How to Care for Your Refrigerator and Freezer?
The refrigerator is one of the most useful appliances in the kitchen for storing food.FoodTo prolong the life of this important household appliance, certain guidelines must be followed. If proper care is not taken, you may have to spend a lot on repairs or replacements. In this section, we will introduce the key principles ofhousekeeping Hidabhousekeepingrefrigerator careand freezer care, helping you extend the lifespan of these appliances.
What can we do to better care for our refrigerator and freezer?
Principles of proper care and cleaning for refrigerators and freezers.
1. Clean the condenser coils twice a year:
Use a large brush; condenser coils are responsible for removing heat from the refrigerator and freezer. They are large, similar to radiator coils located at the back or underneath the unit. When dust and dirt accumulate on the coils, it becomes harder for the refrigerator and freezer to eliminate heat, thus increasing energy consumption. Without regular cleaning, this can lead to serious issues and costly repairs; using this large brush makes cleaning the coils easy, and you should follow specific guidelines for your refrigerator.
2. Clean and replace seals:
The seals are the rubber components around the refrigerator and freezer doors, often overlooked but crucial for keeping out warm air. Clean them periodically with a thick spray cleaner. Over time, these seals can wear out and no longer seal properly, causing your refrigerator and freezer to lose efficiency. It’s noted that seals can become weak, loose, and torn after several years, allowing warm air to enter and resulting in higher energy consumption and bills. Thankfully, seals are inexpensive and usually easy to replace.
How to care for and maintain your refrigerator and freezer?
3. Defrosting:
Manually remove ice from the freezer:
When ice builds up to about one and a half inches (or just over one centimeter) on the freezer walls, remove food from the refrigerator/freezer, turn off the thermostat or unplug the device, and let all the ice melt. Once the ice is completely melted, plug the device back in and wait for it to reach its temperature before putting the food back inside. If your refrigerator and freezer have automatic defrosting, you don’t need to do this; every six to eight hours, the refrigerator slightly cools down to counteract frost building up on the coils, resulting in water runoff from the refrigerator freezer.
Although the water evaporates, it’s essential to regularly clean the tray to prevent odors and bacteria growth, using warm water and a small amount of detergent. Specific instructions for this are usually provided in the manual, but on most models, you can access the tray by removing the lower grill and pulling out the tray.
4. Clean the inside of the refrigerator:
Clean the refrigerator weekly. Use a cloth soaked in warm water to wipe and remove dirt from shelves and walls. A cleaner makes the job easier, removing stains and sticky residues with less grease; you can also use this cleaner on the door and handle. Use airtight containers to eliminate odors and keep food fresh longer.
If you have a poorly packaged item (like a fruit carton) or something likely to leak (like frozen meat), place it on a plate before storing.
Refrigerator facts and food storage tips.
For stainless steel surfaces:
This cleaning solution and cloth are designed to remove dirt and fingerprint marks on stainless steel refrigerators and freezers. When cleaning, it’s best to follow the “grain” or pattern of the stainless steel.
5. Disinfect:
Disinfect the refrigerator and freezer; eliminate odors with a disinfectant specifically designed for refrigerators. According to the manufacturer, this disinfectant is up to 50 times more effective thansodafor removing food odors.
6. Change the ice maker or water filter:
Replace the refrigerator water filter; the water filter should be replaced at least every six months.
Strategies to extend the life of your refrigerator and freezer.
Other key tips for caring for your refrigerator and freezer.
- To prevent the freezer from damage caused bysunlightit is better not to place it near a window.
- For air circulation behind the freezer, it should be set 20 cm away from the wall.
- Refrigerators and freezers should be kept away from heat-producing appliances like stoves, heaters, and radiators.
- Avoid placing decorative items like vases and statues on top of side-by-side refrigerators and freezers.
- Clean frost-free freezers every three months and at most every six months.
- Your refrigerator should be leveled to reduce noise and avoid stress on the motor.
- Adjust the freezer settings according to the ambient temperature.
A guide for the maintenance and safety of refrigerators and side-by-side freezers.
- Avoid storing various food items together on the same shelves; it’s better to keep materials such as meat, poultry, and fish on higher shelves and vegetables on lower ones.
- Foods placed in the freezer should be properly packaged to avoid absorbing tastes and odors from other items.
- Label items with dates, and it’s best not to keep food for long periods.
- Glass containers are not suitable for storing foods like grains and dried fruits.
- Let food cool completely before placing it in the freezer, and remove air from the food packages.
The best recommendations for proper refrigerator care.
- Never use tools like spatulas and spoons to chip ice from the freezer; first, unplug the freezer for several hours to let the ice melt, then clean it. You can also use fans and hairdryers to speed up the melting process.
- Once the ice in the freezer has completely melted, dry it with a cloth and for cleaning, usebaking sodaand water.
- Ensure that the seal around the freezer is completely dry.
- Use special freezer odor absorbers or a piece of charcoal to eliminate unpleasant freezer odors.
Helpful tips for caring for your refrigerator and freezer.
- If the red light on the freezer turns on, there is a problem with the power supply or gas source for the freezer; contact a qualified repairman to resolve the issue.
- The red light on the freezer indicates a power supply issue or gas source problem that requires contacting an experienced repairman to fix it.
