A container standing closed in a frozen regime gets condensation on the gasket surface, which then freezes. Pulling a frozen gasket tears its surface or rips it from where it is bonded; even without visible damage it no longer seats the same way at that point, and sealing loss begins there.
- Do not force the lid; hot water brings fresh moisture that refreezes, and a heat gun or open flame deforms the gasket.
- Leave the box to thaw at ambient temperature; if it holds product, first secure the product in a cold area.
- Once the lid is free, inspect and photograph the ice location, gasket surface and seating line; if there is damage or doubt about sealing, take the box out of use.
Ice comes from humid air entering when the lid opens, from wet product and from a box closed before it was dry. Do not close a washed box wet and limit door openings; leaving the lid of an empty box ajar stops it bonding. For lubricant, ask Aris Makina for the model's maintenance instruction.
