Forum Discussion

NebulaTig's avatar
NebulaTig
Explorer
Jul 18, 2013

Fridge went out. STINKS!

Due to my screw up (fridge was set for propane only and I shut off the propane) when we brought the unit home about 10 days ago, the fridge was off and everything in the unit went bad. Opened the freezer last night to a puddle of chicken, what a stink!

We've cleaned out the fridge, wiped it down with bleach several times and put in baking soda overnight. Had all the windows opened and the A/C fan going for most of last night. Left it overnight with the windows opened.

Came out this morning and the fridge isn't too bad, can hardly notice anything but the unit still kind of smells bad. I imagine its permeated into everything. We've removed all the bedding, clothing, towels etc and used febreeze, lysol, and other products.

Any ideas of what I can use in the unit to absorb some of this smell? I heard charcoal in a glass, coffee in a bowl, vanilla, Odo-ban(can't find in Canada), vinegar and water?

I had to head into work this morning so I left the unit with the windows open but its supposed to be a hot day today. Not sure what I'm going to come home to today.
  • NebulaTig's avatar
    NebulaTig
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2013
    I did a search but only did it in TT's and found nothing. I eventually found this in another forum. Good link within it too. Guess its just a waiting game.

    http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21913155/print/true.cfm
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Jul 18, 2013
    I am doing all those items listed and work is still in process... I think I am gaining headway. My demise was a 14LB turkey... We had had a full week long power outage from one of last years hurricanes coming thru the area. Forgot all about the turkey stored in the freezer. It was a hugh mess to clean up... Was walking around the trailer and started to smell things thinking I had a dead polecat or something nearby - then it dawned on me - oh no the turkey...

    After all the scrubbing and taking things apart - good ole newspapers works pretty good - WD40 didnt do to bad... I would much rather smell that then rotten turkey anyday...

    geeeschh

    Roy Ken
  • 100ton's avatar
    100ton
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2013
    Try fresh coffee grounds. I had very good results with this when I had a boat. Took care of bilge, head, other odors in general. I like the smell of coffee, so that was another plus for me.

    As for my 5th wheel, I have used baking soda, as others, for routine freshening.

    Robert
    Huntington Beach, California
  • Chrisatthebeach's avatar
    Chrisatthebeach
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2013
    We had a used fridge that we had bought to use at work, it had a rotten odor in it and we got rid of it by keeping a bowl of aquarium charcoal in it that we changed out every couple of weeks, after a few months the odor was completely gone.
    I also keep the extra coffee packs from hotel stays, they also do a good job of absorbing odors.
  • dbbls's avatar
    dbbls
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2013
    Charcoal is good, also wadded up newspaper. It will take time.
  • bighatnohorse's avatar
    bighatnohorse
    Explorer II
    Jul 18, 2013
    Chicken is worse than salmon, but yes, the same thing happened to me.
    I used spray bleach - it seems to penetrate better.
    Everything in the fridge has to be removed. If there is a screw, take it out and remove any thing that can possibly be removed.
    Leave the fridge doors open to dry.
    Repeat with spray bleach. Wipe clean and repeat spray.
    The smell will diminish and eventually go away.

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