Fridge went out. STINKS!

[NebulaTig]

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.

[Dtaylor]

If you can find one, a ozone generator works great! Those things are great for removing all sorts of smells. Activated charcoal in the frig as others have said.

[limbery]

I had one in my house that got unplugged and had a frozen chicken in the freezer....
I went to a commercial cleaning supply store and bought some stuff that they use in freezers from supermarkets etc. that have had food go bad in them....I don't remember the product name but it smelled just like Nil Odour . Came in a jug and it's a clear liquid that you sponge on, let sit and then rinse off with water....I had to do the fridge twice but the smell went away and it was usable again...

[Highway_4x4]

A can of gas and a match will get rid of that smell instantly. A new TT only has the smell of a new TT.

[avoidcrowds]

Oh, good grief, Nebula. The answer is obvious! The best way to get rid of the odor is to get a new TT! Surprised no one else has given this answer. Spouse can't argue that a new unit won't smell better, and be easier to spend time in. :B

[thomasmnile]

NebulaTig wrote:


Where does one find activated charcoal?

Check any pet supply store that sells aquarium products and supplies. Should be readily available. I would use that in the refrigerator and freezer and go with bowls of coffee grounds in the rest of the trailer if the odor is widespread. Would also have the fridge/freezer doors only partially opened while you have the charcoal in it to absorb the odor.

[NebulaTig]

So I have coffee grounds out, I have used febreeze and nilodor and the windows have been open for 2 days. We also mopped out the unit with a bleach solution and it is SLOWLY getting better.

We have baking soda and coffee grounds in the fridge, should it be on or off, and should the door be closed or open?

All the racks, etc were soaked in a bleach solution for 24 hours and seem OK.

Where does one find activated charcoal?

[thomasmnile]

Activated charcoal (lot of it). Home Depot in Canada doesn't sell Odo Ban? Surprising, I know they stock it in the their US stores........... Just checked their website; you can purchase it online.

[2012Coleman]

How about Baking Soda?

[jbrowning]

Fresh coffee grounds have worked for me in my two rv trailers and a stand up freezer at home that someone thought was empty and unplugged it for about a month.....now that stank bad!!! 🙂

Jim

[raindove]

Bad Air Sponge These things really work well. You can close them back up when they eliminate the problem, and save it for the next uh-oh moment.

[NebulaTig]

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]

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

[6dot6]

yeah as mentioned. open up a can of foldgers 🙂

[100ton]

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