Is it bad to leave a refrigerator empty?

Author: Leanna Bruen MD  |  Last update: Sunday, July 6, 2025

Only completely empty your refrigerator and freezer if you'll be away from home for over a month at a time. Once it's empty, wipe down the inside with a rag and cleaning solution. Turn off the temperature controls and unplug the fridge after everything is dry. Also, turn off the ice maker.

Is it okay to leave a fridge empty?

NO! It is not OK to run an empty refrigerator. To prevent damage to a refrigerator, it must have at least eight ounces of water or water equivalent therein. That is critical. If you remove that last eight ounces, there is nothing left to prevent cold waves from becoming excessive.

Can we keep an empty fridge off for a long period of time?

If the refrigerator is empty, you can store it indefinitely unplugged, as long as the door is either removed, or left propped open so you don't have problems with moisture accumulation and mold formation.

Is it better to keep a fridge full or empty?

A full refrigerator retains cold better than an empty one. If your refrigerator is nearly empty, store water-filled containers inside. The mass of cold items will enable the refrigerator to recover more quickly after the door has been opened.

How long can a refrigerator sit unused?

How long can a refrigerator be stored without being used? This depends on how long you plan to store it. As a general rule, refrigerators aren't designed to be left unused for long periods, but you can store one for around 12 months if you commit to checking in on it occasionally.

Should you turn off an empty refrigerator?

Should a refrigerator be left on when not in use?

If you are going to be away for a month or less, we recommend the following: Leave the refrigerator running. Leave the temperature controls at the normal settings. If all the food is removed and you want to save energy, the temperature control may be set to a warmer temperature setting during the absence.

How to keep an empty refrigerator from molding?

Clean the gaskets and seals: Clean the rubber gaskets and seals around the refrigerator doors regularly to prevent mold growth. 8. Keep the fridge well-ventilated: Ensure that your fridge has proper ventilation to prevent moisture buildup.

How do you keep an unused refrigerator fresh?

How to Store a Refrigerator in Storage
  1. Step 1: Switch off refrigerator the night before you plan on storing it.
  2. Step 2: Clean and disinfect every surface, inside and out.
  3. Step 3: Ensure the refrigerator is completely dry.
  4. Step 4: Move the refrigerator carefully.
  5. Step 5: Keep the refrigerator upright at all times.

Can an empty fridge get cold?

We know a refrigerator doesn't work best when it's overstuffed. However, we know it won't work well being empty either. Food absorbs the cold air, which helps to chill the food next to it. When the refrigerator is too empty, the appliance is working very hard (and costing you money) just to cool a few items.

Does a fridge need to be full?

When there is food in the fridge, the items help to cool down each other because food naturally absorbs cold air. Fill your fridge with hardly any food and there's too much space, so your fridge is going to have to work hard to keep food from spoiling (especially delicate items such as lettuce).

Can you leave an empty refrigerator unplugged for a year?

Leaving your fridge unplugged for a long time can mess with its parts. The seals, gaskets, and inner workings can dry out, crack, or get brittle. This means your fridge might struggle to keep things cool when you plug it back in. Dust and debris can also pile up in the coils, fans, and vents.

Can I leave my fridge off for a month?

If you are going away for a month or longer, it is a good idea to unplug your refrigerator to save energy. Empty your refrigerator, drain the water tank if you have one, clean the inside of the appliance and leave the doors open to avoid any unwanted odours.

How long can a fridge be off before it goes bad?

As the USDA notes in Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours during a power outage. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers after 4 hours without power.

Can we turn off an empty refrigerator for a long period of time?

Prolonged periods without operation can cause the compressor to malfunction or even fail. Additionally, the rubber seals around the refrigerator door may lose their flexibility, allowing warm air to enter and cold air to escape when you eventually turn it back on.

How often should you empty your refrigerator?

Once a week, check expiration dates and remove anything old, such as takeout boxes, expired food, and leftovers from last week. About twice a month wipe off any spills from shelves, sticky jars, or bottles.

Is it okay to turn off water to the refrigerator?

When your refrigerator leaks or is experiencing significant issues and requires repairs, you may think you need to turn off the water to your kitchen – or even your entire home. However, if you know where your refrigerator shut-off valve is, you can turn off the water line that connects directly to your fridge instead.

Is it bad to leave a fridge empty?

It's often not necessary to completely empty your refrigerator. Some items should be left inside so the cooling system can work at maximum efficiency, so your electricity bill doesn't go up. Exactly how you prepare your fridge depends on the length of time you plan to be away.

Is it better to keep a refrigerator empty or full?

Keep it stocked. A full fridge is a happy fridge because the thermal mass of its contents helps maintain the temperature (or in other words, the cold stuff helps keep it cold). In a full fridge, the compressor won't need to cycle on and off as much, which will extend the life of the compressor and reduce running costs.

How long can a fridge stay cold without?

Keeping the Refrigerator Chilled

Food in the refrigerator will remain cold for about 4 hours if the door stays shut. Eat the most perishable items first, such as leftovers, meat, poultry, and foods containing milk, cream, sour cream, or soft cheese.

How to leave the fridge when not in use?

We always recommend leaving the door slightly ajar, even if just for a few days, to stop any moisture building up and to keep fresh outside air flowing in and out of the fridge cabinet. If you keep your portable fridge in a 4×4 canopy or in the back of a 4wd, you can just leave it in place.

What is the longest lasting refrigerator brand?

Some of the most long-lasting refrigerator brands come from GE, LG, and Bosch. These refrigerators come at different price points, whether you are looking for a standard model or high-end appliance.

Can you leave a freezer running empty?

A freezer that remains unused for more than a year may develop some issues. To counteract this, consider running the freezer periodically, even if it's empty. This practice helps maintain an optimal internal temperature and prevents the compressor from becoming stagnant.

How do you store an empty refrigerator?

The best way to store a refrigerator in a storage unit or for any length of time it is going to be switched off is with the doors partially opened for ventilation. This can be achieved by placing an old towel in between the door and the door frame to prevent it from completely closing, then securing in place with tape.

How fast does mold grow in a refrigerator?

Many species of mould like warmer temperatures and mould growing on fruit on your counter may develop in very few days, especially in the warm humid summer months. Other mould growing on food with less water content in the cool of a refrigerator might take several weeks.

Should an unused fridge be left open or closed?

leave the doors open to prevent it from going mouldy. There's not a lot to storing a fridge, the main thing is preventing it going mouldy in storage. The easiest way to prevent a fridge going mouldy is by removing the water from the fridge. An unplugged, turned off fridge is the perfect breeding ground for mould.

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