Cleaning Your Fridge: Drain Pan Maintenance Simplified

The drip pan in your refrigerator captures defrosted ice from your freezer, preventing leaks in your kitchen. While it's easy to overlook, you should clean your drip pan every three months to prevent mould and odours. The drip pan may be located in the front or rear of your fridge, and it may be removable, depending on your fridge model. After a thorough cleaning, your fridge will smell better and stay clean for a few months.

How to locate the drain pan in your fridge

The drip pan in your refrigerator collects water from the defrost cycle. It is important to clean your drip pan every three months to prevent mould or odours from forming. The location of the drip pan in your fridge depends on the model of your fridge.

If you have a refrigerator model from 1986 or older, 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 in 1987 or later, the drip pan is fixed and not easily accessible.

To locate the drip pan in your refrigerator, you can refer to the refrigerator's manual. The manual will have diagrams that show where the drip pan is located. If you cannot find the physical manual for your refrigerator, you can try searching for it online on the manufacturer's website.

How to remove the kick panel

To remove the kick panel of your refrigerator, follow these steps:

Firstly, open the doors of your fridge so you can access the top of the kick panel, which is the slotted grate at the bottom of the appliance. If you have a Whirlpool refrigerator, the manual recommends opening both doors of the fridge before removing the kick panel.

Next, grab a putty knife and slide it between the fridge and the kick panel to pop it out. You can also use a screwdriver for this step. Once one side of the kick panel pops out, pull the panel away from the fridge and set it aside.

If your refrigerator has a water filter at the bottom, you don't need to remove it.

Now, you should be able to see the drip pan. If the drip pan has heating coils on top of it, it is non-removable, and you will need to clean it while it is still inside the fridge.

If you need to access the back panel of your refrigerator, locate the screws or hex bolts holding the panel in place at the bottom of your fridge. Use a screwdriver or hex wrench to unscrew the panel, then carefully pull it off and set it aside. Remember to keep the screws in a small bowl or container so you don't lose them.

How to clean a removable drain pan

To clean a removable drain pan, first locate the drip pan. It is usually located in the front or rear of the fridge and may be behind a panel. Check your refrigerator's manual to find the exact location. If your fridge has been pulled out from the wall, clean the floor underneath before locating the drip pan.

Once you have located the drip pan, try pulling it out of the fridge. If it comes out easily, it is removable. If it has heating coils on top of it, it is non-removable.

If the drip pan is removable, empty it of any water. Then, create a cleaning solution. This can be a mixture of bleach and warm water, or vinegar and water with a drop of liquid soap. Spray or wipe the solution onto the drip pan and let it sit for a few minutes. Next, scrub the pan with a cleaning rag or paper towel to remove any mould or residue. Rinse the drip pan under warm water and wipe it dry with a towel or paper towel.

Finally, slide the drip pan back into the fridge and replace any panels that were removed.

How to clean a non-removable drain pan

To clean a non-removable drip pan, you must first locate it. The drip pan is usually found at the bottom of the fridge, either at the front or rear, and collects condensation and defrost water from the freezer section.

Before you begin cleaning, it is important to unplug the refrigerator to ensure safety and prevent any damage to the appliance.

If the drip pan is located at the rear of the fridge, you may need to remove the back panel by unscrewing it or gently pulling it off, depending on the model. Keep in mind that many drip pans located at the rear cannot be easily removed, so you will need to clean it while it's still inside the fridge.

If the drip pan is in the front, you can usually access it by removing the kick plate at the bottom of the fridge. This can be done by unscrewing it or gently pulling it off.

Once you have accessed the drip pan, use gloves to protect your hands from any residue. Carefully remove the pan and empty it into a sink or toilet, properly disposing of the collected liquid. If there are stubborn stains or residues, create a solution of warm water and mild detergent or baking soda and warm water to clean it thoroughly. Rinse the pan well to remove any soap residue before placing it back into the refrigerator.

After cleaning the drip pan, it is important to clean the surrounding area, including any dirt or debris that may have accumulated near the pan. You can use a vacuum or a damp cloth to wipe away any residue. Finally, reattach the kick plate or back panel securely, ensuring a proper fit.

How often to clean the drain pan

The drip pan in your refrigerator captures defrosted ice from your freezer so that it doesn't leak onto your kitchen floor. It is commonly overlooked, but you should clean your drip pan every three months to prevent any mould or odours from forming. The drip pan may be located at the front or rear of your fridge, and it may be removable, depending on your fridge model.

To clean the drip pan, first, turn off the water supply control so that it doesn't leak. Then, unplug your fridge to avoid any chance of electric shock. If your fridge's drip pan is at the rear, pull your fridge away from the wall so you can access it. Unscrew the back panel and carefully remove it. Many drip pans located at the rear of the fridge cannot be removed, so you will need to clean it without taking it out. If the drip pan is at the front of your fridge, open the fridge doors so you can access the top of the kick panel. Slide a putty knife between the fridge and the kick panel to pop it off.

If your drip pan is removable, it will easily slide out. If it has water in it, pour the water down the sink. Then, spray the pan with a solution of one part bleach to two parts warm water and let it sit for two to three minutes. After, scrub the pan with a cleaning rag to remove any dirt or mould. Rinse the pan under warm water to remove any remaining cleaning solution, and dry it before returning it to your refrigerator.

If your drip pan is non-removable, wrap a cleaning wet wipe around the end of a flexible claw grabber and feed it into the drip pan. Move the wet wipe around the edges of the drip pan to scrub it clean and remove any mould or buildup. Change the wet wipe every one to two minutes until it comes out clean. Once you've scrubbed the drip pan, mix together one part bleach with one part warm water and slowly pour it into the pan to prevent mould from growing.

Frequently asked questions