How to Keep Your Fridge in Top Operating Condition

General Fridge Maintenance Information

Here are some Refrigerator Maintenance Tips to help keep your fridge running smoothly, efficiently and in Top condition. In order to keep your refrigerator running at peak performance, use these DIY tips to keep your fridge in the best condition.

Why Should I Maintain my Fridge?

A contributing factor to poor refrigeration temperatures is usually contributed to a dirty condensor coil. Below we will show you how to keep your condenser coil clean and free from accumulation of dust and dirt that can prevent you from having costly repairs or replacing your condenser altogether. Tip: Be careful not to damage the cooking fan, if you are using a coil brush to clean the condenser coil.

How Often Should i Maintain my Fridge?

It should be thoroughly cleaned every 3 to 6 months, particularly in the spring just before the weather heat and humidity heats up in the summer months.

Fridge Maintenance Tips

• Clean the Inside of your Fridge thoroughly once a month. Clean the crisper drawers, the inside of the fridge
• Use Hot Soapy water to clean the fridge rubber door seal and gasket to prevent an air leak in the fridge. There can be food buildup that can dry the door seal over time. Make sure there is no food or stickiness on the fridge or freezer door frame, which can lead to excessive moisture insude the fridge ., and frost buildup in your freezer. Tip: Petroleum Jelly can be used to lubricate ans soften the rubber door seal.
• Wash and Clean the Freezer and fridge door frame top, sides and bottom.
• Remove the bottom grate of the fridge and clean it thoroughly before putting it back on.
• Make a note of your current temperature setting of your fridge, so you can make sure you can reset your fridge to the same setting you had before you turn the fridge off temporarily to clean the back of it.
• If your fridge has a water line, turn off the shutoff valve to make sure there a no leaks
• Pull the fridge out from the wall and remove the back panel.
• Take this time to thoroughly clean the floor, baseboard and the wall behind the fridge. Vacuum up the crumbs, dirt and dust that can accumulate at the back of the fridge over time.
• Use a condensor brush or soft duster and vacuum cleaner to clean the condenser coil, cooling fan, and surrounding area. You will notice there can be a large amount of dust buildup in this area. If you can reverse the air on your vacuum cleaner to blow air out it will work more efficiently to clean this area. (Make sure you remove the power cord before doing any work).
• Open and Place a box of baking soda in the refrigerator to help eliminate any excess odours from the fridge.
• Change your fridge water filter every six to 12 months on average.
• Tip: Don’t over tighten the backing screws at the back of your fridge just snug is good enough.
• Make sure to turn your water source and your fridge water line back on and plug your fridge in prior to turning the fridge back on.
   

Refrigerator Coil Cleaning Brush

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• Best Dishwasher Buying Guide 2024 – Features, Tips & Buying Advice 

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Choosing the Best Refrigerator for your needs and Budget

General Refrigerator Information

Fridges are mainly 30, 33, and 36 inches wide (standard fridges) however height and depth can be different. Make sure there is an extra 1/2 inch or so on each side for the appliance to have room to breathe for proper air flow when you are measuring the width of your fridge.

What Size of Fridge Do You Need

Make sure you have the correct measurements. Unless you are renovating your kitchen you need to measure your existing opening where your fridge is going to be plsced. A good rule of thumb when measuring the size if fridge you need, is to add one inch of space on each side of your fridge, One to two inches of space at the top of the fridge, and at least one to two inches behind the fridge for fresh air to circulate around the coils of your fridge for breath ability of your compressor so it does not overheat, which can lead to a lower lifespan.

Top Refrigerator Brands Known for Reliability

1. GE
2. Whirlpool
3. Electrolux
4. Samsung (Avoid if buying a in-door Ice Maker)
5. LG
6. Frigidaire
7. Kitchenaid
Every manufacturer is known for having good and bad models

Top Luxury Refrigerator Brands

1. Sub Zero
2. Viking Professional

Width

30, 33, and 36 inches wide (standard fridges) however height and depth can be different. Make sure there is an extra 1/2 inch or so on each side for the appliance to have room to breathe Add an extra 1/2 inch or so on each side for proper air flow and breathe ability

Depth

Make sure you measure the depth of your existing kitchen cabinets. 

4 Main Refrigerator Types

1. Top Freezer
2. Bottom Freezer
3. French Door
4. Side by Side
5. Built-In

Single Door Standard Size Counter Depth Fridge is 36 Inches Wide x 72 Inches High

Built-In Refrigerators are the same depth as a Standard Refrigerator and available in 36”, 42”, and 48” Widths and are a one piece unit

Some have the compressor at the top of the Fridge, and some are on the bottom. They are flush mount with most kitchen cabinets

Full-Depth Refrigerator

Full-depth refrigerators can stick out from the counters about 6-8 inches

Refrigerator Shopping and Buying Tips

1. Consider an extended warranty. If you could buy an extended 10 year parts and labour warranty for $50 would you buy it. Of course, that’s non existent but it makes a point, that if you are buying an expensive fridge, make sure you understand what the extended warranty covers. Look for a warranty that covers the replacement of your compressor, should it fail.
2. Consider a backup fridge in your garage that can add storage capacity, while providing fridge and freezer space should you need a repair on your main fridge
3. The more features you have, the more likely you will have repair issues down the road
4. In- Door Water and Ice makers are known to be faulty over time, so make sure you need one before buying. Samsung brand are known for having issues. GE Opal are known for having reliable ice makers.
5. Look for fridges made in the USA for quality workmanship. You can find the information on the sticker on the inside of the fridge. Countries like Thailand, Mexico or China may not have the same manufacturing standards as USA. You can also find out where particular models are manufactured by going to the manufacturers official website. GE is known for manufacturing some models in the USA.
6. Look for a Freezer ice maker not a Refrigerator Ice Maker

Ice Maker and Filtered Water

If you are wanting to have an Ice maker or Filtered Water, Check to make sure you have an existing water supply to the fridge, otherwise you will need a licensed plumber to run a new water line from your kitchen sink to your nrw fridge. Also make sure you have a shutoff valve installed on your water line, so that you can shut off the water source should there be a leak in the system. If your existing water line is copper pipe, you would need to replace it and upgrade to a new water line. Your local plumber can help determine the requirements you need to hookup a water line with a shutoff.

How many cubic feet of storage do You Need?

Usually 1 bag of groceries is one cubic foot of storage space

4 to 6 cubic feet per adult in storage space for your refrigerator

Single Door Top Freezer Refrigerators

Related Articles and Posts

• Fridge Maintenance Tips – How to Keep Your Fridge In Top Condition
• Dishwasher Buying Guide 2024 – Features, Tips & Buying Advice

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