A poorly maintained smart fridge can cause two different bacterias: Pathogenic and Spoilage. According to the FDA, these bacterias can double in numbers after only 20 minutes! What causes a fridge to begin to run poorly?
It happens when you don’t clean the smart fridge at least once a month, and the filters are not changed regularly. By performing refrigerator maintenance, you can make sure your fridge lasts 12 years or even much longer. So learning how to care for your fridge will save you money and health problems down the line.
Today we will explain some refrigerator maintenance tips that will increase the lifespan of your fridge.
Clean the Inside of Your Fridge
As mentioned before, if you don’t clean your fridge, that will lead to many problems that will affect you and your family. So cleaning your fridge will ensure that you are safe and also your fridge is well maintained. Don’t worry, you won’t have to clean your fridge thoroughly every week!
It would help if you scanned any minor spills, stains, or crumbs at least once a week. Promptly cleaning them will prevent any bacteria to begin to form. Every month, you should thoroughly clean your smart fridge, which means unplugging it and removing the contents (food, shelves, and drawers).
Check the Gasket on the Fridge Doors
The gasket or the refrigerator seal is what keeps the cold from getting out of the fridge. Your fridge will work harder, trying to regulate the temperature if there is a broken gasket. And this can cause the motor to get damaged.
To make sure the smart fridge’s gasket doesn’t break, be sure to clean them with a toothbrush. Apply warm water and baking soda and scrub the seal gently. If you notice a broken seal, check your local hardware store for a replacement, don’t hesitate when doing this!
Clean the Coils of Your Fridge
Cleaning the coils of a fridge is something many people forget to do. A dirty coil will make the refrigerator run inefficiently. This means you’ll be wasting more money on your electricity bill, plus the lifespan of the fridge will reduce drastically. So cleaning them is crucial for your refrigerator maintenance.
Before cleaning the coils, be sure to shut it off and let it rest for a bit. Then use a vacuum (or special coil-cleaning tool) to suck up all of the dust accumulated on the coils. Try to vacuum the coils at least twice a year, but consider doing it more times if you have pets.
Change the Filters
Another thing often forgotten when maintaining your fridge is changing the refrigerator water filters. If your fridge makes ice or has a water dispenser, this is another crucial maintenance tip, as not changing the filters can be detrimental to your health. The reason it’s essential is that water can contain heavy minerals or pollutants.
Changing your filter is quite simple, as it only requires you to remove the old one and replace it with a new one. Make sure to get a filter that matches the brand of your smart fridge. Once you change it, set yourself a reminder to change it within six months or when the water dispenser begins to run slow.
Keep The Fridge Full
As funny as this may sound, keeping the fridge full is an excellent way of keeping a refrigerator healthy. The reason why is that it needs thermal mass to keep the temperature low. Since every time you open the door, warm air enters, meaning your fridge needs to cool again.
Since the things already in the fridge are cool, that means the fridge will take less time to cool again. Just make sure not to set anything in front of the vents. If you don’t usually have the fridge full, avoid opening the doors frequently or for an extended period.
If you notice the refrigerator isn’t cooling well, consider checking the gaskets or the coils. If nothing changes, consider contacting a maintenance specialist to have a look.
Check the Level of the Refrigerator
Even if the gaskets or seals are in good condition, a misaligned door will allow the cold air to flow out. If your fridge begins to lose cold air, the motor will have to work harder to make up for the loss. And if the smart fridge’s motor breaks, it will be quite costly to repair.
Checking the level of your doors is quite simple! Use a carpenter’s level on top of the doors, adjust the doors with your hands or with a wrench’s aid. Try doing this with the help of someone else, as this will make it easier to fix.
Smart Fridge Temperature
Suppose the fridge’s temperature is continually varying. In that case, the food in it may begin to spoil, and the refrigerator’s motor will be working double. So keeping the temperature stable is essential for your health and that of the fridge.
A smart refrigerator will usually have an inbuilt thermometer screen, allowing you to see the current temperature. If you are utilizing an older model, you can buy an inexpensive thermometer at a hardware store. The ideal temperature is 37 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit for the main compartment and 0 degrees Fahrenheit in the freezer.
As a side note, avoid putting hot food into the fridge, which will drastically raise the fridge’s temperature. Wait until the food is a bit warmer to prevent any drastic temperature change.
Care for Your Smart Fridge Today
It isn’t too difficult to maintain your smart fridge. In reality, most of the refrigerator maintenance tips can be done periodically and shouldn’t take you too long. So don’t hesitate to start maintaining your fridge!
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