Bennylava]

Thanks for the replies, to clarify the fridge isn't rocking. You have to pull so hard to get the door open, that it will move the fridge forward. It has little wheels on the bottom, and normally you'd never get it to roll unless you were trying to. But you have to pull so hard on the door to get it to open, that it will begin rolling forwards. That's how strong the door seals up.

Or, you can yank and the door will open, but everything inside will be shaking and perhaps falling over.

 

[Bennylava]

May not be the seals but the way they installed the door cams. How well does the door close if you open it to a 90 degree position? They usually close gently but if it slams itself closed I would call service and have them adjust/replace those door cams. You can DIY this and the parts vary from $18-$30 depending on the model. A little bit of silicone grease also helps on the cams for easier closing and opening.

Over time the composite cams to wear down so that the door does not self close.

In this case it's the opposite, the door will kind of lazily close itself... but it might not. So it's best to make sure the door gets closed yourself.

 

[Kuma601]

Whirlpool has had varying results for their QC issues. Seems to me that something is not right with the door cam. A new fridge should close smoothly and gently and not disturb the contents inside to that extent. Is this a side by side or a French door setup? The French door has that center partition as well. A variety of potential areas that would need inspection. The fridge is in warranty I'd suggest calling service out to have the doors checked out.

 

[Bennylava]

Whirlpool has had varying results for their QC issues. Seems to me that something is not right with the door cam. A new fridge should close smoothly and gently and not disturb the contents inside to that extent. Is this a side by side or a French door setup? The French door has that center partition as well. A variety of potential areas that would need inspection. The fridge is in warranty I'd suggest calling service out to have the doors checked out.

Yeah it seems I should have gone with a frigidaire brand refrigerator. Lesson learned. I guess whoever buys this house gets a free fridge. Believe it or not, the Samsung I had before this Whirlpool was better quality.

I think the guys talking about the vacuum have it right. Because now I've noticed that sometimes it's difficult to open, and other times it's normal. And you do have to crack the seal a bit, to get it to open. Well, to get it to open without yanking on the door.

 

[Milton Shaw]

If you are closing one door and then immediately opening the other you have an air lock fighting you to open the door. Wait 30 seconds and it should open easily. As another mentioned its sugar drinks that dry and tear gaskets especially at the bottom of the door, spilled inside or on the door itself.

 

[dchawk81]

If the fridge seal isn't in the mood, but doesn't want to say no...