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Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Refrigerator Repair:

Storing a freezer, is it dangerous?

General query - could you please tell me if a chest type freezer is left in a confined space unplugged for a period of 6 or so months is it dangerous? I have heard that it gives off a gas when unplugged that may be toxic?

When a chest type freezer that has been in use for some time is unplugged and left standing for several weeks the lines in between the two walls can and do rust through rendering the unit useless and un-repairable. Yes when this happens the refrigerant leaks out but it is harmless. A 12 once can of hairspray or deodorant in the 70's held more Freon than the average domestic freezer does. In many countries Freon is still being used as a propellant for asthma puffers because of it's non-toxicity.

For storage you could turn the freezer on minimum on the control, but never turn it off. Because of the rusting problem you might as well throw it away.