Effective maintenance is necessary for a commercial refrigerator to be durable and last long. To have an effective maintenance routine, one must know which part of the device to clean. In this respect, refrigerator condenser coils are crucial because they remove the heat from the fridge. If they do not work properly due to inefficient maintenance, this can cause breakdowns and problems with the overall refrigeration system. To prevent this, knowing how to clean refrigerator condenser coils is critical.
What Happens If Refrigerator Coils Are Dusty?
Dusty refrigerator condenser coils can significantly impact the appliance’s performance. Here’s what happens when these essential components are not maintained properly:
- Increased Energy Consumption: Dust acts as an insulator in the air, hindering their ability to release heat. This inefficiency forces the fridge to work harder, leading to higher energy usage and increased electricity bills.
- Reduced Appliance Lifespan: The extra strain on the fridge’s compressor from working harder can accelerate wear and tear. Over time, this can lead to more frequent repairs or even necessitate an early unit replacement.
- Inconsistent Cooling: When it can’t efficiently expel heat, it affects its cooling capabilities. This can result in uneven temperatures inside the fridge, potentially compromising food safety and quality.
Regularly cleaning the coils is a simple yet crucial maintenance step that can prevent these issues and ensure your fridge operates at its best.
When to Clean Refrigerator Coils?
Refrigerator condenser coils are important, and it is crucial to know when to clean them. The recommended amount is to clean the condenser coil at least three times a year, which you can increase to four times or more, but it is not recommended to do less than twice. Since it is a crucial part of the device that makes the whole system work effectively, it is necessary to clean the condenser coils nicely.
How Often Should Refrigerator Coils Be Cleaned?
Regular cleaning of refrigerator condenser coils is crucial for maintaining the efficiency and longevity of your appliance. Ideally, these coils should be cleaned twice a year. However, the frequency can vary depending on several factors. In environments where dust and pet hair are prevalent, or in business settings like restaurants where grease and heavy usage are common, cleaning might be needed more frequently, perhaps every three to four months.
The reason behind this maintenance is simple: Dust and grime on the coils can hinder their ability to release heat, forcing the fridge to work harder to maintain a cool temperature. This not only leads to increased energy consumption but can also shorten the lifespan of your fridge.
Remember, the process doesn’t require professional skills but does demand careful attention. The key steps are unplugging the fridge, gently vacuuming the coils, and using a brush to remove stubborn dirt. Keeping these clean ensures your fridge runs efficiently, saves energy costs, and avoids unnecessary wear and tear.
Step-by-Step Cleaning Fridge Condenser Coils
Just like with everything else, there are certain steps to cleaning refrigerator condenser coils that should be noticed during the cleaning process. Following all these steps and doing your best is crucial for a clean and perfectly working condenser coil and cooler.
- Unload and unplug it. The first and most important step is to unplug the device and unload any stored items. This is crucial to prevent electrocution and ensure the safety of those cleaning.
- Locate the condenser coils. After unplugging and unloading, locate the condenser coils. These are typically at the back and bottom of the most devices. Refer to the user’s guide for specific locations.
- Clean up. Use a duster or a coil brush to clean any dust and dirt from the refrigerator condenser coils. After brushing, vacuum the area to remove all loosened dirt.
- Put everything back into place and plug the fridge. Once the cleaning is complete, reassemble any removed parts, push them back to their original place, and plug them in. After ensuring it’s functioning properly, restock it.
1. Unload and Unplug the Refrigerator
The first and most important step in cleaning refrigerator condenser coils is to unplug the commercial freezer and unload anything stored. This is an important step to prevent any chance of electrocution. Regardless of what process is done, the safety of electricians and technicians must be the top priority. Only plugging them before any procedure will prevent the risk to their lives.
2. Locate the Refrigerator Condenser Coils
The second important step of how to clean refrigerator condenser coils is to locate the condenser coil first. After unplugging and unloading, it is important to look at how dirty the condenser coil is to pull it away from the wall surface if it is right against one. After doing that, locating the condenser coil is pretty simple. Still, many have condenser coils in different parts, so check the users’ guide to see where it will work. The condenser coil is mostly placed on the back of the device and at the bottom.
