Keep Your Refrigerator Running Right with These Fridge Tips
Tips for Care, Cleaning, Food Safety & Water Leaks
Money-Saving Refrigerator and Food Safety Tips
Your refrigerator is arguably the hardest working appliance in your home, constantly running to keep your food fresh and safe. To ensure it performs efficiently for years to come and helps you avoid costly repairs, proper care is essential. This comprehensive guide is packed with expert tips covering everything from general maintenance and thorough cleaning techniques, to crucial food safety guidelines, and smart solutions for common ice maker and water leak issues. Dive in to discover how a little proactive care can significantly extend your fridge’s life and keep your kitchen running smoothly!
Check Out These Helpful Refrigerator Tips
- Jump to: Refrigerator Maintenance Tips
- Jump to: Food Safety Guidelines
- Jump to: Refrigerator Cleaning Tips
- Jump to: Ice Makers & Water Leaks
Have a Question? Check out our Refrigerator Repair FAQ
Energy Saving Fridge Maintenance Tips
Clean Fridge Condenser Coil
This is one of the most important—and most neglected—maintenance tasks for your refrigerator. The condenser coil needs good airflow to remove heat, and keeping it clear of dust and pet hair significantly improves its efficiency. (It doesn’t need to be spotless!) The coil’s location varies by model, so check your owner’s manual to learn how to access the machine compartment.
IMPORTANT: Always unplug your refrigerator or turn off power at the circuit breaker before beginning. Be sure to reinstall the compartment cover after you finish cleaning.
Don’t Leave Doors Open
Based on conversations I’ve had with some of my clients, Im adding this tip as a reminder. Get what you need from the refrigerator or freezer and then close the door. Leaving the door open while putting things on the counter, or while cooking, means it will have to run much longer to cool back down. Read the next tip to learn what affects the time needed to cool back down.
More or Less Food: Which Is Better?
It’s one of the most common questions I get, and the answer often surprises people: the more food items you store in your refrigerator, the more efficiently it runs. Those cold items create a ‘thermal inertia,’ helping to keep the compartment cool when the door is briefly opened. Fewer items mean more cold air, which will be displaced by warm air when you open either door. Just be sure to check the next tip for why you shouldn’t overload it!
Don’t Overload Fridge
Storing too many food items can prevent proper airflow throughout your appliance, making it run much longer and consuming electricity. If things fall out when a door is opened, or you have to push the door to close it, you probably have too much stored. Remove some food items until the door closes on its own. Read the next tip to learn how to ensure proper airflow throughout your refrigerator appliance.
Air Circulation is Key with Glass Shelves
Almost all modern refrigerators and freezers have glass shelving now. As opposed to both my 35+ year-old fridges that both have wire shelves. In order for proper air circulation with glass shelves, it is critical for food items not to rest against walls. The reason for this is because the air has to pass between the glass shelves and the interior walls, not the case with wire shelves. If you notice food items against the wall freezing in refrigerator, relocate them away from the wall to see if they thaw on their own.
Position Fridge Away from Heat Sources
Avoid adding heat to your refrigerator whenever possible, as this makes it hard for the appliance to maintain cold temperatures. Keep your fridge out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources like a space heater or heating vent. It’s especially important to avoid placing a refrigerator next to a cooking appliance like an oven or range. If space does not allow for a cabinet or another buffer, using a thick styrofoam insulation panel can serve as a shield.
Change Water & Air Filters
For optimal performance and quality, regularly change your refrigerator’s filters. Most manufacturers recommend replacing both water and air filters every 6 months. However, based on my experience with Chicago’s water supply, you might find your refrigerator water filter maintains good flow for closer to 1 year before needing a change.
Food Safety Guidelines
Be sure to check our blogpost “Normal Refrigerator Temperatures” for a list of foods to discard or keep when the normal refrigerator temperatures rise in the refrigerator or freezer.
