Tillie Doyle
The refrigerator drip pan, also known as a drip tray, is a receptacle that catches condensation flowing from the defrost drain in your freezer to the outside of the refrigerator where it can evaporate. It is designed to collect all the drips and condensation from the refrigerator so that it stays off your floors. If there is too much water in the drip pan, it may be due to a large amount of frost in your freezer, a faulty door gasket, or a stuck ice chute door. To check the drain pan on your fridge, you will need to locate it and remove it from the refrigerator. The drip pan is almost always located at the bottom of the unit, and you may need to slide the refrigerator out from the wall to access it. Once you have found the drip pan, you can carefully pull it out and check if it is full of water or if there is any mould or dirt that needs to be cleaned.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location of the drip pan | Almost universally located at the bottom of the unit |
| Purpose | Catches water that needs to be drained away from the inside of the refrigerator |
| When to check | When there is too much water in the pan |
| Possible causes of a full drip pan | Faulty door gasket, stuck ice chute door, frozen or clogged drain line, burnt-out condenser fan |
| Steps to clean the drip pan | 1. Turn off the water supply control and unplug the fridge. 2. Remove the lower back panel and slide out the drip pan. 3. Empty the drip pan. 4. Clean the pan with a bleach and water solution or a vinegar and water solution. 5. Rinse and dry the pan. 6. Return the pan to the refrigerator. |
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Locate the drip pan
The drip pan, also known as a drip tray, is a receptacle that catches condensation flowing from the defrost drain in your freezer to the outside of the refrigerator where it can evaporate. It is designed to catch any water that needs to be drained away from the inside of the refrigerator. In most cases, the water that ends up in the drip pan is from the defrost function.
While refrigerators vary in design, the drip pan is almost always located at the bottom of the unit. This is so that gravity will allow the liquid to flow easily from the top of the unit to the bottom. The kick panel is located on the lower front of your refrigerator if your model has one. In many refrigerators, you can access the drip tray from this area.
In other models, you may need to slide the refrigerator out from the wall and get to the pan from the bottom, rear of the unit. Since the defrost drain always empties into the pan, the drain line should lead you right to the pan. If you have difficulty spotting the location of the pan from the bottom front or rear of the unit, look for the place where the drain line empties beneath the unit.
In some models, the drain line runs along the back of the refrigerator. Other models may conceal the line inside the appliance. Shine a flashlight or other light source under the refrigerator and find the wide flat metal or plastic pan. It generally rests on top of a set of brackets that hold it in place, allowing it to be slid out or otherwise removed.
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Check for leaks
If you suspect a leak in your refrigerator, the first step is to locate the drip pan or drip tray. This is usually found at the bottom of the unit, but the exact location can vary between models. In some refrigerators, you can access the drip tray from the bottom front of the unit. In other models, you may need to slide the refrigerator out from the wall and access the pan from the bottom, rear of the unit. If you have difficulty spotting the drip pan, look for the place where the drain line empties beneath the unit. The drain line should lead you right to the pan.
Once you've located the drip pan, carefully pull it out. The pan may be full of water, so place it somewhere it can be safely emptied. If there is any standing water in the drip pan, this could indicate a leak. Ideally, small amounts of water in the drip pan should evaporate, but if there is too much water, this can lead to overflowing.
If the drip pan is full, check for a faulty door gasket. A faulty door seal can cause a constant stream of warm air to enter the refrigerator, leading to condensation and excess moisture in the drip pan. Another potential cause of a full drip pan is a stuck ice chute door, which can cause meltwater to drain into the pan.
If you cannot identify the cause of the leak, consult an appliance repair service for further assistance.
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Clean the pan
To clean the drain pan of your fridge, start by turning off the water supply control to prevent leaks and unplugging the fridge to avoid electric shocks. Then, remove the lower back panel of the fridge with a putty knife or a screwdriver and slide out the drip pan. If there is water in the pan, empty it down the sink or drain. You can also use a wet/dry vacuum to remove the water.
