8 Tips to Prep Your Fridge for the Holidays

APP Expert / Wednesday December 7, 2022


‘Tis the season to be baking! If you have lots of holiday goodies and dishes planned, you may be stocking up your fridge in the coming weeks. 

But before you have a full fridge, it’s important to take a moment to prepare your appliance. There are a handful of preventative maintenance measures you can take to ensure your fridge stays in top shape to handle all your holiday meals. 

Today our experts at AppliancePartsPros.com will go through best practices to prevent your fridge from breaking down this season when you need it most. 

At AppliancePartsPros.com, you’ll find genuine refrigerator parts for your next repair. Shop with us today!

What Happens When a Fridge is Too Full?

It’s never a good idea to overload your fridge with food. When a fridge is too full, air can’t circulate throughout the appliance. This means that some items may not stay cool, leading to spoiled foods. 

That said, you can still stock up your fridge without overwhelming it. Ideally, fill your refrigerator 3/4 full for the best efficiency and proper air circulation.  

Is It Better to Have a Full Fridge?

It’s actually better to have a full fridge than an empty one. An empty refrigerator can be problematic because there’s no food to absorb the cool air and help chill nearby items. When left empty, your fridge will have to work harder to cool all your food. 

That’s why it’s usually best to keep your fridge well-stocked, as it will lead to greater efficiency. If you don’t have much in your fridge, simply add jugs of water to help the cooling process.

8 Preventative Measures to Keep Your Fridge in Good Order

As the holidays approach, carve out time to do some preventive maintenance on your refrigerator. With these eight tips, you’ll be sure it’s ready to handle the heavy load of the holidays.

1. Set the Right Temperature

With a full fridge, you may want to adjust the temperature setting. Ideally, your refrigerator should run between 37- and 40-degrees Fahrenheit. Check the settings and adjust as needed to make sure you’re not unnecessarily overworking your appliance.

2. Defrost It Before the Holidays

Take advantage of this moment to defrost your fridge and/or freezer drawer. If you’ve noticed ice accumulating on the walls, it’s a good idea to unplug the machine and defrost it. Be sure to wipe down the walls and make sure that the freezer vents are clear of ice.

Though this task may take a few hours to complete, it will help your appliance stay efficient when you start filling it up during the holidays.

3. Change the Water Filter

It’s easy to forget that your refrigerator has a water filter. Every six months or so, you should change it out so that the dispenser gives you fresh, clean water. (Your user’s manual will have exact instructions for where and how to remove the filter.) Take the opportunity to replace your water filter before your loved ones are home for the holidays. 

4. Clean the Coils

The coils are an essential part of maintaining the right temperature in your fridge. Yet over time, it’s common for these coils to collect dust and grime, which can slow down your appliance. 

You’ll find the coils either at the back or the bottom of your fridge. For bottom coils, you may have to remove a front grate with a screwdriver to reach them. 

To clean the coils, first unplug your refrigerator. Then use a vacuum to loosen and remove any dirt. Do this carefully, as you don’t want to damage the coils. If you need to, you can also use a brush to manually wipe away any hard-to-reach debris. 

5. Clean the Condenser Fan

In addition to the coils, you may also want to give the condenser fan a good clean. Similarly, the fan can get caked in dust and dirt, leading to a less efficient appliance. To get started, don’t forget to unplug your fridge.

The condenser fan is usually located at the bottom of your fridge, so you’ll need to remove the lower front grate with a screwdriver to reach it. (Check your user’s manual first to confirm where the fan is located.) Once you’ve found it, you can vacuum the grate and use a cloth to wipe clean the fan blades. 

6. Check the Door Seals (Gaskets)

The last thing you want during the holidays is a fridge that leaks out cool air. A key step in maintaining your fridge is checking the door seals (also called gaskets). 

When these seals become cracked or warped, the seal won’t close properly when you shut the door. This can cause cool air to seep out, leading to inefficiencies, potentially spoiled food and an overworked appliance. 

You should both check the seals for any damage and clean them with a brush. For best results, scrub them using a mix of baking soda and water. If you notice any door seals cracking or failing to stick in place, you should replace the gaskets as soon as possible. 

This is simple to do and can save you the headache of an overworked appliance during the holidays. (Not to mention that you can find the replacement door seal you require on AppliancePartsPros.com!) 

