Cleaning the Condenser Coils on Your KitchenAid Refrigerator

The condenser coils release heat from the refrigeration system. When pet hair, dust and kitchen grease coat them, heat has nowhere to go. The compressor runs longer, the cabinet may drift warmer, and the unit can wear out sooner. Houston homes with pets or open-plan kitchens collect dust quickly, so this is worth doing a couple of times a year.

Find the coils

On many models the coils sit behind the lower front grille. On others they are on the back of the cabinet. Your owner manual shows the location. Built-in units may need a trim panel opened rather than pulling the whole refrigerator out.

Cleaning steps

1. Unplug the refrigerator, or switch off its breaker if the plug is hard to reach.
2. Remove the lower grille. Most simply pull off or release with a gentle tug.
3. Use a long, narrow coil brush to loosen dust, working from side to side.
4. Vacuum with a soft brush attachment as you go, so debris does not fall back into the fan area.
5. Wipe the grille and the floor under the unit.
6. Refit the grille and restore power.

Cautions

• Do not bend the thin metal fins or press hard on the tubing.
• Do not use water or sprays on the coils, and skip compressed air indoors. Air pushes dust into the fan motor and the room.
• Keep the cord clear of the vacuum and away from your feet.

Check the airflow space

While the grille is off, make sure nothing is stored beside or above the unit that blocks ventilation. Built-in refrigerators need the clearance their installation instructions describe.

When cleaning is not enough

If the compressor still runs almost constantly after cleaning, the cabinet remains warm, or the fan near the coils is noisy, a fan motor or sensor may be failing.

If a clean coil does not bring the temperature back, we can check the fan, sensors and compressor system. Our refrigerator technicians cover the Houston area, and the service details explain how a coil and cooling visit works. Morning (9-12), midday (1-4) and late afternoon (4-7) windows are open, the estimate is written before we start, and a 30-day workmanship warranty covers the work.