Next, you can use either warm water and dish soap, a disinfecting cleaning solution, or distilled white vinegar to clean the pan. If there is mould or a smell, you can use a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to two parts warm water) instead. Spray or pour the solution into the pan and let it soak for 2-3 minutes. If using the diluted bleach solution, be sure to wear gloves and do not mix it with other chemicals.
After the solution has soaked, scrub the pan with a cleaning rag or scrubber to get rid of any remaining dirt or mould. Rinse the pan with clean water and dry it thoroughly before returning it to the fridge.
If your drip pan has heating coils on top of it, it is non-removable, and you will have to clean it while it is still inside the fridge. Use a claw grabber or tongs to pick up a paper towel and absorb any excess liquid. Then, use disinfecting wipes to wipe down the pan, replacing them as needed until the pan is clean.
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Remove blockages
If your refrigerator is functioning properly, there should never be enough water in the drip pan to overflow. However, if you find that your drip pan is overflowing, it is likely due to one of several issues.
First, check if the door gasket is faulty. A faulty door seal can cause a constant stream of warm air to enter the refrigerator, leading to condensation and moisture buildup. This excess moisture can then slide down to the drain tube and into the drip pan, causing it to overflow. Another potential cause is a stuck ice chute door, which can result in meltwater draining into the drip pan more quickly than it can evaporate.
If you suspect that your drip pan is blocked, you will need to locate it and remove the blockage. The drip pan is usually located at the bottom of the refrigerator unit, and you may need to slide the refrigerator out from the wall to access it. Once you have located the drip pan, carefully pull it out and dump out any water. If the drip pan is full of water, it may be due to a frozen or clogged drain line in your freezer or fridge, or a burnt-out condenser fan.
To remove blockages from the drip pan, you can use a wet/dry vacuum to remove standing water. You can also use a bleach and water solution to clean the pan and prevent mold growth. Mix one part bleach with one or two parts warm water, and pour it into the pan. Alternatively, you can use a mild abrasive such as vinegar and water with a drop of liquid soap to wash out the drip pan. Make sure to dry the drip pan thoroughly before returning it to its place beneath the fridge.
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Dry the pan
To dry the drain pan of your fridge, first, check if there is any water in the pan. If there is, empty it down the sink or a drain. You can also use a wet/dry vacuum to remove any standing water. If your drip pan is leaking, then you will need to replace it.
Once the drip pan is empty, dry it thoroughly with a cloth or towel. Make sure to wipe up any spills or splashes from the tray. If your drip pan is particularly dirty, you may want to clean it before drying. To do this, use a mild abrasive, such as a solution of vinegar and water with a drop of liquid soap, or a solution of bleach and warm water. Spray the pan with the solution and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Then, scrub the pan with a cleaning rag to remove any dirt. Rinse out the pan to remove any leftover cleaner and dry it again with a cloth or towel.
If you are experiencing issues with your defrost drain line freezing over, you will need to remove the lower back panel inside the freezer and use a hairdryer to thaw out the ice. Locate the drain hole and pour hot water down it until it is draining properly again. You can also cut a solid piece of copper wire, wrap it around the defrost heater, and extend it into the defrost drain hole to prevent the line from freezing over in the future.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to check your fridge's drain pan every few months and to clean it at least once a year.
The drain pan is almost always located at the bottom of the fridge. In some models, you can access the drain pan from the bottom front of the unit. In other models, you may need to slide the refrigerator out from the wall and access the pan from the bottom rear of the unit.
First, unplug the fridge for safety. If there is water in the pan, empty it down the sink or drain. Then, spray the pan with a disinfecting solution (e.g. bleach and water, vinegar and water, or a commercial cleaner). Let the solution sit for 2-3 minutes, then scrub the pan with a cleaning rag. Rinse and dry the pan before returning it to the fridge.
