REFRIGERATOR MAINTENANCE GUIDE
Keep our refrigerators running at maximum efficiency!
Neglecting to clean the refrigerators as recommended will void our warranty and increase our energy usage. Please read
through all of these steps before beginning to ensure your safety and save you time:
Clean Condenser Coils & Fan EVERY THREE MONTHS (WEEKLY for produce fridge)
What are the Coils & Fan?
Refrigerators have two sets of
coils: the evaporator and
condenser coils. The
evaporator coils are filled with
gas and the condenser coils are
filled with liquid –both keep
the refrigerator cool. The fan is
usually located next to the coils
and circulates cool air over the
coils to avoid overheating.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
From left to right
you can see the
compressor and
the fan cooling
the vertical coils.
On the right is a
picture of the
condenser coils.
Notice the right
half has been
cleaned.
Unplug the Refrigerator (you may need to pull the fridge out from the wall)
Remove the grill/pan in front of the coils, either by popping it off or using a screwdriver (depends on the unit).
The attached table will tell you where to find the coils for each refrigerator.
Use the coil brush to brush up and down the coils. You want to brush along the coil lines, not across them. Brush
the fan. Make sure not to distort the blades on the fan, this could damage the motor or cause the cooling
capability of the refrigerator to fail. The fan may be next to the coils, or you may need to access it from the back
of the refrigerator.
Vacuum the coils and fan.
Use a toothbrush to gently dislodge remaining dirt.
Vacuum or sweep the floor of the dust you just scraped off. While the refrigerator is unplugged and pulled away
from the wall, sweep behind the unit as well. Otherwise, all of your hard work will get sucked right back onto
the coils!
Plug the refrigerator back in, move it back to the wall (leaving about 3 inches of space).
**If you’d like more details or illustrations, I attached the appropriate pages from the maintenance manual for the
Colombia Gorge, Grab and Go, and Membership refrigerators, as well as for the freezer.
Empty & Clean Water Collection Tray EVERY THREE MONTHS (WEEKLY for produce fridge)
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
The water collection tray is at the base of the unit for most refrigerators in the store. Remove the grill at the
bottom of the refrigerator.
Take out the flat water collection pan. It is often times found on top of the condenser coils, but this varies by
unit.
Clean however you deem best. You may need to use bleach.
Dry drip pan and replace it in the refrigerator.
Put the grill back on, using the screwdriver if necessary.
Level the Fridge EVERY THREE MONTHS
If the refrigerators are not level, the doors may not close properly and they may run less efficiently.
1) Place a level on top of the refrigerators, ensuring that it is level across the front as well as front-to-back.
2) Use a wooden wedge or cardboard to place under the feet of the refrigerator as needed. Do not attempt to lift the
fridge on your own—please ask another volunteer or the Storefront Director to help you.
Refrigerator
Produce
Colombia
Brand/Model
Howard/McCray
/ SC-P32E-6S
True/ GDM-23
Where are the coils?
Front, base
Screwdriver
needed?
No
Front, base
No
Front, base
Front, base
Yes
No
Front, Base
No
Gorge
Freezer
Kombucha
True/ T-12F
Beverage Air/
MT-19
Dairy
Beverage
Air/MT-19
Grab and Go
Turbo Air/Tom
40
Membership
Turbo
Air/M3r24-1
Front, Base (you will
have to re-tape it afterwards)
Front, Top
No
Yes
** NOTE: The Keg Fridge is the property of Revive and the BSFC is not responsible for cleaning it. Revive will take care of
its maintenance.
REFRIGERATOR CLEANING LOG
Thank you for maintaining our energy efficiency! Please date and initial each task you completed.
Condenser Coils
Cleaned
Fan Cleaned
Water Collection Tray
Cleaned
Refrigerator Leveled
REFRIGERATOR CLEANING LOG
Thank you for maintaining our energy efficiency! Please date and initial each task you completed.
Condenser Coils
Cleaned
Fan Cleaned
Water Collection Tray
Cleaned
Refrigerator Leveled