Fridge Storage - Mold

[mromberg1]

We've always left the fridge and freezer doors open while in storage to prevent mold. Is there a product sold that will prevent mold with the doors closed? Our storage facility will plug in the coach and pre-chill the fridge prior to pickup but not sure if they'll hop in the coach and shut the doors. Residential fridge.

[153stars]

You would want it to dry out completely after a quick light bleaching. Then maybe you could use some large desiccant bags or buckets. I see mold odor prevention but not listed as killing prevention agents.
I have screwed up and got stinky growing in coolers and trailer fridge ,worst mistake was a stick butter I forgot in TT fridge. Didn't smell as bad as say rotten food but hardest to get rid of. It seemed to actually absorb into the plastic.

[Ray,IN]

If you plan to leave the doors closed, first wash the interior, then make sure the interior is completely dry. Sit a jar of Damp-rid(almost the size of 2# of cottage cheese) inside both fridge and freezer during storage.

Originally Posted by 153stars

You would want it to dry out completely after a quick light bleaching. Then maybe you could use some large desiccant bags or buckets. I see mold odor prevention but not listed as killing prevention agents.
I have screwed up and got stinky growing in coolers and trailer fridge ,worst mistake was a stick butter I forgot in TT fridge. Didn't smell as bad as say rotten food but hardest to get rid of. It seemed to actually absorb into the plastic.

To rid the fridge of odors, use a small ozone generator near the open fridge, as directed, or wash with vinegar and water @ 50-50 mix.

[Outbound]

Bacon Soda will kill odors, but need to leave doors open until coils de-ice and interior dries out, after that no problem with doors closed & mold.

[Domo]

Seems like a lot of work when you could simply bring a few gallons of water that your froze and home and quick chill the fridge - plus have nice clean water to drink when it warms up.

As others have said; clean, disinfect and try to dry the fridge completely so you can leave the door closed... and hope you got all the moisture and residue out rather than have a smelly surprise and ruined trip if you missed some (ice cube tray, water supply lines, plugged condensate duckbill (sorry, that's just my paranoia being expressed).

I used to do a lot of work in vacation rental units and seasonal homes. Invariably, it seemed that fridges that were left closed - despite preparation - ended up getting smelly/moldy. When fridges are new, they are dry and can be stored and shipped closed up tight - but after being used all bets are off -> IMO.

YMMV and we all know of folks that have had great success doing things we would never attempt.

[Mudfrog]

Originally Posted by Domo

Seems like a lot of work when you could simply bring a few gallons of water that your froze and home and quick chill the fridge - plus have nice clean water to drink when it warms up.

As others have said; clean, disinfect and try to dry the fridge completely so you can leave the door closed... and hope you got all the moisture and residue out rather than have a smelly surprise and ruined trip if you missed some (ice cube tray, water supply lines, plugged condensate duckbill (sorry, that's just my paranoia being expressed).

I used to do a lot of work in vacation rental units and seasonal homes. Invariably, it seemed that fridges that were left closed - despite preparation - ended up getting smelly/moldy. When fridges are new, they are dry and can be stored and shipped closed up tight - but after being used all bets are off -> IMO.

YMMV and we all know of folks that have had great success doing things we would never attempt.

I agree,, a bit of trouble for what's accomplished. I always start our frig right before we take off. Adding food that's already cold cools it down quickly. About the only thing I wait on adding is the ice cream.

Personally, I really don't want someone else messing with my rig. This includes plugging my power cord in. One thing is that I'm a believer in making sure the receptacle is powered off (breaker turned off) when the plug gets pushed into it. Probably not a big deal if it's a 15 amp receptacle, but then if it is a 15 amp outlet that's being used, there's a chance I may have forgotten to switch off the water heater or air conditioner when I parked it.

For me, I want to be there when power is applied to make sure everything looks right, no burning smells, no strange sounds, nothing powering on that's not supposed to, etc,,.

[House Husband]

No need to spend a bunch of time & $$ on your issue.
Just wad up some old news paper and stuff in the freezer/frig.
The print ink on the paper has a PH of 8.5 or better.
PH of 7 being base.
Mold will not grow in a high PH environment.

Richard

[Milford 47]

Just lay news papers in the freezer and fridge side and if you have charcoal handy, put some on a paper plate. No need to wad up the papers, just have several pages

Peroxide is very good for cleaning if you have mold from a previous storage
leaving the doors open is good if that will work as you already know

Keeping the box of baking soda is good whether in use or not

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by House Husband

No need to spend a bunch of time & $$ on your issue.
Just wad up some old news paper and stuff in the freezer/frig.
The print ink on the paper has a PH of 8.5 or better.
PH of 7 being base.
Mold will not grow in a high PH environment.

Richard

Newspaper? What is that

Will my laptop work

This has got to be the #1 Solution Remedy for the Year. You get my vote anyway.

[House Husband]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

Newspaper? What is that

Will my laptop work

This has got to be the #1 Solution Remedy for the Year. You get my vote anyway.

I can't take all the blame for the news paper idea.
Many years ago a fellow RVer came up with the newspaper idea But he didn't know why it worked. I spent a few years maintaining an ink plant and learned about high PH for printing.
If you soak your laptop in a solution of 8.5 PH or more, it should help keep the mold down. The LT will probably be beyond repair.

Richard

[mromberg1]

Newspaper! Wow. Who woulda thought? May have to give it a try.