Updated at: 09-09-2022 - By: cnbusinessnews

You’re wondering where and how to put away your old fridge until you can afford a new one, but you’d rather not sell it. We have compiled a list of about eight methods to ensure its security. And if you stick to this tutorial, it should keep working perfectly for a few months.

A large portion of the garbage that ends up in landfills might be prevented if people would just put their unused appliances into storage. There’s also the possibility that consumers simply don’t want to sell the product to scrap metal recyclers because it still functions or has value.

Make sure you know how to safely store their refrigerator in the basement or garage to avoid causing any harm to it. If you leave your gadget unattended in a room, it could be destroyed completely, rendering it useless forever. So, let’s get down to brass tacks and discuss the actual procedures and recommendations you should follow. Stay with me and I’ll tell you more!

How Does a Refrigerator Work?

The five main parts of a refrigeration system are a fluid refrigerant, a compressor to regulate the flow of refrigerant, condenser and evaporator coils, and an expansion mechanism. They function synergistically to maintain a cool environment for your food.

  1. The refrigerant vapor is compressed by the refrigerator’s motor and then pushed through the outer coils.
  2. Gas becomes liquid when it comes into contact with colder temperatures in the kitchen.
  3. When exposed to the lower temperatures found in the kitchen, gas condenses into a liquid.
  4. Once the gas has been created, it is sent back to the compressor to begin the process all over again.

What Are the Benefits of a Refrigerator?

Why We Love Our Fridges

Some sections of the world have yet to know the pleasure of a frosty Coke from the fridge. Only 75% of homes around the world have refrigerators at the moment. According to a 2015 BBC article, the decision of an Indian man named Santosh Chowdhury to purchase a refrigerator for his hamlet of 200 people has far-reaching effects. They were able to create extra meals and have leftovers while working six days a week.

How to store food in the fridge

Deliveries of ice blocks are made to Bangkok’s street merchants by couriers so that their wares can be kept cold. Delivery of ice was a necessity for many homes a century ago.

However, heat tends to ruin more than just one piece of meat at a time. Refrigerators have many other uses besides preserving perishables like yogurt and butter. Life-saving drugs need to be kept cold in remote areas, such as Chowdhury’s hamlet or the Louisiana bayou. Batteries can be stored for a longer period of time if they are kept cold.

Benefits of Refrigerators

The effects on your diet can be dramatic if you keep your food at a temperature of 32 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Meat that has been purchased more than a few hours before consumption is considered safe to eat. It’s convenient not just for preserving and enjoying fresh meals, but also for consuming leftovers. Spreading out your consumption over a longer time period is better for you and the planet because it reduces waste and costs.

More time means more opportunities to consume food. Decomposing food releases methane, which is 28 times more damaging to the environment than carbon dioxide. Good news, as food waste is a major contributor to global warming.

The problem with products with a long shelf life is that they tempt people to buy more of them than they actually need or can use.

Customizing Your Refrigerator

People’s carelessness is not always to blame when edible items are thrown away. Challenges with organization pop up occasionally. For some, the overwhelming amount of stuff they’ll see when they walk in may be off-putting. Finding a refrigerator that works for you is easier than ever; nonetheless, you should still consider how the fridge’s layout will affect your daily cooking and eating routines.

If you keep anything from Peri-Peri sauce to mayonnaise in your pantry, you might benefit from some ingenious door shelving. Have you ever tried wine before? You could get peace of mind with this wine rack shelf. For families in need of a supply run or with youngsters looking for an after-school snack, this is an ideal option.

It’s important to give some thought to the style of refrigerator doors you’d like to buy because of the effect that design can have on the fridge’s ability to perform its intended tasks. Have you ever tried eating raw or freshly made foods? Is it simple to open the crispers and are they a good size? These are the fundamental inquiries that must be resolved. Continued.

Keeping Cool

The greatest advantage may be that consumers now have more refrigerator choices than ever before. Today, consumers may choose from a wide variety of refrigerators that can meet their cooling needs while also complementing their kitchens, homes, and aesthetics.

Fridge Preparation Before Storage

In this kind of scenario, there are a few different things to keep in mind and do. For the sake of caution, we should review our work for accuracy. Because of this, we’ve put up the most exhaustive set of guidelines for properly stowing a refrigerator. Here comes the juicy stuff:

Step #1. Unplug the fridge

Therefore, we must disconnect the main power cord from the wall outlet and turn off the refrigerator and any other appliances that may be affected by the thermostat. Do this before taking food out of the refrigerator to prevent unnecessary energy loss caused by the open door. Cable wires can also be used to keep the cables organized and in their designated spots. There shouldn’t be any exposed wiring, as this would provide a tasty snack for mice and other rodents.

Step #2. Take out all the goods

If you recently purchased a new refrigerator, it is recommended that you transfer all of your food supplies to the new unit immediately. Firstly, we’ll need to empty your refrigerator so that we can clean it. Food will spoil if we don’t use the refrigerator, which is not an option. If you don’t have your new refrigerated compartment just yet, there are ice coolers available.

