How To Repair A Cracked Freezer Drawer

Opening up your freezer to find that one of the drawers has cracked can be a huge inconvenience. This is especially true if you're looking to add new frozen items to the freezer. So what do you do when this happens? How do you fix a cracked freezer drawer? We have researched the best method to repair them, and in this post, we will discuss it.

Here are the steps to repair your cracked freezer drawer:

  1. Remove the broken or cracked drawer
  2. Clean the drawer
  3. Apply an adhesive to the broken pieces
  4. Hold the broken pieces together
  5. Set the drawer down and allow the adhesive to dry
  6. Place the drawer back in its position

Freezer drawers, similar to refrigerator drawers, take a lot of weight and pressure daily. And depending on how old your freezer is and how much you use it, you may find that the drawers begin to show signs of wear and tear after a while. Continue reading to learn how to prevent your drawer from cracking and how to fix it when it does.

A woman checking the freezer drawer filled with vegetables, How To Repair A Cracked Freezer Drawer

Steps To Repair A Cracked Freezer Drawer

If you notice your freezer drawers cracking more often than not, it may be a sign that you're overloading them or that the freezer is experiencing other issues. It may be helpful to perform a defrost and remove everything from the freezer with an expiration date over a year old. This way, you can help lessen the number of items in the freezer and its weight load.

Things you'll need:

  • Cleaning cloth or towel
  • Epoxy-based adhesive
  • Application stick

1. Remove the broken or cracked drawer

First, remove the drawer from the freezer. You may need to pull out all of the frozen items from the drawer bar before doing so. Note that some freezer drawers will have a small latch on the bottom of the track or a side ridge that you will need to release before the drawer can be removed completely.

Try not to place too much force on the drawer, as it may exacerbate the crack. Lift the drawer and then slide it out of its position. Next, set the drawer on your kitchen counter.

2. Clean the drawer

A woman opening the freezer drawer to clean it

Next, take a cleaning cloth and all-purpose cleaner to wipe down the drawer with soapy water. Be sure also to wipe down any pieces that may have broken off as well. If there is any grime or debris on the corners of the drawer, be sure to remove it, as it can make it difficult to place the pieces back together.

If the drawer is especially dirty, you may need to soak it in soapy water for about 5-10 minutes. Afterward, give the drawer a thorough wipe down with a cleaning cloth or plastic scrubber.

After rinsing off the drawer, dry it with a dry towel or cleaning cloth. Make sure that the door is completely dry before moving to the next step.

3. Apply an adhesive to the broken pieces

Now it's time to apply your adhesive. If you're using an epoxy-based solution, you will need to mix the solution together before applying it to the door. Oftentimes, these kits will come with two ingredients that will need to be combined before application.

However, if you're using super glue or other adhesive, you can apply it directly to the drawer. Position the drawer on the counter so that the cracked area is facing the ceiling. Next, apply the adhesive to the broken edge of the drawer piece. Then apply the broken piece to the drawer.

4. Hold the broken pieces together

After applying the adhesive, hold the broken pieces onto the drawer for about 1 minute. This is a very crucial step to ensuring that the peace will not break off again.

Make sure that the pieces are perfectly aligned and that there isn't too much glue on the edges, as it will drip down the side of the drawer once you attach two pieces. Wipe up any excess glue to prevent it from drying.

5. Set the drawer down and allow the adhesive to dry

Allow the adhesive to cure for anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The recommended cure time will depend on the type of adhesive that you use. You can also do a quick test and simply touch the drawer with your finger to see if the adhesive has hardened.

6. Place the drawer back in its position

After the adhesive has cured, set the drawer back in the freezer. However, wait a few hours before loading it back up with frozen items.

Need a visual? See exactly how it's done here:

What Glue Works in a Freezer?

Several different types of glue can work to repair broken freezer components such as drawers, doors, and shelves. Let's look at the most commonly used ones.

Contact Cement

Contact cement is made from rubber and is perfect for joining surfaces that may not work well with other types of adhesive. It's beneficial for non-porous surfaces, and you can use it for almost any home-based application that includes plastics, metals, rubber, or wood. This adhesive creates a solid, strong bond, and it's often used as a permanent solution for day-to-day repairs.

Check out this contact cement adhesive on Amazon.

Epoxy-Based Adhesives

Epoxy-based adhesives typically come in two tubes, one with the epoxy resin coming in the other with the hardener. After the epoxy is applied, it will cure and then harden to a solid, permanent bond on whatever surface it is applied to.

This is a water-resistant and permanent solution that works great for almost any surface. If you have plastic parts on your refrigerator or freezer, epoxy adhesives will typically work well for repairing them.

Note that you will need to let the epoxy solution dry for anywhere from 1 to 12 hours, depending on the brand and type that you're using. The cool thing about epoxy is that it is pretty versatile, and you'll find that it's useful in various home repair and DIY applications.

Find this epoxy adhesive on Amazon.

Super Glue

In many cases, you may also be able to use super glue for your freezer repair. However, be sure to use the glue with caution as you can easily get it on your fingers, and it'll become a nuisance to remove.

Superglue works extremely well with rubber, plastic, and metal applications--making it perfect for refrigerators, freezers, and other appliances. The best thing about super glue is that it is one of the least expensive adhesives you can purchase, and a little can go a long way in providing a permanent bond to various surfaces.

Read more about the super glue on Amazon.

Why Do Freezer Drawers Crack?

Freezer drawers often crack due to the weight placed upon them in addition to the temperature of the freezer. If you routinely keep your freezer filled to the max, it's bound to place a lot of stress on the drawers and shelves. And while some freezer brands build drawers to be more durable than others, frequent usage can eventually reduce the tensile strength of the drawer's materials.

How Do I Stop my Freezer Drawers from Breaking?

Unrecognizable male searching freezer drawer for food

The best way to prevent your freezer drawer from cracking or breaking is to lighten the load. Try not to overload the drawer with food items and distribute the weight evenly across the freezer. It's also best to place the heavy items on the bottom of the freezer and the lighter items on the drawers.

This way, the drawers won't be overburdened from the weight and are less likely to crack. Also, try to defrost your freezer every year to reduce the accumulation of ice that builds up on top of the drawers. This can add to additional weight being placed on them.

Can you Replace Freezer Drawers?

Yes. You can replace freezer drawers. Often, you'll need to go there directly to the manufacturer or an authorized reseller for a replacement. Some resellers offer the drawers in sets, while others may offer them individually. It depends on the reseller and the make/model of the freezer.

Why are Replacement Freezer Drawers so Expensive?

The answer to this is simple--supply and demand. Consumers are more likely to buy an entire freezer instead of an individual drawer. Oftentimes, people will opt to simply repair a broken drawer instead of going through the hassle of replacing it.

Wrapping Things Up

Preventing your freezer drawers from cracking is possible. You'll just need to stay mindful to not overload the drawer. It's also worth noting that food items will become heavier once they are frozen due to the ice. So it's best to evenly distribute the weight amongst multiple drawers if possible. If not, purchasing an additional chest freezer may be a worthwhile investment.

Before you go, be sure to check out our other posts:

What Dishwashers Have Food Grinders?

Best Pans For A Glass Top Stove

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