The Defrost Is Clogged on My GE Fridge TNX22PRCARBB

The Drain's Function

• The defrost hole connecting the freezer compartment to the evaporator pan is used to channel melted ice to a location where it can be dispersed into the air. Because of the size of the small hole, it is susceptible to blockage by scraps of food that have dropped into the bottom of the freezer. Without the drain hole, the appliance would ice up much more quickly.

Cleaning the Drain

• Make a mixture consisting of 2 cups hot water and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Suck a little of the solution into a turkey baster and squirt it into the drain hole at the back of the refrigerator. You will be able to hear water trickling down into the evaporator pan when the drain is clear.

Unblocking the Drain

• Food and other debris washed into the drain hole can be dislodged with a strip of pipe cleaner available from a hardware store. Make sure the pipe cleaner does not have any pointed or sharp edges so you do not accidentally tear or damage the piping.

Preventing Future Blockages

• Apply a mixture of baking soda and water to a cloth and use it to clean the inside of the freezer compartment. Make sure to wring out as much water as possible so the mixture does not freeze to the inside of the appliance when you are done. Sweep up food scraps as necessary to ensure they do not block the drain hole.