Fridge Odours

Fridge Odours; How to Deal with Them Effectively

Fridge odours are often embarrassing, unpleasant and a sign of lack of cleanliness and hygiene; however the majority of commercial kitchens will suffer this at some stage. This is quite understandable when you think of the quantities of foods and drinks that are stored in these pieces of equipment and the crumbs and spillages which are inevitable. These odours are easily avoidable, but once they are present can just as simply be eradicated.

There are a few areas to check before you begin the cleaning process. You should always look into every possible odour origin before simply assuming that food and drink are to blame.

• Your initial checking point should be the drain channel at the rear of the product. This does not apply to a frost free refrigeration unit and only to ‘wet wall’ models. Moisture caused by condensation will gather on the back wall causing small particles of ice to form as the fridge cools  and to thaw to a liquid state as the fridge enters a defrost cycle.
• This thawed water has to go somewhere so your next check point should be the tray to collect these water deposits. This is located at the rear of the fridge above the compressor. Food crumbs and debris can often find their way into these crevices and can create a foul odour. The formation of calcium may also be a potential source of the problem smell.
• The drain hole which allows the water droplets to be deposited and collected in this tray can sometimes become blocked, leaving stagnant water to build up at the rear of the fridge. Check that this is clear and that liquid has an unobstructed flow to the collection tray. The heat from the compressor harmlessly evaporates any water collected into the atmosphere. Any blockage in this drain hole caused by food matter will decompose and produce a build-up of potentially harmful bacteria, creating the larger issue of compromised health safety.
• If you have found all of these elements to be in full working order, you should next turn your attention to the fridge door seals. The surface may look clean and clear, but if you carefully and gently pull the seal away from the door you will see a cavity where food debris and specifically spilled liquids will accumulate, decompose and again raise more potential health risks.

Fridges themselves do not use any parts or gases which may produce smells. The general cause for any offensive odours is food and drink that hasn’t been stored correctly and therefore has either spilt or has passed its use by date. To rid your fridge of any existing odours, cleaning effectively and thoroughly on a regular basis should help to eliminate the problem and prevent any future reoccurrence.

Cleaning Tips

• Lemon based agents or lemon juice itself acts as an excellent cleaning product. As it is acidic it will cut through most grease and grime etc. whilst also leaving a residual fresh aroma.
• Lingering odours can be managed by leaving half a fresh lemon inside the fridge.
• Baking soda is also a good way to keep smells at bay. Either wash your fridge out with a mixture of baking soda and water or place an open box of baking soda near to the bottom of the fridge, ensuring an odourless piece of equipment for the foreseeable future.
• There are many commercial products on the market that work equally as well. Fridge de-odourisers and fridge mats are available from online retailers at relatively modest prices.

Emphasise correct storage procedures to all staff members to avoid any future odour occurrences. Thorough and effective cleaning should also be made a priority, ensuring that all check points listed previously are targeted along with the usual general cleaning list.