4 Keys to Refrigerator Maintenance

Appliances aren't cheap – and refrigerators are no exception. New refrigerators start at several hundreds of dollars, and top-end models can easily sell for several thousands. No matter how much you paid for yours, chances are you will want it to last as long as possible. Save yourself from refrigerator breakdowns by following these four simple tips, courtesy of the experts at 24/7 Refrigerator Service.

Clean the Condenser Coils

Condenser coils are located on the back of your refrigerator, and are a key component to your refrigerator's operation. Even in the cleanest of homes, these coils accumulate hair, dust, and dirt over the course of several months. Taking a few minutes to clean them every six months will go a long way to preserving your refrigerator over time. To clean them, simply slide your fridge away from the wall and vacuum the coils with your cleaner's brush attachment.

Keep it Full

Keeping your refrigerator full will help it maintain its temperature when the door is open. The benefit of this, besides a consistent temperature for your food, is that your compressor won't have to work as hard. The compressor is the most vital part of a refrigerator and saving it from daily wear and tear adds up over your appliance's lifespan. Be careful though, as overstocking your fridge could prevent proper air circulation and lead to warm spots.

Give the Refrigerator Adequate Space

Make sure there is at least a six inch gap between the back of your refrigerator and the wall. The back of the refrigerator contains components which are constantly working and generating heat. Leaving enough space ensures adequate ventilation and will prevent your unit from overheating.

Check Your Seals

Your refrigerator door is lined with a rubber seal which is also known as a gasket. This seal remains air tight to keep the cold air in your fridge. A faulty seal will allow the cold air to be lost to the outside and warm air to enter it, which will make your compressor work harder to maintain the temperature. An easy way to test the strength of your refrigerator's seal is to close the door on a dollar bill. If you can easily remove or slide the dollar up and down, you should replace the seal immediately.

If your refrigerator is giving you issues, there is a chance you could repair it for a fraction of the cost of replacing it. If you live in Nassau County or New York City and are having refrigerator issues, call 24/7 Refrigerator Service at 866-782-9376 to schedule an appointment with a trained technician. You can also connect with us on social media for more tips and advice – we are active on both Facebook and Twitter.

How to Properly Clean & Maintain Your Refrigerator

Like any appliance in your home, your refrigerator is an investment. Most refrigerators are designed to last for about two decades, but not all of them do. The brand and model of your fridge play a large role in determining its lifespan, but how well you maintain it over the years can be even more important. If you buy your refrigerator, plug it in, then neglect it, you risk severely shortening its serviceable life.

The experts at 24/7 Refrigerator Service have provided some basic information on proper refrigerator maintenance and cleaning techniques so that you can get the most out of your kitchen's most-used appliance. 

Clean condenser coils every six months. Over time, dust, hair, and other pollutants can coat the condenser coils on your refrigerator. When this happens, it forces the refrigerator to work harder than necessary, increasing your unit's energy consumption and putting unneeded wear-and-tear on it. To clean the coils, shut off your refrigerator's water supply lines (if you have any) and unplug it from the outlet. Slide the fridge away from the wall and locate the coils, usually positioned either underneath the unit or on its rear. Thoroughly vacuum the coils with your cleaner's hose attachment until all noticeable buildup is gone. Plug the refrigerator back into the wall, slide it back to its proper position, and reconnect any water supply lines.

Clean & replace door seal as needed. The rubber seal around the door, known as the gasket, is a very important mechanism. If this piece is loose, cracked, or damaged in any way, it allows external warm air to enter the refrigerator. In turn, the fridge must work harder to maintain its internal temperature. When you notice the gasket getting dirty, wipe it down with a rag covered in water and a mild cleaning detergent. While cleaning it, quickly inspect it for cracks, tears, or loose edges. If there are any damages, gaskets are quick, easy, and cheap to replace. Replacing a gasket when you notice it is flawed will save you from months of higher electricity bills and potentially long term wear-and-tear to your refrigerator.

Defrost your freezer as needed. When the frost on the walls of your freezer becomes ½ an inch thick, it is time for a defrost. To do this, remove all of the food in your refrigerator and freezer and unplug the unit. Once the frost has completely melted, wipe the inside dry and plug it back in. Once it has reached its normal operating temperature, you can restock it with your fresh and frozen foods.

Clean the drip pan every month. Many newer refrigerator models are “auto-defrosting”. These models heat up the interior walls every eight hours or so in order to melt any ice that had accumulated on them. The water then drains into a pan at the bottom of the refrigerator. Most of this water evaporates, but it is still recommended to clean this pan with soap and warm water once a month to prevent the growth of bacteria. On most models, the drip pan can be accessed by detaching the kickplate from the bottom of the front of the unit. 

Check for spoiled food and spills daily. In order to prevent bacteria growth and unpleasant odors in your refrigerator, you should check it every day in order to make sure that there is no spoiled food sitting there. Also, do a quick eye test for anything that may have recently spilled or leaked. Cleaning up messes as soon as you notice them is much quicker than after allowing the food to sit and harden. It will also prevent the food from developing a stench and attracting bacteria.

Clean the interior every three months. While you should clean any obvious spills, leaks, or messes in your refrigerator right away, you should also give the entire interior a thorough cleaning seasonally. To do this, take all of the food out of your refrigerator followed by any removable shelves and drawers. Clean all pieces in the sink with warm water and dish soap and allow them to air dry. Wipe the walls and other interior surfaces of the refrigerator with the cleaning agent of your choice. Make sure everything is dry before replacing the shelves and drawers in your refrigerator. Go through your food and throw away anything that has spoiled or expired, and place the remaining food back in the fridge.

Replace filters every six months. If your refrigerator has an automatic ice maker or water dispenser, it will have filters that should be replaced twice per year. Every refrigerator is different, instructions for your particular model should be included in the instruction manual.

Following these steps will ensure that you maximize the lifespan of your refrigerator. However, no matter how well you maintain your appliances, they will eventually need repair. When that time comes, you can always call 24/7 Refrigerator Service. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, we can be at your door within an hour if you live in the tri-state area. You can also like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get more insightful tips and stay up to date on company news.