Cookaholics Bulletin Board

Hello all,

My lovely husband got me the compressor ice cream maker I've been lusting after for several years for Christmas. He had it wrapped at the store (W-S) and got it about two weeks ago. We opened presents tonight (we do Christmas Eve) and I opened it and the idiot store clerk had wrapped it sideways. Meaning that the top of the box with the ribbon on it was the side of the machine once we got the paper off. The instructions have all kinds of dire warnings about storing it upright so as to not damage the compressor.

We have gotten it out of the box and turned it right side up and are letting it sit, but I am wondering if it was permanently damaged and should be returned, or will sitting correctly for x period of time set things to right? I have no experience with compressors, so any advice is welcome.

Thanks,

--Lisa

Lisa,

If it has that warning, it's got to be something more than just the compressor they're worrying about. Compressors, as a class, are remarkably hardy devices and can be stored and operated upright, sideways, and upside-down.

Personally, I would put it upright on the counter for 12 hours, and then try it out. If it doesn't get cold, exchange it for a replacement.

Thanks, we will give a shot. I'm dreaming of a white vanilla Christmas at this point....

Freezers etc often have the instructions to place upright and wait 24h. For the smaller one, I'd say fuzzy's advice sounds right, wait 12 h and have a go.

Compressors should not to be stored on their side because oil will get in the capillary tube, which is the expansion device, so refrigerant won't be able to move through the tube properly. (As an aside, in larger scale refrigeration the cap tube is replaced by a TXV (thermal expansion valve) so this is not a consideration.)

However, if you set it upright *in a warm spot* so the oil can go back to where it belongs, it will probably be okay. If after 24 hours in a warm spot (like right in front of a furnace vent) it won't work, you can try a blow dryer on the compressor to help the oil move.

Even though I would like to leave you awed with my mechanical expertise, I learned all that from my HVAC professional husband. He is awful handy to have around, and the reason I've been able to get free refrigerators in kitchens past

Oh, and compressors also can't be operated on their side, upside down, etc. because they splash lubricate and would seize in short order if operated under those conditions. Just in case someone wanted to lay their fridge down to take a nap or something.

Thanks, Darcie. fter approximately 15 hours upright, we ran the precooling sequence and the machine dropped down to 0F in just a few minutes so it seems that no permanent damage was done. Living in South Florida there aren't any places in my house that *aren't* warm (it is 70F today), so I am glad it didn't need to be chilled.

I have a batch of Vanilla Base and a batch of Lemon Sorbet base chilling in the fridge to try after dinner tonight.

Thanks for all the advice!

--Lisa

Just wanted to report back - thanks for all the advice! The machine worked perfectly and we had about a tablespoon each of vanilla ice cream (wonderful and rich) and even less of the mixed citrus sorbet (refreshing!). Tomorrow we will enjoy it when we aren't so full of Christmas dinner.

Now I have an excuse to by "The Perfect Scoop" by David Lebovitz.