We store food in our refrigerators in order to keep it fresh, safe and tasting great. In order to do this your fridge needs to be kept in good condition and this includes the fridge door seal. Failure to do this can make your fridge an inviting home for harmful micro organisms.

The reason we store food in the fridge is that refrigeration prevents the growth of food spoilage organisms and slows or even stops the growth of many food-borne pathogens, which can cause food poisoning.

The door seal plays a key role in the correct operation of a fridge. In order for the fridge to maintain the correct storage temperature it is important for there to be an airtight seal between the fridge door and the main storage unit.

If the door seal becomes damaged in anyway this can become a haven for bacteria and micro organisms, which can include food pathogens, according to a report from biotechnology and pharmaceutical consultancy, bptc.co.uk. You can read the full report here.

Due to the way door seals work in order to provide the tight seal required, their design and structure is complex. Door seals typically include a number of folds and crevices where it is possible for dirt and food residues to accumulate, often undetected. It is therefore very important that you check and clean your fridge door seal on a regular basis. However, this in turn can but extra strain on the seal and have a detrimental effect in the long term.

Alongside the use of cleaning products, the constant opening and closing of the fridge can result in splits or cracks forming in the door seal. Areas particularly affected include the seal joints and folds. Food debris can easily collect in the cracks and become a very serious issue from a food hygiene perspective.

If your fridge door seal has become damaged or soiled then it is worth replacing it ASAP. Faulty seals not only provide a potential home for bacteria, but they can also cause your fridge to operate less efficiently – which will add to your utility bills.

We sell replacement door seals or gaskets, as they can be known, for most brands and model of fridge at BuySpares. Please note that on most fridges the door seal can be changed by a competent diy-er, however on some brands and newer fridge models the seal is built into the door and can not be changed separately. As with any repair you should consult the manual from the manufacturer before getting started.

Tags: Fridge Door Seals, Fridge Spare Parts