10 mistakes you're making with your fridge - Reviewed

Meanwhile, it’s possible that some of them can hold out for a few hours on your kitchen counter. After disconnecting the water supply, the machine’s water and ice are ready for use. You may save money and reduce your impact on the planet by using less ice and keeping it in the cooler.

Step #3. Clean

Get some soapy water and scrub down any detachable parts such shelves, drawers, and drawer liners. You could also clean your house with disinfectant sprays. We don’t have to worry about toxins leaching into our food because we won’t be using the refrigerator for several months.

You should spray the entire surface and then scrub it. In addition, after removing the compartments, you should clean them. Cleaning the refrigerator is a good practice because leftovers can breed bacteria and produce unpleasant odors.

Step #4. Dry

Mold loves moisture, and the last place we want it to grow is in our refrigerator. So, we need to take a soft cloth and wash off all the crevices. After that, give your cabinets and crispers a few hours to dry before putting anything back in them.

Step #5. Check the drip pan

Therefore, we must pay close attention to the cleanliness of our refrigerators in order to prevent the spread of disease and the accumulation of harmful substances. Be sure there is absolutely no dampness or water anywhere. This is why it’s so important to keep the refrigerator’s drip pan spotless.

You should also check the pipes if you notice any leakage when you remove the back panel.

Lastly, empty the drip pan of any residual liquid. The stink of stagnant water is terrible after a while. Simply spray the pan with your cleaning solution and wipe it clean.

Step #6. Relocate

You may want to enlist some extra helpers at this stage. Having wheels or a trolley to move the refrigerator about the basement would be convenient, but they would be useless in this case. If your refrigerator has legs, we must carry it to protect the floor from scratches. Be sure to clear a space before attempting to move the refrigerator to prevent any mishaps or costly damage. Move it as gently as possible whenever possible.

We suggest putting rugs or cloth on its legs to make it more maneuverable.

Step #7. Let the fridge stand in an upright position

Don’t store it on its side or back; instead, keep it standing up. It needs to be able to hold its own without any help. The internal components, such the compressor oil, must remain intact and leak-free if we are to achieve our goal.

Step #8. Ensure safe environment

The best way to protect your fridge from dust and severe temperatures is to invest in a cover. Keep a sharp look out for issues, especially during the colder months. Make sure your appliance’s safekeeping place doesn’t expose it to any potential hazards.

How To Maintain Your Refrigerator

Even if you regularly clean your fridge to maintain its freshness, you may find the following reminders helpful:

  1. Do away with it. Take everything out of the fridge and throw away anything that has gone rotten. You should check the dates on those bottles of condiments.
  2. Remove the mess. Use a sponge or cloth bathed in warm, soapy water to wipe down all surfaces, including the undersides of shelves, produce drawers, and drawer tracks. You should only use soap that is free of chemicals.
  3. Scrub the grime off to remove it. Sticky or caked-on messes should be scraped thoroughly to remove the grime.
  4. Organize. After you’ve finished cleaning out the refrigerator, restock it in a thorough fashion. Follow the “first in, first out” principle when meal planning so that you use up perishable items first. This preparation will facilitate quick and easy inventory checks before mealtimes and whenever snacks are needed.
  5. Use your hands to crush aromas. If you want your fridge to smell nice, replace the baking soda or other deodorizer every two or three months.
  6. This climate control is variable. Adjusting the temperature by accident when cleaning or rearranging furniture is a common occurrence. Maintain a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit in your freezer and 37 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit in your fridge if you want your food to last as long as possible.
  7. Keep it well stocked at all times. No matter how much you enjoy dining out or how quickly you need to run to the shop, keeping your internal temperature (thermal mass) cool is essential. If you’re running low on resources, water containers will do the trick.

Why Should You Clean and Check the Refrigerator’s Drip Pans and Door Gaskets?

A drip pan at the bottom of your fridge collects condensation and melted ice. Two or three monthly cleanings should do the trick to keep microorganisms at bay. Gaskets around the edge of the door need frequent maintenance just like door seals. Keeping up with routine maintenance will keep the seal in good shape, which will reduce the chance of heat escaping. Combining these two methods can make refrigerator maintenance faster and simpler.

How to Clean the Drip Pan

  1. To properly remove the drip pan from your refrigerator, consult the owner’s manual.
  2. Get out the sponge and some soapy water and give it a good cleaning.
  3. See to it that the pan is completely intact with no holes. If you see any leaks, you should get a new pan.
  4. Make sure there aren’t any obstructions, like clumps of hair or pet dander, in the drain. Take it apart and clean it up well.

How to Clean Door Gaskets:

  1. To gain access to the refrigerator, simply open the door.
  2. You should use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of the dust, dirt, and pet hair.
  3. Use a toothbrush and warm soapy water with a splash of vinegar to clean the seal around the door.
  4. Applying petroleum jelly to the seal will extend its useful life.
  5. There should be no fractures or warping, so inspect carefully. If there are leaks, you should change the gasket. Be sure to check your knowledge with the “dollar bill” test. Put a dollar in and shut the door. Without opening the door, carefully take out the cash. If the gaskets don’t keep it in place, you’ll need to get new ones.
  6. Apply the same methods for the freezer door gasket as you would for the refrigerator door gasket.

