Do I need to empty refrigerator drain pan?

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asked Mar 19 in laundry/Cleaning by Schoobamaroove (680 points)
Do I need to empty refrigerator drain pan?

2 Answers

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answered Mar 21 by Wenja921 (26,320 points)
You only need to empty your refrigerator drain pan if the drain pan gets water in it from defrosting the freezer or if you're defrosting the freezer or refrigerator.

Most often a fridge drain pan does not require emptying except for when defrosting.

You can clear a refrigerator drain hole by inserting a screwdriver or a small length of ¼-inch flexible tubing into the drain tube to clear out any remaining obstructions and/or to push the clog into the drip pan.

All fridges have a drain hole and defrost drain tubes except for certain older manual defrost models.

The drain tube will go to a drip pan that is underneath the refrigerator.

Only fridges that have a defrost feature typically have the drain pan and drain hole.

Most refrigerator models have the defrost drain on the inside back of your freezer, so finding the drain hole on your fridge shouldn't be too difficult.

After you find the drain, look and see if there is anything that could be blocking the drain, such as frozen meals, ice build-up, etc., and if there is, simply move them out of the way to allow proper airflow.

If you have liquid water on the floor of your fridge, check that the little hole isn't blocked with gunge.

If it is, poke something down it and you'll be fine.

Other than that there shouldn't be any need to drain water from a refrigerator unless you are defrosting it.

The drain tube goes to a drip pan underneath the refrigerator. Water created by the self-defrost cycle goes into the drip pan where it is evaporated.

Compact/Under-Counter Models: These models do not have defrost drain tubes or a drip pan underneath the fridge.

To clear your fridges defrost drain you can insert a screwdriver or a small length of ¼-inch flexible tubing into the drain tube to clear out any remaining obstructions and/or to push the clog into the drip pan.
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answered Mar 28 by ferrari4444 (140 points)

Typically, modern refrigerators are designed to automatically evaporate moisture collected in the drain pan, but if you notice overflow or bad odors, it's a good idea to clean it out to prevent mold and mildew. Similarly, ensuring your home's water quality is optimal by installing a whole house water filtration system from https://filterway.com/whole-house-systems/ can improve the longevity and performance of household appliances, including your refrigerator, by preventing issues related to hard water and mineral deposits.

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