Do all refrigerators have a drain pan?

Author: Julianne Donnelly  |  Last update: Sunday, May 25, 2025

It's worth noting that not all refrigerator models have removable drip pans. Yes, even I was unaware of this. I learned this when I visited a friend who was getting the drip tray removed from his fridge. He also told me that some newer models may have an evaporative system that eliminates the need for a drip pan.

Does my fridge have a drain pan?

Although individual fridge models vary, the drip pan is almost always located at the bottom of the appliance to allow gravity to drain wastewater away. If you have the manual that came with your appliance when you bought it, check to see if it explains how to locate the drip pan.

Do I need to empty my fridge drip pan?

Drain pans accumulate condensate liquid as part of the normal refrigeration process. A drain pan may be more than half full of water at any given time depending on several factors. Drain pan condensation evaporates as the unit runs, so it is not necessary to empty it regularly.

Do modern fridges have drip pans?

Locating the Drip Pan on a Refrigerator

1987 and newer: The drip pan is fixed and not easily accessible; it cannot be removed. 1986 and older: The drip pan can be found by removing the grill. It will be located in the left front or middle of the Refrigerator.

Do you need a drip tray for fridge?

The drip tray behind the fridge catches the defrosted ice from leaking outside and hence, it is one of the most useful parts in any fridge. It is important to clean the drip tray every now and then, to remove any blockage in the drain and ensure that water does not build-up inside or outside of the appliance.

How to clean your fridge freezer drip tray

How to remove drip tray from built-in fridge?

First, locate the drip pan at the bottom of the refrigerator, usually near the front or back. Remove the front grill at the base of the fridge by either pressing tabs or unscrewing it, depending on the model. Once the grill is off, slide or carefully pull out the drip pan.

Are drip pans necessary?

The requirement for a drip pan will depend on where in the house the water heater is located. If it is inside the living space of the house or in a non-living space, such as the garage, but at the same floor level as the living space, a drip pan is required.

Is there a drip pan on a Frigidaire refrigerator?

Yes there is a drip pan. Just not traditional as you would think.

Do GE fridges have drip pans?

Full-Size Models (9 Cubic Feet Capacity or Larger): All full-sized Refrigerators have defrost drains tubes except for some older manual defrost models. The drain tube goes to a drip pan underneath the Refrigerator.

How do I find a drip pan?

Underneath your cooling coils you can find your drip pan (some models place the pan to the side of the furnace or on the ground), and there should be one or more drain tubes. Check to see if there's any water in your drip pan or if your drain tube appears clogged.

Where is the drain located on a refrigerator?

It is usually found as a small opening that is located at the back of your fridge's freezer compartment, normally behind the salad drawers. However, the location may vary for different fridges and it's advisable to consult your fridge's user manual if you aren't sure of where it is located.

Where is my refrigerator drip pan?

Look inside the back panel or kick panel to find the drip pan, which should look like a small rectangular tray. Grab the drip pan with both hands and try pulling it out without tipping it over. If your drip pan can be removed, then it will come out of the fridge easily.

Do all fridges have a drain hole?

Nowadays, most fridges come with drain holes. But if yours is a few years old, it might not have one. If this is the case, there are things you can do to help prevent water from pooling. Don't stack the items in your fridge too close together – leave space for air to circulate and dry them.

Do all refrigerators have a water pan?

There can be water filled to the top or nothing at all. Some refrigerators don't have drip pans.

What is the difference between a drip pan and a drain pan?

A drip pan will not have a drain hole which means the pan will capture your spills and drips but is not required to evacuate the contents through a drain. A drain pan on the other hand will have a hole(s) in the wall or bottom of the pan that will allow for controlled emptying of its contents.

Do you have to have a drain pan?

Above the Ground or Inside an Attic – A drain pan is essential if the water heater is installed above your home's ground floor. In case there is a leak, and there is no drain pan in place, your house may suffer structural damage. Leaking water will drip through the ceilings and walls of the home and cause mold.

Where is the drip pan on a GE refrigerator?

Yes, every refrigerator has a drip tray where water would evaporate as the unit runs. In your unit, it should be at the back, where the compressor is sitting.

Does a whirlpool refrigerator have a drip pan?

Appliance Technician: Jarid O. There is a drip pan but you do not remove it. It is in the back near the compressor.

How much water should be in a refrigerator drip pan?

However, the drain pan should never overflow with water. Amount of water in the drain pan varies by humidity, temperature, and how much the unit is running. Drain pans can be half-full regularly, which is not an issue. Drain pan condensation evaporates as the unit runs, so it is not necessary to empty it regularly.

Do refrigerators still have drain pans?

While the exact location may vary by model, drip pans are typically located under your fridge and collect defrosted ice or condensation from the compartments that store your food. Drip pans prevent water from leaking all over your kitchen floor. However, it's up to you to empty out the pan and make sure it stays clean.

How do you clean a refrigerator drip pan that is not removable?

The pan itself isn't removable and is super hard to access so we cleaned it by pushing a sort of “rope” of paper towel into it, letting it soke and pulling it out, repeating the process until the liquid was gone, then filling it up with soap water, and doing it again until the drip pan was relatively clean.

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