Vacation property - unplug refrigerator?

[Kestas]

Our family has a condo in Florida. It gets used maybe 3 or 4 times a year, for a week or two at a time. We buy food when were there for the simple meals, so we don't have to go out for every meal. When time comes to leave we have to decide whether to keep the refrigerator running or to unplug it and throw out the few things that are left over.

One thought is that unplugging it saves money on electricity.

The other thought is that it's unhealthy for the refrigerator to sit idle for up to six months at a time, and having the risk of kicking it into action each time. Plus, the new refrigerator purportedly only uses $20 of electricity each year.

So what's the truth in all this?

 

[QuietPortage]

I recall a similar situation from a friend's lake house that wasn't used during the winter. We unplugged the fridge Oct-May every year. It was still working at least a decade later.

I'd unplug it. Just remember to prop the door open.

 

[Ramblejam]

http://www.geappliances.com/search/fast/infobase/10000335.htm

"Being Away longer than 1 month:
If you are going to be away for more than one month, or are going to place the refrigerator in storage, GE recommends the following:

Remove food turn off breaker (or fuse) or unplug from wall receptacle.
Turn the temperature control to Off.
Clean the interior with baking soda solution (1 tablespoon baking soda per 1 quart of water).
Wipe dry.
Place an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator or put 2 cups of dry (unused) coffee grounds in a small paper bag and place in the refrigerator.
Important: Leave the doors open.
These last 2 steps are to prevent the formation of food odors, mold and mildew."

 

[Schmoe]

I was going to say....unplug, clean and leave door open. that compressor...I think that's what your concerned with, will kick off and on numerous times a day when it is in use so letting it sit for some time without running would not hurt it. Ironically, I say it would prolong the life of it.

 

[rshaw125]

I unplug mine in my condo. Stays unplugged from November till March. Prop the door open.
It is 30 years old.

 

[Kira]

Hello, We do as has been said here. Propping the door open is not to be overlooked. Also, I'd expect anything with a strong motor in it to burn WAY MORE than $20 worth of electricity in the time period described. Kira

 

[Quest]

I'd clear the fridge, unplug it and jam the door open so as to air out all the remaining moisture/odour.

Q.

 

[SatinSilver]

Expect a ton of black mold on the inside of the fridge if you don't leave the doors propped open after turning it off.

 

[SHOPete]

I was firmly in the camp of those who unplug the frig to save electricity and extend the life of the compressor until I suffered a premature failure. Consensus was that compressors last longer with exercise than start-stop.

Now I fill the frig with gallon jugs of bottled water to stabilize the temperature and leave the frig running year-round. So far so good.

Conclusion: I have absolutely no idea which is better and won't live long enough to ever find out. But I can get a cold drink of water anytime I want.

 

[The_Jeff]

I used to work summers on a resort island that closed every winter due to surface-mounted pipes freezing. So everyone had to leave. The fridges out there are some serious relics... there's still a top-mounted compressor style from the late 1940's out there!

SOP is to kill the main breaker, and prop the door open.

Some people leave unopened peanut butter, salad dressing etc for next year.