6 General Maintenance
6.1 Defrosting
How often defrosting is needed depends on usage (how often door is opened) and hu-
midity. Moist air will produce more frost on the evaporator. It is time to defrost when
frost builds up to 1/4 inch.
The best way to defrost the refrigerator is to remove all food and place a towel inside
the refrigerator, on the bottom of the box. Turn the thermostat to the “off” position and
leave the door open.
Never use a knife to scrape ice from the evaporator. This will dam-
age the evaporator and allow the refrigerant to escape.
6.2 Cleaning
The best time to clean the refrigerator is after defrosting. Wipe the inside clean using
soap and water or a non-abrasive cleaner.
If you notice your refrigerator running longer than normal it may be time to clean the
condenser (usually required every 1 to 2 years).
The condenser is located behind the refrigerator and can be cleaned by using a vac-
uum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove dust and dirt.
Take care not to damage the condenser or to remove the protective paint finish.
6.3 Storage
When the boat is laid up for storage it is best to defrost, clean and dry the inte-
rior of the refrigerator. The door can be set slightly open with the latch to pro-
vide ventilation to the interior. This will prevent mildew growth. (Fig. 4 & 5)
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