Biannual Refrigerator Maintenance

Investing an extra half an hour twice a year in refrigerator maintenance can ensure the health of your family and the longevity of your appliance.

Keeping food safe in your fridge | safefood

Why Should You Clean the Refrigerator’s Coils? How Often?

The refrigerator’s coils can be broken down into two groups: the exterior condenser coils and the interior evaporator coils. Both the evaporator and condenser coils of a fridge work to dissipate heat. Keeping both sets clean will keep your fridge from having to work too hard and wasting energy. Keeping the refrigerator’s coils clean will keep it running quietly and prolong the life of the compressor.

If you have pets in the house, you should clean the refrigerator coils more frequently than once a year.

How Do You Clean Refrigerator Coils?

  1. Pull the plug on the fridge and disconnect it from the wall.
  2. Locating the coils can be done by consulting your user handbook (a grate may hide them).
  3. In order to find the coils, please refer to your user manual (a grate may hide them).
  4. It’s time to clean the space in front of the fridge.
  5. Relocating the fridge away from the wall by an inch will improve air circulation.

Replace Water Filters

Let’s say you’re in possession of a fridge that comes equipped with a water and ice dispenser. To ensure pure water and ice, you should replace the filter regularly. Refer to the user manual for information on when and how often filters should be replaced.

Check for a Level Surface

Every six months, you should make sure your fridge is sitting squarely on the floor. When the ground beneath your home shifts or your foundation isn’t very sturdy, the flooring in your home may sink or tilt as a result. It’s not just the fridge’s weight that can be damaging to the floor; moisture from leaks or spills can do serious structural damage as well. A door gasket’s ability to seal tightly and your refrigerator’s overall efficiency can be adversely affected by an unexpected factor: an uneven surface.

How to check and fine-tune your refrigerator

  • Make sure your fridge is level by using a construction level.
  • Use a hand wrench to adjust the feet of the fridge until it is level.

How Can You Repair Common Refrigerator Problems?

If you clean and inspect your fridge regularly, you may be able to spot small problems before they balloon into costly disasters. Some of the most prevalent problems and their solutions are detailed here.

The Refrigerator is Warm

On occasion, this does occur. Infrequently, your fridge won’t maintain an appropriate temperature. Before proceeding, please ensure that you have a reasonably stocked refrigerator and a correctly calibrated temperature gauge. After leaving, if the refrigerator is still warm, check the following.

Evaporator Fan

Your refrigerator’s evaporator fan will run constantly if the defrost system is broken. The noise could be coming from the fan. Remove the plug from the refrigerator and try spinning the fan blade by hand. It’s time for a replacement if the fan is cumbersome to operate.

Air Damper Control

When a refrigerator gets too warm, it could be because the air damper control is blocked or not working properly. Find the damper and see how it works by consulting your manual. If it isn’t opening and shutting properly, cold air won’t be able to enter the system, thus you may need to replace the part.

Door Gasket

Refrigerator temperatures can quickly rise if the door seals are leaking. Perform the dollar bill test on your door gaskets on a regular basis to see if they need to be replaced because of damage.

The Refrigerator is Leaking Water

The coils can be checked for water leaks before they become a major issue during routine maintenance. Finding these leaks as soon as possible is critical to avoiding extensive damage to your floor and an expensive repair bill. The following are some quick remedies to try if you find a water leak.

Defrost Drain

The coils can be checked for water leaks before they become a major issue during routine maintenance. Finding these leaks as soon as possible is critical to avoiding extensive damage to your floor and an expensive repair bill. The following are some quick remedies to try if you find a water leak.

  1. Inspecting the coils for dirt and debris can reveal water leaks before they do serious damage. If you want to save money and prevent serious damage to your floor, you need to find these leaks as soon as possible. If you find a water leak, try one of these quick solutions.
  2. It is important to clear the tubing of any impediments to prevent freezing.
  3. In that case, you can defrost it by pouring hot water over it, and then clearing out the ice.

Drain Pan

The aforementioned drain pan is responsible for collecting runoff, but any damage to the pan will result in water leaking out. If your refrigerator is leaking from the bottom or the back, cleaning the drain pan will show you. Drain pans should be replaced as soon as they show signs of damage.

How to Store Food in the Refrigerator So It Stays Fresh Longer | Real Simple

Water Inlet Valve

A leaking refrigerator could be the result of a cracked or loose water entry valve. Finding and fastening the valve is crucial. If it’s broken, get a new one immediately away.

Conclusion

This is, at long last, the optimal method for keeping a refrigerator out of the way. There is no need for many of these precautions if your basement is already dry and well-maintained. On the other hand, if you don’t empty your refrigerator regularly and keep it clean, it won’t last nearly as long. We aspire for this content to be helpful to you. If you want to know more, searching “how to drain air conditioner?” is a wonderful place to start. Keep an eye out for any threats.