Broken fitted fridge freezer help needed.

[condor]

I'm house sitting at the moment and the owner's fridge freezer isn't chilling or freezing anymore. I noticed this morning when the milk had gone off - and looking in the freezer everything has thawed. Because it's a fitted fridge freezer ( made to look like all the other kitchen units) the plug isn't obvious to check if the fuse has blown or to turn off at source. Anyone know where I might find it?
The other thing is - I plan to write an inventory of all the food I'm having to throw out ( just in case they want to claim from their home insurance).I'm a bit miffed as I'd brought all my food to last the house sit and it's now got to be thrown out too.
Some can be salvaged, but there's a limit on how much I can eat and I can't refreeze stuff that's been defrosted.
Any suggestions?

[hairyben]

Topic prob better off in homes & diy.

Is there a switch or spur for it somewhere adjacent? Check in the backs of nearby cupboards beehind stuff etc. All circuits on at consumer unit?

If the fuse in the plug has gone its in all likelihood knackered anyway.

[familyguy1]

on the fridge, does the light come on ? if not then no power at a guess.

[ApOrbital]

Not sure why but my fridge freezer has one plug and a socket switch on the wall could be either with a blown fuse.

[condor]

I've checked the main fuse box and everything looks fine there. I've tried to get to the top of the fridge part inside the cabinet as I can see some cables there but it's all blocked off by wood which presumably is nailed in as I can't see any screws.
I found a 1/2 empty chest freezer in the garage - so have bagged up the defrosted food and put it in there. There were some still solid ice cubes so some of it might be salvageable. Currently have the defrosted ice blocks trying to keep the temp down in the fridge.
Is it likely to be a fire risk?

[brrapp]

There's probably a socket out of sight behind the unit with a separate remote switch nearby in plain sight to switch on and off. That's the way it should be done. Can you see a switch that looks like a normal light switch anywhere nearby but that doesn't seem to do anything? You may have simply switched it off unknowingly.

[skilly1]

I have a spare built in fridge freezer you can have FOC if you can collect from Cheltenham.

[JKRolling]

Could you call the owners and ask? Daft suggestion i know

[Alucidnation]

I have witnessed them installed at the back of the fridge freezer where it is totally inaccessible without removing the fridge first, however, as posted, the cupboard next door to the fridge is also worth looking in at low level, or maybe behind the plinth.

[condor]

Have already checked out the side units which are filled with various oils and other condiments - and going into adjacent room to check if it might be in there. It's a hidden socket and I won't be able to find it. Clients are abroad on holiday and not contactable - I have emergency number for someone many miles away, but this is not emergency, more an inconvenience.
I'm guessing if it was going to catch fire, it would have done so by now....so my main concern is removed.
Surprised there were no telltale water trails on the floor, which would have alerted me to a problem straight away.

[Alucidnation]

Many built in fridges have a power button on them at the front at the top somewhere.

[Sheepshanks]

Alucidnation said:

I have witnessed them installed at the back of the fridge freezer where it is totally inaccessible without removing the fridge first,

That must be pretty common - we have an American side-by-side unit and I had to stop the service guy pulling it out when he wanted to safety check it. He was most impressed that the socket was in the next unit.

[Alucidnation]

Freestanding is fine behind (or in cupboard), but built in should be readily accessible (cupboard etc).

[hairyben]

Alucidnation said:

Freestanding is fine behind (or in cupboard), but built in should be readily accessible (cupboard etc).

I wouldnt call it fine, accessable in a sense but shoddy way of doing the job. Install like that and RCD problems will leave you having to drag out the fridge, dw, wm, dryer, etc etc trying to isolate everything to find the fault

Academic really, free or inbuilt installers seem to do as they like.

[Alucidnation]

Each to their own.

My freestanding American fridge freezer has the socket behind and when it was repaired under warranty, was slid out with no drama.

Washing machines on the other hand, either built in or freestanding should have them accessible due to the weight.

All of my clients much prefer the lack of random switches above the worktops for appliances, which just leaves the sockets for use.

Common sense prevails.

Edited by Alucidnation on Thursday 18th May 21:46

[condor]

I've done the best I can to find the socket switch to turn it off...and i can't find it. Ni switch on top of fridge either.
Many thanks for your help - but sometimes things don't work ( or not) as they should do!

[Alucidnation]

You have done the obvious thing by emptying out all of the food, so at this stage, all bar calling someone out, thats all you can do.

Maybe contact the house owner?

[Sheepshanks]

hairyben said:

Academic really, free or inbuilt installers seem to do as they like.

Don't the current regs say some means of isolation should be accessible?

[Sheepshanks]

condor said:

I've done the best I can to find the socket switch to turn it off...and i can't find it. Ni switch on top of fridge either.
Many thanks for your help - but sometimes things don't work ( or not) as they should do!

Is the interior lamp working?

[condor]

Sheepshanks said:

Is the interior lamp working?

No