How to Clean Your Condenser Coil

The condenser coil on your refrigerator is the most important part of the appliance. The condenser coil is responsible for keeping the inside of the fridge cool and when it gets dirty, you face spoiled food. In order to ensure the longevity of your refrigerator’s lifespan, you should clean the unit’s condenser coil at least once a month. This simple home improvement task doesn’t take long and can even save you money in the long run. Here is a short guide on how to clean your condenser coil.

Turning off the power to the refrigerator is important. While you probably will not get shocked if it’s left on, it’s always safe to remove the electrical component. Go to the back of the refrigerator and pull the electrical cord out of the wall plug. Keep the doors to the refrigerator closed so you do not lose the cold air inside.

Go to the bottom of the refrigerator and look for the small vent just above the floor. This vent is used to allow the hot air off the coil to escape. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the vent in place. Some refrigerators do not have screws holding this vent onto the unit. If your model does not, use your fingers to pop the vent off of the unit.

If you haven’t cleaned the condenser coil in a while the vent will probably have a lot of dust and dirt on it. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust and dirt from the vent. You might want to also use a wet rag to clean the dirt build up from the vent if there is some. Try not to bend the vent fins out of shape. These are specifically designed to allow air to move through the vent.

Look inside the bottom of the refrigerator when you have removed the vent. You should be able to see the coil. This is a looped metal looking object. Use your vacuum cleaner to suck all of the dust and dirt off of the condenser coil. Try not to put the vacuum cleaner to close. Some coils are sensitive and this could cause problems if you bang it hard. You don’t need to use coil cleaner or any special products on the coil. A vacuum is more than enough to get rid of the all the dirt.

Cleaning around the coil is just as important as cleaning the coil itself. Use your vacuum cleaner to suck up all of the dirt and dust from under the refrigerator. This will help to improve the efficiency of the coil between cleanings.

Once everything is cleaned, you can replace the vent. Be sure to put the vent back just as you found it to ensure good airflow to the coil. Plug the unit back into the wall and you should have your fridge working properly.

Charles Dovbish is a freelance writer that specializes in DYI projects and home improvement.

Image credit: Fridge Diagram, Refrigerator Components, Cleaning Condenser Coil