A method for operating a refrigerator having two movably connected housing parts, a frame and a door which jointly delimit a heat-insulated interior, as well as a seal that is fastened to a first of the housing parts and contacts the other of the housing parts in an airtight manner in the closed position of both housing parts. The method includes a step in which the airtight contact between the seal and the second housing part is prevented for a specific period of time along a section of the seal while the sealing contact between the seal and the second housing part is subsequently restored along said section of the seal in a step. The invention also relates to a refrigerator for carrying out the method.