Refrigerators are one of the essential items in households. They are used for storing all kinds of stuff. I understand that a fridge is the priority of a home, more important than other things per se. In this article, we will discuss how to clean fridge condenser coils. A refrigerator comprises condenser coils. But what are condenser coils? Well, a condenser coil is defined as an air conditioning system. These coils are used as heat exchangers to cool down and condense the vapour into liquid. These condenser coils are made of copper tubes and aluminium fins located at the back of the fridge or across the bottom.
Cleaning condenser coils are essential for the efficient functioning of the fridge. But how can you know that your fridge needs cleaning? Well, here are simple ways to do it.
1. Initially, if you want to determine if your refrigerator is working effectively or not, you have to see if the area is clogged up or not.
2. Another way to determine if the condenser coils are working or not is through the refrigerator’s temperature. Suppose the temperature of the fridge is cool, then no worries! But if it’s warm, then you need to check the coils. Because of the warm temperature in the refrigerator, the food you kept will become stale. Fridge condenser coil cleaning becomes extremely important in such cases.
3. Finally, the third way of determining if the condenser coil is working or not is through the compressor. If the compressor keeps clicking on and off, then this means that you have to clean the condenser coils.
So, these are the ways to determine if your fridge needs a condenser cleaning or not. Once you have selected this, you may move on to how to clean fridge condenser coils. But before that, let us look at the list of things required to clean the coils.
Pre-Requisites:
● A vacuum with a narrow attachment
● Flashlight
● Condenser brush
● Home refrigerator coil cleaner
● Mask
● Cardboard to protect the flooring (if you are moving the fridge)
Now, let us move on to the steps.
How to Clean Condenser Coils
Step 1: Firstly, you need to unplug the fridge. This is a safety measure that will protect you from electrocution. It will also preserve the refrigerator fan from damage while you are cleaning it. The fan of the fridge is located at the back of the coils.
Step 2: Access and acquire the coils. Your fridge may have rear-facing or front coils. It depends upon the structure of the refrigerator you have. For front-facing coils, you have to remove the protective cover from the base (lift the grill and pull it towards you).
In the case of rear-face coils, pull the refrigerator away and ask someone to help you. Place a piece of cardboard on the floor and keep the fridge on it to protect the flooring.
Step 3: Get the vacuum and start cleaning around the debris (fridge and coils). Make sure that you or the person doing it does not damage the blades while doing the vacuum. Wipe the cover with a cloth if needed.
Step 4: With the help of the flashlight, take a look at the condenser coils. Take a look at the coils if they need more cleaning or not. Then, with the use of a condenser brush, clean the area carefully. While the condenser coils may seem solid, they can still be damaged if not cleaned carefully by the doer.
Step 5: Continue cleaning the coils with the help of the vacuum and brush until they are clean.
Step 6: Reattach the grill of the front-facing coils. Put the fridge back in its place.
There is one thing that must be kept in mind. After cleaning, you must leave a little space of around 1-3 centimetres at the back of the fridge. This one step is essential as the space at the back helps in providing proper air circulation that allows the refrigerator to work efficiently.
So, these are the ways of how to clean chest freezer condenser coils. Now, let us look at some other forms of cleaning coils.
How to Clean Fridge Condenser Coils – DIY
It is essential to take care of electronic gadgets. For example, refrigerators work for years and years, but it becomes critical to clean the coils at a specific point. Either you can do it by yourself or hire an expert cleaner. In case you want to do it yourself, the following are the things you will require.
● An empty spray bottle
● A dry cloth
● Warm water
● Baking soda
● One teaspoon of white vinegar
● One teaspoon of rubbing alcohol
Now, let us look at the steps for cleaning condenser coils.
Step 1: All you have to do is combine the white vinegar and the alcohol in a spray bottle (don’t forget the amount, though!).
Step 2: Add a little bit of warm water and mix the solution.
Step 3: Now, spray the solution made on the coils wherever needed.
Step 4: Let the solution rest on the coils for 5-7 minutes and then wipe it out with a clean cloth.
Step 5: In case the coils have stubborn stains, you can sprinkle baking soda along with the solution made. This will help in wiping out the tough stains. Repeat as and when needed.
So, you may follow these simple steps of how to clean fridge condenser coils. It is necessary to take care of your refrigerator. Keep in mind the temperature you have set. Don’t select a warm temperature as the food might turn stale in a few hours. If you clean the coils by yourself, then make sure you clean them without damaging the coils. Do not use the spray mentioned in the DIY technique overly. Use as and when needed and repeat if only required.
FAQs
What happens when you don’t clean the condenser coils?
The condenser coils are used for condensing and cooling the fridge. If you do not clean these coils, it might damage the fridge entirely, including the fan, compressor, etc.
How can I know if the condenser is working or not?
In case you want to know this, pull the fridge out from the wall and listen closely. If there is a humming sound, then it means there is a problem with the refrigerator.
What are the symptoms of a stained and filthy condenser coil?
If your fridge’s condenser is dirty, the condenser will reject the heat and keep the system running. In short, the system will run inefficiently.
