Stand-alone freezers are great to have when you have a small freezer connected to your regular refrigerator or you like to buy meat and seafood in bulk and need somewhere to store it. However, make sure you clean and maintain it on a regular basis so that it keeps working. Here are some easy ways to maintain your stand-alone freezer
Empty It Out Routinely
It is tempting to just leave everything in the freezer year-round and not bother with it, but this can increase the chances of bacteria building and also causes ice buildup on the walls of the freezer. Some of the food packages in your freezer might occasionally leak, which is one of the reasons you need to clean it out. Instead of unplugging the freezer, just leave it plugged in, and move the food in the freezer to a cooler with ice.Once it is emptied, use mild dish soap and water to clean the inside of the freezer. Make sure to clean the walls, floor, and any shelves located in the freezer. Make sure it is rinsed of any soap and that it dries completely before you put the food back in. Use baking soda as well if there are food odors.
Clean the Condenser Coils
When you are emptying the freezer of food and cleaning out the inside, it is also a good idea to clean the outside of the freezer. In particular, you want to clean the condenser coils. These are what help to maintain the right temperature, so if you fail to do this, you might end up with temperature issues inside the freezer. The condenser coils are most likely on the back of the unit, so you shouldn't need to flip it upside down. All you need is a damp cloth to clean the coils properly. You are removing any dirt, debris, and build-up that you find. Also clean the condenser fan, but make sure the freezer is unplugged if you do this.
Choose the Location Wisely
While it is tempting to put the stand-alone freezer in your garage, it is not a good place if it reaches below-freezing temperatures in the winter. This is going to have a negative effect on the exterior of the freezer, which can cause it to stop working properly. You can keep it in the garage if you live in a mild climate, otherwise choose another spot in your home that has better insulation so it doesn't reach below freezing.
As a final note, make sure you have solid electrical connections. If your stand-alone freezer is suddenly not working, but it is indeed plugged in, then it might be due to improper electrical connections. You might have a blown fuse or there could be issues with the cord of the freezer. This is when calling an electrician is a good idea.
For more tips on maintaining your stand-alone freezer or other appliances, talk to a company like Collier County Appliance Service, Inc.
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