You will want to first unplug the unit and then remove the rear cover. Then you will want to get a wet vac and some water. Fill the pan with water and then suck the dirty water out. Continue repeating this flushing process until the water is still clear and clean when you suck it up with the wet vac.
The best thing to do for cleaning the drip pan is to pour about a cup of white vinegar into the pan and let it sit fora day or so. That will kill all the mold and mildew build up that happens in the pan. Then you can shop vac it out or just turn your refrigerator on and it will evaporate over the next few days.
Put the drip pan and 1/4 cup of ammonia into a plastic bag or container. (The fumes will soften the soil.) Allow the pan/ring to soak overnight. Remove the pan/ring from the bag and rinse thoroughly and polish with a soft cloth. Note: Be aware of the strong fumes when opening the bag.
Simply wash your pan with vinegar and rinse with water to remove discoloration. Additionally, vinegar can be used to rid your pan of white calcium build-up stains. Make a mixture of one part vinegar to three parts water and boil in the affected pot or pan. Allow the mixture to cool, empty the pan, and wash as normal.
Steps to clean drip pans
Drain the water from the sink and pour in distilled white vinegar to cover the baked-on food and grease. Let them sit in the vinegar for 30 minutes. Next, don't drain the vinegar, but sprinkle baking soda on top of the vinegar and use your fingers to rub the baking soda into the burnt-on crust.
You may need to use bleach or vinegar to do a deeper clean, or you can place an open bowl of baking soda in the fridge to absorb odors. Examine your refrigerator's draining system, clean the coils, and look for leaks.
Ideally, you should clean your drip pans once a week if you cook often. This prevents buildup from getting baked on, which can be much harder to clean later and can lead to unpleasant smells and stains.
Use any kind of oil (i.e., vegetable oil, mineral oil, baby oil, eucalyptus oil, etc.) to remove the residue. Rub the oil into the sticky residue, saturating the area. After the sticky residue has been removed wash the oily residue with the soapy mixture and a cloth. Wipe down with clean water and dry cloth.
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.
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.
WASH REFRIGERATOR SHELVES AND BINS
Once your shelves and bins have come to room temperature, wash the bins with a mild cleanser, warm water and a sponge, or in the dishwasher. If you're not sure whether your shelves or drawers are dishwasher-safe, consult your use and care guide.
Several factors contribute to water in the drain pan, such as temperature setting, defrost cycles, food storage, and ambient room temperatures or humidity levels. Some factors that can contribute to an excess amount of water in the drain pan include lack of condenser cleaning, torn gaskets, and sealed system issues.
You can not pull the drip pan out, you can however pull the unit out and remove the panel behind the unit where the compressor is. This will give you access to the drip pan area to wipe some of it out or to put a little bit of a bleach solution in the pan and wipe it down to clear out the smell.
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.
However, you may notice a small amount of standing water in your drip pan from time to time. This isn't usually a problem if your fridge is working properly. However, if you constantly need to empty your drip pan or it overflows, it could be a sign of a problem with your fridge.
The Best: Remodeez Aqua Refrigerator Deodorizer
This means that a single Remodeez will last much longer than anything full of baking soda (though the baking soda models can be refilled). Basically, you only need to replace it every six months—which is about five months and 27 days longer than your oldest leftovers.
Sprinkle fresh coffee grounds or baking soda loosely in a large, shallow container in the bottom of the refrigerator and freezer. Place a cotton swab soaked with vanilla inside the refrigerator and freezer. Close door for 24 hours. Check for odors.
Add 1 cup water or a mixture of ½ water and ½ white vinegar to the hot pan and allow to boil. Use more if you have a large pot or pan. As the liquid simmers, use the spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening bits of burnt food. Pour the liquid into the sink and do not dry or wipe the pan.