Fridge Freezer Survival Guide

Basic Care Information For Fridges, Freezers And Fridge Freezers

Lots of people do daft things with fridges and freezers as well as fridge freezers in this article I'll try to walk you through the major do's and don'ts from installation to disposal.

Installing A Fridge Freezer, Fridge Or Freezer

• Do

Make sure that you have adequate ventilation especially on built in or integrated fridges, freezers and fridge freezers. Not having proper ventilation will almost certainly result in an overheating compressor and a very large repair bill.

Study the installation instructions carefully and follow them. If your installer is doing it for you, make sure they read these!

If your fridge is one of the US style ones and need water make sure that the water supply is clean. Peaty water or dirty water can clog inlet valves.

• Don't

Install next to a heat source such as an oven or a radiator. This can produce more heat and has the same effect as inadequate ventilation and cause the early demise of the unit.

Installing next to an oven or cooker can mean that leaking heat from the oven will warp the door seals and cause a "not sealing" fault. This means the unit will run longer and you can get a possible ice build up inside.

Install in a room that is too cold or too warm, refrigeration doesn't like that. Read this article for notes on installing to garages and outhouses and take note of the climate classes.

Keeping It As Energy Efficient As Possible

• Do

Try to keep the door shut as much as you possibly can. When you open the door up to 30% of the cold air is lost meaning that the fridge or freezer has to work extra to get the temperature back down again, the more work, the more wear and tear and, therefore, the more chance of failure.

On older fridges make sure that the door seals are sealing correctly. If they're not then a good tip is to heat with a hair dryer and often the seals will spring back into position.

Make sure that the drain hole at the back of wet wall fridges is clear or you will get water in the fridge. See our basic fault guide for more on this.

• Don't

Leave the fridge or freezer door open!

Pack a whole heap of fresh unfrozen food in the freezer in one go. This will cause a significant temperature rise meaning the unit has to work really hard to get the temperature back down and your food frozen. Put in a bit at a time to allow the unit to settle efficiently.

Leave fast freeze on as this overrides the thermostat and makes the freezer run constantly.

Cleaning A Fridge Freezer

• Don't

Use any sharp metal implement anywhere near a fridge or freezer! You risk serious and very possibly irreparable damage if you puncture something, including the inner walls.

Use carcinogenic cleaners. Simple bleach or anti-bacterial spray only or you could damage or weaken interior plastic parts of the refrigerator.

• Do

Keep it clean! This especially applies to the door seals as spillage gets in behind them and will smell.

Defrosting A Fridge Freezer Or Freezer

• Do

Use plastic scrapers or allow to defrost naturally with the doors open and the power off.

• Don't

Use metal implements as above

Use heat guns or anything else that if water drips onto is liable to electrocute you!

Disposal Of A Fridge, Freezer Or Fridge Freezer

• Do

It properly, call the local council and if you have to pay, you have to pay! Refrigeration needs disposed of safely and properly so do the right thing.

• Don't

Fly-tip a fridge! It's illegal, immoral and potentially lethal.

Every year we hear reports of kids playing in old dumped fridges and freezers and there has been a few fatalities and several injuries, some serious, from kids getting stuck in one. They don't know any better, you do.