8 Things You Should Never Do To Your Refrigerator

Your refrigerator runs every minute of every day, and it rarely gets a thank-you. It also rarely gets much thought, which is how small habits turn into higher bills and spoiled groceries.

A white refrigerator freezer standing in a kitchen.

Here are eight things to stop doing, based on guidance from the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. None of them cost a dime to fix.

Some of them will surprise you, especially the one about that spare fridge out in the garage.

Never Stand There With The Door Wide Open

The Department of Energy’s kitchen appliance guide, published in 2010, says to keep the door closed and to minimize the amount of time it is open. Every long look inside lets cold air spill out, and the motor has to work to win it back.

Decide what you want before you open the door. A quick grab beats a long stare while you wait for inspiration.

Families with kids know how this goes. A quick household rule, such as no standing in front of the open fridge, can save real money over a year.

Never Park It Beside The Oven Or In Hot Sunlight

The Department of Energy advises placing your fridge in a cool place, away from ovens, dishwashers and direct sunlight. A refrigerator beside a heat source has to fight harder to stay cold.

If your kitchen layout leaves no choice, a little distance still helps. Shades on a sunny window can make a difference too.

Think of the fridge as an athlete. It performs best in a cool locker room and struggles when it has to work in the hot sun beside the stove.

Never Shove It Flat Against The Wall

The Department of Energy’s 2021 ENERGY STAR kitchen appliance flyer says to allow air circulation behind the unit. Its advice is to leave a few inches between the wall and the back of the refrigerator.

The same guidance says to keep condenser coils clean on older models. Check your owner’s manual for the safe way to do it, and remember that coil cleaning brushes are sold at most hardware stores.

Giving the unit room to breathe is one of the easiest fixes on this list. Slide it out gently, check the gap, and push it back only so far.

Never Ignore A Door Seal That Looks Tired

The Department of Energy offers a simple test. Close the door on a sheet of paper, and if the paper does not hold fast, replace the seals.

Try it in a few spots around the door, top and bottom included. A loose seal lets warm air creep in all day long.

If the paper slides out easily, you have your answer. Replacing a seal is far cheaper than paying to cool the whole kitchen every day.

Never Let Frost Build Up Past A Quarter Inch

If you own a manual defrost freezer, the Department of Energy says to defrost it periodically and not to let frost build up beyond one-quarter inch. Thick frost makes the appliance less efficient.

Pick a day when the freezer is nearly empty, since that is the easiest time to do the job.

Skipping this chore is easy because frost builds slowly. Mark it on the calendar once or twice a year so it does not sneak up on you.

Never Keep A Second Fridge Running In The Garage

The Department of Energy’s 2021 flyer puts it bluntly: just say no to a second fridge. Its 2010 guide adds that older units in a basement or garage often cost more than $100 a year to run.

That old refrigerator humming away with a few sodas inside may be quietly costing you plenty. The same guide says to replace a pre-1993 refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible.

If you truly need extra space for a holiday, plug it in for the occasion, then unplug it when the party ends.

Never Let The Temperature Drift Too Warm

The Department of Energy recommends keeping the refrigerator between 35°F and 38°F and the freezer at 0°F. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says cold food belongs at or below 40°F.

An inexpensive appliance thermometer takes the guesswork out. The USDA’s emergency food safety guidance also recommends keeping one in both the refrigerator and the freezer.

If the power goes out, keep the doors closed. The USDA’s emergency guidance says perishable food stays safe in a refrigerator for only about 4 hours without power.

Write the number on a sticky note on the freezer door so every family member sees it. A cold, steady fridge is the best protection against a bad night.

Never Leave Food Out For More Than Two Hours

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2016 release on the “danger zone” says never to leave food between 40°F and 140°F for more than two hours. If the temperature is above 90°F, the limit drops to one hour.

That covers the leftovers sitting on the counter after dinner and the potato salad at a summer picnic. Put food away promptly and your refrigerator can do its job.

A handy habit is to clear the table and wrap the leftovers before anyone settles in for dessert. It takes five minutes and makes the whole meal safer.

Taken together, these eight habits cost nothing and protect both your food and your electric bill. Pick the two that you are guilty of and fix them this week.

A fridge that breathes easy, seals tight and stays cold will quietly serve your family for years. Give it a little respect, and it will return the favor.

Willow and Hearth