Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    Melly1_1998's Avatar
    Melly1_1998 Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Sep 13, 2011, 07:52 PM
    How to remove a disgusting yellow spill on drain pan?
    The electricity in my neighborhood went out for 4 days. I didn't want to touch my refrigerator for fear that whatever cold that was in there would be lost. Upon getting our electricity back and turning it back on I noticed a really foul odor that kept on getting worse. 2 weeks later, it's acrid and disgusting. I practically took the entire refrigerator apart in an attempt to figure out what's wrong and now I KNOW it's coming from my drain pan. I really need to remove it to clean it. Is there any way to do that? Right now there is no way to even reach behind the compressor to get there. IT's so gross and yellow with crust!
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #2

    Sep 13, 2011, 08:15 PM
    Remove the toe kick cover in the front. It should snap off. It may have two screws holding it in place.

    Pull condensation pan out and clean. Wipe with mild solution of bleach and water to kill bacteria.
    Melly1_1998's Avatar
    Melly1_1998 Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Sep 13, 2011, 10:39 PM
    Unfortunately my drain pan is stuck in place. I looked at the user and it's considered "non-removable". When I try to reach in the front slit with my hand the tiny horizontal slit (about 1 inch high and 8 inches across) is not big enough to even stick my hand in there. The pan (from the looks of a flashlight) is about 1 inch tall and 12 inches across - and stuck to the right side of the refrigerator. I tried to stick my hand through the back, and even used a screwdriver to push some paper towels in there with bleach, but there are still chunks stuck to the pan I could not remove without taking the pan out. Is there any way to remove this pan?
    drtom4444's Avatar
    drtom4444 Posts: 3,282, Reputation: 145
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #4

    Sep 13, 2011, 11:21 PM
    Just slide it out and put Clorox in it. Wash out coils under refrigerator and wash out inside with bleach. That will fix it. DrTom4444
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #5

    Sep 14, 2011, 03:00 AM
    I assume you are saying that the users manual is saying that the pan is not removable.

    Suggest you pull the refrigerator out from the wall.
    Remove the card board cover in the rear which covers the compressor. Should be several small screws that hold it in place. You then should have access to the pan, even if you cannot remove it.

    Try not to damage the card board cover and be sure to reinstall. It is very necessary even though it is just card board.
    drtom4444's Avatar
    drtom4444 Posts: 3,282, Reputation: 145
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #6

    Sep 14, 2011, 05:15 AM
    I agree with hkstroud that the best way for you to clean it is to remove the rear cover. That rear cover is needed for the air to be directed over the coils. While you have the rear cover off you should wash off the condenser coils with a quick spray of water or compressed air. The easiest and best way is with water, but be careful to keep it out of fan and defrost timer. You can vacuum up water with wet vac. If left dirty the compressor will burn up from the heat build up. Unplug unit first. I recommend that you also remove the cover over the freezer coils and pour a solution of bleach and water through the drain pan and wash it out. When melted food gets in there it will cause it to smell and eventually stop it up. DrTom4444
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Smitty Drain pan connection to black PVC drain? [ 5 Answers ]

I am installing a steam generator for my shower. The unit has an attached drain pan with a "smitty drain" 3/4 inch connection. I am lost as to how to connect this to the black PVC drain system in my home. Thanks for any help here.

Washer spill pan [ 1 Answers ]

I need a spill pan to fit under a washer that is to be placed on the second floor. I need a 24x24 spill pan to fit under an apt. size washer. Thanks.

How to route a water heater drain pan when there is no drain close by [ 3 Answers ]

Well, I have to drain the water heater pan to the outside of the house but, I live in a condo and space is very limited, I have the a/c furnace above th water heater, can I hook The drain pan pipe to that of the a/c?

How do I remove shower pan & replace drain on second floor [ 2 Answers ]

I need some help. I am re-tiling my shower stall on second floor and need to know how to remove the existing vinyl/plastic shower pan & replace the old plastic PVC drain pipe/fitting and replace with a new drain for new membrane shower pan & tile ? I don't want to cut a hole in my kitchen ceiling

Sewer spill and odor, how do I remove! [ 8 Answers ]

I recently had a sewer pipe under my kitchen in the crawlspace severed and leaking. It spilled quite a bit of "waste" into my crawlspace beneath my house and boy does it smell like sewer! The plumber told me to throw some lime on the spill to clean it up... is this the right way of doing this? Is...

View more questions Search