I have a Kennmore Cold spot Model # 57285791. The center strip where the two doors meet is extremely hot and everything in the freezer is defrosted.

This is normal unless the refrigerator is not cooling properly. There is a pipe that goes around the door that carries hot Freon to keep the doors from sweating where the cold inside meets the warm air outside. This area will become extremely hot should the airflow below the refrigerator become obstructed or the condenser fan below the refrigerator not be working properly
APPLIANCE 911

Again a similar post as my last. This is normal unless the refrigerator is not cooling properly. There is a pipe that goes around the door that carries hot Freon to keep the doors from sweating where the cold inside meets the warm air outside. This area will become extremely hot should the airflow below the refrigerator become obstructed or the condenser fan below the refrigerator not be working properly
APPLIANCE 911

Hi,
Here is a tip that I wrote about the reasons why the sides and/or seals couldbe getting hot on your refrigerator.

RefrigeratorTrouble The Outside of Refrigerator Hot
heatman101

Hello,

Check the temperature setting
Assure that there is enough room for air flow in the freezer or freezer
Check for air flow restrictions in vents
Test the temperature control
Clean the condensor coils
Check the door seals
Test the door switch
Test defrost heater
Test defrost timer
Test evaporator fan
Check for a clogged drain tube
Check for refrigerant leak
Freezer is too cold

Check the temperature setting
Test the temperature control
Freezer is noisy

Hissing and popping is normal, it is the defrost heater.
Check that the freezer is level
Check the drain pan
Check the condensor fan
Check the evaporator fan
Inspect the compressor mounts
Freezer runs continuously

Defrost the freezer
Clean the condensor coils
Check the door seals
Freezer starts and stops frequently

Clean the condensor coils
Check the outlet voltage
Test the condensor fan
Test the compressor relay
Test the overload protector
Test the compressor motor
Freezer does not defrost automatically

Test the defrost timer
Test the defrost heater
Test the defrost thermostat
Freezer has an unpleasant odor

Remove spoiled food
Clean freezer interior with a solution of h
Clean freezer interior with a solution of hot water and baking soda
Clean the door seals
Remove breaker strips and check for wet insulation
Water on floor outside of freezer

Check the drain pan
If you have an ice-maker, check the water supply hose going into and coming out of the water inlet valve
Water inside the freezer

Check for a clogged drain tube
If you have an ice-maker, check freezer and ice-maker for level



You can fix this by yourself and do take care in solving the problem......

Hi,

Check out these tips...they can help you figure out whats going wrong with yourrefrigerator and why it is not cooling

Refrigerator not Cooling or Fridge not Cooling

How to Defrost Refrigerator Defrost Timer Problem

Water Running in refrigerator from Freezer

Refrigerator or Freezer not Cooling or Getting Cold
heatman101

hmmm... This would cause a freezer meltdown and spoiling of your food. Are you talking about the heating element behind the freezer panel ? There should be a safety to shut off the heater - there is another type of heating element to prevent moisture during hot humid summer days, controled by an "energy saver" switch - on older refrigerators - when this is on it is normal for the base between the freezer and fridge to be warm - but if it is the defrost element in the freezer, this is not normal at all - usually it should say on for around 20-25 mins or as needed - in which case you have a defrost timer / defrost components problems and need to get it serviced A.S.A.P.

The odds are it is a circuit board problem...I had a huge Amana 27 cubic foot side by side and it did the same thing...I diagnosed the problem and replaced the circuit board ....which actually controls everything...one sure sign is to pull the unit out as the other person did and to access the back of the unit where the compressor is...(the comptressor should be on 85% of the tme....if it is not on and warm or hot to the touch then it is a circuit board problem....since compressors will continue to run if there is a defrost problem (most of them anyway), or an Ice build up, etc etc. I don't recommend a layperson trying to replace the circuit board (mine cost $115,) but if you do it is generally in the door mine was a long thin circuit board behind the fridge door handle. .P.S. the heat that the other person felt on the door and around the door seals is normal lots of people don't even know this heat strips exist until something haappens and they start feeling around...these heat strips are to prevent frost of ice build up where the door meets the fridge framd...which can happen due to the extreme temp difference between the two...(inside temp and outside temp).

I hope this has helped...good luck...Knowledge gives you a base from which to yield power over unscrupulous repairmen whop may try to take advantage of people.
Again ...good luck and let me know what happens.....Please rate me .....The Fang.

2 things you neeed to check first of all clean teh coils underneath the refrig. then pull unit from wall and pull off rear compartment cover and see if the fan that cools compressor is running. it is possible the motor is jammed or bad. if the motor is bad you can put a house fan blowing into the comp compartment until you get it repaired.

That is called a heat strip. Used to keep moisture down around the door gaskets. You will need to roll unit out, take lower back plate off and check to see that the condinser fan is turning when compressor is on. If not,replace fan motor

This is a normal condition.  The condensor coils are in the cabinet and their job is to remove heat which is why it is hot.  You will want to make sure the freezer isn't in a tight spot where air from the room can't flow across it.  Without good air flow it will become too hot and not cool properly and lead to the compressor failing too soon.