You have started noticing condensation from your refrigerator and you are wondering what the problem might be and what you need to do to correct the problem. Fortunately for you, the problem is common for most refrigerator owners, and in most cases, the causes are not difficult to fix.
Condensation in the refrigerator can be a sign that your refrigerator is having a mechanical issue that needs to be checked by a professional. However, in many instances, you may notice that the problem is temporary and corrects itself with time.
So, why is there condensation in my refrigerator? There is condensation in your refrigerator because of moisture-laden warm air inside your refrigerator and then cooling resulting in the condensation effect. If that is the case, the problem can be temporary and can be solved by finding the source of the warm air. Warm air from hot food that has been placed in the fridge.
Express Repair, an appliance repair company, explains that most cases of condensation appearing within a fridge is due to someone adding hot food into the fridge before it has time to cool.
As a refrigerator owner, you should also know that having a water pool at the bottom of your refrigerator is not always a sign that your refrigerator is condensing. It can simply mean that your fridge is having mechanical problems, and the water pool is a result of a fault in the defrost mechanisms.
Difference between condensation and defrost fault in your refrigerator
Sometimes it becomes hard to know where the water is coming from and if you should seek professional help with your refrigerator. As discussed above, the causes of water can either be a fault in your defroster or condensation. But how do you tell them apart?
For starters, water from defrosters is usually much more concentrated in the areas where the fault has occurred. The water volume resulting from defroster faults is also greater than condensation and hence forms a water pool at the bottom of the refrigerator.
However, water produced during condensation collects on the surfaces of items inside your refrigerator. The water is also not enough to collect in a pool of water because it doesn’t produce enough water.
What causes condensation
There are several condensation sources, but the three most common ones are a damaged gasket that lets air in, outside air after opening or leaving your refrigerator open for a long time and placing hot items in the refrigerator.
A faulty gasket signals that your refrigerator may need repair, and it is important to seek professional services. You can test if your gasket is damaged by doing the dollar test on it.
The dollar test involves placing a dollar bill between the gasket and the refrigerator and then trying to pull the dollar out. If you can pull it out, it means that your gasket is not sealed enough and may need repairs.
What do fridge owners feel is causing condensation in their fridges?
| Reason that fridge owners feel is causing internal fridge condensation | Ranking of Reason based on instances mentioned |
|---|---|
| adding hot food into the fridge is what some owners had discovered quickly caused condensation | 1 |
| opening the fridge door too often in a humid environment causing moisture to appear in the refrigerator | 2 |
| bad seal for the fridge door that allowed hot humid air to enter the interior of the fridge ( I recommend that you check out the RepairWares Door Gasket Seal to see if this new seal works with your fridge model. Click here to view it on Amazon and to check out the details. | 3 |
| moisture setting on a new fridge was not adjusted correctly causing moisture to build up within the fridge | 4 |
| lack of ventilation within the fridge caused the temperature to not regulate properly allowing condensation to occur | 5 |
How do I stop condensation in my fridge?
There are several reasons why your fridge may be condensing, and you need to consider if the problem is serious and requires repair services or temporary. Whichever is the case, these are some of the things you can do to stop your fridge from condensing:
- Don’t leave your fridge door open. One of the main reason condensation happens in your fridge is that trapped warm air interacts with frigid air on your fridge. The warm and humid air can find its way into your fridge through open fridge doors, faulty gaskets, and seals. Therefore, ensure that your doors are always locked, and the seals are airtight.
- Check your temperature settings. According to the Food Standard Agency, your fridge temperature should be below 5 degrees Celsius, and anything below that can lead to the growth of bacteria on your food and condensation in the refrigerator. I recommend that you check the internal temperature first using a Waterproof Fridge Thermometer, click here to see one on Amazon.
- Wait for your food or drinks to cool before placing them in the fridge. This is because most condensation in your fridge is a result of warm air. Placing hot meals and drinks in the recipe is, therefore, a recipe for condensation.
- Ensure your refrigerator is level. If you also want to avoid water from dripping down in your refrigerator, ensure it is level to allow water to flow to the drain. You can do this by raising the floor front screws by a few turns to adjust the level of the fridge.
- Ensure your refrigerator is clean. You can start by wiping the seals to make sure that every time you close the fridge, it closes fully without getting obstructed by dirt.
However, even after following all the rules stated above to prevent condensation in your fridge, you may still find that your fridge still has condensation. If that is the case, then you should consider seeking professional repair services. This is because your seal or gasket may be worn out and not sealing properly, resulting in condensation.
Your fridge may also be experiencing clogging and in such cases, you will need to use a cotton ball or pipe cleaner to eliminate blockages that might be found in the drain before your fridge starts operating optimally again.
You should also consider checking if your fridge has a built-up of ice, which sometimes can cause condensation. To fix this, you will need to let the ice melt by unplugging the fridge. Then you can wipe the water and plug your fridge back in.
Here is a video for you to watch that explains how to rid your fridge of condensation:
Is condensation in the fridge bad?
Chances are, you have started to notice condensation in your refrigerator, and you are wondering if it is bad or a signal that your refrigerator is faulty.
The answer, however, is not a simple one, and you need to know what the actual cause of condensation is before concluding whether condensation in your fridge is a signal of your fridge being faulty.
