Should refrigerator be unplugged when leaving for extended length of time?

[NancyLee]

Should kitchen refrigerator be unplugged when leaving house for an extended length of time? My friend and I have differing options. Thanks!

[Bjeanj]

If you do that, leave the doors blocked open.

What do you consider an extended period of time? Normally, I’d just leave it running.

[Calisport]

I think you can leave it off if you cleaned it thoroughly so no bacteria mold will grow which would take a lot, or if it was never used like as in a new house.

[rjm1cc]

Seems like the answer is mixed. If you leave it on I would set at the warmest possible temp. Be sure water is turned off and the ice maker is turned off. I think this would be my uneducated recommendation.

[retiredguy123]

I would leave it on.

[Arctic Fox]

Should kitchen refrigerator be unplugged when leaving house for an extended length of time?

We prefer to come back to some food in the house so move most items into the freezer section and leave it on.

Running cost is probably less than replacing the items you would otherwise throw/give away.

[MrFlorida]

Extended, like for months, I would turn it off and leave the doors open. Short term like a few weeks, I would leave it running.

[retiredguy123]

Note that a refrigerator only costs about 7 dollars per month to operate, and even less when you don't open the doors. I don't see the point in unplugging it.

[Garywt]

We decided to leave ours on for the 6 months we are away. Figured it would not cost much to just do it with it being closed the entire time. AC is on anyway so we don’t see it.

[Papa_lecki]

I turn the water off, so you need to turn the ice maker off. Otherwise, rest of the refrigerator is running

[Hoosierb4]

We're snowbirds and while we're in The Villages, we leave the one up north plugged in and running. When we go north, we empty the one we have in The Villages, unplug it and block the doors open (that is essential). The reason why is that about 5 years ago, while we were up north, lightening struck a neighbors house down here and took out the refrigerator. When we got back it stunk to high heaven, even though we had almost nothing in it (just condiments). Had to get a new one. Too much lightning down here, and the "whole house" surge protector doesn't work if it strikes nearby. Not much lightning up north in the winter.

[Topspinmo]

IMO depends how much food you have in it? If I had very little and I was going to be gone like two months or more I would turn it off, clean it out and let it completely defrost. Yes, even though refrigerator considered frost free but it don’t completely defrost due to lot more complicated than the ones that lasted for ever in 50’s. But, most of problems today with cooling or ice maker malfunctioning due to defrosting problem from electronic malfunction, bad seal causing frost build up, small leak causing ice build up and mechanical problems. And of course this would be good time to clean the cooling coils, fan at bottom, any mess in drain pan, and floor under the refrigerator.

[HJBeck]

We don’t, plus we try to keep the freezer full so that a couple day power outage doesn’t melt all the food. If the refrigerator fails, we’ll we’re just out of luck.

[J1ceasar]

I have read in the past although I don't know about new refrigerators that mechanically speaking it is better to keep it plugged in and running so that the rubber the belts for years the motors continue to operate. my two cents

[frank1975]

Yes not a problem. Just leave the doors open a little to avoid mildew.

[msilagy]

The bottom line - do what you are comfortable with!!! Then forget it.

[Bay Kid]

I leave mine on to keep my beer cold when I return!

I put in almost full water bottles and fill the freezer w/them. Turn off the ice machine and remove any ice. Fresh water bottles to finish off the main refrigerator.

When I return I use the freezer water bottles to water plants and drink the beer.

[Puddin]

I solved the dilemma by buying YoLink temperature sensor. For $50 I bought this that transmits the temperature of the refrigerator/freezer every 3 minutes. It uses my Wi-Fi and a phone app. I know the temperature no matter where I am. If the temperature rises too much I get an alarm and a neighbor can go check it out.

[IRISHGIRL3US]

I leave mine on but empty. Something happens to the frig. And then it's a mess

[gail swanson]

Should kitchen refrigerator be unplugged when leaving house for an extended length of time? My friend and I have differing options. Thanks!

I have been doing this at both homes for 12 years. I turn ice maker off, fill plastic jugs full of water as put in the freezer. This solid ice keeps the freezer from running so often.

[bowlingal]

no, not necessary. My neighbors are gone for about 6 months and no problems....but you must shut off the water at the main valve

[DaleDivine]

We have friends that unplug and leave the doors open while they're in NY.
I go over every 2 or 3 weeks to check on their house.
:coolsmiley:

[retiredguy123]

I have read in the past although I don't know about new refrigerators that mechanically speaking it is better to keep it plugged in and running so that the rubber the belts for years the motors continue to operate. my two cents
I agree. I know some will disagree, but I believe that an appliance designed to be on all the time should stay on all the time. There is a small amount of oil that circulates in the refrigerant to keep the compressor and other parts lubricated. You may never have a problem by turning off the refrigerator for several months, but I wouldn't do it.

