Summer Refrigerator Maintenance Tips for Toronto Homeowners

Written By Eyal Safronchik

These days, refrigerators have come a long way — shifting from old-school designs to sleek, high-tech, futuristic models. But at the end of the day, their most important job is still the same - keeping your groceries fresh and your food safe.

A little prep now can save you a big headache later — from spoiled groceries to costly repairs.

Let’s walk you through some simple, essential maintenance steps you should take before the heat hits.

Why Does Summer Matter for Your Fridge?

When summertime finally arrives in Toronto, your fridge has to work harder to keep things cold. Extra heat, more frequent door openings (hi there cold drinks!), and higher humidity all put extra strain on the system.

Without proper maintenance, this can lead to:

  • Higher energy bills

  • Poor cooling performance

  • Overworked (and possibly failing) compressors

  • Melted freezer items or spoiled food

  • Ice build up in the freezer section

But don’t worry — most of the steps below can be done quickly and easily.

Step 1: Clean the Condenser Coils

Over time, dust and lint builds up on the coils (usually on the back or underneath the fridge). This acts like a blanket, making it hard for the fridge to release heat.

Here’s what to do:

✅ Pull out and unplug the fridge for safety (Don't forget to unthread the front leveling legs to keep your precious floor safe)
✅ Use a vacuum or a coil brush to gently clean off the dust
✅ Plug it back in and enjoy the better performance

We recommend doing this at least twice a year — and right before summer is perfect timing.

Step 2: Check the Door Seals

Your fridge’s door gaskets (the rubber seals) are what keeps the cold air in. If they’re cracked or dirty, warm air sneaks in, forcing the fridge to work overtime.

How to check:

✅ Run your hand along the edges while the door is closed — can you feel any cold air leaking out?
✅ Close the door on a piece of paper — if it pulls out easily, the seal might be loose
✅ Wipe down the seals with warm soapy water to remove gunk or food debris

If you suspect the seal is broken, call Best Appliance Repairs Toronto at 647-424-1316 so we can provide you a proper replacement for your exact fridge model number.

Step 3: Confirm the Right Temperature Settings

Many people crank the fridge colder in summer, but in most cases that is not necessary.
The ideal settings are:

  • Fridge: 3–4°C (37–40°F)

  • Freezer: -18°C (0°F)

Use a fridge thermometer to double-check (built-in controls aren’t always reliable). Keeping it at the right setting saves energy and avoids freezing your lettuce!

Step 4: Organize & Declutter Inside

An overstuffed fridge blocks airflow and makes cooling uneven.

✅ Toss expired or unused items
✅ Avoid cramming items against the back wall
✅ Leave some space between items for better air circulation

Bonus tip: Defrosting your fridge for 24 hours before summertime can have huge benefits in terms of maintenance.

When Should You Call Best Appliance Repairs?

If you notice:
⚠️ Strange fridge noises
⚠️ Ice buildup in fridge or freezer sections
⚠️ Your fridge feels warmer than usual
⚠️ Water leaking onto the floor or fridge cavity
⚠️ Icemaker doesn't work
⚠️ Fridge is on but not cooling

Our Best Appliance Repairs team serves all areas across Toronto and all major fridge brands — we’re fast, professional, and local family operated.

📅 Book Your Summer Check-Up Today!

Don’t wait for a midsummer fridge meltdown.

Call Best Appliance Repairs today to schedule a quick check-up or repair before summer.

📞 647-424-1316
🌐 https://bestrepairs.ca/

Let us help you keep your cool this summer!


Eyal Safronchik