Keeping an unused fridge and freezer "fresh" ?

[Tyme2fish]

We cleaned our garage side-by-side fridge/freezer and I want to keep the enterior "fresh" while the unit is not used.

My idea is to put some regular charcoal briquets in pie pans and place in each side. Is that a good plan?

 

[joed]

Re: Keeping an unused fridge and freezer "fresh" ?

Keep the doors slightly ajar so that air can circulate.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Keeping an unused fridge and freezer "fresh" ?

maybe a couple of boxes of baking soda inside with the tops ripped off. That and making sure its CLEAN when you put it away.

 

[gstanton]

Re: Keeping an unused fridge and freezer "fresh" ?

In our travel trailer we just leave the doors standing wide open when not in use.
A word of caution is to somehow block the door so that kids can't get in to play... and suffocate, even little refrigerators and even if you don't have have kids!

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: Keeping an unused fridge and freezer "fresh" ?

maybe a couple of boxes of baking soda inside with the tops ripped off. That and making sure its CLEAN when you put it away.

This is the way to go. I had one stored in my unheated garage for almost 2 yrs like this with the doors propped open and it stayed clean and 'fresh'.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Keeping an unused fridge and freezer "fresh" ?

If you can't leave the doors open, charcoal will work. Used to do that back in my Navy days when we had to put things in storage.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Keeping an unused fridge and freezer "fresh" ?

Baking soda or charcoal both work. If it is in an area where there is moisture the baking soda and charcoal need to be changed every few months. I would also advise that you rub the door seals with silicone and maybe a coat of car wax on the outside if it is stored in a garage.

Try to blow out any of the water lines (Ice maker or water through the door) and inject a slight vinegar and water through the lines to clean out deposits. Stop at and resturant and ask for some sanitizer to inject into the lines too. Just about any resturant will squirt some into a zip lock bag for you and you do not need much.

Moisture and mold are your enemies.

Toss a handfull of mothballs under it to keep away the critters too.

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Keeping an unused fridge and freezer "fresh" ?

Thanks for the suggestions. I have charcoal but don't have baking soda.

My choice is to leave the doors slightly ajar combined with charcoal in the enterior.

 

[DJ]

Re: Keeping an unused fridge and freezer "fresh" ?

If you have children around, dismount the door(s). It's not that difficult.

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Keeping an unused fridge and freezer "fresh" ?

If you have children around, dismount the door(s). It's not that difficult.

No children and no latches on the doors. Magnetic strips. But thanks for the alert.