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HeyBub

wrote:
We were given an old Kenmore upright freezer. Maybe 10-12 yrs old.
Freezes fine, but the door is sticking. The magnetic seals are intact
and in good shape - by sticking, I mean the door locks tight. When we
shut the door, a suction is created and its so strong its impossible
to open the door again. After 7-8 minutes or so we can open it again.
When we shut the door we can actually see the top of the freezer
'cave in' a little as this suction happens. I know this isn't normal,
so what can we do?

When you open the door, warm air rushes in. When you close the door, the
warm air cools, creating a vacuum. A big vacuum. Time must then pass to
allow sufficient outside air to enter to equalize the air pressure.

1. You've got really good door seals, and
2. Whatever vent the freezer uses to allow pressure equalization is clogged,
possibly by ice.

Try defrosting (even if a frost-free machine).

Alternatively, tape a toothpick across the door seal. Just enough to create
a new vent. Live with the whistling.