How to Clean Refrigerator Coils: Where They Are and How Often

Quick answer

On newer refrigerators the condenser coils are usually behind the base grille at the bottom front; on older ones they’re often on the back, according to a DOE-funded guide from PNNL. Some GE models have them on top, and on fridges with a covered compartment at the bottom of the back (some LG and Samsung models), you vacuum only the outside of the cover. Many newer fridges need no routine coil cleaning, including most GE models made since 2001. When the manual does call for it, unplug the fridge, then brush and vacuum gently, from every other month in dusty or pet-heavy homes (Whirlpool) to once or twice a year (LG, Samsung).

What the coils do, and why dust matters

Refrigerant picks up heat inside the fridge and releases it to the room through the condenser coils, and dust on the coils makes it harder for that heat to get out. That’s how PNNL’s Building America Solution Center, a DOE-funded resource, explains it.

According to DOE’s Energy Saver site, dirty coils make a refrigerator work harder than designed, which can keep it from cooling properly, raise its energy cost by as much as 35%, and shorten its life. In severe cases, heavy dust on the back cover can make the compressor overheat (LG). For what your fridge costs to run, see how much electricity a refrigerator uses; for other savings, see how to lower your electric bill.

Does your refrigerator need coil cleaning at all?

Not every fridge does, and some should never be cleaned by the owner. Most GE models made since 2001 have a NeverClean condenser, placed where it doesn’t need cleaning, and not every GE refrigerator has coils the owner can reach. Whirlpool says routine cleaning usually isn’t needed in a normal home; some of its models don’t need it at all, and on others only a certified technician can do it. DOE’s Energy Saver Guide (2022) lists coil cleaning as a tip for older models.

Your owner’s manual decides it. Search its care section for “condenser.” If it doesn’t describe a coil-cleaning step, don’t take panels off to look for coils. Just keep the base grille clear; Frigidaire’s manual says the fridge needs that airflow.

Signs the coils may need attention:

• The fridge runs but isn’t cold enough (GE).
• It runs too much or too long. Frigidaire lists a dirty condenser as one cause, along with hot weather, frequent door openings, and a worn gasket.
• Some Sub-Zero models show a Vacuum Condenser message when the unit isn’t running efficiently or temperatures are too high. That can mean a dirty condenser, a door that isn’t sealing, or another problem.

If the fridge is warm, coils are only one thing to check. The refrigerator not cooling guide covers the rest.

Where are refrigerator coils? Find your design

Design	Examples	How it’s cleaned
Coils under the fridge, behind the base grille (also called the toe grille)	Usual on newer models (PNNL)	Remove the grille, then brush and vacuum from the front
Coils exposed on the back	Often on older models (PNNL)	Pull the fridge out, then brush and vacuum
A covered machine compartment at the bottom of the back	LG and Samsung models with a back cover	Vacuum the outside of the cover only
Coils behind a grille panel at the top	Some GE models	Switch off the breaker, raise the top grille, brush and vacuum
Coils placed where no cleaning is needed	Most GE models since 2001, some Whirlpool models	Nothing to clean. Keep the grille and clearances open

Designs vary by model. The owner's manual shows yours. Source: GE, Whirlpool, Samsung, and LG support pages and manuals; PNNL Building America Solution Center

To find the right manual, you need the model number. Whirlpool’s manual puts it on the inside wall of the refrigerator compartment.

How often to clean refrigerator coils

Brand or source	How often	Worth knowing
GE	No set interval	More often with shedding pets or in a dusty spot such as a garage. Most models since 2001 need none.
Whirlpool	Usually not needed in a normal home; every 3 to 6 months with pets, heavy kitchen traffic, or construction dust	Another Whirlpool page and a Whirlpool manual say as often as every other month. Some models are technician-only.
Samsung	Once or twice a year	Part of the yearly deep clean in its cleaning guide; once or twice a year in the RF28T5001 manual
LG	Once or twice a year	LG says the coils are usually at the back or underneath.
Frigidaire	No interval in the manual reviewed	Vacuum both sides of the toe grille
Sub-Zero	Every 6 to 12 months; more often with pets	No chemical cleaners or degreasers
U.S. DOE, Energy Saver	Every 6 months to a year; more often with shedding pets	The page is now available only as an archived copy.

If your owner's manual gives a different interval, follow the manual. Source: Manufacturer support pages and manuals listed below; DOE Energy Saver (archived)

If your manual gives no schedule, the common advice from GE, Whirlpool, Sub-Zero, and DOE is to clean more often with shedding pets or in a dusty spot.

What you need

• A refrigerator coil brush. GE’s (part PM14X51) is 27 1/2 inches long, with 12 inches of bristles. Whirlpool recommends its Maintenance Brush, part 4210463RW.
• A vacuum with a soft brush or crevice attachment (Whirlpool).
• Gloves and long sleeves (GE), safety glasses (Whirlpool), and a dust mask if dust bothers you (PNNL).
• Cardboard or hardboard for the floor if the fridge has to come out (Whirlpool).

