Horrible freezer odor problem

[takadi]

So I've got this problem where almost everything I put into my freezer will have the smell and taste of chemical/plastic on it. This odor is so powerful that I cannot freeze anything for more than a week before the flavor is completely ruined. I can't use the ice anymore either. I'm pretty sure it's freezer burn. Do you think activated carbon or baking soda will help? Do I have to empty the freezer and just clean the heck out of it? Or do you think the smell is coming from the fridge itself? I hope it is not an inherent problem within the freezer's cooling system. The problem has become so bad though that if it is the latter, I'm thinking of just scrapping the whole thing and buying a new fridge.

[escondido123]

I think the only way to know is to defrost and clean it out completely. Years ago my father put bags of chopped onions into the freezer; the smell and taste never went away.

[lemons]

How long has it been going on? Freezer burn isn't going to affect ice cubes a week old. Are you sure it's a plastic smell? Are you familiar with how mildew smells?

[ipsedixit]

Sounds like a fridge problem. How old is it? Maybe it's just time to get a new one for Christmas.