The drain in a GE freezer can get dirty or clogged. So, if you are looking for how to clean a GE freezer drain, this article is for you.
Table of Contents
Unclogging a GE Freezer Drain – Guiding Steps
The following are steps to guide you if you are looking for how to clean a GE freezer drain:
Step 1: Locate the Drain
Before you begin cleaning or unclogging the drain in your GE freezer, the first step is to find the drain.
In some GE refrigerator models, the drain is at the back wall of the freezer section. You may have to remove the back panel to see it clearly.
On some other models, the drain is on the sidewall of the section. If you have food items in the freezer, you will have to remove them to be able to see the drain.
The drain is nothing but a tiny hole in the freezer’s interior wall.
Step 2: Clean or Unclog the Drain
When you see the drain, inspect it. The level of ice or debris will tell the work and tools you need.
If there is just a thin layer of ice over the hole, a clean but damp rag will take care of it. Rub it over the ice until it melts.
But after this, look inside the hole to see if there is more ice in there or even dirt. If there is, you have more work to do.
Boil some water and pour it into the hole. It should melt the ice and flush the dirt out. However, if this does not work, get a thin but stiff wore and push the dirt out. Then, pour more hot water into the drain.
Sometimes, you may want to clean it further. A little scoop of baking soda and warm water will clean the drain properly. If you have some bleach handy, mix a little quantity with a lot of water and pour it down the drain.
But baking soda is a safer option, considering the fact that you store food in the freezer. If a little of the bleach spills in there and gets into the food, it is dangerous to health.
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Step 3: Finish Up
Taking Step 2 should thoroughly clean the freezer drain if you do it right. Make sure to pour the hot or warm water down the drain until you see it running clear.
Then, empty and clean the drain pan. And dry the drain; don’t leave any moisture behind. Otherwise, it will lead to a quick ice buildup.
Afterward, replace the panel if you removed one earlier. But if you did not, you are good to go. Your job is done.
For Chest Freezers…
If you have a standalone freezer, there is a valve, usually on the right side of the freezer, facing you. That is where the drain would be.
Clean it from the inside, making sure that is no food crumb or ice left. Then, prepare to drain the water.
Open the drain cap and allow the water to flow out. Some models come with adaptors for this purpose. So, connect it and drain the water without any spillage.
But if your model does not have this hose, find one that fits. Otherwise, carefully drain it to avoid making a mess.
However, if you find that the problem of ice clogging the drain persists, contact GE Cares to report the issue and request service.
The first tell-tale sign that your freezer’s drain is clogged or frozen over is a water leak. Cleaning the water doesn’t solve the problem; you will find that there is more water after a few minutes.
If it doesn’t leak onto the floor, you will find water pooled under the crisper or deli drawers. Sometimes, the water even freezes, forming ice under the drawers or refrigerator floor.
Preventing the Drain from Clogging or Freezing Up
Still wondering how to clean a GE freezer drain? The following are some simple ways to keep the drain in the freezer from clogging or freezing up in the first place:
1. Disable Energy Saver
On the refrigerator door, you will see a switch with Energy Saving, or something to that effect, written on it. If it is on, move the switch to the off position.
You may find that your refrigerator is in the Energy Saving mode. While this is good, it turns off the door heaters.
Because of this, ice will build up quickly inside the unit and can affect the drain.
2. Check the Drain Regularly
Another way to prevent clogging in the drain is to check it regularly. You will be able to catch any ice buildup or dirt in the drain before it accumulates.
Defrost the freezer regularly if you have a model without automatic defrost. It will help prevent ice from blocking the drain.
You can also use a drain heater to reduce the occurrence of ice in the drain.
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3. Arrange Food Properly
It is easy for food crumbs to fall and flow into the drain. This is especially true if you don’t store items in the right containers.
Therefore, arrange food items properly and leave the drain free of any obstruction.
Additionally, don’t let any item lean on the side or back wall of the freezer. Ice builds up quickly if you arrange the freezer contents in this manner. And keep the vents free so that air can flow freely.
Important Note
Unplug the freezer before cleaning the drain. It is not safe to work on an appliance that is powered by electricity while it is on. This is especially true if the work involves water.
If you cannot reach the wall outlet, turn off the circuit breaker that controls that part of the house.
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