How Does a Water Tray Drain on a Maytag Side by Side?

The Location of the Water Tray

• The water tray is positioned beneath the fresh-food and freezer cabinets in side-by-side models of the refrigerator. It is connected to the compartments by a plastic drain pipe used to move melt water out of the appliance. You cannot access the tray without removing parts of the refrigerator.

Purpose of the Tray

• The water tray collects moisture from the evaporator coils and the walls of the freezer and fresh-food compartment. A hole in the bottom of each compartment channels water away from the food. You might notice water gathering beneath the crisper drawers or at the bottom of the freezer compartment if the piping is blocked.

How Water Drains

• Liquid does not drain from the water tray – it evaporates. This design removes the need for a drain pipe to be connected to the refrigerator. Because of the small volume of water produced during a defrost cycle, there is enough time for the liquid in the tray to simply dry up at room temperature. There may be a problem with the appliance if the water tray overflows.

Maintaining the Drain

• To keep the flow of water from the freezer and refrigerator compartments clean, mix 2 cups of warm water with 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Ensure no food or packaging blocks the drain hole. Draw the solution into a turkey baster and squeeze it down the hole at the back of the compartments.