Set up brand new cost way ep22672 and turned refrigerator on. Noted both outer sides are warm to the touch . Is this normal or a possible problem in the making?

Not normal - burner should get cool to touch and not be warm - it is still getting power via the control - latter needs to be changed.

Contact the manufacture, it is most likely going to be covered under warranty. If the knob is not removable, (check for a set screw on the side of the knob it will take a small allen wrench) Then the thermostat (temp controller) will need to be replaced, if it isn't a style that you can calibrate.

Nearly all modern fridges are self defrosting. Additionally, some models offer the option to minimize moisture on the cabinet. To do both the defrosting and controlling moisture build up, small heaters are used. Defrost heaters are located in the freezer compartment.

Typically, the other heaters are installed in the frame on the front of the fridge cabinet, near the freezer opening. This is where sub-freezing cold air would escape and contact the warmer (room temperature) outer cabinet. This causes condensation much the same way a glass of cold water "sweats" sitting on a counter or table. The warmer and more humid the room is, the more quickly the condensation will form. The heater is used to quickly evaporate any moisture that collects on the cabinet. This heater is operated at the same time as the defrost heater, and they are turned on by a timer, 2 or 3 times a day for about 20 to 30 minutes each time. When they are powered, it is expected that the cabinet will be warm to the touch. You may smell plastic, as the door seals adjacent to and in contact with the heated parts of the freezer opening are warmed, and is normal - particularly if new. The heaters should never be hot to the touch nor should smoke be seen.

I hope this helps!

Hello,

The condersor coil will be very warm to hot..not so much so it will burn you, yet very warm..the things that will make it very overly warm is if its clogged with dust or the condenser fan motor isnt running all the time the compressor is on. But it will normally be warm all the time the compressor is running..that heat is whats being removed from inside (the way refrigs. work is they remove the heat so when the heat is gone only cold is left)


GENE

Outer skin warm not problem. Frost free system working not properly. Timer / heater / fan may be not working properly.

yes they have heaters in them to help reduce moisture on the ref you can ussually turn them off by turning the energy saver feature on but this may cause moisture to build up on the exterior part and the inside of th ref

This is because the mullion heaters are on. This is a system designed to dry up sweating that occurs on the outside of the box in high humidity. Check to see that all the door seals are tight.

that should be normal

This is typical for frost-free refridgerators/freezers. In order to keep ice from buiding up on the interior walls of the freezer section, the manufacturer installs electric defrosting elements and extra "warming" elements in the outer edges of the cabinet, normally around the door openings to help mitigate any frost/ice build up and surface condensation that typically occurs on the exterior surfaces as the doors are opened and closed frequently.

These edge warmers stay very warm to keep ice and condensation from accumulating and will become VERY very warm (hot) when the fridge/freezer is in the once a day defrost cycle.

Unless you have an energy saver switch (GE trademark) inside the fridge section, which you can turn off, there is no way to disable these added elements. If you find that you're getting ice building up in the freezer, you'll need to turn off the energy saver switch to resolve that issue.

Energy Saver switch "ON" means these elements are off, while having the ES switch "OFF" means those heaters are running all the time and costing you more in energy consumption

this is not a fault. some of the hot pipework is led across the sides and across the transom between fridge and freezer to prevent condensation