Ummm....a refrigerator question

[Catch22Dem]

I heard this strange sound coming from the frige. It sounded like drops of water hitting a hot frying pan. So I open the door and listen. Couldn't figure out what it was. Finally Mrs. Catch22 opened the freezer door (side by side style) and the sound got louder. So I slid out the bin that is at the bottom of the freezer and saw a glowing orange. I shut off the light and the glow was coming from somewhere in the back. Water was dripping toward the drain, which I assume is normal, but it was hitting near some copper looking coil (which I believe is the water source for the ice maker) and just sizzling like bacon. I'm not sure what to make of it, but we're a little worried. Is this normal? Surely not! Another thing to mention, usually when the door is open for any period of time (like putting away groceries) we hear the frige "kick on" and it's not doing that either. Any thoughts?

[ewagner]

1. Our old one used to do that

Scared the crap out of me but it was only the defroster....

That is not to say, however, that it isn't malfunctioning. Get a thermometer and check out the inside temp...see if it's holding.

If you smell something burning....unplug it.....right..a..way...!!!

[BEZARK]

2. Some refrigerators have heated evaporators

. . . to get rid of the condensation water, but I really have just noticed that on expensive ones in lab settings. But that's what it would sound like.

[HEFFA]

3. Most frost-free models have an automatic defrost cyle. This is normal.

Of course, I'm no appliance repair man, so you just might also want to RUN!!!!!

Best of luck!

[Robb]

4. Is it hitting that thin copper coil and sizzling off?

...Because that would be really strange; you're right, that's the water source for the icemaker, and it shouldn't be hot.

How old is this sucker? Really, water shouldn't be dripping anywhere. Is the fridge cold?

[Catch22Dem]

5. 3 yrs old

Doesn't seem any warmer than normal. Put some warm beer in there a while ago. Cold now.

It's really hard to tell if it's sizzling off the water coil, or something else. It did it for a few minutes then the orange stopped glowing and everything is back to normal. It's just that I've never heard it before.

[Nite Owl]

6. See if there is an 800 number

to call the manufacturer. In the manual or label inside the fridge somewhere. They usually have someone there 24/7.

[Robb]

9. Or their website

...Again, maybe I'm missing something, but the plumber in me says nothing should ever be dripping. It might be something really simple, like the connection between the water line and the fridge might be leaking and dripping onto the refrigeration unit, which does get hot. I've never seen one glow, but then again I've never fooled around with the fridge in the dark. :)

If it's not going to scratch the floor, see if you can carefully scoot the fridge straight out -- it may even roll -- just enough to get back there, and run your hand under the fitting where the thin copper tubing attaches to the fridge, to see if it's wet.

[NoPasaran]

8. Hey, you got cold beer

Nothing to worry about until you run out

[SoCalDem]

7. Sounds like you need a refrigerator doctor

or a new one..:(