This article discusses if you can run a fridge with nothing in it. A lot of people have an extra fridge in their home to store extra food. An extra fridge in the garage is common, especially for large families. On the other hand, if the fridge is empty, can it still run? Is it safe to operate a fridge with nothing in it? Let us find out the answer below.
Can you run a fridge with nothing in it? You can run a fridge when it is empty. However, you should turn it off if you will not put anything in it for two weeks or more. Turning off the fridge enables you to save energy as well as prolong its lifespan. It is not a good idea to switch the fridge on and off a couple of times because it warms the compressor and can damage it.
Regardless the fridge is empty or full, it will use the same amount of energy once its contents have cooled down. On the other hand, a full refrigerator will run better because it cools less warm air that enters it when you open its doors. Do refrigerators run better when it is empty? What are the problems with having an empty refrigerator? Learn more about this topic by reading the rest of the article below.
Does an Empty Fridge Work Well?
An empty fridge does not work well. This is because an empty fridge will work hard to cool a few items and uses more energy. Take note that the food inside the fridge absorbs the cold air. If the fridge is empty, two things may happen: it might not generate enough coldness or it will be too cold and delicate items to freeze.
How Much Food to Fill the Fridge?
For the fridge to operate at its maximum efficiency, it should be 3/4 full. This amount will allow air circulation to move freely inside the fridge and the cold temperature will be properly absorbed by the food. Aside from that, make sure to keep the vent of the fridge unblocked. It is not recommended that you overstuff your fridge because it will take a lot of work to chill the food. Take note that the fridge needs enough room so that cold air can circulate and keep everything at the right temperature. You can also read this article that discusses how to protect your refrigerator in a hot garage. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.
Does the Fridge Leak When Unplugged?
The self-defrost feature, forgotten ice, and condensation pan are some of the things that can cause the fridge to leak. On the other hand, unplugging the fridge will not necessarily cause leakage. When the fridge is unplugged, its cooling feature stops functioning, and the refrigerator will come to room temperature. Let us learn more below about the different factors that can cause a fridge to leak when unplugged.
The Condensation Pan
One of the factors that can cause the fridge to leak when unplugged is the condensation pan. As the coolant circulates, fridges remove humidity from the air. The humidity is then condensed and drained into the condensation pan. When the fridge is running, water will evaporate because of the heat of the motor near the pan. On the other hand, when the fridge is unplugged and the motor is not running, the water will not evaporate and can overflow. When you unplug your fridge, make sure to check the pan and remove any in it.
The Self-Defrost Feature
Nowadays, many refrigerators have a self-defrost feature. This feature drains that removes the water from the freezer. It can still function for a while even if you have unplugged the fridge especially if it is clogged. If your fridge has a self-defrost feature, make sure to check the defrost drains to avoid leakage.
The Ice Maker
The ice maker inside the fridge can also cause leakage when it is plugged off. See to it that you also turn off the ice maker and remove the tray. When the fridge turns to room temperature, the ice inside the ice maker will melt and turn into water. When unplugging your fridge, remove any ice in the ice maker.
Can You Leave an Empty Fridge Running?
You can leave an empty fridge running because it will not do any harm to the appliance. On the other hand, it wastes a lot of electricity and you will end up with a high bill at the end of the month. If you are not using the fridge, or if it is empty and you do not plan put food in it for some time, you should unplug it to save power and money. We have also shared this article titled, will freezing temperatures damage a refrigerator? You can check out the article for more tips and information.
Does an Empty Fridge Consume More Energy?
An empty fridge consumes more energy as compared to a full one. This is because it needs to work harder to maintain its internal temperature. Having a full fridge is more efficient because the food inside serves as insulation which helps keep cold air in and the warm air out. On the other hand, if the fridge is empty, it has less insulating power and needs to work harder so that it stays cold.
How Long to Wait Before Putting Food in a New Fridge?
If you are using your new fridge for the first time, you need to wait about two to four hours until the interior is cold enough to keep food cold. There are a few steps that you need to follow when it comes to using a new fridge for the first time. Once you have transported the fridge at home, you need to wait about 4 to 24 hours before you plug it in depending on how it was laying during transport.
How Do You Safely Unplug a Fridge?
To safely unplug a fridge, there are a few steps that you need to do which include unplugging the fridge, removing the food, cleaning, and turning off the water valve. These steps will make sure that the fridge is safely unplugged. Once you have unplugged the refrigerator, use duct tape to secure the cord to the fridge. Next, you need to turn off the ice maker of the fridge. You also need to turn off the water valve that leads to the refrigerator.
It is also important that you empty the fridge of any food to avoid spoiling. You also need to remove the shelves, storage bins, and ice collection bin. Once the shelves and bins are removed, wipe the fridge with a cloth and cleaning solution. Dain the remaining contents from the water line into a bucket. Do not close the door immediately after cleaning the fridge. Leave it open to let it dry. You can also check out this article that discusses if you can keep a mini-fridge in the garage. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
✅ Video – How to Disconnect Refrigerator Water Line
Flashback502 shared the video below on YouTube. It discusses how to disconnect the refrigerator water line. This is an important step that you need to do when you are unplugging your fridge. To learn how this is done, watch the video below.
What Happens if a Fridge is Unplugged?
If the fridge is unplugged, it stops cooling your food. As a result, it can increase the temperature and the ridge will be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Moreover, there will be an increase in moisture that gets trapped inside the fridge. Do not leave food inside an unplugged fridge because bacteria thrive in warm and wet conditions which can transfer into the food. Spoiled food inside the fridge as well as the mildew from excess moisture can produce a bad smell. If you ever decide to unplug your fridge, make sure to remove the food inside it.
Can You Damage a Fridge if Your Leave it Unplugged?
Unplugging a fridge will not damage it. You should unplug your fridge if you will be away on a trip to save energy as well as to lower your monthly bill. Unplugging your fridge for a few weeks or months will not affect it negatively. On the other hand, avoid plugging and unplugging the fridge frequently because it can damage its internal systems. You can also check out this article that discusses if it is hard for a refrigerator to be in the garage. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Conclusion
You have reached the end of this article that discusses if you can run a fridge with nothing in it. We have found out that you can run a fridge with nothing in it. On the other hand, running an empty fridge can spike up your electric bill since it uses more power to maintain a cool temperature. Hence, you should unplug it if it is empty. If you are going away for a vacation, you need to unplug the fridge and remove the food inside. Thank you for reading!