No Need for a Repairman: Use Our Refrigerator Maintenance Guide
Refrigerators are found in practically every home. Here are some tips to help you maintain your appliance while minimizing its wear and tear so it works well for years to come:
Clean the Coils & Condenser Fan
You may have never seen the coils in your refrigerator, but by keeping them clean, free of dust, pet hair and other debris your fridge will be more efficient and run more smoothly. You will find the coils in the back of the appliance at the bottom. This may mean removing a grill to gain access, so you’ll probably have to remove a few screws or snap a plate off. If the coils are way in the back, you’ll have to roll your refrigerator out from the wall, giving you an opportunity to clean the floor beneath.
There are special tools for cleaning coils that you can purchase, but a good stiff brush should be more than adequate, along with the attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Just run the brush or vacuum along the top and bottom of the coils to remove all the built-up dust. While you’re at it, make sure the condenser fan is cleaned as well. The coils and fan should be cleaned at least once or twice a year, but if you have pets it is recommended that you clean them more often.
Check the Temperature Frequently
You should frequently check the temperatures in the main food compartment as well as the freezer sections. This is vital for food safety and it will also help your unit run more efficiently. The ideal temperature for the main food compartment is 37° to 40°F and for your freezer, 0°F. If your refrigerator is an older model or you think that your appliance is not cooling properly, you can buy a refrigerator thermometer at your local hardware store fairly inexpensively.
Inspect the Gasket and the Seal
If the gasket isn’t sealing right, cold air can escape, making your refrigerator work harder, which uses more energy just to maintain the correct temperatures inside. Inspect the gasket for wear and tear, and do this regularly. If you notice cracks or signs of deterioration, replace it. Using warm soapy water, clean the gasket on a regular basis as well. This will prevent food crumbs and spills from damaging the seal.
Replace Filters
Most people have no idea that the water dispenser and icemaker on their refrigerator usually have filters that need to be changed. Check the manufacturer’s booklet for specific instructions regarding the replacement of filters on your model. By changing the filters on these components you can keep your water dispenser and icemaker clean, helping them run at optimum efficiency. So that you remember to do this, just do it when you’re going around the house changing your other filters.
Keep the Door Closed
Avoid leaving the refrigerator door open because when it’s opened it has to work all that much harder just to stay at the right temperature. Before opening the door determine exactly what it is you need to take out and get everything at once. Check to see that the door is shut tightly when you close it.
Make Sure it’s Level
When a refrigerator is not standing level, there can be problems. You may not be able to get the doors to fully close or seal properly, which can cause the motor to strain more than normal. To determine whether your refrigerator is standing level, check the shelves with a level tool. If need be, adjust the feet so that the unit is even on all four sides.
Keep Food Covered
Food should be properly stored in containers with tight fitting tops, or tightly covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This keeps food fresher and minimizes the moisture building up inside.
Keep it Filled Up
Without overcrowding or cramming your refrigerator and freezer full of food, keep the compartments full since that keeps the unit cooler and helps it run more efficiently. However, when placing food inside, avoid blocking the controls or any vents.
Empty Out the Ice
This may not help how your freezer runs, but it may improve the taste of your drinks. What often happens is that the ice lying on top of the container gets used all the time, leaving the ice lying on the bottom to become stale. The entire container should be emptied out periodically to allow it to fill back up from the bottom. This way all the ice will be fresh.
Change the Light Bulb
When the light bulb goes out, change it immediately. If you can’t see inside your refrigerator to get what you want, the door will remain open longer. You don’t want your family members fumbling around in the dark pulling out drawers and knocking things over. Keep new bulbs on hand so that you can immediately change the light bulb when it burns out.
Cool Food Down First
When you place hot food in your refrigerator, it raises the temperature inside, which affects the other foods stored there, while making your unit work harder. Being mindful of food safety, take several minutes to let hot containers cool down before you place them in the refrigerator.
Placement is Important
If the interior of your kitchen is already designed and built there may be only one spot for the refrigerator, but if not and you have a choice, put it away from the oven, cooktop or any other source of heat. If the refrigerator is next to any of these items, it will have to work that much harder just to keep everything inside cold. This will also use a lot more energy. It also needs to have some space between it and the walls and cabinets so that the vents can work properly. If the unit is crowded in too closely, its operation can be impeded.
Even with regular maintenance a refrigerator can break down. Be on the lookout for the typical warning signs that your refrigerator isn’t working as it should:
Food begins spoiling too soon
- Ice cubes melting or sticking together
- Soft ice cream
- Strange noises or the sound of clicking
- Water gathering on the floor around the unit
- Food items and drinks don’t seem as cold as usual
If you happen to notice any of these things happening, you may want to call in a reputable refrigerator repair specialist from Sparkle Appliance to come in and evaluate the situation.