Plan to finish within two hours so the food doesn’t spoil, PNNL suggests.

How to clean coils behind the base grille

1. Unplug the fridge or turn off its breaker.
2. Take off the base grille. Most snap into place, but some are held by screws (PNNL).
   • Whirlpool (one common design): open both doors, put your hands at the ends of the grille, and push in on the top while pulling up on the bottom. Other Whirlpool models use two Phillips-head screws; remove them and pull the grille toward you.
   • Frigidaire (one recent design): with the doors closed, unfasten the side clips from the bottom hinge groove. Open both doors, press firmly on the top of the grille until it pops off, and pull it toward you off the lower hinges.
3. Brush and vacuum. Vacuum the grille, the open areas behind it, and the front of the condenser with a soft brush attachment (Whirlpool). Brush dirt, dust, and pet hair off the coils with a coil brush (GE). PNNL suggests alternating between brushing and vacuuming up what comes loose. Use light strokes so you don’t bend the fins.
4. Clean the floor. Sweep or vacuum up whatever falls out.
5. Wash the grille if it’s grimy. Frigidaire’s manual says to vacuum its back, wipe it with a sudsy cloth or sponge, then rinse and dry it.
6. Put the grille back. For snap-on grilles, line up the support tabs with the metal clips and push firmly until it snaps in. Whirlpool says to secure all panels and grilles before you restore power.
7. Plug the fridge back in.

How to clean coils on the back

1. Unplug the fridge. You may need to move it a little to reach the outlet (PNNL).
2. Pull it straight out, with a helper. Cover the floor with cardboard or hardboard, and never wiggle or “walk” the fridge, which can damage the floor (Whirlpool). On models with an ice maker, Frigidaire’s installation steps leave about 7 feet of extra water tubing for this, but don’t pull past the plumbing connections.
3. Brush and vacuum the coils, then sweep or vacuum the floor (GE).
4. Push it back carefully, without rolling over any cords or tubing (GE). For one rear-coil model, Whirlpool’s manual says to leave 1 inch between the cabinet back and the wall, then check that the fridge is level.
5. Plug it back in.

Fridges with a back cover (LG and Samsung)

Some refrigerators have a machine compartment at the bottom of the back, closed off by a cover. A fan in there draws room air through to carry heat away while the compressor runs, and LG says dust can build up and cut cooling efficiency in a dusty spot or when the fridge sits too close to the wall. Clean the outside of the cover and leave what’s behind it alone:

• LG: unplug the fridge, vacuum the dust off the machine compartment cover, then wipe it with a damp cloth or wet wipe. Unplugging for a short time won’t noticeably affect cooling. Don’t remove the cover; LG says that can cause an accident, and disassembly cleaning takes a service visit.
• Samsung: its cleaning guide puts this in the yearly deep clean: raise the leveling legs, pull the fridge out, and brush the dust off the back, coils included. The RF28T5001 user manual says to vacuum the rear panel once or twice a year and warns against removing the rear panel cover (shock risk).

Coils on top or behind a built-in grille (GE, Sub-Zero)

GE models with the coils on top:

1. Turn off the power at the circuit breaker or fuse box.
2. Raise the front grille panel at the top. The condenser is at the very back of the machine compartment on the right, behind the compressor. Mind the sharp fins.
3. Reach through the middle of the compartment with a soft-bristle brush to loosen the dust on the fins, then vacuum it out with a hose attachment.
4. Turn the power back on.

Sub-Zero (600, 500, and 200/300 Series and Model 430; other lines have their own steps on Sub-Zero’s site):

1. Turn the unit off at the control panel, or turn the control dial down past 1.
2. Open the doors and remove the louvered grille or grille panel.
3. Vacuum the condenser area with a soft-bristle brush attachment. A paint brush, a can of compressed air, or an air compressor on a low setting also work, according to Sub-Zero. A few units have a protective screen in front of the condenser that can’t be removed because it’s part of the sealed system; vacuum it the same way.
4. Turn the unit back on. Temperatures can take up to 24 hours to return to normal, and a Vacuum Condenser message clears when you turn the unit back on after cleaning.

What not to touch

Beyond the safety list at the top, skip chemical cleaners and degreasers (Sub-Zero says they aren’t necessary), and leave wiring, fans, and other electrical parts alone. If something looks damaged, stop.

Refrigerant lines need the most care. Frigidaire warns of a fire or explosion risk if refrigerant tubing is punctured, and Samsung’s RF28T5001 manual says that model uses R-600a (isobutane), which is also flammable. If you think a tube was damaged, Samsung’s manual says to keep flames and other ignition sources away from the leak and air out the room for several minutes. Then call for service: because the refrigerant is flammable, Frigidaire says repairs are for trained service personnel only.

After you clean

Give the fridge time to settle; Sub-Zero allows up to 24 hours. If it’s still warm after that, work through the not-cooling checklist. If it starts making a new sound, what each refrigerator noise usually means explains which sounds are normal.

For more refrigerator help, see the refrigerator guides.