How To Clean Condenser Coils On Samsung Fridge
Did you know that your refrigerator vents heat outside, not inside the kitchen? These vents are called condenser coils, and they’re not exactly easy to clean. If you don’t clean these regularly, food odors will start to build up in the coils. This is because moisture from your fridge creeps up and gets trapped in the coils. Cleaning them takes a bit of time and effort, but it’s worth it. Your fridge will smell better, and it will also last longer. Here’s how to clean condenser coils on a Samsung refrigerator.
Cleaning Condenser Coils On Samsung Fridge
Before you start cleaning, be sure you have the following:
- A bucket to hold the dirty water as you clean the coils.
- A long-handled brush or vacuum cleaner.
- A flashlight, because you’ll need to check in between the coils to see what’s going on.
- A few rags or paper towels.
- A pair of rubber gloves. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to wear gloves to reduce the risk of skin irritation from cleaning products.
- Food-grade, non-toxic cleaning products. These will give off less of a chemical smell than standard household cleaners.
Step 1: Turn Off the Power
Always turn off the power to the refrigerator before you do anything too invasive. Samsung refrigerators have circuit breakers that can be shut off from the front of the unit. Otherwise you’ll need to shut down the entire circuit breaker. You’ll find the circuit breakers inside the refrigerator or on the outside of the unit next to the plug. If you have trouble locating the circuit breaker, check the owner’s manual.
Step 2: Remove The Covers
First, remove the cover over the condenser coils. Most Samsung refrigerators have six or seven of these. Be careful when removing the covers because they’re usually attached with a spring clip. Next, remove the cover over the evaporator coils. You’ll find these inside the freezer. Finally, lift the kickplate (on the bottom of the unit) to access the rear of the coils. After you’ve removed the covers, check for any signs of damage or wear. If the coils are bent or warped, you may need to replace them.
Step 3: Vacuum The Condenser Coils
Wearing the gloves, use the vacuum to clean the condenser coils. This will prevent you from having to touch the dirty coils and potentially getting sick from bacteria. Begin at the rear of the refrigerator and work your way towards the front. This will help you get into all the nooks and crannies where food particles and dirt might be hiding. Once you’re done, clean out the vacuum and remove the bag. You don’t want to have food particles trapped in there and start to smell once you turn the power back on.
Step 4: Add Shoe Deodorizer
If you’re still struggling with smells, you can add a shoe deodorizer to the coils. You can buy this at most grocery or hardware stores. Be sure to choose a deodorizer that says it is safe to use on appliances. This will help remove lingering odors and make the fridge smell fresh again. To add the deodorizer, lay it over the coils. You can also tuck it into the crevices where food particles may have gathered. When you’re done, put the covers back on the coils.
Conclusion
Cleaning the condenser coils on a Samsung refrigerator is necessary to keep the unit functioning properly. The coils help remove heat from the fridge, and without them, the fridge will overheat and turn off. If you don’t clean the coils regularly, you’re inviting bacteria and mold to grow. This will not only make your fridge smell bad, but it will also stop it from working properly. Electronic parts break down quicker when they’re in a dirty environment, so make sure to clean your condenser coils and fridge coils at least once every six months. You can find more cleaning tips in our article on how to clean a refrigerator. For more specific info on cleaning Samsung refrigerators, check out the manufacturer’s website.
