Refrigerator Door Handle Sticking

[NC Traveler]

Anyone have this issue? The handle to open the main door of the Dometic Refrigerator in our 2018 28' Flying Cloud is not fully disengaging. My wife needs both hands to depress at "just the right angle" to open the damn door. I have a hard time as well. I've looked at it trying to see what I could do but see nothing except black plastic. Any ideas?

[steve46]

What model is your Dometic refrigerator?

I installed a model DM2682 in my Airstream and both the fridge and freezer handles have broken. I’ve ordered new ones, but do not yet have them installed. IMHO the plastic handles are a poor design, and when speaking with Dometic they said a new design is under consideration. That being said, the expense of replacing the broken handles is mine.

I could not open the fridge door but my Airstream dealer service manager was able to do so. He used some heavy duty Velcro straps to fashion a “handle” until the new handles are installed. As the door seems to have a magnetic closure, the door does stay closed when stationary and I secure with bungee cords during travel.

I’d suggest using a flashlight to closely examine the handles—when I did this, I could see small cracks in the plastic.

Good luck and report back on your conclusions.

[NC Traveler]

Thanks for the info. I absolutely agree that the handles are of poor *#&! design. I'll take closer look again and see if there are any cracks. I suspect its a case of the plastic handle deforming with use and temp change. What's the cost of your replacement handles?