On most current models, cleaning refrigerator condenser coils doesn't mean moving the fridge: unplug it, take off the front grille or rear access panel, and brush and vacuum the dust off the coils and the fan area. Dusty coils trap heat, so tackle them if the fridge runs constantly, struggles to stay cold, or hasn't had a cleaning in six months or more.
Time: about 30 minutes · Difficulty: Easy · You'll need: a refrigerator coil brush, a vacuum with a narrow nozzle, a flashlight, a screwdriver (for some rear panels)
Before you start
- •Unplug the refrigerator or switch off its breaker. The condenser fan can start without warning.
- •Food stays fine for this short a time if you keep the doors closed.
- •If you have to pull the fridge out, turn off the water supply to the ice maker first and move it slowly so you don't kink or stretch the water line.
- •Don't bend or poke the coils or any tubing. The sealed system is not a homeowner repair.
Steps
Step 1 — Locate the coils
Most current refrigerators have coils underneath, reached through the toe grille at the bottom front. Many older models have a black grid of coils on the back. Some models have no exposed coils at all, and your manual will say if yours is one of them.
Step 2 — Remove the grille or panel
Front grilles usually pop off with a firm pull from the bottom edge or release with a couple of clips or screws. Rear access panels typically come off with a few screws.
Step 3 — Vacuum the loose dust
Vacuum the grille and the floor area first. Then run the narrow nozzle gently along the reachable surfaces of the coils.
Step 4 — Brush deeper
Slide the coil brush between and under the coils with gentle strokes, pulling dust toward you. Vacuum again as it comes loose. Take your time rather than pushing hard.
Step 5 — Clean around the condenser fan
If you can see the fan blade, brush lint off it carefully and make sure nothing blocks it. A fan clogged with pet hair struggles to move air across the coils.
Step 6 — Reassemble and restart
Snap the grille back in, plug the fridge back in, and turn the water supply back on if you shut it off. Listen for the compressor and fan to start.
Didn't fix it?
If the fridge is still warm a day after cleaning, check what temperature it's actually holding; see how to check your refrigerator temperature. A condenser fan that doesn't run while the compressor is on, a fridge that clicks on and off repeatedly, or a warm fridge with clean coils all call for a technician. Our refrigerator repair team can test the fan, the start components and the cooling system.
How often to do this
Twice a year is a good baseline. Homes with shedding pets, a fridge in a dusty basement or garage, or a kitchen that sees a lot of renovation dust may need it every three to four months.
From Kevin: When a fridge is running nonstop, the coils are one of the first things I look at. A coat of dust and pet hair works like a blanket, and the compressor has to work much harder to get rid of heat.
Want it checked? Call ProFix NJ at (973) 718-9373.