Refrigerators are one of the most-used appliances in the home. We’ll teach you how to keep your fridge in great shape and potentially extend its life with our refrigerator maintenance tips.
Here is a home refrigeration maintenance checklist that you can easily put into practice. If you are looking for commercial refrigerator repair service, call Air Magique!
- Clean the Coils
Keeping your coils free of dust, debris, and pet hair helps the refrigerator operate smoothly and efficiently. The coils are usually located at the bottom or back of the appliance. You may have to remove a grill to get to them, but that usually just involves snapping off a plate or removing a few simple screws.
If your unit’s coils are in the back, you’ll need to roll or move the fridge away from the wall. This gives you an opportunity to clean the floor underneath the fridge and finally scoop up the grapes, dog treats, and pieces of cereal that magically find their way under there.
You can purchase a special coil-cleaning tool for the job, but a vacuum cleaner attachment or a stiff brush can also do the trick. Just run the vacuum or brush over and under the coils, removing dust as you go. Clean the condenser fan, too. The coils should be cleaned in this manner once or twice a year, or more often if you have pets that shed. This DIY refrigerator maintenance tip can make your fridge more efficient.
- Maintain the Temperature
Check the temperature often in both the refrigerator and freezer sections of your unit. This fridge/freezer maintenance tip is important for food safety and efficiency. The refrigerator compartment should be around 37 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and the freezer section should be set at zero degrees Fahrenheit or below.
If you have an older model or suspect that your fridge or freezer isn’t cooling correctly, you can purchase an inexpensive refrigerator thermometer at most hardware and home improvement stores.
- Check the Gasket
If your gasket isn’t sealing well, cold air can escape. This makes the unit work harder, using more energy to maintain the right temperature. Inspect the gasket frequently for signs of wear and tear. If it’s cracked or deteriorated, you should replace it to avoid fridge cycle problems (hint: this is an easy DIY refrigerator repair task!). A replacement fridge seal can be found at your local hardware store.
As a part of your fridge maintenance routine, be sure to clean the gasket regularly with warm, soapy water to help prevent crumbs and spills from harming the seal.
- Change Filters
Many people don’t realize that refrigerator ice makers and water dispensers usually have filters that need changing. Keeping the filters changed will help keep your ice maker and water dispenser clean and running efficiently. A great way to remember to change your fridge filters is to do it when you change other filters around your home, which should be around every three months.
Check your manufacturer’s instructions for specific recommendations and replacement information for your model.
- Close the Door
As it turns out, your mother was right: keeping the refrigerator door closed is one of the best ways to ensure proper refrigerator maintenance. This is because the refrigerator has to work harder to maintain the correct temperatures when the door is opened frequently.
Think about the items you need out of the fridge before you open the door, and retrieve them all at once. Make sure the door is closed tightly when you’re through. This refrigerator maintenance tip is not only good for your fridge, but it’s also a great way to save energy.
- Keep it Level
If your refrigerator is not level, the doors may not close completely or seal properly, and the motor may have to strain unnecessarily. Use a level tool on the shelves to check your refrigerator’s position. Adjust the feet of the refrigerator if necessary to keep the unit even on all sides.
- Cover Your Food
Store food properly in containers with securely fitting tops or covered tightly with foil or plastic wrap. This will help keep your food fresh for longer and minimize moisture in your fridge. Moisture and appliances don’t mix, so it’s important to control moisture whenever you can to aid in the care and maintenance of your refrigerator.
- Keep it Full
While you don’t want to overcrowd your refrigerator or freezer, keeping both compartments full will actually help the unit cool better and operate more efficiently. When filling your refrigerator and freezer, avoid blocking any vents or controls.
- Empty the Ice Occasionally
While this won’t help your freezer run any more efficiently, it may help your drinks taste better. Often, the ice at the top of the dispenser container gets used while the ice on the bottom sits for long periods and becomes stale. Empty the entire container periodically and let it refill from the bottom to ensure all the ice stays fresh.
This may not be a fridge maintenance tip, but it should definitely be added to your cleaning schedule.
- Use Proper Lighting
You may not think that working light bulbs will make a big difference, but if you can’t see what you’re looking for inside the refrigerator, you’ll probably keep the door open longer. Your fridge maintenance should involve promptly changing any interior light bulbs that burn out so that your family members don’t have to fumble around in dark shelves and drawers.
- Cool Down Your Food
Placing hot, steaming food in your fridge will raise the appliance’s temperature and its contents, making it work harder to stabilize. While food safety is very important, take a few minutes to let hot items cool down before storing them in your refrigerator.
- Consider Refrigerator Placement
It’s not always possible to choose where your refrigerator will go in your kitchen, but if you get the chance, place it away from the cooktop, oven, or heating source. If a refrigerator is close to any of these heat-generating items, it will just have to work harder to keep its contents cold, using more energy in the process.
Also, ensure that your fridge has adequate space around it to allow the vents to function correctly. You don’t want cabinets or other appliances to crowd the unit too closely and impede its operation.
Even if you perform regular refrigerator maintenance, pay attention to any signs you may be headed for a broken refrigerator, such as:
- Food and drink items aren’t as cold as they usually are
- Soft ice cream
- Melted ice or cubes that stick together
- Food starts spoiling early
- Water around the appliance
- Unusual noises or clicking sounds
If you use these fridge troubleshooting tips to catch a problem early, you may be able to save the appliance and extend its life. Routine refrigeration maintenance is a great way to save money and ensure a more efficient refrigerator.
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Source: https://www.ahs.com/home-matters/repair-maintenance/guide-to-refrigerator-maintenance/