Additional Resources: US Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service: “Food Safety Education”
Frozen Food: Safety vs. Quality
When it comes to freezing food, remember these key points:
Safety: Food that is properly handled, cooked, and stored in a freezer at 0°F (-18°C) will remain safe to eat.
Bacteria: Freezing stops bacteria from growing, but it does not kill them.
Quality: While food is safe indefinitely at 0°F, its quality will decrease the longer it remains in the freezer.
Fresh Food Storage Duration
The fresh food (refrigerated) compartment is designed to store fresh food items between 34-40℉ (1-4℃). Unlike the freezer, the length of time fresh food items can be stored is severely limited, and varies greatly.
Raw Ground Meats (beef, poultry, pork, lamb): 1 to 2 days
Raw Fresh Meats (steaks, chops, roasts of beef, veal, lamb, pork): 3 to 5 days
Raw Poultry (whole or pieces): 1 to 2 days
Raw Fish and Shellfish: 1 to 2 days
Leftovers (cooked meat, poultry, fish, casseroles, soups, stews): 3 to 4 days
Egg, Chicken, Tuna, Ham, and Macaroni Salads: 3 to 5 days
Opened Deli/Lunch Meats: 3 to 5 days
Bacon: 7 days
Hot Dogs (opened package): 1 week
Fresh Eggs (in shell): 3 to 5 weeks
Hard-Cooked Eggs: 1 week
Keep Cold Food Safe: The Two-Hour Rule
Refrigerate or freeze perishables right away. According to the US FDA: Stick to the “two-hour rule” for leaving items needing refrigeration out at room temperature. Never allow meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, or other foods, including leftovers, that require refrigeration to sit at room temperature (72° F) for more than two hours.
Monitor Fridge / Freezer Temperatures
Knowing that your refrigerator & freezer are keeping food at safe temperatures is necessary for your family’s health. Keep the refrigerator temperature below 40° F (4° C). The freezer temperature should be 0° F (-18° C). Thermometers placed at the center of each compartment are the best way of knowing these temperatures and are generally inexpensive. Do NOT rely on what your refrigerator display panel shows.
Keep Food Out of Danger Zone
Food temperature danger zone is between 40°F to 140°F. We refrigerate food from 40°F to 34°F for short term storage, so just a few degrees warmer puts your food at risk, and of course we cook food to an internal temperature of 140°F.
If Your Fridge Loses Power
According to the US FDA, if you lose power, the single most important step is to not open refrigerator and freezer doors at all to help maintain cold temperatures.
A closed refrigerator can keep food safe for about 4 hours.
A full freezer can maintain temperature for up to 48 hours.
A half-full freezer will last approximately 24 hours.
IMPORTANT: These times DO NOT apply if your refrigerator or freezer is malfunctioning.
When In Doubt, Throw It Out
Be alert for spoiled food. Trust your senses: if any food looks or smells suspicious, the safest practice is to discard it. This also applies to any food that is moldy or has passed its expiration date.
Refrigerator Cleaning Tips
Safety First: Unplug Your Fridge
Before cleaning, it is recommended you unplug refrigerator to prevent serious injury from electrocution. Now is a good time to sweep behind the fridge since its pulled out too.
A Clean Fridge Is a Safe Fridge
According to the USFDA: Clean the refrigerator regularly and wipe spills immediately. This helps reduce the growth of bacteria and prevents drips from thawing meat that can allow bacteria from one food to spread to another. When spills do occur, make sure to also wipe down the gaskets of any residue.
Essential Steps for Fridge Cleaning
You can do a routine monthly cleaning of the refrigerator one shelf at a time, or you can do a thorough cleaning of the entire compartment all at once. We have provided tips for either method. If you think you will take longer than 30 minutes from start to finish, place perishables in a cooler and close tightly.
DO NOT USE BLEACH
Safe Cleaning Solutions for Your Refrigerator
- A mild soap & water combination
- A vinegar & water cleaning solution
- A steam cleaner.