For starters, condensation in most cases is a result of warm air in your freezer interacting with your refrigerator’s cold environment. This can be caused by refrigerator users leaving the refrigerator door open, hence letting in air, not closing the door properly, or problems with the seal and gasket. These are minor causes, and the problems can be corrected by properly checking that the door is closed each time you use your refrigerator.
Your refrigerator setting may also be the reason behind condensation. For instance, setting elevated temperatures on your fridge may result in condensation and bacteria. Fortunately, this problem can be solved by adjusting the settings and ensuring that the temperatures are set to below five degrees Celsius to avoid condensation.
However, condensation can also be a result of faulty gaskets, clogged drainage and damaged seals that let warm air in. In such instances, condensation in your fridge signals that it might be faulty and needs repair from professional repair services.
Condensation can also lead to foods, fruits and vegetables going stale or bad. This is because the water dripping down may not be clean.
Condensation in mini fridge
Yes, condensation in mini fridges is also an issue, and if you decide to buy one, here is everything you will be dealing with.
For starters, mini-fridges are still fridges, just that they are smaller than the normal-sized refrigerators; hence they still operate and function just like any other refrigerator. This means that they are also prone to condensation.
There are many factors that can cause condensation in mini fridges, including warm air finding its way inside these fridges, broken gaskets and seals, refrigerator settings and spoiled drainage system that causes water to flow to the refrigerator.
In some instances, mini-fridge condensation may be due to ice formed over time, which causes water to drip down the refrigerator. Fortunately, this is the easiest form of condensation to fix and only requires switching off the mini fridge for some time to let all the water melt and then wiping it.
However, in some instances, condensation may signal that your mini fridge is broken and in need of professional repair services. This is especially true in cases where your gaskets and seals are broken. It is not recommended to try to fix them by yourself to avoid making the problem much worse.
Condensation in mini fridges, therefore, is mostly normal and in most cases, you will not be required to hire professional repair services to correct the problem. Habits such as ensuring your mini-fridge door are always closed go a long way in ensuring condensation in your fridge does not happen.
Moisture in the refrigerator is removed by
A small amount of moisture in the refrigerator is unavoidable and mostly good for proper food storage. However, the problem arises when your refrigerator starts condensing, resulting in water pooling on the bottom shelf. Yes, it is true that condensation is not always the cause of the water, and other issues such as clogged drainage can cause the water pool, but in most cases, it is the cause.
When water accumulates within the confines of your refrigerator, it can cause food, vegetables, and fruits to go bad. It can also increase the chances of mold and bacteria growth in your refrigerator, making it a health hazard.
So do you remove the moisture that is already in the refrigerator? You will need to first do a thorough cleaning. You can use a gallon of water and a few drops of mild dish soap to wipe down all contents of your refrigerator that will be placed back after a while, also cleaning interior surfaces.
Next, you need to add at least a quarter of chlorine bleach if your refrigerator has reached a point where it has an unpleasant smell.
In case your refrigerator has molds or bacteria growing inside, you can sprinkle baking soda in the affected areas to take down the unwanted smells and mold growth, and then give it some time before wiping it.
To deal with moisture, you should use either a filter drier, which is a combination of filter and drier, which can remove dirt and liquid inside your refrigerator, or a dehumidifier that absorbs moisture inside your refrigerator.
Does baking soda absorb moisture in the fridge?
Dealing with moisture in your fridge can be frustrating. Regardless of whether the moisture is due to condensation or a faulty refrigerator, priority to remove the moisture/water is paramount, and for most refrigerator owners, baking soda is one of the most popular choices they use to remove the moisture. This is because baking soda is a dehumidifier that can absorb moisture from the air without becoming aqueous or leaking.
For starters, baking soda is a hygroscopic substance; hence it absorbs moisture from the air naturally. When placed in a refrigerator, it can absorb the extra moisture in your fridge without it becoming wet, making it an effective dehumidifier.
There are two ways you can use baking soda in your refrigerator to absorb the moisture. You can opt to remove the moisture before it collects on surfaces of the products stored in the refrigerator by placing the baking soda in a bowl to capture the moisture in the air inside your refrigerator before it collects and starts dripping.
The second way to use baking soda is by making a carpet on wet surfaces. This involves cases where water has dripped and formed water pools in your refrigerator. You will need to pour your baking soda over the problematic area, and it will absorb the water on the area, and then you can collect the baking soda with no water on site.
The best part about using baking soda as your dehumidifier in your fridge is that it also absorbs an unpleasant odor that might have been a result of the water pool.
Why is my fridge sweating on the outside?
A little moisture on the inside is expected; however, when you start noticing that your fridge is “sweating” on the outside, it can signal two things:
First, the air around your fridge is warm and interacts with the air inside your refrigerator and around your refrigerator resulting in condensation. In most cases, the chilly air escapes your refrigerator when the door is opened, and interaction with the warm air surrounding the refrigerator results in condensation, causing the “sweat” outside of your refrigerator.
Another cause of the “sweaty” fridge on the outside is your refrigerator is set to too cold, and the cold permeates through the fridge and interacts with the humid air around it, causing condensation.
In both cases, your fridge getting “sweaty” is not a signal of your it being faulty. Therefore, it should not worry you.