The primary function of a freezer is to preserve food and prevent its decay, but there are many instances when you are greeted by a bad odor on opening the freezer door. Bad odor is a direct indication of an issue with either the functioning of the freezer or the storage and usability of food. Many reasons lead to issues in the working of the freezer or contamination of the stored food, and all of them directly result in bacteria and mold forming in the food and multiplying rapidly. This article discusses some common reasons for food decay and the subsequent freezer odor, along with tips to banish the odor:

Power interruption
The process of decay can only be delayed and not stopped. If there is a power outage for a long time and the freezer stops functioning, the process of decay hastens, leading to obnoxious and pungent odor. If the power outage lasts for more than 2 hours, it is a cause for concern and action. In such a case, the stored food should be thawed and used as soon as possible. Continuing the storage of the same food after the power returns might give bacteria and mold a chance to flourish, contaminating the food.

Freezer malfunction
Any issue with the functioning of the freezer can cause food to rot, so a tip to avoid food contamination and banish freezer odors is to get these issues fixed at the earliest. Some common freezer malfunctions are in the form of:

• The pooling of water inside the freezer
• Clogging of ice in the freezer compartment
• Forming of frost or a sheet of ice below the freezer
• Freezer lights not working
• Thermostat malfunction

Mold
A type of fungi, mold is a common reason for food contamination and bad odor in a freezer. If, for any reason, the freezer stops working and food begins to rot, mold begins to form on the food and its container. If not cleaned and removed, it is likely to grow faster once power is restored, and it slowly spreads to the insides of the freezer and reaches the gaskets and the outside. The smell of rotten food and the mold can be overpowering, so cleaning the freezer thoroughly and discarding the contaminated food is a useful tip to banish freezer odors.

Contaminated food
If the freezer is functioning well and there is no power supply interruption, but it still has a bad odor, contaminated food is most likely the cause. Possible reasons could be that the food that was not stored properly or had crossed the use-by date and had begun to rot. In such cases, the ideal tip to follow to banish freezer odors is to discard the contaminated food and ensure that the effects have not spread to any other food or packages stored in the freezer.

Incorrect storage and food leaks and drips
If the stored food is not packed properly and there is a leak or drip, especially from meat or cooked food, it could cause odor and contamination of other food over a period. Additionally, if the food in the freezer compartment is not stored or frozen correctly or if ice crystals form on the package, the food can get spoiled and spread a bad odor. This is called freezer burn, and a tip to banish freezer odors due to this reason is to store food properly and ensure that it doesn’t come into contact with external moisture.