Bruhm fridge repair in Ruaka.

Cold air has to move. Pack the shelves loosely enough that air can circulate, and never block the vents at the back or on the ceiling of the compartment. Keep the bulky items on the shelves and leave the door bins for things that tolerate warmth.

Raw meat and fish belong on the lowest shelf in sealed containers, so they cannot drip onto other food. Dairy and cooked food go in the middle. Fruit and vegetables belong in the drawers, where the humidity is higher.

Let hot food cool to room temperature before putting it in. Hot pots warm the fridge, force the compressor to work and bring in moisture that turns into frost. Cover liquids, because uncovered liquids add moisture to the air.

The condenser coil releases the heat the fridge removes from the food. On older fridges it is a grille on the back; on newer ones it may be a coil under the fridge behind a kick plate. Dust and kitchen grease form a blanket on it, which traps the heat.

Unplug the fridge before you start. Use a soft brush or the brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner to lift the dust, then a damp cloth for grease. Clean the area around the compressor too, and remove dust from the fan if there is one. Do it every few months, or more often in a dusty kitchen.

A clean coil can make a noticeable difference in how long the compressor runs and how much power the fridge uses. It is one of the cheapest and most effective bits of maintenance you can do yourself.

The door seal, or gasket, keeps warm air out. Over time it hardens, cracks or loses its magnetic grip. A bad seal causes frost, water inside, longer running and a higher bill.

Try the paper test: close the door on a sheet of paper and pull it out. If it slides out with no resistance, the seal is not gripping there. Test several points around the door. Look for splits, hardened sections and mould along the folds.

Wiping the seal with warm soapy water sometimes restores the grip, because grease and sugar stop it sealing. If cleaning does not help, the seal needs replacing. A new seal must be fitted straight, and the door adjusted so it closes evenly, or the new seal will not fix the problem.

A good technician explains the fault before changing parts. They test, tell you what failed and why, and give you the price before work starts. They show you the old part if you ask. They are honest when a repair does not make sense.

Be wary of anyone who names a fault over the phone without seeing the fridge, who insists on a gas refill without finding a leak or who will not give a price until the work is done. Ask whether the visit fee is separate and what it covers.

It also helps if the technician works on fridges every day. Fridges are a sealed cooling system with their own tools, gases and habits, and a general handyman may not have the equipment to vacuum and charge a system properly.