Fridge: space between chilled compartment and insulation wall

[TheRoadie]

It's easy to clean an empty Engel fridge. But there's a 3/8" gap between the outside of the chilled compartment and the inner wall of the chamber. Defrosting seems like it drains some slush into the bottom of that gap, in an uncleanable space.

What do people do, if anything? Pour some bleach and hot water down the gap and slosh it around, then pour out?

My wife's paranoid about mold, and keeping it cold all the time is an avoidable waste of a few watt-hours/mo.

 

[FlyingWen]

Hey Bill-

We use a bleach water mix in the actual fridge compartment, but have not put any type of fluid anywhere else. We bought a big sponge and cut a slit in it. We place it in between the fridge and the top and prop up the lid a little bit. It airs out the fridge, but also absorbs any excess moisture.

Wil once left food in an unplugged fridge for 3 months after a trip (which I DONT recommend doing). The bleach and sponge sucked all the foul smell out of the fridge.

 

[TheRoadie]

Appreciate the reply. Metal and powdercoated liners just don't absorb odors like plastic in coolers.

 

[flyingwil]

Yeah, for light cleaning use the Clorox anywhere spray bleach. Once the fridge is clean, use a large grout sponge and cut a slit in it to air out the fridge and allow to dry (or take the lid off). Works like a charm. You can also store it with baking soda, just like your home fridge.