WHAT IS THE CONDENSER: The condenser is that part of your refrigerator or freezer that looks like the radiator in your car. It is located behind the grille. Hot refrigerant passes through the condenser and is cooled; similar to how the radiator in your car cools the engine. WHY CLEAN THE CONDENSER: We recommend cleaning your condenser every 3 to 6 months. This is especially true during the warm summer months. The condenser is like the radiator in your car. If it is not clean, then air cannot pass through the condenser and provide the cooling effect on the refrigerant. A dirty may even lead to warm temperatures inside the refrigerator or freezer. It may contribute to condensation or frost inside these compartments. Because the condenser is what cools the hot refrigerant, if dirty or blocked, it may even lead to compressor failure. This is similar to a blocked radiator in your car leading to engine overheating and possible failure. Maintaining a clean condenser will result in optimal performance of your compressor and will run less, minimizing energy costs. HOW DO YOU CLEAN THE CONDENSER: Before you attempt to clean the condenser, be sure to shut the electricity off at the control panel. Also, you might want to wear protective gloves to avoid injury from the sharp metal edges at the condenser fins. Then use a soft bristle brush and vacuum to clean the surface of the condenser, being careful not to bend the condenser fins. If the condenser has not been cleaned periodically, it may also be clogged internally. This may require compressed air blown through the condenser to clean it properly. We use compressed air every time we clean a condenser. Also, if it is very dirty, be prepared for the dust that will be blown into your kitchen. There are creative ways you can capture this dust so it doesn’t make a mess in your kitchen. If you have pets, you may have to clean the condenser more often due to the accumulation of pet hair. In order to gain access to the condenser for cleaning, you must first remove the grille. To determine what model you have, check the label located in the freezer door jam area. 600 Series Framed and Stainless Steel louvered grilles: First remove the grille screws located at the bottom of the grille. NOTE: These screws (Phillips head) are accessed with the doors open. Then tilt the top of the grille forward and release the springs from behind the grille. Carefully lift the grille out of place. Overlay Panel Grille: To remove, lift up then pull out at the bottom and down to release from its mounting bracket. Models 601R, 601RG and 601F Louvered Grille: Remove the two black screws in the lowest louver of the grille. Tilt the bottom of the grille out and away. It will release from the top of the grille. Model 601RG Stainless Steel Grille: Remove in a similar fashion as the overlay grille panel. 700 Series All Units: At the bottom of the unit, remove the four screws holding the kick plate/grille in place. It will then slide forward, giving you access to the condenser area. 400 Series 424/424FS: At the bot tom of the unit, remove the screws holding the kick plate. The condenser is located behind. 427/427R: Remove the four screws holding the kick plate/grille in place. It will then slide forward, giving you access to the condenser area. 430: First remove the screws located at the bottom of the grille. NOTE: These screws (Phillips head) are accessed with the door open. Tilt the top of the grille forward and release the springs from behind the grille, then lift off. 200 Series: 245, 249, 315W Remove the kick plate at the bottom of the unit, giving you access to the condenser area.