Its job is to catch the water that melts off your evaporator coils during the fridge’s automatic defrost cycle. Most modern frost-free refrigerators run a defrost cycle every 6 to 12 hours. The ice melts, turns into water, drips down a drain tube, and lands in this pan. This is the clever part: The pan is usually placed on top of the compressor.
Set a calendar reminder for the first day of spring and fall. Pull out your fridge. Clean the pan. It takes less time than mopping up a mystery puddle later. defrost drain pan
Disclaimer: Always consult your appliance manual before performing maintenance. The author is not responsible for damage caused by improper handling of heavy appliances. Its job is to catch the water that
That dripping sound under your refrigerator isn’t a leak; it’s science. Learn how the defrost drain pan works, why it gets smelly, and how to clean it in 15 minutes. We spend a lot of time worrying about the front of our refrigerators: the water dispenser filter, the smart screen, or the vegetable crisper drawer. But the real magic—and the most common point of failure—happens out of sight, in the back. This is the clever part: The pan is
Screwdriver (maybe), bucket/towel, bleach or white vinegar, rubber gloves.
The compressor is the hottest part of the fridge. As the warm compressor runs, it radiates heat upward, gently evaporating the water in the pan. That steam dissipates into the air behind your fridge.
Safety first. Also, you don’t want the compressor running while you are moving it.