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Should I turn my fridge-freezer off?

(14 Posts)
GrandmaKT Fri 17-Jan-20 19:51:11

If you were going to be away for three and a half months, would you turn off your fridge-freezer? Any other tips for leaving a house empty for so long? Thanks grans smile

Hetty58 Fri 17-Jan-20 19:54:10

Yes I would - and do. Give any frozen/fridge stuff away and be sure to leave the doors open (a little) so air can circulate. Restock when you get back. I'd worry too much to leave it going, just in case it caught fire!

Elegran Fri 17-Jan-20 19:57:10

It depends on whether you feel it is worth paying for the electricity it will use while you are away, and are aware that if the electricity fails, or there is a power cut, the contents will defrost, rot, and be extremely nasty.

The choice is yours, but if you turn it off, make sure you leave the door slightly open to air, with something stopping it closing, and wash the inside, or you will come back to mould.

Hetty58 Fri 17-Jan-20 19:58:10

I would also turn off electricity at the main switch, gas at the lever next to the meter - and water at the mains. Some people leave the electricity on for alarms and random-switched lights but my house is pretty much burglar proof.

GrandmaKT Fri 17-Jan-20 22:41:38

Thanks. I won't turn off the gas and electricity as I want to leave security lights on and an interior light on a timer. As we could have freezing weather I will also programme the CH to come on for an hour at night if the temp drops really low.

love0c Sat 18-Jan-20 08:27:03

We have friends who go away twice a year for 10 weeks. They do not turn their fridge freezer off. Done this for nearly 20 years.

Curlywhirly Sat 18-Jan-20 08:31:11

Have a look at your contents house insurance (if you have it) some policies say the house should not be left empty for more than 60 days. Just a thought.

harrigran Sat 18-Jan-20 09:21:05

I would switch off freezer. I used to leave mine on in our second home and it malfunctioned once, when we arrived the smell was revolting and the kitchen floor was spoilt. It was summer so pretty warm.

Querty Sat 18-Jan-20 09:21:27

I’m running my freezer down now and will leave it slightly open whilst we are away.
It’s not a huge one, only the bottom of the fridge so not a huge task.
Leaving the electricity on or the fish will die. We have a posse of people coming in to check up on things.
Our insurance has a 60 day limit too

annsixty Sat 18-Jan-20 10:03:05

When we had a static caravan we would switch everything off for the winter months.
As well as propping the fridge freezer door open I was advised to put a few dry tea bags inside in case of damp.
It worked, it was always fresh.

Rufus2 Sat 18-Jan-20 10:13:20

The choice is yours

There is no choice! Don't dither, empty it, clean it, turn it off and leave the door slightly open as others have said, otherwise you'll come home to a frig full of mould, so much so that you'll feel like chucking it away and buying a new one. sad

GrandmaKT Sat 18-Jan-20 13:04:29

Thanks all. Will clean, empty and turn off the fridge freezer. I have informed our insurance company. For a small extra amount we are covered whilst away for break-ins etc.

annep1 Sat 18-Jan-20 17:12:08

Thanks for tip about teabags Annsixty

TrendyNannie6 Sat 18-Jan-20 17:17:04

Yes I def would,