How to get your refrigerator ready for Thanksgiving

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, you’ll want to prepare your refrigerator well in advance to safely and efficiently accommodate your feast.

You can do several things like clearing out space, thoroughly cleaning all surfaces and testing and replacing necessary parts to make sure your Thanksgiving goes off without a hitch.

READ MORE: Refrigerator maintenance guide for Thanksgiving

Don’t wait until the last minute to check or repair your appliances. Order replacement parts early to avoid shipping delays, holiday closures and out-of-stock items. The sooner you check your machine and place an order, the more likely that you’ll get the part on time. You can grab your model number and check AppliancePartsPros.com for the correct parts.

Let’s go through these simple steps to help you alleviate potential stress and focus on creating a memorable and enjoyable Thanksgiving celebration.

READ MORE: A Complete Guide to Refrigerator Organization

Clean and organize your refrigerator

A clean and well-organized refrigerator is the foundation for successful Thanksgiving prep.

Consider these tips to help you save time and maintain food safety and freshness:

1. Take everything out of your refrigerator. This is your chance to check the contents and identify any items that have passed their prime or are no longer needed.
2. Dispose of expired products, wilted vegetables, and leftovers that are moldy, stinky, soupy or otherwise inedible.
3. With the fridge emptied, use a mixture of warm water and a mild detergent to clean the shelves, drawers, and interior surfaces. Pay special attention to any sticky spills or stains that may have accumulated over time. If you can remove shelves and drawers, you can take them out for a more detailed cleaning. This step helps you keep a fresh-smelling fridge and prevents cross-contamination.
4. Before returning items to the refrigerator, think strategically about how you want to organize them.
5. Store raw meats on the lowest shelf, preferably in a dedicated meat drawer or on a tray to catch any potential drips. This prevents cross-contamination with other items.
6. Keep frequently used condiments and beverages on the door shelves for easy access. These items can be easily moved out of the way when you need to make space for larger Thanksgiving dishes.
7. Use the crisper drawers for storing fruits and vegetables. Some refrigerators have humidity controls in these drawers, so consider adjusting them based on the items you’re storing.
8. Dedicate the upper shelves to dairy products, leftovers, and other items that you frequently use. This keeps them easy to access at eye level.

READ MORE: How To Deep Clean Your Refrigerator

Arrange food items and meal prep

Arranging food items and maximizing your space will help streamline your meal preparation ahead of Thanksgiving and help you remain stress-free so you can enjoy the holiday.

Consider these tips:

• Dedicate a specific portion of your refrigerator to keep Thanksgiving ingredients and leftovers.
• Create labels to identify the contents and the date of preparation. This helps you quickly locate what you need and tracks the freshness of the food.
• Arrange ingredients by category, such as vegetables, meats, dairy products, and desserts. This approach simplifies the retrieval process while cooking or preparing dishes.
• Plan the allocation of space for large dishes or platters well in advance.
• Many refrigerators allow you to adapt or remove shelves to accommodate taller dishes or containers. Pre-plan this arrangement to avoid last-minute rearrangement.

Check and adjust the temperature settings

It’s important to set the recommended temperature ranges on your refrigerator and freezer to keep your food well-preserved and safe to eat. Maintaining a fridge temperature between 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal, while the freezer should be set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. These ranges are designed to prevent bacterial growth.

To check that your refrigerator is working at the right temperature, it’s a good idea to invest in a refrigerator thermometer. This simple device can be placed on a shelf inside the refrigerator, away from the walls and doors, to provide a reading of the internal temperature.

By regularly checking this thermometer, you can see if your fridge is consistently maintaining the recommended temperature. If your fridge’s thermometer readings fall outside the recommended ranges, you’ll need to make some adjustments.

Most modern refrigerators come equipped with digital controls that make temperature adjustments straightforward. Follow these steps to check the temperature:

1. Locate the temperature control panel, which is usually on the inside of the refrigerator or the door.
2. Check your refrigerator’s manual to find out how to adjust the temperature settings. This may involve using buttons, dials, or a digital display.
3. Gradually make adjustments to the temperature settings. Allow some time for the refrigerator to stabilize at the new temperature before rechecking with the refrigerator thermometer.
4. Monitor the temperature over a few hours or even a day to make sure it remains within the recommended range. Adjust the settings as needed until you reach the desired temperature.

Inspect the door seal (gasket)

A refrigerator door seal, also known as a door gasket, is a flexible strip of rubber or plastic that runs along the edges of the doors. It creates an airtight seal when the doors are closed, which prevents cold air from escaping and warm air from entering the fridge or freezer.

Worn or damaged gaskets can lead to energy wasting and inconsistent temperatures. They can also strain other components, which can shorten the lifespan of your appliance.

Here’s a simple method you can use to determine if your seal is good:

1. Place a dollar bill or a sheet of paper partially outside the refrigerator when the door is closed.
2. Attempt to pull out the bill or paper. If it easily slips out, it means the seals aren’t making a good seal and may be worn or damaged.
3. Replace seals that are visibly worn or damaged or ones that don’t seal correctly.
4. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for replacing the gasket, which may involve removing the old one, and reshaping and attaching the new one using screws or clips. Ensure it fits snugly and creates an airtight seal when the door is closed.

