Cleaning a second hand fridge

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MickDundee

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I got my second brewfridge tonight, courtesy of my parents who are getting their kitchen upgraded.

My dad has wiped down the inside with anti-bac and everything inside seems fine. However, there is a horrible smell coming from the drainage hole at the back. Loads of gunk that looked like cat sick came out during transit so I hope all I need to do is get some bleach down, but my whole garage stinks a bit cheesy.

Has anyone got any experience of cleaning out a fridge drainage hole? Any tips?
 
Hi!
I would plug the drain and pour some oxi solution (eg PBW) into it and leave for a few minutes.
Application of a bottle brush or similar (they don't like it up 'em) followed by a rinse.
If you are a belt and braces man, apply a bleach solution afterwards.
Tip for the future - stop sniffing drain holes :D
 
Tip for the future - stop sniffing drain holes :D
No sniffing was required, it stunk out the car and the garage. I’ve no idea why their kitchen didn’t stink!:yuk:

Just so nobody thinks my parents live in filth, they only moved into their house in August.
 
Yeah, the hole drains down to a weird sponge thing. On mine it had turned crumbly. It sits on a pan that gets warmed by the heat exchanger so it can evaporate the water that normally gets sent down it. So if bacteria gets into it then it'll really stink. If you can access it from the back then you can remove it and swill it, otherwise I'd just try and blast cleaner then water through it. Agree as above that starting with some oxiclean and letting it sit is a great plan. Blast, bleach, blast after.
 
I've always found fridges to smell a bit when they're not powered on?
Hi!
Yes - when your brew fridge is not in use, keep the door open just little to allow air circulation. I double fold a tea towel and lay it over the top of the door to prevent it closing (but don't tell SWMBO - they're her tea towels).
 
I had this with a fridge once and forced I bit of rag down the hole and pulled it out the otherside, got rid of all the gunk in there then just sprayed some antibac on it and it seemed fine after that
 
I put my stuff away from yesterday’s bottling tonight and the smell in the garage! I’ve poured quarter of a bottle of housewives’ favourite Zoflora down the drain hole and praying it will help until I actually have room in my garage to clean and set up this fridge!
 
If that doesn't fully work force a load of bicarb down it, pour in a load of vinegar and then block it with a wet cloth while it goes mental, then I'd bleach again (I'd acidify a solution but I'm not openin' dem worms tonight).
 
I think it’s beyond help. SWMBO just about Luke’s when I opened the garage door tonight so I’m now worried about beasties etc.

I’ll take it to the tip tomorrow I think and just keep a look out for a stand-alone fridge on
Gumtree/Facebook (this one is an ex-integrates fridge which I think might be part of the problem)
 
Don't throw. My beer fridge was proper minging. Used by a old farmer family. But a good bleach clean did the job and I removed all the shelves and bung. Looked like new inside and never had a issue
 
Hi!
Following on from @Clint I seem to remember sprinkling bicarbonate of soda in a smelly fridge to absorb the smell.
Try a bowl of charcoal - that's also good for absorbing unwanted niffs.
A set of nose clips might also help during the cleaning process :D
 
Hi!
Following on from @Clint I seem to remember sprinkling bicarbonate of soda in a smelly fridge to absorb the smell.
Try a bowl of charcoal - that's also good for absorbing unwanted niffs.
A set of nose clips might also help during the cleaning process :D
I always use a bicarb solution to clean fridges, works a treat athumb..
 
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