3. Clean Up
After locating the condenser coil, the vital step of cleaning refrigerator condenser coils is cleaning it up effectively. Firstly, clean any dust and dirt piled up inside or outside the condenser coil using a specific brush called a duster or a coil brush, which is tube-shaped and has lots of bristles to dispose of all the dirt in the condenser coil. After brushing the inside of the condenser coil, use a vacuum to remove the mud that is cleaned out.
4. Put Everything Back into Place and Plug the Refrigerator
After cleaning the condenser coil completely, the next step in cleaning refrigerator condenser coils is to put everything back into place. The first thing to do is screw the grille panel back, push the device in its place before you start the cleaning process, and plug it in. After checking if it works well, you can reload it with all the products you have taken out before the process.
Tools for Cleaning Refrigerator Coils
To ensure effective cleaning of refrigerator condenser coils, it’s important to have the right tools. While the necessities include a coil brush and a vacuum, some additional tools and materials can enhance the cleaning process, making it more thorough and efficient:
- Degreasers
- Soapy Water
- Respiratory Protection
- Fin Straightener
- Duster/Refrigerator Coil Brush
- Vacuum
1. Degreasers
In environments where the refrigerators are exposed to cooking oils and grease, such as kitchens, the coils can develop a heavy grease buildup. This grease can be challenging to remove with regular cleaning methods. It’s important to use an OEM-approved degreaser designed for coils that won’t damage them. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application. Typically, the degreaser is applied, left to sit for a specified period to break down the grease, and then wiped or rinsed off. Proper use of a degreaser can significantly improve the coil’s efficiency by ensuring it is free from heavy grease build-up.
2. Soapy Water
Soapy water can effectively clean the grate or cover of the condenser coil. It helps in removing any superficial dirt and grease. Soapy water is a simple yet effective cleaning solution for the external parts of the coils, such as the grate or cover. These components can accumulate dust, dirt, and grease over time. A mixture of mild detergent and warm water is usually sufficient. Using a soft cloth or sponge, gently clean the grate or cover to remove any superficial dirt and grease. This improves the unit’s appearance and prevents any blockage that can restrict airflow.
3. Respiratory Protection
When cleaning refrigerator condenser coils, especially in business-related settings, you’ll likely encounter a lot of dust and debris. This dust can contain allergens, mold spores, and other particles that can be harmful if inhaled. A dust mask or other forms of respiratory protection should be worn during the cleaning process. This is particularly important in environments where dust accumulation is substantial or if the person cleaning has allergies or respiratory sensitivities. The mask helps filter out harmful particles, ensuring the safety and health of the cleaning individual.
4. Fin Straightener
The fin straightener is a specialized tool used to maintain refrigerator condenser coils. Its primary function is to realign bent fins on the condenser coil. The fins on the coil are delicate and can easily be bent during cleaning or through general wear and tear. Bent fins can impede airflow and reduce the efficiency of the device.
5. Duster / Refrigerator Coil Brush
A coil brush, or a duster, is a type of brush shaped like a tube, just like a round hair brush, but has a different set of bristle placements, which can also be used in cars. Knowing how to use this brush is crucial to cleaning refrigerator condenser coils. They are used to dust out all the dust and dirt stuck in the condenser coil. They tend to be long and thin, which makes reaching up to difficult parts of the condenser coil easier. Most coil brushes have thick bristles, which can remove the difficult stains or dirt in the condenser coil.
6. Vacuum
A vacuum is used after the coil brush to remove all the dirt and dust cleaned from the condenser coil. With a vacuum, all the dirt and dust can be sucked up quickly without getting to other parts of the business and before contaminating these places. Especially for a company like a restaurant, it is crucial to pay attention to food safety. Getting rid of that dirt quickly will prevent any health hazard.
Knowing how to clean refrigerator condenser coils will help the device last longer. Having the correct tools and learning how to use them will make cleaning easier. Ensuring an effective maintenance routine, including cleaning condenser coils, will not only help with durability but also make the cooler work at its best.
You can reach our previous article from http://greencooler.international/wine-cooler-temperature-problems/