Emilie Meyer
Keeping your refrigerator drip pan clean is an important part of kitchen hygiene. The drip pan collects defrosted ice and condensation from the freezer section, preventing water from leaking onto your kitchen floor. However, over time, the standing water can allow germs and mould to grow, causing a bad smell. To prevent this, it is recommended to clean your drip pan every three months. The process involves locating the drip pan, either at the front or rear of your fridge, and then cleaning it with a solution of bleach and water, or vinegar, before drying it thoroughly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often to clean | Every 3-6 months |
| Location | Underneath the fridge, at the front or rear |
| Removability | Depends on the model |
| Tools needed | Screwdriver, putty knife, cleaning solution, cleaning rag, wet wipes, flexible claw grabber |
| Steps | Disconnect water and power supply, remove back or kick panel, empty and clean drip pan, dry and reinstall |
What You'll Learn
Locate the drip pan
The drip pan in your refrigerator captures defrosted ice and condensation from the freezer and food compartments. It is important to locate and clean your drip pan every three months to prevent mould or odours from forming. The location of your drip pan will depend on the make and model of your refrigerator.
If you have a refrigerator manufactured in 1986 or earlier, you can find the drip pan by removing the grill. It will be located in the left front or middle of the refrigerator. For refrigerators manufactured from 1987 onwards, the drip pan is fixed and not easily accessible.
To locate the drip pan, you can refer to your refrigerator's manual, which will specify its location and whether it is removable. If you cannot find the manual, you can try searching for it online by checking the manufacturer's website and using the model number, which can be found inside the refrigerator.
If your refrigerator's manual is unavailable, and you cannot find the model number, the drip pan is likely located at the front or rear of the refrigerator. If it is at the rear, you will need to pull the refrigerator away from the wall and locate the screws or hex bolts holding the back panel in place. Use a screwdriver or hex wrench to remove the panel carefully.
If the drip pan is at the front of the refrigerator, you will need to open the refrigerator doors to access the top of the kick panel, which is the slotted grate at the bottom. Use a putty knife to pop off the kick panel by sliding it between the refrigerator and the panel.
Once you have accessed the back or kick panel, look for the drip pan, which should resemble a small rectangular tray.
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Remove the kick plate
To remove the kick plate, or kick panel, from your refrigerator, you'll first need to open the fridge doors so you can access the top of the kick panel. The kick plate is the slotted grate at the bottom of the fridge. With a putty knife, slide the blade between the fridge and the kick panel to pop it out. Once one side of the kick panel is loose, you can pull the whole thing off and set it aside.
If your fridge has a water filter at the bottom, you don't need to remove it.
Now that the kick plate is off, you should be able to see the drip pan. It should look like a small rectangular tray. Grab it with both hands and try pulling it out without tipping it over. If it's removable, it should come out easily.
If your drip pan has heating coils on top of it, it's non-removable, and you'll have to clean it while it's still inside the fridge.
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Clean the drip pan
The drip pan in your refrigerator captures defrosted ice and condensation from your freezer so that it doesn't leak onto your floor. It is recommended to clean your drip pan every three months to prevent mould or odours from forming. The location of your drip pan will vary depending on the type of fridge you have, and some might not even be removable. The only way to find out is by checking your appliance's manual.
Removable drip pan
If your drip pan is removable, you'll need to remove the toe kick from the front of the fridge or unscrew the back panel of the appliance. Your manual will most likely offer specific instructions to help you through the process. Once you've exposed the underside of the fridge, you should easily pull out the drip pan—but make sure to do this with care as there will likely be a pool of murky, germy water that can slosh around if you're not gentle enough.
Once you've successfully removed the drip pan, carefully pour the contents down the drain of your kitchen sink. Give the drip pan a rinse with clean water, then drain it again. Then you can use cleaning products. Using either a disinfecting cleaning solution or distilled white vinegar, wipe every corner of the drip pan until it's clean.
Non-removable drip pan
If you cannot remove your drip pan, you can still achieve a thorough clean—it'll just require some extra work. Once you remove the toe kick or back panel, crouch down and look for the drip pan. Then, using a claw grabber or even a pair of tongs, pick up a paper towel and use it to reach in and sop up excess liquid. Next, grab a pack of disinfecting wipes and repeat the process, replacing the wipes with fresh ones as needed, until the drip tray is clean.
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Dry the drip pan
Once you have cleaned the drip pan, it is important to dry it before returning it to the refrigerator. Use a cleaning towel or paper towels to wipe the pan until it is completely dry. Make sure there are no water droplets left on the pan, as this could lead to the development of mold again when you reinstall it. Alternatively, you can let the drip pan air-dry for about 30 minutes.
If your drip pan is non-removable, you can dry it by using a flexible claw grabber with a cleaning wet wipe wrapped around its end. Open the claw by pressing the button at its end, place a wet wipe inside, and release the button so that the claw holds the wipe tightly. Then, carefully feed the end of the claw grabber with the wet wipe into the drip pan and move it around the edges to absorb any excess liquid. Replace the wet wipe with a new one as needed until the drip pan is dry.
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Reinstall the drip pan
Once the drip pan is clean and dry, it's time to reinstall it. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Place the drip pan back into its original position
Make sure the drip pan is clean and dry before placing it back into its original position. If you removed a panel or housing to access the drip pan, now is the time to reattach it using screws or latches.
Step 2: Reattach the front grille or kick plate
Align the front grille or kick plate with the clips or screw holes. Apply gentle pressure to snap the clips back into place or insert and tighten the screws if required.
Step 3: Plug the refrigerator back into the power outlet
After reinstalling the drip pan and securing the front grille or kick plate, plug the refrigerator back into the power outlet. Double-check that everything is securely in place and functioning properly.
Tips for reinstalling the drip pan:
- Refer to your refrigerator's manual for specific instructions on how to reinstall the drip pan.
- Ensure that the refrigerator is unplugged before beginning the reinstallation process to prevent any electrical accidents.
- If your drip pan has heating coils on top of it, it may be non-removable, and you will need to clean it while it's still inside the refrigerator.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to clean your refrigerator drip pan every three months to prevent mold and odours.
First, unplug the refrigerator to ensure safety. Then, access the drip pan, which is usually behind the kick plate at the base of the fridge. Remove the kick plate by unscrewing it or gently pulling it off. Once the drip pan is accessible, carefully remove it and empty it into a sink or toilet. If there are any stubborn stains or residues, clean the pan with a solution of warm water and mild detergent, or vinegar and water. Rinse the pan thoroughly and dry it before placing it back into the refrigerator.
To clean your refrigerator drip pan, you will need gloves, a cleaning solution (such as a mixture of bleach and warm water, or vinegar and water), a cleaning rag or paper towels, and a flexible claw grabber or tongs if the drip pan is non-removable.