Also, in most cases, you need to pull the refrigerator out from the wall to unplug it. This can scratch or dent your floor because the refrigerator is only supported by 4 tiny plastic wheels. I have seen brand new wood and vinyl floors damaged by dirt getting under the wheels, wheels that are stuck, or just by the weight. Be careful pulling it out.

[Marcojb]

When I leave for long periods of time I actually shut off the circuit breakers to the refrigerator ( keep doors open), stove, hot water heater, microwave, as well as shut off the main water valve to the house

[Red Rose]

I would leave it running, but would not leave any perishable items in fridge or freezer. You will have an awful mess and stench if power goes out for an extended period of time.

[Gobragh]

I was told by my refrigerator repair man to leave it on. His reasoning was something with the Freon. And it doesn’t cost a lot per month to leave it on.

[Lsepanske@aol.com]

Recommend leave it run less problems and expense.
Refrigerators were designed to run constant. Shut downs on parts cause problems of functioning properly for longer life of unit.
Much same advice from appliance repair.

[asianthree]

During the pandemic our up north fridge died, emptied, doors left open. There is sat from April until November, because supply chain didn’t have a fridge to buy.
We were in TV, so not a big deal. Our electric bill was $8.17 less per month without the fridge, everything else was exactly the same in year previous.

We have left our fridge running in TV in all of our homes since 2010, (always with weekly home watch) at the advice of repair men. Some experts say not running the fridge can shorten life, due to coolant is not circulating. But who really knows.

OP do what make you feel comfortable, you have 50/50 chance at being right or wrong.:coolsmiley:

[susan927]

We are new to TV and had to make that decision last month. After looking at older posts here and reviewing the published Florida guidelines for a seasonal home, we decided to leave ours on. As others have stated, we left water bottles in both the refrigerator and freezer. We also found and followed a suggestion to freeze a cup of water, then place a coin on top of it. When returning, if the coin has dropped to the bottom of the cup, you'll know if the freezer lost power/thawed any time while you were away.
Another tip we found re: the frig/freezer for preparation when leaving a seasonal home - if it has any scratches/nicks on it, rub appliance wax or car wax on it to prevent rusting.

[BlackhawksFan]

No leave it running. It doesn't cost much to run especially if it's not being opened. Also if you unplug it you could come back to awful odors you won't be able to remove. And finally its designed to run 24/7 to keep the refrigerant for both fridge and freezer circulating. You shut it down for a long period you could have issues with the refrigerant or the compressor.

[rfc171]

We are snowbirds. We keep the refrigerator running! Be sure to turn off water and ice maker. Keep all things you do not want bugs to devour: spices, nuts, sugar, etc. we keep our AC on at 80.
All potted plants near the sprinkler! Tell your neighbors you are out of town! We have wonderful neighbors!!

[La lamy]

I prefer emptying, blocking doors open and unplugging. Just in case there is an electricity issue, I have better peace of mind. I've had to deal with coming home to a fridge full of mold before, never want to deal with that again.

[Pbthrockm@msn.com]

Leave turned on to avoid mold from growing If you turn off you have to leave doors open to avoid smell from prior condensation that may not have dried completely . But cost to run is very minimal. But empty ice maker trays and turn ice maker off.

[Professor]

Leave it on. With no one opening and closing the door it won't work that hard. When the compressor sits for extended periods it tends to deteriorate according to a refrigerator repair guy who came to replace a compressor in ours in a previous life.

[gweisheipl]

Leave it on and just shut off the ice maker because you likely shut off the house water.

[Dexterconfetti]

Fill with gallon water jugs for fridge. Freeze water in smaller plastic bottles. Put on lowest setting. Water’s high heat capacity will prevent big temp fluctuations so the unit won’t cycle much.

[Dennys37Packard]

We always left ours running when we were away for a few months before moving here full time. Never had a problem in years. We also had the bowl filled with water and after it froze, placed a penny on top of the ice. When we came back, if the penny was on the bottom, we knew the fridge had been off long enough for the ice to thaw, and therefore the food would be bad also. But, it was always on top, and we had something to eat and drink as we unpacked. Worked for us. The first year we gave away tons of stuff, and threw away even more and left the fridge off with doors opened. Didn’t make sense so we went with leaving it on, just shutting off ice maker.

[Spsmith444]

We are snow birds thus we are gone for 8 months with a possible visit in between. We have done both. Currently we leave it open and cut the electricity at the breaker because unplugging would be a hassle moving it out to get to plug. We also turn off water to house so no problem with ice maker.