Cleaning Non-Removable Fridge Drip Pans: A Step-By-Step Guide

The drip pan in your refrigerator captures defrosted ice and condensation from the freezer section, preventing water from leaking onto your kitchen floor. It is typically located at the bottom of the fridge, either at the front or rear, and may be removable depending on the model. To clean a non-removable drip pan, first, unplug the refrigerator to ensure safety. Then, locate and remove the kick plate or back panel to access the drip pan. Carefully remove the drip pan and empty it into a sink or toilet. If there are any stubborn stains or residues, clean the pan with warm water and a mild detergent or a disinfecting cleaning solution. Rinse the pan thoroughly to remove any soap residue and dry it before placing it back into the refrigerator. Finally, reattach the kick plate or back panel securely.

Find the drip pan

The drip pan in your refrigerator captures defrosted ice from your freezer so that it doesn't leak in your kitchen. It is usually located in the front or rear of your fridge, but this may vary depending on the model.

If your fridge was 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.

If your fridge is a newer model (1987 or newer), the drip pan is fixed and not easily accessible. In this case, you will need to refer to the refrigerator's manual to locate the drip pan. Check the diagrams and instructions in the manual to find out if the drip pan is removable and how to access it. If you don't have a physical copy of the manual, you can usually find a digital version on the manufacturer's website.

Once you have located the drip pan, the next step is to clean it. Here are some general instructions on how to clean a non-removable drip pan:

• Disconnect the water and power supply to your fridge if you need to access the back panel.
• Find the water supply control and turn it off to prevent leaks.
• Unplug your fridge to avoid any risk of electric shock while working on the interior components.
• Remove any screws or hex bolts holding the back panel in place using a screwdriver or hex wrench.
• Carefully pull off the back panel and set it aside.
• Locate the drip pan, which should look like a small rectangular tray.
• If the drip pan has heating coils on top of it, it is non-removable, and you will need to clean it while it's still inside the fridge.

Remove the kick plate

To remove the kick plate, or kick panel, from your fridge, you will 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 the doors open, you can now slide a putty knife between the fridge and the kick panel to pop it out. Start on one side of the panel and, once you have popped one side out, you can pull the rest of the kick panel off completely. Set the kick panel aside.

You do not need to remove the water filter at the bottom of your fridge if it has one.

Empty the drip pan

To empty the drip pan, first, locate the drip pan. It is usually found at the bottom of the fridge, either at the front or rear, depending on the model. If the drip pan is at the rear, pull the fridge away from the wall. If there is a water supply control, turn it off to prevent leaks. Unplug the fridge to avoid any risk of electric shock. Unscrew the back panel to access the drip pan. If the drip pan is at the front, open the fridge doors to access the top of the kick panel (the slotted grate at the bottom of the fridge). Use a putty knife to pop off the kick panel.

Once you have accessed the drip pan, carefully remove it. It may contain water or residue, so handle it with care to avoid spillage. If there is standing water in the drip pan, pour it down the sink drain. Alternatively, you can use a wet/dry vacuum to remove the standing water.

If your drip pan has heating coils on top of it, it is non-removable, and you must clean it while it's still inside your fridge. In this case, you can use a flexible claw grabber or a similar tool to clean it without removing it.

Clean the drip pan

The drip pan is located at the bottom of the fridge and collects condensation and defrosted ice from the freezer. It should be cleaned every three months to prevent mould and odours. The location of the drip pan varies depending on the model of the fridge. It may be at the front or rear of the fridge and may or may not be removable. Check your refrigerator's manual to find out. If you don't have a physical copy, you can likely find a digital version with a quick internet search.

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. Once you've exposed the underside of the fridge, carefully pull out the drip pan, being gentle so as not to slosh any standing water. Pour the contents down the drain and give the drip pan a rinse with clean water.

Next, use either a disinfecting cleaning solution or distilled white vinegar to wipe every corner of the drip pan until it's clean. Rinse the pan with warm water to remove any residue, then dry it with a towel or paper towels before returning it to the refrigerator.

If your drip pan is non-removable, you can still achieve a thorough clean. Once you've removed the toe kick or back panel, look for the drip pan and use a claw grabber or a pair of tongs to pick up a paper towel or a wet wipe with multipurpose cleaner or bleach on it. Reach in and wipe away any excess liquid, replacing the wipes or paper towels with fresh ones as needed until the drip pan is clean.

Finally, mix a solution of one part bleach with one part warm water and slowly pour it into the drip pan. This will help prevent mould from growing.

Reattach the kick plate

To reattach the kick plate, follow these steps:

Firstly, identify the two tabs at the top of the kick plate. These tabs need to be inserted first, so carefully line them up with the corresponding slots on the fridge. You may need to apply some force to get them into place, but be careful not to bend or break the tabs. Once the tabs are inserted, lift up on the kick plate and slowly rotate it into position. It should fit snugly against the fridge with no gaps.

If your kick plate has screws, make sure to use a screwdriver to securely fasten it in place. Be sure not to overtighten the screws, as this could strip the threads or damage the plastic.

If your kick plate has a water filter, take care not to damage it during the reattachment process.

Finally, close the fridge door and ensure that the kick plate is secure and does not move or rattle when the door is opened and closed.

Your fridge kick plate should now be securely reattached!

Frequently asked questions