Pro tip: If you’re not sure the door seal needs replacing, try the “dollar bill test.” Open the fridge door and stick a dollar bill so it’s half in and half out of your fridge. Now close the door. If the dollar bill falls out, you should definitely replace the gaskets. 

7. Examine the Drip Pan

You should also check your drip pan, which collects condensation from your freezer. Usually, this water evaporates on its own, but you can benefit from checking the pan before the holidays. Unplug your fridge and carefully remove the drip pan, if your model allows. Typically, it’s located at the lower front or rear of the appliance.

At this point, you can clean any mold or residue in the drip pan using warm water and vinegar. Once it’s dry, return it to your fridge.

8. Deep Clean Your Fridge

Giving your fridge a good scrub isn’t just for aesthetics. Keeping your fridge clean and organized also protects you from harmful bacteria and improves your appliance’s performance. Plus, during the holidays, you may have large items such as a frozen turkey that you need to fit in. 

Before the holidays is the perfect time to get your fridge in order. Deep cleaning your fridge takes about an hour, so be sure you have enough time to do the job properly. Just follow our in-depth instructions for deep cleaning every area of your fridge. 

Discover genuine refrigerator parts on AppliancePartsPros.com to keep your appliance in great condition.

Best Practices for a Full Fridge

By following the preventive maintenance measures above, you’ll get your refrigerator in great shape. In addition, you can protect your fridge by following best practices when using it. Here are some pointers for maximizing your appliance:

  • Don’t overload your refrigerator more than 3/4 full. It’s important for cool air to circulate around the appliance. 
  • Don’t place your refrigerator near heat sources, such as an oven, radiator or direct sunlight. Otherwise, it will have to work harder to maintain the internal temperature. 
  • Organize foods in your fridge from the lowest cooking temperatures on the top shelves (i.e. pre-made foods or leftovers) to the highest cooking temperatures on the bottom ones (i.e. uncooked poultry). 
  • Store foods properly, including placing them in closed containers and unbagging produce.
  • Close your refrigerator promptly, so that cool air doesn’t seep out.

Maintain Your Fridge With AppliancePartsPros.com

Great work! Now that you’ve applied these best practices, your fridge will be ready to handle all your holiday goodies this season. 

If you notice any issues with your refrigerator when performing these preventive maintenance measures, be sure to get the replacement parts you need at AppliancePartsPros.com. We’ve got everything you require – whether you have to replace a shelf, a water filter, a door gasket or any other part! 

Refrigerator Maintenance FAQs

How Often Should You Maintain Your Fridge?

To maintain your fridge, you may need to perform different tasks throughout the year. For example, you can follow this typical refrigerator maintenance schedule:

  • Every 3 months: Deep clean your fridge.
  • Every 6 months: Change the water filter and check the drip pan.
  • Every year: Clean the coils and condenser fan, check the gaskets and defrost the appliance. You should also check for any other wear and tear. 

How Often Should You Clean Your Fridge?

You should clean your fridge weekly of spoiled food and spills. However, you should also plan to do a deep clean every three months, so that you keep your fridge free of harmful bacteria and ensure top performance.

Why Is My Refrigerator Not Cooling?

If you notice that your refrigerator isn’t cool enough, you’ll want to troubleshoot the issue. Some common reasons for a warm fridge include problems with: the condenser coils, cold control, defrost timer, defrost thermometer, defrost heater, evaporator fan motor, run capacitor or the temperature sensor. Learn more about these potential issues and ways to fix them here. 

Why Is My Fridge So Smelly?

A smelly fridge is a sign that it needs to be cleaned. You can follow our instructions for deep cleaning your refrigerator here. If the smell persists, you may want to try storing an open box of baking soda in your fridge to eliminate odors. 

What Are Energy Saving Tips for Fridges?

You can save on your electric bill by helping your fridge run as efficiently as possible. Some key ways to do this include:

  • Check the temperature settings. 
  • Close the fridge door promptly.
  • Let your leftovers cool before storing them in your fridge.
  • Keep food in your fridge well-organized.
  • Check the door seals regularly. 
  • Clean the coils annually for greater efficiency. 
  • Update to a more energy-efficient model.

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