Buying or Inheriting an Older Kenmore Refrigerator: Checks Before You Plug It In

Kenmore refrigerators from an estate, a rental unit or a relative often have years of life left. The risk is starting one up without a look and loading it with food. A few checks before you plug it in will tell you whether it is worth keeping.

Before you plug it in

1. Read the model label and note the digits before the dot, so that parts can be matched later.
2. Inspect the power cord for cuts, burns or a loose plug. Do not use an extension cord.
3. Look at the door seals for tears and gaps. Close a dollar bill in the door and see if it pulls out freely.
4. Check inside and underneath for mold, pests and old leaks.
5. Clean the condenser coil and the drip pan.

Let it rest and level it

If the refrigerator was laid on its side or carried at a steep angle, let it stand upright for a few hours before starting it. Level it so the doors close on their own. Then give it a full day to reach temperature before you stock it.

Warning signs on start-up

• A burning or electrical smell.
• A compressor that never shuts off after a full day.
• The freezer cold but the fresh food side warm.
• A tripped breaker.

What these checks cannot tell you

A refrigerator that cools on day one can still have a slow leak in the sealed system, or a defrost problem that appears later. Plan for the possibility that it may need work, and do not store anything you cannot afford to lose until it has held temperature for a few days.

Getting it checked

We can inspect the refrigerator, test the cooling and give you a written price before any work begins. Ask for refrigerator repair and include the label photo and where the unit came from.