Having a problem geting rid of a fish odor in both our refrigerator and freezer on our Hunter 40.5 I had some frozen fish that thawed slightly. The result is a very offensive fish smell. I have dome the following so far: Defrosted refrigerator and freezer, cleaned everything including drain hose that connects freezer and fridge. Used several types of cleaners (1 at a time). Used a mixture of bleach and water. Tried the charcoal and baking soda approach. Plugged up the drain to the bilge just to make sure nothing gets down there (It hasn't) I now have the cleanest refrigerator and freezer in the USA, but still have the odor. I heard that Raritan KO might help. Anyone used it? I will take all suggestions seriously.
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Don: I'll give it a try
Guess it won't hurt to try. I wonder if I should keep the KO off of the evaporater plate. It's been driving us crazy, as our 40.5 NEVER has never any odors at all, not even from the head and associated hoses. Thanks for the recommendation.
Guess it won't hurt to try. I wonder if I should keep the KO off of the evaporater plate. It's been driving us crazy, as our 40.5 NEVER has never any odors at all, not even from the head and associated hoses. Thanks for the recommendation.
Try vanilla extract and let me know if it works...
'Cuz this is the first time I've heard of using it to elimiate odors. Put it in a sprayer and make sure it gets into ALL the nooks, cracks and cranny. Make sure to leave the fridge door or hatch open so that plenty of fresh air can circulate in it. If you still have any fish odor a couple of days after you've closed up the fridge again, repeat the "spray every surface, crack and cranny" process--including leaving the fridge open for at least 24 hours--with Raritan K.O. That WILL work.
'Cuz this is the first time I've heard of using it to elimiate odors. Put it in a sprayer and make sure it gets into ALL the nooks, cracks and cranny. Make sure to leave the fridge door or hatch open so that plenty of fresh air can circulate in it. If you still have any fish odor a couple of days after you've closed up the fridge again, repeat the "spray every surface, crack and cranny" process--including leaving the fridge open for at least 24 hours--with Raritan K.O. That WILL work.
Peggy: Can I spray the KO on all of the fridge?
Peggy: Do you know if there are any parts of the refrigerator that I should not spray the KO on such as: the metal plate that gets cold, drain hose between fridge and freezer, etc? (I think I'm going back to red meat, LOL)
Peggy: Do you know if there are any parts of the refrigerator that I should not spray the KO on such as: the metal plate that gets cold, drain hose between fridge and freezer, etc? (I think I'm going back to red meat, LOL)
the only caution I am aware of Tim
is that you might reduce it's efficacy if you sprayed it on the cold plates when they are extremely cold as KO is an enzyme and requires close to ambient temp (and oxygen) to do it's thing timely. It certainly won't hurt anything which I know from experience. You might try pouring an oz down the refrig drain too just to make sure the odor is not eminating from there.
is that you might reduce it's efficacy if you sprayed it on the cold plates when they are extremely cold as KO is an enzyme and requires close to ambient temp (and oxygen) to do it's thing timely. It certainly won't hurt anything which I know from experience. You might try pouring an oz down the refrig drain too just to make sure the odor is not eminating from there.
You can spray on it anything...
There's nothing in it that will harm any material. However, if the cold plates are cold (40 F or below) when you use it, the bacteria enzymes in it will become dormant...below freezing they die. As Don already said, an ounce or two down the drain would be a good idea...in fact, it's a good idea to use it several times a season.
There's nothing in it that will harm any material. However, if the cold plates are cold (40 F or below) when you use it, the bacteria enzymes in it will become dormant...below freezing they die. As Don already said, an ounce or two down the drain would be a good idea...in fact, it's a good idea to use it several times a season.
As a contractor, I have refrigerators unpluged for months.
I had one that the owner cleaned out and said move it. We did. It had about 5 eggs in it. Two months later, it was hard to open the door to see what had happened. I found the eggs, and removed them. I washed out all the parts shelves etc. and the inside of the frig with baking soda ( my employees wouldn't touch it). That did not help. I called the Sub Zero guy and they said pack it with newspaper and baking soda. Turn on and leave closed for four days. That did help but after about three days, the odor had come back about 50%. I know this is not an answer. I hope it will help with other advice to eliminate your problem. r.w.landau Edited: Listen to Peggie... she knows her stuff!
I had one that the owner cleaned out and said move it. We did. It had about 5 eggs in it. Two months later, it was hard to open the door to see what had happened. I found the eggs, and removed them. I washed out all the parts shelves etc. and the inside of the frig with baking soda ( my employees wouldn't touch it). That did not help. I called the Sub Zero guy and they said pack it with newspaper and baking soda. Turn on and leave closed for four days. That did help but after about three days, the odor had come back about 50%. I know this is not an answer. I hope it will help with other advice to eliminate your problem. r.w.landau Edited: Listen to Peggie... she knows her stuff!
hmm maybe I need to rethink that
Peroxide
After Hurricane Ivan hit the FL and AL Gulf Coast, many folks were left with funky refrigerators. The best cure I heard of was using hydrogen peroxide on the plastic parts. Don't know how it reacts with the metal components. Turn off fridge. Put full-strength peroxide in a spray bottle, spray it on the plastic surfaces and stick single layers of paper towels on the peroxide-soaked plastic and respray to saturate the paper towels. Close up the refrigerator and let it work. Respray the paper towels with peroxide as needed to keep them wet. This may take a week or so. The peroxide is an oxidizer and "works" on the organic matter, especially the amines caused by rotten fish. Don't get the peroxide spray in your hair. Otherwise, it's safer than bleach (they put it in some toothpastes). Air out the fridge well before restarting it. Incidently, peroxide also works to remove skunk odor. BrianW
After Hurricane Ivan hit the FL and AL Gulf Coast, many folks were left with funky refrigerators. The best cure I heard of was using hydrogen peroxide on the plastic parts. Don't know how it reacts with the metal components. Turn off fridge. Put full-strength peroxide in a spray bottle, spray it on the plastic surfaces and stick single layers of paper towels on the peroxide-soaked plastic and respray to saturate the paper towels. Close up the refrigerator and let it work. Respray the paper towels with peroxide as needed to keep them wet. This may take a week or so. The peroxide is an oxidizer and "works" on the organic matter, especially the amines caused by rotten fish. Don't get the peroxide spray in your hair. Otherwise, it's safer than bleach (they put it in some toothpastes). Air out the fridge well before restarting it. Incidently, peroxide also works to remove skunk odor. BrianW
Thanks to all
I will give Peggy's suggestions (KO) a try this weekend. Let you know what happens next week. Tim
I will give Peggy's suggestions (KO) a try this weekend. Let you know what happens next week. Tim
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