Tillie Doyle
A drip pan, also known as a water tray, is located underneath a refrigerator to catch condensation from the appliance's interior during its normal operating cycles. The location of the drip pan varies depending on the refrigerator model. For instance, drip pans in refrigerators manufactured in 1986 and earlier can be found by removing the grill and locating it on the left front or middle of the refrigerator. Newer models, on the other hand, have fixed drip pans that are not easily accessible. To determine the location of the drip pan in your refrigerator, it is recommended to refer to the appliance's manual.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Usually in the front or rear of the fridge, but varies depending on the model |
| Manual | Check the refrigerator's manual to find the location of the drip pan |
| Online | If you can't find the manual, look online as the manufacturer may have it available to download |
| Water supply | If the drip pan is at the rear, turn off the water supply before accessing it |
| Unscrew | If the drip pan is at the rear, unscrew the back panel to access it |
| Kick panel | If the drip pan is at the front, pop off the kick panel at the bottom of the fridge to access it |
| Water | The drip pan catches water from the defrost cycle and this water should evaporate |
| Full drip pan | A full drip pan means the refrigerator is working as designed; check for a faulty door gasket or stuck ice chute door |
| Cleaning | Clean the drip pan by emptying any water, washing with soapy water, and drying it before placing it back |
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What You'll Learn
Location of the drip pan
The location of the drip pan in a refrigerator depends on the model. Drip pans are usually located in the front or rear of the fridge.
If your refrigerator was manufactured in 1987 or later, the drip pan is fixed and not easily accessible. In this case, the drip pan is likely located in the rear of the fridge. To access it, you will need to pull the fridge away from the wall and disconnect the water and power supply. Locate the screws or hex bolts holding the back panel in place and use a screwdriver or hex wrench to loosen and remove them. Set the back panel aside, being careful not to spill any water that may be in the drip pan. 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 the fridge.
If your refrigerator was manufactured in 1986 or earlier, the drip pan can be found by removing the grill. It will be located in the left front or middle of the refrigerator. In this case, the drip pan is likely removable.
For newer models, you can refer to the refrigerator's manual or diagrams to determine the exact location of the drip pan and whether it is removable. Additionally, some refrigerators have a kick panel at the bottom, which can be removed to access the drip pan in the front of the fridge.
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Removing the drip pan
The fridge back side water tray is usually located at the bottom of the refrigerator, behind the front grille or kick plate. If the drip pan is in the rear, unscrew the back panel. Locate the screws or hex bolts that hold the back panel on the bottom of your fridge in place. Use a screwdriver or a hex wrench to rotate the screws counterclockwise to loosen them. Once you remove all of the screws, carefully pull the back panel off the fridge and set it aside. Keep the screws in a small bowl or container so you don't lose them. If the drip pan is in the front, pop off the kick panel at the bottom of the fridge. Open the doors so you can access the top of the kick panel, which is the slotted grate on the bottom of the fridge. Slide a putty knife between your fridge and the kick panel to pop it off. Once you pop one side of the kick panel out, pull it completely off of the fridge and set it aside.
Once the grille is removed, you'll be able to see the drip pan. It is a shallow, rectangular or oval-shaped container made of plastic or metal. Grab the drip pan with both hands and try pulling it out without tipping it over. If your drip pan can be removed, then it will come out of the fridge easily. Otherwise, it cannot be removed. Carefully lift the drip pan and check if there is any liquid or debris inside. Dispose of the liquid and clean the drip pan with warm soapy water to remove any residue or odours. Rinse and dry the pan thoroughly before reinstallation.
Finally, reattach the front grille or kick plate by aligning it with the clips or screw holes. Apply gentle pressure to snap the clips back into place or insert and tighten the screws if required. After completing the above steps, plug the refrigerator back into the power outlet. Double-check that everything is securely in place and functioning properly.
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Cleaning the drip pan
If your fridge has a drip pan at the bottom, it is important to clean it regularly to prevent mould and unpleasant odours. Here is a step-by-step guide to cleaning your fridge's drip pan:
- Locate the Drip Pan: Drip pans are usually located at the bottom of the fridge, either at the back or front. If it is at the back, pull the fridge away from the wall to access it. If it is behind a kick panel, you may need to unscrew and remove the panel to reach the drip pan.
- Disconnect Water and Power Supply (if necessary): If your drip pan is located at the rear and requires you to access the back panel, be sure to disconnect the water and power supply first. Find the water supply control and turn it off to prevent leaks, then unplug the fridge to avoid any electrical hazards.
