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.
One of the most common causes of water accumulation in your fridge is a blocked defrost drain. Modern refrigerators have a defrost mechanism to prevent ice build-up. During the defrost cycle, the melted water should drain out through a small tube.
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.
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.
Humidity in the air can mix with the fridge's cold temperatures and form excess condensation, causing the pan to overflow. You should empty the pan regularly during those months or get a dehumidifier for your fridge.
Once you've disconnected your fridge, unscrew the lower back panel, pop it off with a putty knife or screwdriver, and slide the drip pan out. If there's any water in your drip pan, empty it down the sink or a drain.
Unplug your fridge. Remove the food and any crisper drawers. Mop up any excess water and remove the drain hole cover if yours has one. Use the unblock tool that came with your fridge (or else a pipe cleaner, straw or cotton bud) to remove the food and debris build-up.
Usually, the fridge drain hole can be found at the base of the back wall, with ridges leading down towards it to guide beads of moisture. 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.
For optimal results, we recommend emptying and cleaning your drip tray and coffee grounds container daily to prevent unwanted deposits.
Clogged Defrost Tube
If your fridge has water pooling at the bottom, the defrost tube is your MOST likely suspect. Your defrost tube is what carries the water all the way down to the drain pan where it eventually evaporates. When working correctly, it helps make sure your fridge has a smooth defrost cycle.
Fridge temperature settings are generally numbered from 1 to 5, with 5 being the coldest. A fully stocked fridge may need to be set to a higher setting (around 3 or 4), whereas one with more space is best suited to temperature setting 2 or 3.
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.
If you find that water is gathering in the bottom of your fridge or your salad drawers, it probably because the condensation drain hole is blocked.
If the water line is clogged, it can usually be cleaned out by running vinegar and baking soda through the line. Clogs are likely to occur if there is a flaw in the water line or if the water filter is not updated.
Most refrigerators are designed to last between 10 and 20 years. If you're having any other problems on this list and the fridge is over ten years old, you'll probably save more money in the long run by simply replacing it. Otherwise, you could sink money into repairs for a fridge already on its way out.
The usual evidence of a clogged drain in a Side-by-Side Refrigerator is ice under the bottom basket in the freezer compartment in addition to a puddle of water on the floor. Built-In models and most Freestanding models require service to correct the issue.
Flush the Drain Hole: Pour a mixture of warm water and mild detergent into the drain hole to flush out any remaining debris. Use a turkey baster or a syringe to facilitate the process. Continue flushing until the water flows freely through the drain hole.
If the coils aren't defrosted periodically, ice can start building up on the coils which will significantly reduce air flow and prevent both the refrigerator and freezer compartments from cooling properly and causing a clogged or freezing defrost drain.
It is just up from where the floor slopes up to the back wall, in the center. In some models it is behind a plastic panel along the back wall which is held in place by a screw. You can remove the screw and panel and the drain hole will be visible.
Blocked Condensation Drain
In most fridge models, The drain is located behind the back wall panel and not homeowner serviceable. A clog typically stems from a buildup of food, ice, dust, or other debris and can be the cause of water on the floor of the refrigerator or freezer or leaking out onto the floor.
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. Water created by the self-defrost cycle goes into the drip pan where it is evaporated.
In most cases, the water that ends up in the drip pan is from the defrost function. It melts away excess frost. If there was a large amount of frost in your freezer and the defrost suddenly started working, this can lead to a higher amount of water in the drip pan.
Poorly sealed containers: If food is not stored in airtight containers, smells can escape and permeate the fridge or freezer. Faulty defrost system: If the freezer's defrost system is not working properly, frost can build up and cause odors.