How to Maintain Your Refrigerators Properly
Nowadays, almost every kitchen, office and dorm room will feature Fridge Refrigerators as one of the essential appliances for modern life. Their main function, of course, is to preserve the food’s freshness by lessening the favorable conditions under which harmful bacteria can grow. From this main function arose other benefits like the opportunity to eat more healthy food without owning a dairy farm, garden and orchard as well as save money on bulk food purchases.
However, fridges require proper maintenance on a regular basis to keep its main function. This is true for other kitchen appliances, of course, but fridge maintenance takes on a more urgent importance because of food safety is at stake, not to mention the hundreds of dollars spent on its purchase.
Regardless of the brand name, be it a Bosch Fridge or a simple Samsung Fridge Freezer combination there are a few things you should remember when it comes to maintenance. You will get more value for your money in terms of quality performance, longevity and durability.
Making Room
The first major concern with your new fridge freezer is where you will install it in your kitchen; this will have the biggest effect on longevity. You never want to place it in an area that conducts a great deal of heat such as close to the oven or cook stove and you may want to avoid extremely sunny areas as well. When the fridge must compete with warmer external temperatures, it will work harder to cool therefore giving you higher light bills and decreasing longevity.
For another thing, you have to ensure that the surface on which the refrigerator is placed on is flat and level. In this way, the inefficient dissipation of cool air and, hence, loss in storage capacity can be avoided.
When you are talking about energy consumption, it is best if you avoid opening the door too often or too widely. You can save approximately 30% of your energy bill by simply figuring out what you want from inside the fridge and then getting it out rapidly, avoiding opening more than once.
Clean the Coils
A very important tip for increasing your fridges functionality and longevity is clean the coils. You can find the compressor coils generally at the rear top or bottom and in some cases under the unit. To clean the compressor coils unplug the fridge then maneuver it to a position where the coils are exposed. All that is left is to either vacuum them or wipe the dirt away with a cloth or brush.
Clean Frequently
Just like all appliances, the fridge will acquire dirt and grime on visible areas. You have to regularly wash the unit even if it seems sparkling clean, of which the frequency will depend on factors like place where you live, number of persons using it and quantity of food placed inside. Be sure to use mild detergent and water on the fridge door, gasket and other inside parts while a damp cloth is sufficient for the casing. Never ever use bleach on any parts of the refrigerator even on stubborn stains, which could have been avoided if regular cleaning was performed in the first place.
Responsible ownership and maintenance of your refrigerator will pay off in several ways. Not only will your fridge look great in your kitchen but more importantly, your food will be safe. That is what you call optimal performance.
