If going away for a month, even two months, what I would do is empty the fridge of all contents and keep it running at minimum cooling mode. If much longer, then I would take elaborate methods to clean the fridge. I would clean the fridge completely at least 24 hours before, switch it off and leave all doors open.
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.
In general, it is advisable not to exceed a few weeks. Three important pieces of information regarding the safe duration of leaving the refrigerator unplugged are: Climate Impact: Warmer climates may accelerate the formation of odors or mold, making it advisable to keep the unplugged period shorter.
Luckily, your fridge can go without power and keep your food safe for up to 48 hours, depending on the food and how it's stored. Here's everything you need to know—including when bacteria growth becomes a threat and forces you to toss perishable food.
Damages the Compressor and Rubber Seals
Prolonged periods without operation can cause the compressor to malfunction or even fail.
Refrigerated Food and Power Outages: When to Save It and When to Throw It Out. 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.
If you're only going away for a couple of days, consider leaving the fridge at the normal temperature. Vacation mode is designed reduce the power usage while you're away for periods of time longer than 3 weeks (ie. longer than the shelf life of most food inside the fridge).
Unplug appliances and devices
Electronics like TVs, computers, and gaming consoles drain energy when plugged in, even if they're turned off or in sleep mode. Before you leave, unplug these electronics and appliances.
The simplest way to do this is to unplug the fridge from the power source and let any moisture, frost or ice melt and run down into the bottom of the fridge naturally. Be sure to put a towel in the bottom of the fridge first, to absorb any water that runs down.
The fix: Unplug the refrigerator from the electrical outlet or turn off the circuit breaker that supplies power to it.
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.
A fridge with a standard compressor typically needs four hours before you plug it in. However, side-by-side or French door fridges that have dual evaporators or more zones may need 24 hours or more to settle. If you have a standard compressor fridge, you may wonder why you need to wait four hours before plugging it in.
The answer is no. The temperature of a refrigerator needs to be maintained at a certain level, and if you unplug it, the temperature inside drastically changes leading to many problems.
Vacation mode is an energy saver feature some older refrigerators. Based on low or no door openings and decreased run time for the compressor, the unit will extend the time between defrost cycles. Thereby saving energy by not defrosting as often.
We recommend unplugging your refrigerator from power when you go out for a longer period. You will not need fresh food then. Make sure to dispose of any item that will go rotten without cooling. If your use of the refrigerator is minimal, then you can try turning off the fridge for a few hours at night.
Leave toaster ovens, coffee makers, food processors, blenders, air fryers, and stand mixers unplugged until it's time to use them. Leaving things like toaster ovens and air fryers unplugged also lowers the risk of fires.
First, you can reduce the wear of the device by keeping it unplugged. This can extend the life of your appliances, so you don't have to buy new ones as often. Additionally, unplugging devices can reduce your risk of an electric fire.
Don't want the hassle of having to unplug your fridge? Turn on Cooling Off mode (aka Demo mode) on your refrigerator. This will disable the cooling system in your refrigerator, freezer, and ice maker and will save energy when you're away on your trip or vacation. Caution: This mode is not for storing food.
If the icemaker on your Refrigerator will not be used for some time, such as during a vacation or when the appliance is placed in storage, we recommend that you shut off the water supply to the Refrigerator and turn off the icemaker.
A refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if the door is kept closed. A full freezer will keep temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if half-full).
Televisions, computer equipment, game consoles, fans, lights and all other smaller appliances should be unplugged, especially if they were in use when the power went out. Larger appliances, such as refrigerators, should not be unplugged.
Milk, eggs, fish, meat and leftovers will last four hours in the refrigerator, as long as the door stays closed the entire time.
It can take about 12 hours to cool the interior down to 40℉ (the food safe recommended temperature as determined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But cooling time can vary by brand and refrigerator type. With that in mind, cooling time can range from 2 to 24 hours.