Your refrigerator and freezer are one of the most important appliances in your kitchen. Without it, you can’t keep items cool or cold at the proper temperature. This can lead to food spoilage and even food poisoning. No one wants to waste their hard-earned money on spoiled food and sick days, so maintaining your refrigerator and freezer is important. Not sure how to make sure your refrigerator and freezer are operating at peak efficiency? Here’s a go-to guide to refrigerator and freezer maintenance.
Check Your Owner’s Manual First
Your owner’s manual for your refrigerator and freezer is full of information about your unit and steps you can take to keep it humming along smoothly. For example, your owner’s manual may tell you how much your refrigerator and freezer hold, what temperature you should set it on, and any smart features it has. Your first stop needs to be the owner’s manual when it comes to refrigerator and freezer maintenance.
Tips For Efficiency
If you want to keep your refrigerator and freezer in peak running shape, here are some helpful tips. First, make sure that your unit is located in an area of your kitchen that is temperature controlled. If the area you have your refrigerator and freezer is overly hot or overly cold, your unit will have trouble keeping your food at the proper temperature. If your unit has to work too hard to keep your food cold, it will wear out more quickly.
Second, check the temperature regularly. Your refrigerator temperature may vary depending on the unit, but most refrigerators are set between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Nearly all freezers are set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. If you notice that your refrigerator and freezer are not at an optimal temperature, it may be time to call a technician.
You can check the gasket –or seal–around the door of your refrigerator regularly as well. Over time, gaskets can become cracked or get holes. If your gasket has cracks or holes, you’ll need to have it replaced because a cracked gasket means your refrigerator cannot cool efficiently.
What About Cleaning?
If you are thinking about their maintenance, you may not have thought about keeping them clean. However, clean refrigerators and freezers can cool more efficiently. Many people clean their refrigerators each month. To clean your refrigerator, take all of the food out. Check the expiration dates on your condiments and food. You can use dish detergent to clean the shelves, top, and sides of your refrigerator
To clean your freezer, you can take everything out of your freezer and use dish detergent. If your refrigerator smells, you can use a disinfecting cleaner to get rid of the stink. If you have a lot of frost buildup, you may want to defrost it once a year. Defrosting a freezer is more difficult when it is attached to your refrigerator, but it is not impossible. You may want to try pouring hot water onto the frost buildup to dissolve it, then wipe the liquid away. Some people enjoy chipping the extra frost buildup with a chisel. Not only is it fairly quick, but it is also very satisfying and a great way to relieve stress!
If you have tried to provide maintenance on your refrigerator and freezer, and you’re frustrated, you can always have a company come in and help you maintain your major appliance. A DiChristopher Appliance Service has been serving the greater Tampa area for decades. Their service is so good they have won an Angie’s List Super Service Award every year since 2004. Why not give them a call today and schedule an appointment for your refrigerator and freezer maintenance?