READ MORE: How to Replace a Refrigerator Door Gasket

Replace the water filter

A refrigerator’s water filter is designed to remove impurities and contaminants from your tap water so the water used for making ice and dispensing water is clean and safe to consume. These filters can also improve the taste and quality of the water you use.

Water filters have a limited lifespan that typically ranges from six months to a year, depending on your refrigerator’s make and model. To determine when it’s time for a replacement, look at the manufacturer’s recommended replacement schedule. Many modern refrigerators come equipped with filter indicator lights that notify you when it’s time to change the filter.

If you notice a change in the taste or odor of your water, or if it appears cloudy or discolored, this may be a sign that the filter is no longer effective.

Replace your water and ice filters by following these steps:

1. Find the filter housing: The filter housing is typically inside the refrigerator or at the base grille. Refer to your refrigerator’s manual to pinpoint its exact location.
2. Turn off the water supply: If your refrigerator has a dedicated water supply shut-off valve, you’ll need to turn it off before replacing the filter. This minimizes the risk of water leakage.
3. Remove the old filter: Most water filters can be removed by twisting them counterclockwise or unlocking them. Be prepared for a small amount of water to spill when you remove the old filter.
4. Insert the new filter: Gently insert the new filter into the housing and secure it by twisting or locking it into place.
5. Turn the water supply back on: Once the new filter is securely installed, turn the water supply back on.
6. Flush the system: Run a few gallons of water through the water dispenser to flush out any air or loose carbon particles from the new filter. This prevents any unwanted taste or odor in your beverages.

READ MORE: Fridge Filters: A Master Guide to All You Need to Know

Test the ice maker and dispenser

Checking the functionality of your refrigerator’s ice maker and water dispenser will help you experience a hassle-free Thanksgiving. By checking the ice maker’s function well in advance of the holiday, you’ll have time to address any issues.

To check the ice maker and dispenser:

1. Lift the ice maker’s arm or lever to the “off” position. This keeps the ice maker from making ice during the testing process.
2. Wait for a few hours to allow any existing ice cubes to be used up or melted so the ice maker will create fresh ice for testing.
3. Return the ice maker’s arm or lever to the “on” position, and listen for sounds of the ice maker filling with water and ice cubes dropping into the ice bin.
4. Check the ice bin to see if it’s filling with ice. If it’s not, you may need to investigate further to find out why.
5. Place a glass under the water dispenser and press the lever or button to dispense water.  See if water flows smoothly without leaks or unusual noises.
6. Press the ice dispenser lever or button to dispense ice cubes. Verify that ice is being dispensed evenly and without any obstructions. Keep an eye out for any issues such as ice getting stuck or crushed ice not working as expected.
7. Make sure the water supply to the refrigerator is functioning correctly. A water supply issue can lead to low ice production or misshapen ice cubes.
8. Inspect the water inlet valve, which controls the flow of water to the ice maker. If it’s faulty, it may need to be replaced.
9. Check the ice maker’s thermostat and motor for any issues that may be affecting its operation. These components may need to be repaired or replaced if they’re not functioning right.

Remember safety and energy efficiency

Balancing refrigerator safety and energy efficiency helps reduce your environmental impact, lower your electricity bill and provide a hassle-free holiday meal.

Here’s how to make your refrigerator more safe: 

• Set the temperature to 40°F or below to prevent bacterial growth and use a fridge thermometer to regularly check the temperature.
• Quickly wipe up spills and throw out questionable food after power outages.
• Wash the shelves and walls regularly with soap and water. Disinfect the door seals.
• Store raw meat securely wrapped on the bottom shelf away from other foods.
• Wrap, cover and label foods appropriately.
• Check expiration dates.
• Always supervise young children around refrigerators.

READ MORE: Cool Savings: 6 Fridge Energy Saving Tips

How to maintain energy efficiency:

• Inspect the door seals and gaskets for a tight fit. Loose or damaged seals can allow cold air to escape, forcing the refrigerator to work harder.
• Make sure your refrigerator is level. A tilted fridge can cause the door not to close properly, leading to wasted energy. An unleveled appliance also increases the risk of accidents and falls.
• Regularly vacuum or brush the condenser coils at the back or beneath the fridge to keep them free of dust and debris. Dirty coils can prevent proper cooling.
• Avoid overloading your refrigerator. While you need to store Thanksgiving ingredients and leftovers, a fridge that’s too full can prevent proper air circulation.
• Don’t leave the door open longer than necessary.

Additional information

Thanks for reading!  We hope this guide helped you get your fridge ready to go for Thanksgiving so you can focus on the joy of cooking, spending time with loved ones, and creating lasting memories during this special holiday.

If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, don’t hesitate to explore our thousands of free videos and troubleshooting guides. If you need replacement parts or some extra help with ordering them, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com, where you can chat with a pro, read our DIY blog and more.

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