- Remove the Drip Pan (if possible): Some drip pans can be removed, while others are fixed in place. If your drip pan can be pulled out, use both hands to remove it carefully without tipping it over. Place the removed drip pan in the sink to empty and clean it.
- Empty and Clean the Drip Pan: Before cleaning, ensure that you empty any standing water from the drip pan into the sink. You can then clean the drip pan with hot water and soap or a mixture of baking soda and dish soap. Alternatively, you can use a flexible claw grabber with a multipurpose cleaner or bleach-infused wet wipe attached to reach and clean tight spaces.
- Clean the Drain Tube (if necessary): If your drain tube is clogged, as indicated by water leaking from the fridge, pour some soapy bleach water down the tube, following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Dry the Drip Pan: Before reinstalling the drip pan, ensure it is completely dry to prevent mould growth. You can use a cleaning towel or paper towels to wipe it dry or let it air-dry for about 30 minutes.
- Reinstall the Drip Pan: Once the drip pan is dry, slide it back into place in your fridge. If you had to remove any panels, remember to screw them back in place securely.
- Clean Behind the Fridge: While the fridge is pulled out, take the opportunity to vacuum and mop the floor underneath. Ensure the floor is completely dry before pushing the fridge back into place.
By following these steps, you can effectively clean your fridge's drip pan, maintaining a fresh-smelling and hygienic refrigerator.
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When the drip pan is full
A full drip pan in your refrigerator means that it is working as intended. The drip pan in your refrigerator captures defrosted ice from your freezer so that it doesn't leak in your kitchen. It is meant to catch any water that needs to be drained away from the inside of the refrigerator. The water in the drip pan should ideally evaporate, but when there is too much water, you need to look into the cause.
In most cases, the water in the drip pan is from the defrost function. If there was a large amount of frost in your freezer and the defrost suddenly started working, this can lead to a higher amount of water in the drip pan. Another potential cause of a full drip pan is that the door gasket is faulty. This causes condensation on the inside of your refrigerator as warm air meets cold air. 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.
If your drip pan is full, you should empty it. To do this, first, pull on the drip panel to see if it comes out of the fridge. If your drip pan can be removed, then it will come out of the fridge easily. If it cannot be removed, you will need to clean it while it is still inside your fridge. If your drip pan has heating coils on top of it, then it is non-removable. After emptying the drip pan, set it in your sink so you can start cleaning. You can wear cleaning gloves if you want to, but it is not required.
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Drip pan maintenance issues
Drip pans are usually located at the front or rear of the fridge, but their location can vary depending on the model. They are designed to catch water from the defrost cycle, preventing leaks. While the heat from the fridge should cause the water in the drip pan to evaporate, sometimes there is too much water, and the pan overflows.
If you find your drip pan is full, it is likely not due to a leak. Instead, it may be due to the defrost function melting away excess frost. Alternatively, a faulty door gasket may be causing condensation as warm air meets cold air, resulting in more moisture than the drip pan can handle.
To address a full drip pan, first, remove the water. Then, check for the above issues and address them as necessary. To prevent mould and odours, clean your drip pan every three months.
To clean the drip pan, first, disconnect the water and power supply if you need to access the back panel. If the drip pan is at the rear, pull the fridge away from the wall and locate the screws or hex bolts holding the back panel in place. Use a screwdriver or hex wrench to loosen and remove the screws, then carefully pull off the back panel. If the drip pan is at the front, pop off the kick panel at the bottom of the fridge by opening the doors and sliding a putty knife between the fridge and the kick panel. Once you've accessed the drip pan, grab it with both hands and pull it out without tipping it over. Clean the drip pan, then ensure it is completely dry before placing it back in the fridge and reconnecting the water and power supply.
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Frequently asked questions
A fridge pan, also known as a drip pan or water tray, is installed underneath a refrigerator to catch condensation and water from the defrost cycle.
The location of your drip pan depends on the type of fridge you have. It is usually located in the front or rear of your fridge. You can refer to your refrigerator's manual to find its exact location and whether it is removable.
First, pull out the drip pan from the underside of the fridge. Then, empty any water, wash the tray with soapy water, and dry it before placing it back.
After removing the toe kick or back panel, use a claw grabber or tongs with a paper towel to absorb excess liquid. Then, use disinfecting wipes to clean the drip pan.
A full drip pan is usually caused by the defrost function melting away excess frost. It can also be due to a faulty door gasket, allowing warm air to enter and cause condensation.
