Maintain Your Fridge: Clean Whirlpool Refrigerator Drip Pan

The drip pan in a Whirlpool refrigerator captures defrosted ice from the freezer, preventing leaks. While it is often overlooked, it is important to clean the drip pan every 3 months to prevent mould or odours from forming. The drip pan's location varies depending on the model of the refrigerator, and it may or may not be removable. To clean a removable drip pan, empty any water, clean with a bleach solution, scrub with a cleaning rag, rinse with warm water, and dry before reinstalling. For a non-removable drip pan, wrap a cleaning wet wipe around a flexible claw grabber and scrub the pan. Then, pour a bleach and water solution into the pan to prevent mould.

How to access the drip pan

To access the drip pan of your Whirlpool refrigerator, you'll first need to consult your refrigerator's manual to locate the drip pan. Drip pans are usually located in the front or rear of the fridge, but this may vary depending on the model. If you can't find the owner's manual, try looking online as the manufacturer may have made it available to download.

If the drip pan is at the rear of the fridge, you'll need to disconnect the water and power supply by turning off the water supply control and unplugging the fridge. Then, pull the fridge away from the wall and clean the floor underneath. Locate the screws or hex bolts holding the back panel in place at the bottom of the fridge and use a screwdriver or hex wrench to rotate the screws counterclockwise to loosen and remove them. Set the back panel aside, being careful not to lose the screws. Many drip pans located at the rear of the fridge cannot be removed, so you'll need to clean them while they're still inside the fridge.

If the drip pan is at the front of the fridge, open the fridge doors to access the top of the kick panel, which is the slotted grate at the bottom of the fridge. Use a putty knife to slide between the fridge and the kick panel to pop it off, then completely remove it and set it aside.

Look inside the back or kick panel to find the drip pan, which should look like a small rectangular tray. Grab the drip pan with both hands and try pulling it out without tipping it over. If the drip pan can be removed, it should come out easily. If it cannot be removed, it will need to be cleaned while still inside the fridge.

Cleaning a removable drip pan

To clean a removable drip pan, first, empty the pan if it's full of water. While the heat from inside your fridge should cause the water in the drip pan to evaporate, there may still be standing water inside. Pour the water down the sink drain to get rid of it. After emptying the drip pan, set it in your sink so you can start cleaning.

Next, wipe the drip pan clean with a bleach solution. Mix one part bleach with two parts warm water in a clean spray bottle and shake it up so it’s thoroughly mixed. Spray the drip pan so it’s completely wet and let the bleach solution sit on the surface for 2-3 minutes. Spray extra cleaner on any mould or mildew you see building up on the drip pan to help loosen it and disinfect the area.

The bleach may change the colour of your drip pan if it’s not originally white. If you don’t want to use a harsh cleaner like bleach, you can substitute white vinegar instead.

After a few minutes, scrub the pan with a cleaning rag to remove any buildup or mould. Work from one side of the drip pan to the other so you don’t spread any mould around. Apply a firm amount of pressure while you scrub the drip pan to break apart any built-up residue. You can also use paper towels if you don’t want to get any mould on fabric cleaning rags.

Rinse the drip pan under warm water to remove any remaining cleaner. Hold the drip pan under your faucet and let warm water run over it. Rinse the entire drip pan so there isn’t any cleaner left on the surface. Use another rag or sponge to wipe it off if there’s still any residue.

Finally, dry the drip pan before reinstalling it. Use a cleaning towel or paper towels to wipe the pan dry. Make sure there aren’t any water droplets on the pan or else it could develop mould again when you reinstall it. Once the drip pan is dry to the touch, slide it back into your fridge and replace the panels so you can use it again.

Sanitising a non-removable drip pan

If your drip pan has heating coils on top of it, it is non-removable and must be cleaned while still inside the fridge. Firstly, wrap a cleaning wet wipe around the end of a flexible claw grabber. Use wet wipes that have a multipurpose cleaner or bleach on them to help get rid of any odours or mould. Place a wet wipe inside the claw and let go of the button so the claw holds it tightly.

Then, carefully feed the end of the claw grabber with the wet wipe into the drip pan. Gently move the wet wipe around the edges of the drip pan to scrub it clean and remove any mould or buildup. Work from multiple sides of the drip pan to remove as much of the mould as possible. Do not apply a lot of force to avoid damaging internal components in your fridge.

After a couple of minutes, pull the claw grabber out and inspect the wet wipe. If it looks dirty, throw it away and replace it with a new one. Continue checking the wet wipe every few minutes until it comes out of the drip pan 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 inside the drip pan and causing odours.

How to prevent a drip pan from overflowing

A full drip pan in your refrigerator means it is working as intended. A drip pan in a refrigerator is designed to catch water that needs to be drained away from the inside of the refrigerator. While small amounts of water will enter the drip pan and safely evaporate, there are several reasons why your drip pan may overflow:

Defrost Function

The defrost function melts away excess frost. If there was a large amount of frost in your freezer and the defrost function suddenly started working, this can lead to a higher amount of water in the drip pan.

Faulty Door Gasket

A faulty door gasket can cause condensation on the inside of your refrigerator as warm air meets cold air. While a small amount of condensation is normal when you open the refrigerator, a constant stream of warm air from a faulty door seal can produce a lot of moisture that slides down to the drain tube and into the drip pan.

Ice Chute Door

If the ice chute door is stuck, even just a small amount, the influx of warm air will cause melt inside your freezer. This will then drain out normally, but will still produce more water than your drip pan can handle.

To prevent your drip pan from overflowing, you should regularly check for and address any of the above issues.

What to do if there is water in the bottom of the fridge

Water pooling at the bottom of your fridge is a common issue that can be caused by several factors. Here are some detailed steps to address this problem:

Check the Drainage System:

• The most common cause of water buildup is a blocked or clogged defrost drain tube. This tube carries water down to the drain pan for evaporation.
• To clear the blockage, use a fridge freezer drain hole plunger, pipe cleaner, or cotton bud to remove any debris, food particles, ice, or mould blocking the drainage hole.
• If ice has built up inside the tube, create a bowl of hot water and use a turkey baster or funnel to flush the tube. Pour the hot water into the tube until it flows through to the drain pan.
• Check the drain/drip pan for debris, bugs, or mould. Clean or replace the pan if necessary.

Level the Fridge:

• An uneven fridge can cause water to overflow and leak into the bottom.
• Use a spirit level to check if the fridge is level from side to side and front to back.
• Adjust the legs or rollers at the front of the fridge to ensure it is slightly higher in the front. Refer to your owner's manual for specific instructions.

Manage Condensation:

• Condensation forms when warm air from the kitchen enters the fridge.
• Prevent excessive condensation by avoiding the storage of hot food and limiting the time the fridge door is left open.
• Regularly clean the fridge, ensure proper sealing, and maintain a temperature between 1-5 degrees Celsius.

Check the Door Seal:

• A damaged, loose, or dirty door seal can lead to water accumulation.
• Inspect the door seal for any signs of wear, tear, or loose sections.
• Clean the door seal with warm water and mild soap to remove food particles and debris, ensuring a tight closure.
• If the seal is damaged or loose, consider replacing it.

Inspect the Water Line:

• For fridges with a water/ice dispenser, check for a damaged water line.
• Inspect the plastic hose that runs from the ice maker and water filter down the back of the fridge.
• If you notice water dripping or collecting along the hose, turn off the shut-off valve to the water supply and replace the hose if necessary.

By following these steps, you can effectively address water accumulation in your Whirlpool refrigerator and maintain its proper functioning.

Frequently asked questions