- Start at bottom and work towards the top shelf
- Discard any spoiled or expired food as you go
- Check behind and under all shelves for food or spills
- Spray cleaner onto towel, then wipe down floor & walls
- Wash each shelf & drawer with mild soap and water
- Dry walls, shelves and drawers after cleaning
- Plug fridge back in & return against wall
- Return food contents back to compartment
- Relocate all contents to counters or a cooler
- Discard spoiled or expired food items
- Remove all shelves, drawers & bins, and wash in sink
- We recommend cleaning one wall at a time
- Be cautious around light sockets & door switches
- Dry walls, shelves and drawers after cleaning
- Plug fridge back in & return against wall
- Return food contents back to compartment
Remember to Clean Door Gaskets
In order to prevent rips and tears to the door gaskets, wipe the gasket and the front of the cabinet that contacts the gasket. Doing this now and anytime something is spilled will keep your door sealing completely, and keeps it running as efficiently as possible.
Clean Fridge Condenser Coil
We mention this tip again in case you missed it earlier, and it’s important enough to mention twice anyway. We recommend you clean your refrigerator’s condenser coil at least once per year.
Ice Maker and Water Leak Tips
If Ice Maker Leaks Water
If your ice maker leaks water, turning the ice maker off does not stop water leaks, it only stops the ice maker from cycling. We still recommend shutting off the water supply to the refrigerator.
If Refrigerator Leaks Water
If your refrigerator or freezer is leaking water, either onto your kitchen floor or down into your basement or crawl space, turn the refrigerator water supply off. You do not have to shut off the main water supply to your entire residence, unless of course you cannot locate the fridge water supply.
Locating Fridge Water Supply
If it becomes necessary to shut the refrigerator water supply off, there are 3 common locations of the shut-off valve:
- Under the kitchen sink If it is on the same or an adjacent wall as the fridge;
- Behind the fridge If the sink is on the opposite wall (except built-in fridges);
- Basement or Crawl Space If it’s not behind fridge, follow where the water line leads, either in wall or floor to basement/crawl space.
Turning Water Supply Back On
When turning refrigerator water supply back on, if your valve handle requires several counter-clockwise rotations to open fully until it stops, make sure to rotate one-quarter to one-half turn back in the clockwise direction. This will prevent your shut-off valve getting stuck in that fully open position, allowing you to be able to easily shut it off when urgently needed.
Dry Up Water Fast to Prevent Mold
After shutting off the water supply, your next step is to dry the affected area to prevent mold from growing. Mold can begin to grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours.
Absorb the Water: Use absorbent towels to soak up as much standing water as you can.
Circulate Air: Use high-speed fans and/or a dehumidifier to circulate air and dry the area completely. It may take several days to ensure there is no moisture left in the floor or behind appliances.
Assess for Mold: Once the area is dry, inspect it for any signs of mold. If you find any, or if you are unsure, you should follow up with a certified mold remediation expert.
Dry up water using absorbent towels, high speed fans drying the area. Make sure to dry all the moisture out of the floor to further prevent any damage. This should also be followed up with mold remediation as well. You can find a certified mold remediation expert here.
Safely Remove Freezer Ice
If there is any ice build up around the ice maker or elsewhere in the freezer, NEVER use sharp objects like a screwdriver or a knife to remove it. The safest way to remove ice without the proper tools is to unplug your refrigerator, open doors and blow a fan for 24-48 hours.
We Are Here to Help If Needed
Thank you for taking the time to review these essential tips. By following simple steps like maintaining the correct temperature, cleaning regularly, and handling food safely, you are not only protecting your family’s health but also ensuring your refrigerator runs as efficiently as possible. We hope these insights empower you to keep your appliance in top condition, extend its life, and save on energy costs. A well-maintained refrigerator is a key ingredient for a happy, healthy home, and we’re glad you’re taking these steps to care for yours. If you have maintenance or repair service needs and live in the Chicagoland area, call A Fast Local Refrigerator Repair for help with your fridge today.
