Don’t make these common fridge mistakes
With the holidays just around the corner, our refrigerators are about to work harder than they do throughout the year. All the more reason to take extra special care of this essential appliance and make sure that you avoid making these common mistakes.
Forget to shut the door
In a moment of haste, it's easy to forget to shut the door on your fridge. Whether you leave the door sightly or completely open, the effects are pretty much the same. You are allowing cold air to escape and condensation will form inside the fridge. Your fridge will work extra hard and this will put additional strain on the motor and other working parts. Even if you shut the fridge properly, it might not be completely sealed shut if the door seals are worn or damaged. Damaged seals should be replaced immediately.
Blocked vents
Every fridge has at least one main vent that allows warm air to escape. While your fridge is cool inside, all that heat needs to be released somehow and this is why it's so important not to block or obstruct any vents. It's also important that you leave enough space on the sides of the fridge and don't press it up against the wall either since there must be airflow all around the fridge to allow for proper cooling.
Set too cold
While you want your fridge to be cool, there is no need to use the lowest possible temperature setting. If you need something frozen or chilled in a hurry (like a bottle of wine), this is where your freezer will come in handy! If you set your fridge too cold, it will make the motor work harder than it should and various other working parts will also experience added wear and tear. You might find that your fridge temperature needs adjusting based on the seasons but don't forget to consult the user manual before making any changes.
Overloading
This is particularly of concern during the holidays and you might be forgiven if this is only the case for a few hours. The more items you place in your fridge, the more difficult it becomes for air to circulate and cool everything inside. Think of every item as an obstruction and, with this in mind, only refrigerate goods that absolutely need to be chilled. When you have a lot of food and drinks to refrigerate, do so wisely and make sure that air can flow freely throughout your fridge.
Irregular cleaning
Keeping your fridge clean is essential. If you don't clean your fridge regularly, not only will it look (and possibly smell) bad, but it can also result in various other problems like a blocked drainage system. If you don't check and clean the drain on your fridge, it can become clogged and, before you know it, your fridge will be leaving your floor rather wet. Make sure that you check the back of the fridge and clean those coils to prevent the dirt and dust from accumulating and causing damage. While you're at it, empty the water collection tray under the fridge and wipe it clean.
Placing hot food in your fridge
It's important to keep food chilled if you don't want it to spoil. However, if you place a hot pot or pan straight in the fridge, you can cause serious harm. Not only will the hot food cause the temperature inside the fridge to rise, but this will make the motor work overtime to get the temperature back down again! During this time, the rest of your chilled food will start to warm up and could spoil as a result. Instead, you should wait for food to cool to room temperature before refrigerating. If you need to chill something in a hurry, you can place the pot or bowl in another bowl or sink of ice. Stir the food to help it chill quickly. Once cool enough, place in the refrigerator.
These are some of the most common mistakes that anyone can make but, by avoiding them, you can get the most out of your fridge by preventing unnecessary damage. When you need urgent refrigerator repairs, call Capital Appliance Repair at 1 613-454-1577. Our team of experts will have your fridge up and running again in no time!
