How To Clean Coils On Ge Refrigerator

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Cleaning your refrigerator coils is a great way to reduce your power bill and extend the life of your fridge. Refrigerator coils, sometimes called condenser coils, are black coils that are found on the back or bottom of your fridge. If there is lots of dirt or dust on the coils, the refrigerator requires more energy to cool your food and can eventually break down.^[1] To clean the coils, simply use a brush to extract the dirt and then suck it up with a vacuum. This process is easy to complete and only takes about 15 minutes.

1
Unplug your fridge at the wall. Turn off the power switch and then pull out the power cord. Don't worry about your food getting warm, as the cleaning process is quick and the inside of the fridge will maintain its cool temperatures while you clean the coils.^[2]
- Always turn electrical appliances off before cleaning them, as this helps to prevent electrocutions.^[3]
2
Pull your fridge away from the wall to access the coils at the back. Older refrigerators tend to have their coils located on the back of the fridge. Gently push the fridge forward at least 1 metre (39 in) to give you plenty of room to clean the coils.^[4]
- If your fridge doesn't have wheels, ask a friend to help you push it forward.
3
Unclamp the bottom panel on the fridge if the coils aren't at the back. Many modern fridges have the coils hidden under the bottom panel at the front of your fridge. Unsnap this panel to remove it and then place it somewhere safe while you clean the coils.^[5]
- If you're having trouble removing the bottom panel, try lifting it up slightly and then pull it toward you.

1
Scrape the dirt out with a soft-bristled brush. Over time, grime gets sucked onto the refrigerator coils. Use your brush to agitate as much of the dirt and dust off the coils as you can. Scrape above, below, and in-between the coils to get rid of the large clumps of dirt.^[6]
- If you're having trouble seeing the coils, use a flashlight to help you see more clearly.
- Purchase a soft-bristled brush from an appliance or cleaning store, or use a wire brush or a duster instead.^[7]
2
Suck up the remaining dust with a vacuum. If possible, place a narrow nozzle on the end of your vacuum cleaner hose. This makes it easier to suck up the dust from between the coils. Slowly move the nozzle over the coils to allow the vacuum to suck up all the grime.^[8]
- Take the opportunity to vacuum under your fridge while it is pulled out of its usual position.
3

Repeat the scraping and sucking process until all the dirt is gone. Sometimes vacuuming can reveal more grime on or around the coils. Use the coil brush to remove the rest of the dust and dirt and then suck it up with your vacuum.^[9]

1

Place the bottom panel back onto the fridge. Hold the bottom panel up in its original position and push it back into place. You know that it is in the correct position when it makes a snapping or clamping noise.^[10]
2
Plug your refrigerator back into the wall. If necessary, push your fridge back into its regular position. Once your fridge is back to its original position, plug it back in and turn on the power.
- If the coils are on the back of your fridge, leave a 3 cm (1.2 in) gap between the coils and the wall to keep them operating efficiently.
3
Clean the coils at least twice a year. ^[11] This helps to keep your refrigerator cooling effectively. If you have pets, consider cleaning the coils more often, as pet fur can quickly get caught in the coils and cause them to work less efficiently.^[12]
- Consider setting a recurring reminder on your phone or computer calendar to remind you to clean the coils.

Add New Question

Question

How often should you clean refrigerator coils?

Aaron Beth is the founder of Aaron's Refrigeration Company in New York City and a factory certified installer (FCI) for Sub-Zero products. He specializes in the service and maintenance of built-in refrigerators, wine coolers and ice machines. With over 54 years of experience, Aaron is the recipient of numerous Super-Service awards from Angie's Lists and 2019 Best-of-the City.

Appliance Technician

Expert Answer

At least twice a year. However, if you have pets, you'll probably want to clean it them more often, as pet hair can get caught in the condenser.
Question

Where are the coils?

Emma Hall1

Community Answer

The coils are either behind the fridge or at the bottom of the fridge. To access the bottom coils, remove the bottom kickplate of the fridge.
Question

I can't get the front grill off to clean the vents. What should I do?

Search "remove front grill on [name of maker] [model number]" Somebody out there had the same problem and wrote down how he solved it!
Question

How do I access the coils when they are located underneath the unit?

Take the cardboard panel off the lower rear part of the unit and you will see the fan, compressor, and coil if it is under the unit.
Question

After I remove the base grill, how do I clean the grills that aren't in front of the coils when I still see dust?

Use a condensor brush to gently remove the built-up dust from the coils. A condensor brush is shaped like a very thin Christmas tree. It has a heavy gauge spine to keep it from easily bending when pushed between the coils. The brushes can be found at a hardware or appliance store. Very handy when cleaning time comes.
Question

How do I find the coils on my refrigerator?

They are located at the back of refrigerator. They are black in color. They are coiled up like a snake.
Question

The light is on, but it's not freezing, what could be the problem?

Check to see that the compressor is running and that the fan is spinning. Secondly, check the thermostat. Thirdly, check to see if the compressor is running and the fan is spinning. Finally, check the coils and see if they are dusty.
Question

How much the condenser coil cost?

It depends on the particular refrigerator, and the store that you are looking for coils at. You can ask them for an estimate, or search on their website to price-compare the coils.
Question

Can I remove the water that collects in a container at the back of my refrigerator without turning the refrigerator off?

As long as you don't have to mess with any wiring, yes. If the water container is outside the fastened-on covers, you're good to go. If in doubt, though, unplug the fridge.
Question

What would cause my condenser to be very hot?

Often, this is a sign of the fan not working. Check to ensure the fan blades aren't restricted.

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Wear a dust mask if you are sensitive to dust particles.

Things You'll Need

Soft-bristled brush
Vacuum cleaner with a narrow nozzle attachment
Flashlight

About This Article

Article SummaryX

To clean your refrigerator coils, all you need is a soft-brislted brush and a vacuum. First, unplug the fridge and pull it away from the wall. Unsnap the panel at the bottom of the back to expose the coils. Then, use a brush to rub as much dirt and dust off the coils as you can. Attach a narrow nozzle to your vacuum cleaner and suck up the grime you brushed off. When you've finished, return the panel to your refrigerator and plug it back in. Clean the coils once a year, which will improve your fridge's cooling. If you have pets, clean the coils twice a year, since pet fur can easily get inside the coils and decrease your fridge's efficiency. For more tips, including how to move your refrigerator if it doesn't have wheels, read on!

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