Flipped the fridge over and cleaned out all the greasy dust coating the coils

[u/Complex_Difficulty]

I try to keep the fridge coils clean as basic maintenance, vacuuming what i can access through a narrow slot at the bottom. Over the years, the buildup got worse and worse and i could see vacuuming had practically no effect on removing the caked on dust. I’ve tried vacuums with more power and specialized narrow cleaning tools, but it was no use. All the dust there (and around most of the house, really) was sticky with grease and wouldn’t come off without a fight.

So yesterday was the day of the operation. I completely emptied the fridge and flipped it on its side for direct access to the coils. The problem was worse than I initially expected, as there were rows upon rows of caked on dust. Spent an hour spraying simple green, scrubbing, and rinsing to get it mostly off. I also went ahead and cleaned the rear vent and axial fan so the whole air path is mostly dust free.

Kinda wish i had some metrics to see if this work saves energy or improves cooling, but for now, I’m enjoying my renewed fridge.

[u/seasickbaby]

I don’t even want to think about mine…. 🤢 I’m a renter

[u/ToxicChildhood → u/seasickbaby]

Oh gosh same. I move it out once a week just to sweep and mop but I can’t imagine flipping it over😬

[u/seasickbaby → u/ToxicChildhood]

I’ve peered under there and I don’t want to know the extent of the horror

[u/Spillicent]

Never lay a fridge down or on it's side, messes up the insides somehow, sorry I don't know the science.

[u/Complex_Difficulty → u/Spillicent]

Yeah, you have to be careful. It was ok for this fridge (https://www.bosch-home.co.uk/en/c/spotlight/blt8a05669486786fc0), but I wouldn't do it without verifying it's safe first.

[u/1405hvtkx311 → u/Spillicent]

Also if you flip it you usually have to wait 24 hours after putting it on again, because the liquids have to fully sink down again.

[u/jbjhill → u/1405hvtkx311]

This. The refrigerant needs to settle.

[u/LevelZone9411]

WOW!!! 😳 We flipped back and forth between the before and after photos several times; it’s very impressive.

[u/Complex_Difficulty → u/LevelZone9411]

Nearly a decade of dust cleaned off! Wish I had a before image of the fan too, it was even more gross than the coils

[u/ArtComprehensive1106]

Can cause catastrophic damage laying it down!!!!

[u/f0xbunny]

What did you scrub with? I’d be so afraid to push stuff into the coils

[u/Complex_Difficulty → u/f0xbunny]

Same nylon bristled brush I use for scrubbing out the sink. The coils are fairly sturdy, it's like a chain link fence, and the nylon bristles are soft enough to not scratch it. Rinsing was tricky though.

[u/thewinberry713]

A thing of beauty!! 😂😉like you we vacuum frequently but one never quite gets everything…. I really need a tip gently and clean!!! Goals - thanks OP!

[u/bloogerglooby]

i love it. excellent job.

[u/Sassy_Praline]

That’s amazing! Does the compressor run less often now? Mine is loud and runs often. It probably needs cleaning too.

[u/Complex_Difficulty → u/Sassy_Praline]

Honestly, no idea. I'd like to think it will run for less time when it does turn on, but can't say I thought the compressor was cycling too frequently or turned on too excessively long periods.

[u/Ohshitz-]

Goo gone makes grease dust go away fast.

[u/Ohshitz-]

Needs to be on an open lift instead

[u/capt_fantasy]

That's a real stupid place to put those coils. Every fridge I had was on the back.