[JudyGail]

If you use the hair dryer (we do), never set it to the hot setting. The hair dryer Thom uses won't get hot (which is why it's in the kitchen for defrosting) so it's perfect for defrosting. Our fridge is not the side-by-side. We put the food in the freezer into a fold up insulated ice chest, even the ice stays frozen.

As far as ice on the fins in the fridge, we don't get it anymore.... since I put one of those little battery operated box fans on the bottom of the fridge (about 3"x3"x4"). The fridge now stays at a consistent cool temp with no ice on the fins.

Seal on the doors -- Every time I do dishes, which isn't often (maybe every two weeks) since I cook he cleans, I wash the seals on the doors and the inside frame of the fridge. We've been in our MS a year and both doors still seal really good.