Home/Resources/Walk-in evaporator freezing up: 4 common causes
Walk-in coolers · 6 min read

Walk-in evaporator freezing up: 4 common causes

A coil packed with ice usually means a defrost failure. Here are the four root causes — cheapest to most expensive.

Section 01

Cause 1 — defrost timer or heater failure

The most common. A bad defrost heater or stuck timer leaves the coil to ice over every cycle.

Section 02

Cause 2 — door left open

If staff props the door open during receiving, humid Tampa Bay air laminates onto the coil fast.

Section 03

Cause 3 — low refrigerant charge

A slow leak lowers evaporator temp below freezing across the whole coil, causing ice to form even during on-cycle.

Section 04

Cause 4 — failed defrost termination sensor

The defrost cycle completes by time instead of temp, ending before the coil is clear.

Get help

Need a tech for this in Tampa Bay?

Suncoast Cold Systems handles exactly this kind of commercial refrigeration issue across Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Riverview, Temple Terrace, and Wesley Chapel. 24/7 emergency dispatch. Licensed Class A A/C Contractor (FL #CAC1824642), EPA 608 Universal, OSHA 30 Construction.

Call (813) 599-5988 Request service
More

Keep reading

Buyer's guide14 min

How to choose a commercial refrigeration contractor in Tampa Bay

Nine questions that separate accountable contractors from the rest.

Read the guide
Compliance8 min

DBPR refrigeration violations, explained

Which violations trigger emergency orders, which are citations, and how to prevent them.

Read the note
Checklist4 min

Emergency walk-in failure checklist

What to do in the first 15 minutes. Protect product, dispatch the right help.

Read the note