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Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Refrigerator Repair:

Odor in a 2 year old refrigerator

I have a Kenmore 18cubic ft. refrigerator. It is approximately 2 years old. I changed the temperature in the refrigerator area and since then I have a funny odor in the frig area and the freezer area also. It is hard to describe the smell, something like vinegar and alcohol. The refrigerator and freezer both seem to be working ok. It has an ice cube maker which is also working good. Do I need to get a repair person? Thank you for your time.

I've seen this happen quite a bit but not with such a new refrigerator. Do you store potatoes or carrots in your fridge? If you do that could be the cause but there are others. High starch foods gradually lose their firmness and give off moisture and starch into the air of the inside cabinet. This starch deposits itself on all inner surfaces and airway passages. Then if the temperature drops below a certain point (as in your case when you turned it down) a bacteria starts to grow on the deposited starch and causes this odor you describe.

To get rid of it, it's not easy but there is a way. The following method will completely remove the odor. I have given it to folks who had a complete meltdown when they weren't around for even weeks and this worked. Here it is:

Note: Section 5 article called "Complete Deodorizing Procedure" attached.