Refrigerator odors

[Skyman]

Hi, all.

Seeking some advice about a persistent odor inside of a LG model LFXC24726S /03 fridge. This appeared only recently, and my attempts to eradicate it thus far have been failures. It doesn't smell like mold or mildew. It smells like something spoiled or died in there.

I have emptied the fridge and freezer compartments completely, and thoroughly wiped down all accessible surfaces to the point that they are visibly spotless. This included removing all drawers, shelves, bins, etc.

I sniff-tested the air filter, and tried leaving it out of there for a day.

I checked for any visible signs of issues within the icemaker chamber, and within the water filter compartment. Saw and smelled nothing in either of them.

I tossed anything that looked as though it might even remotely be going stale, and applied the sniff test to every item before returning each to the fridge.

I placed a dish of baking soda on a shelf in there.

I then placed two dishes of activated charcoal in there.

Still, no relief.

The smell isn't present outside of the fridge until the doors are opened. It is also not present in the freezer compartment, or outside of the unit after opening and closing the freezer. It's only noticeable in the upper (refrigerator) compartment, and in the vicinity of the fridge after opening that compartment. I'm pretty well stumped.

Many thanks in advance for any insights, advice, and suggestions!

 

[kbuhagiar]

Hi, all.

Seeking some advice about a persistent odor inside of a LG model LFXC24726S /03 fridge. This appeared only recently, and my attempts to eradicate it thus far have been failures. It doesn't smell like mold or mildew. It smells like something spoiled or died in there.

I have emptied the fridge and freezer compartments completely, and thoroughly wiped down all accessible surfaces to the point that they are visibly spotless. This included removing all drawers, shelves, bins, etc.

I sniff-tested the air filter, and tried leaving it out of there for a day.

I checked for any visible signs of issues within the icemaker chamber, and within the water filter compartment. Saw and smelled nothing in either of them.

I tossed anything that looked as though it might even remotely be going stale, and applied the sniff test to every item before returning each to the fridge.

I placed a dish of baking soda on a shelf in there.

I then placed two dishes of activated charcoal in there.

Still, no relief.

The smell isn't present outside of the fridge until the doors are opened. It is also not present in the freezer compartment, or outside of the unit after opening and closing the freezer. It's only noticeable in the upper (refrigerator) compartment, and in the vicinity of the fridge after opening that compartment. I'm pretty well stumped.

Many thanks in advance for any insights, advice, and suggestions!

Is there any way a mouse or other critter may have crawled into the door - and I do mean INTO the door, behind the plastic shelf lining?
Or perhaps in the insulation beneath the interior walls? Most refrigerators have fans that circulate air into the inside of the unit, perhaps that is drawing in the odor from an outside source (i.e, dead mouse behind fridge)?

That's all I've got. Good luck!

 

[yatg]

Check underneath.

 

[Skyman]

I haven't entirely dismissed the possibility of a dead mouse. But, given that the smell hasn't faded yet, I'm doubtful that such is the case. I've experienced dead mice before, and their small size has left them dessicated and essentially odorless within a few days. I've also tightened up the envelope of this entire house to the point where it's rare that any mice are able to find their way in here. And, there are sticky traps in numerous locations, including in the adjacent pantry where I think any mouse would have ventured seeking chow. But, thanks for the suggestion. Might be time to roll the fridge out of its cabinet alcove just to see what might be found behind it.

 

[larry4406]

We used to have a fridge that of all things had a plastic drip pan under it. After the toe kick louver was removed it slid out the front.

The smegma on it was nasty.

 

[Skyman]

I see nothing under the fridge, and I think if there were anything under there (e.g. dead rodent), I would smell it even when the fridge hasn't been opened. But thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Skyman]

We used to have a fridge that of all things had a plastic drip pan under it. After the toe kick louver was removed it slid out the front.

The smegma on it was nasty.

I'll look into this possibility. Thanks much for the advice, Larry.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Chicken juice seeped into the insulation between the sheetmetal and the plastic?

 

[Skyman]

At no point so far have I seen any indication that any juices or run-off have hit the floor of the refrigerator compartment.

 

[Skyman]

Just checked, and there is no access panel of any sort in what you'd consider the toe-kick area on this fridge.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Does the door ever show any signs of condensation? Maybe the insulation in the door is wet?

Just checked, and there is no access panel of any sort in what you'd consider the toe-kick area on this fridge.

Pretty sure there has to be a drip pan underneath, but like you mentioned, if that’s where the smell were coming from, it would smell outside the fridge.

 

[Skyman]

Does the door ever show any signs of condensation? Maybe the insulation in the door is wet?

Pretty sure there has to be a drip pan underneath, but like you mentioned, if that’s where the smell were coming from, it would smell outside the fridge.

I would've expected this, too. But, the floor of the refrigerator compartment seems to have a bit of a dish to its contour, with no evidence of a drain hole or channel, so I think any drips that didn't amount to a significant flood would have been contained (and apparent) in that area. There might be some sort of drip pan that's accessible only from the rear, but as you noted, I don't think that's the source of the odor.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I would've expected this, too. But, the floor of the refrigerator compartment seems to have a bit of a dish to its contour, with no evidence of a drain hole or channel, so I think any drips that didn't amount to a significant flood would have been contained (and apparent) in that area. There might be some sort of drip pan that's accessible only from the rear, but as you noted, I don't think that's the source of the odor.

The pan catches the condensation and then it evaporates.

 

[65ranchero]

As others have said check the drip tray (I know you have looked for one already)

LG Refrigerator Odor Problems (How to Fix) - Ready To DIY

In general, something in the drip tray is causing the odor, there are invisible particles causing smells on the surfaces of the compartments, trays, racks or walls of your fridge, or something spilled or leaked and the smell is stored in the ice, producing an odor during the defrost cycle.

readytodiy.com

 

[4x4Pete]

Commercial restaurant refrigerators sometimes smell terrible. What I think was the cause was the people using them didn't completely cover vinegar or acidic based dishes. This caused the aluminum of the evaporators and pretty much any bare metal surface get a stink. Working on the equipment made your hands stink. I made sure to tell the chef or head cheese to keep things wrapped or else their food wouldn't taste as good as they wanted. They usually wouldn't listen and the fridge stunk. It also had a much shorter life span. Probably isn't your problem but something to consider.

 

[Skyman]

Thanks for the suggestion. I don't think that's the cause of my problem, but it's good to consider all possibilities.

 

[Milton Shaw]

As a last resort take it outside in the sun and use a water hose to wash it out and leave it outside in the sun for a couple of days to air out. This usually works. It's not usable as is. Cover if it rains but leave it out there for two or three days.

 

[Skyman]

That would be a last resort solution, for sure. But, thanks for suggesting it!