How to Clean Refrigerator Coils

Co-authored by Aaron Beth

Last Updated: October 19, 2021 References Approved

Cleaning your refrigerator coils is a great way to reduce your power bill and extend the life of your fridge. Refrigerator coils, sometimes called condenser coils, are black coils that are found on the back or bottom of your fridge. If there is lots of dirt or dust on the coils, the refrigerator requires more energy to cool your food and can eventually break down.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Aaron Beth
Appliance Technician
Expert Interview. 14 July 2020.} To clean the coils, simply use a brush to extract the dirt and then suck it up with a vacuum. This process is easy to complete and only takes about 15 minutes.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Accessing the Coils

1
Unplug your fridge at the wall. Turn off the power switch and then pull out the power cord. Don’t worry about your food getting warm, as the cleaning process is quick and the inside of the fridge will maintain its cool temperatures while you clean the coils.^{[2]
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- Always turn electrical appliances off before cleaning them, as this helps to prevent electrocutions.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Aaron Beth
  Appliance Technician
  Expert Interview. 14 July 2020.}
2
Pull your fridge away from the wall to access the coils at the back. Older refrigerators tend to have their coils located on the back of the fridge. Gently push the fridge forward at least 1 metre (39 in) to give you plenty of room to clean the coils.^{[4]
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- If your fridge doesn't have wheels, ask a friend to help you push it forward.
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3
Unclamp the bottom panel on the fridge if the coils aren’t at the back. Many modern fridges have the coils hidden under the bottom panel at the front of your fridge. Unsnap this panel to remove it and then place it somewhere safe while you clean the coils.^{[5]
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- If you’re having trouble removing the bottom panel, try lifting it up slightly and then pull it toward you.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Dusting and Vacuuming the Coils

1
Scrape the dirt out with a soft-bristled brush. Over time, grime gets sucked onto the refrigerator coils. Use your brush to agitate as much of the dirt and dust off the coils as you can. Scrape above, below, and in-between the coils to get rid of the large clumps of dirt.^{[6]
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- If you’re having trouble seeing the coils, use a flashlight to help you see more clearly.
- Purchase a soft-bristled brush from an appliance or cleaning store, or use a wire brush or a duster instead.^{[7]
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2
Suck up the remaining dust with a vacuum. If possible, place a narrow nozzle on the end of your vacuum cleaner hose. This makes it easier to suck up the dust from between the coils. Slowly move the nozzle over the coils to allow the vacuum to suck up all the grime.^{[8]
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- Take the opportunity to vacuum under your fridge while it is pulled out of its usual position.
3
Repeat the scraping and sucking process until all the dirt is gone. Sometimes vacuuming can reveal more grime on or around the coils. Use the coil brush to remove the rest of the dust and dirt and then suck it up with your vacuum.^{[9]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Restarting the Fridge

1
Place the bottom panel back onto the fridge. Hold the bottom panel up in its original position and push it back into place. You know that it is in the correct position when it makes a snapping or clamping noise.^{[10]
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2
Plug your refrigerator back into the wall. If necessary, push your fridge back into its regular position. Once your fridge is back to its original position, plug it back in and turn on the power.
- If the coils are on the back of your fridge, leave a 3 cm (1.2 in) gap between the coils and the wall to keep them operating efficiently.
3
Clean the coils at least twice a year.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Aaron Beth
Appliance Technician
Expert Interview. 14 July 2020.} This helps to keep your refrigerator cooling effectively. If you have pets, consider cleaning the coils more often, as pet fur can quickly get caught in the coils and cause them to work less efficiently.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Aaron Beth
Appliance Technician
Expert Interview. 14 July 2020.}
- Consider setting a recurring reminder on your phone or computer calendar to remind you to clean the coils.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How often should you clean refrigerator coils?

Aaron Beth
Appliance Technician
Aaron Beth is the founder of Aaron’s Refrigeration Company in New York City and a factory certified installer (FCI) for Sub-Zero products. He specializes in the service and maintenance of built-in refrigerators, wine coolers and ice machines. With over 54 years of experience, Aaron is the recipient of numerous Super-Service awards from Angie’s Lists and 2019 Best-of-the City.

Aaron Beth

Appliance Technician

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

At least twice a year. However, if you have pets, you'll probably want to clean it them more often, as pet hair can get caught in the condenser.
Question

Where are the coils?

Emma Hall1

Community Answer

The coils are either behind the fridge or at the bottom of the fridge. To access the bottom coils, remove the bottom kickplate of the fridge.
Question

I can't get the front grill off to clean the vents. What should I do?

Community Answer

Search "remove front grill on [name of maker] [model number]" Somebody out there had the same problem and wrote down how he solved it!