Your fridge is one of the most important appliances in your home; therefore, it’s crucial that you take the time to care for it (and its contents). Here are 10 tips to help you care for your fridge:
1. Clean the condenser coils
This is probably the most important thing you can do to maintain your fridge. If the condenser coils (located at the back or bottom of a fridge) are covered by dust and dirt, it will cause the compressor to run hotter than it usually would. This extra strain on the compressor will dramatically reduce your fridge’s lifespan.
2. Save energy
It’s our responsibility to look after the planet and ensure that our home appliances are energy efficient and eco-friendly. LG’s Linear Compressor fridge, for example, is nearly twice as energy efficient as a regular fridge, and has the same positive impact on the environment as planting 16 trees. In addition, going green will also see a significant drop in your electricity bill.
3. Keep it consistent
When it comes to fridges, the general rule of thumb is to keep the temperature consistent. So, in order to keep food from spoiling, temperature monitoring is essential. Once again, LG – the leader in home appliances – is at the forefront of efficiency and practicality, as the Linear Compressor contains a temperature balance system and maximum cooling feature for hot and humid environments. This means that, no matter where you are like the Karoo or in sunny Durban, your food will stay fresher for much longer.
4. Shut the door
When you open the fridge door, warm air comes in and cold air goes out. Obviously, you will need to open the fridge door to get out what you need – so you can’t do anything about that – but you can control how long the door stays open for. Make use of the alert function to let you know when you accidentally leave the door open.
5. Compartmentalise
Did you know that foods can contaminate each other? This is why you should have specific compartments for each food, or else you might be having to chuck away everything because of one spoiled item. LG’s Door-in-Door refrigerator allows you and your family to organise your food and lives in a more intelligent, convenient way. It comes with an adjustable moving basket, offering smart organisation and enabling everyone to have their own storage compartments.
6. Defrost
Modern fridges, such as LG’s range, have a self-defrosting function that will automatically remove any frost. It’s important to note that frost should never be thicker than half an inch, or else you could have a chilly problem on your hands.
7. Clean the inside of your fridge
In order to prevent bacteria from growing inside your fridge, you should immediately clean any spills, and ensure that shelves and drawers are wiped down weekly. Designed with hygiene in mind, LG’s Door-in-Door’s adjustable moving basket and easier-to-reach lower drawers make it far simpler to clean your fridge and keep it running effectively and germ-free.
8. Put meat in the freezer
Meat should be frozen on the day of purchase to prevent it from spoiling – if you’re not going to use meat the same week you purchased it, make sure it’s stored in the freezer to keep it at its freshest. Also, keep the meat in its original packaging to avoid exposing it to air, which is what begins the spoiling process.
9. Watch out for rattles and loud noises
A rattle noise is a suspect sound that could indicate a major problem, or that your fridge needs a minor adjustment. Understanding that no one wants a noisy fridge, LG produces fridges that come equipped with a LoDecibel Quiet Operation, which helps reduce noise and vibration while operating – the fridge is so quiet that you won’t even know it’s on.
10. Replace your old fridge
If your fridge is 20 years old, it’s time to consider purchasing a new one. The reason is that older fridges can use up to three times more energy than newer ones and the coils deteriorate over time. LG manufactures home appliances that conserve time, money and the environment – perhaps an LG refrigerator should be your next purchase?