A Simple Fridge Coil and Dishwasher Filter Routine

Two small routines, fridge coils and dishwasher filters, prevent a lot of calls. This guide gives a simple routine you can actually keep.

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A Simple Fridge Coil and Dishwasher Filter Routine

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Two small routines, fridge coils and dishwasher filters, prevent a lot of calls. This guide gives a simple routine you can actually keep. If the fault stays after the simple checks below, call (901) 459-6897 and tell us the symptom in your own words.

Fridge coils, twice a year

Twice a year, pull the fridge out a little, unplug it, and brush or vacuum the coils underneath or at the back, depending on your model. Dusty coils make the compressor run longer and hotter, and in a warm West Tennessee kitchen that adds up fast.

Dishwasher filter, monthly

Once a month, pull the dishwasher filter out, rinse it under running water, and clear any food from the mesh. A clogged filter leaves grit on dishes and water standing in the bottom, and it is the most common cause of a dishwasher that seems to wash badly.

Door seals, quick check

Wipe fridge and dishwasher door seals with warm water and check for cracks or gaps. A seal that does not sit flat lets warm air or water in, and no amount of cleaning elsewhere will fix that.

What not to do

Do not use a sharp tool on a coil or a filter, do not pour grease down a dishwasher drain, and do not run a dishwasher with the filter removed. Those three shortcuts cause more calls than they prevent.

At a Glance

Check	What to look for
Fridge coils, twice a year	Coils thick with dust underneath or at the back.
Dishwasher filter, monthly	A dishwasher filter mesh clogged with food.
Door seals, quick check	A door seal with cracks or gaps.

Technician checking an appliance in Arlington, TN

A Note for Arlington Homes

Two routines, done on a calendar, prevent more calls than any single repair. Put the fridge coil clean on the same day you change a smoke alarm battery, and put the dishwasher filter rinse on the first Saturday of each month, so neither routine depends on remembering it in the moment. If you cook daily and run the dishwasher daily, move the filter rinse to twice a month, because daily use clogs a filter twice as fast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fridge coils, twice a year?

Yes, twice a year is a good rhythm. Pull the fridge out a little, unplug it, and brush or vacuum the coils. Dusty coils make the compressor run longer and hotter.

Dishwasher filter, monthly?

Yes, monthly. Pull the filter out, rinse it under running water, and clear food from the mesh. A clogged filter is the most common cause of grit on dishes.

Door seals, quick check?

Wipe seals with warm water and look for cracks or gaps. A seal that does not sit flat lets warm air or water in, and cleaning elsewhere will not fix that.

What not to do?

Do not use a sharp tool on a coil or filter, do not pour grease down a dishwasher drain, and do not run a dishwasher with the filter removed.

Can I fix this myself?

Yes, coils and filters are safe homeowner jobs if you unplug the fridge first. For a coil that is frozen solid, or a filter housing that is cracked, call a tech.

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