How to Do Maintenance on Your Propane Fridge

Clean the inside of your propane refrigerator each time you defrost it. Use a soft cloth with warm soapy water to clean all walls, racks and food containers. After the initial cleaning pour 2 tablespoons of baking soda into a quart of warm water. Use a clean cloth to rinse the inside of the refrigerator by wiping all areas.

Use a standard automobile wax to polish painted metal surfaces on the outside of the refrigerator. This offers protection against scratches and rust. Do not wax plastic handles or rubber tubing stretching round the interior of the door frame. Check the rubber tubing for debris that could create small openings allowing cold air to escape.

Clean dust and lint from the back of the refrigerator. Dust off condenser fins at the rear top of the refrigerator and coil pipes below. Use a large brush with soft bristles. Consult your refrigerator's user's manual or call customer service for help identifying the condenser fins and coil pipes, if necessary.

Sweep under the refrigerator to clear debris that could be sucked into the propane burner tube. Debris in the system can cause the refrigerator to stop operating correctly. Defrost the refrigerator when necessary by turning the thermostat to a minimum setting just before going to bed. Use a plastic ice scraper or hard plastic spatula to remove ice from the freezer compartment. Empty defrosted water from the catch pan under the rear of the unit, or allow it to remain and evaporate. Use a sponge to remove water from the catch pan if you wish.

Turn off the gas supply and wait 15 minutes before servicing components at rear bottom of the refrigerator. If necessary, ask your propane appliance representative how to turn the gas off. Locate the propane pipe connecting to the refrigerator. Consult your service manual for instructions on removal of any panel necessary for full access to access the area. Use a can of compressed air to spray dust and dirt from all the components around the propane pipe connection and adjacent areas.