Drilling Through Fridge Door

[jimi]

I'm setting up a fridge for a couple of corny kegs. I have taken off the door lining (and the door). Underneath the linng I've found an approx 35cm square metal shape embedded in the door insulation right where I'd like to put the taps. There's also another down near the lower 'crisper' section of the fridge. There was no power running into the door. I am assuming their purpose is to allow these areas of the fridge to be a little warmer.

My question is what do I do with them? Drill through them? Remove them?

I can't tell how deep they go into the fridge door. Has anyone encountered these before?

cheers

 

[J.T]

Sometimes you may find a low voltage heater in a fridge/freezer door, usually running near the seal, this stops the door freezing shut. But if there is no power running into the door, its hard to say. Do you have a pic? Could be there to strengthen the door?

 

[jimi]

I can't take a pic ATM digital camera is down.

It's a pretty plain square..ish piece of metal, doesn't run the full width of the door so I can't see it adding much support and it doesn't connect to the side of the door anywhere. It's just two large random sides of metal in the door amid the insulation.

Thanks for your thoughts J.T. I'll try to get a pic up. It might have to be a dodgy web cam one though.

 

[Tony]

Id say the fridge manufacturer put it there in the hope that one day, they would confuse and stress a home brewer trying to cut up their fine product.

If it looks useless, rip it out and drill away.

thats what i would do.

I didnt even go this far when i drilled mine. I just hooked in and hoped for the best.

cheers

 

[Hutch]

I agree with Tony - rip it out, fill the space with expanding foam, trim it flush, replace the door lining and drill away.
You might even consider inserting something solid into the foam to drill through (like some MDF) since you've already gone to the trouble of removing the plastic lining.
I found that in order to hold my taps firmly in place, I used a small piece of Aluminium plate on the inside of the fridge to give something solid for the tap nut to screw down onto, and avoid excessively compressing the plastic lining.

Good luck with it.

 

[Tony]

I found that in order to hold my taps firmly in place, I used a small piece of Aluminium plate on the inside of the fridge to give something solid for the tap nut to screw down onto, and avoid excessively compressing the plastic lining.

I did the same thing.

I put a square piece od thin (1.6mm) stainless plate on the ionside and outsice of the tap as the fridge door compresses when you tighten the nut.

cheers

 

[jimi]

Drilling done, thanks to Linz who came over to help and got lobbed with the whole task.

J.T was probably right and the squares were only there for support, I'm not sure what else they could be doing.

A little more to do on the taps and then I'll just have to worry about getting beer to fill them kegs :beer:

Cheers for all the help

 

[PostModern]

I'm not sure what else they could be doing.

Maybe the lumps of metal are to add weight to the door so it swings shut when properly aligned?