How to Winterize Your High-End Appliances

Learning how to winterize your high-end appliances is critical to protect your investments. To winterize means to make ready for winter or winter use – that’s especially important if you’re storing your appliance outside over the chilly months. Winter weather can have a severe, detrimental effect on appliances.

Below we’ll explain how to winterize refrigerators, ice makers, washers, and more. Winterizing your appliances will prevent mold growth and leaks – keep your appliance in working condition.

• How to winterize a refrigerator
• How to winterize an ice maker
• How to winterize a washer
• How to winterize a dishwasher

How to Winterize Your High-End Appliances

Be sure to consult your Sub-Zero & Wolf appliance manuals for specific instructions on how to use, maintain and clean your high-end appliances.

How to winterize a refrigerator

1. Disconnect the refrigerator from the power source.
2. Remove all food items and objects from inside the refrigerator.
3. Give it a thorough clean from top to bottom. Ensure the unit is 100% dry inside.
4. Turn off and disconnect any water lines connecting the unit to the wall. You should allow the water to drain fully from the line.
5. Remove the unit’s fill valve – dry it gently and place it in a safe, warm location.
6. Leave the door slightly ajar to allow airflow, reducing the risk of mold or mildew growth.

Never use antifreeze to winterize an icemaker or water line – antifreeze is highly toxic. If applicable, install a new water filter when you reconnect the unit.

How to winterize a refrigerator with an ice maker

If your refrigerator contains an ice maker, follow the steps listed above. You must also disconnect the water line leading from the water valve to the icemaker – it needs to be drained and reconnected to prevent water freezing in the line.

Can you leave a fridge outside in the winter?

You should not. Most refrigeration units are designed to operate in a home temperature environment. Sub-Zero appliances, for instance, run optimally in a 60°F to 90°F environment. If you leave a refrigerator or freezer outside in winter, you should take the appropriate steps to winterize it.

How to winterize an ice maker

1. Disconnect the ice maker from the power source.
2. Turn off and disconnect the water to the unit from the wall.
3. Drain the lines and fill valve. Afterward, remove the fill valve, dry it, and store it in a safe, warm location.
4. Drain the water reservoir by either unscrewing the cup from the reservoir or removing the plug at the top of the ice maker.
5. You will also need to remove any water filters (these should be replaced when you restart the ice maker).
6. Leave the door slightly ajar to allow airflow, reducing the risk of mold or mildew growth.

How to winterize a washer

While you should never use antifreeze in any device involving food or items for human consumption, it can be used in devices like washers and dishwashers. You can buy a non-toxic antifreeze from your local hardware or automobile store.

1. Do not turn off the washer.
2. Add 1 gallon of RV or RTV antifreeze to the washer. Choose a non-toxic antifreeze.
3. Set the washer to the Spin Cycle and begin. Once the antifreeze has drained, stop the cycle. The water will drain first as it is denser than antifreeze.
4. Disconnect the washer from the power source.
5. Turn off and disconnect the water to the unit from the wall.
6. Remove the fill valve, dry it, and store it in a safe, warm location.
7. Store the unit with the door slightly ajar to allow airflow, reducing the risk of mold or mildew growth.

How to winterize a dishwasher

1. Do not turn off the dishwasher.
2. Add ½ gallon of RV or RTV antifreeze to the dishwasher. Choose a non-toxic antifreeze.
3. Set the washer to Drain and allow the cycle to continue until the antifreeze has drained.
4. Disconnect the dishwasher from the water to the unit from the wall.
5. Remove the fill valve, dry it, and store it in a safe, warm location.
6. Store the unit with the door slightly ajar to allow airflow, reducing the risk of mold or mildew growth. Doing so also prevents stale odors from forming.

How to winterize a dishwasher for storage

If you wish, you can now pack up and store the dishwasher in a dry location. You should, where possible, store a dishwasher in a warm environment. However, the above steps will prevent most damage from occurring during winter.

C&W Appliance Service can help service your appliances when you need it! Helping service the Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, San Marcos areas for 60 years. Call us at (855) 358-1496 or submit our online service request form for prompt service.