How to Use and Maintain Your Frigidaire Refrigerator

What Frigidaire refrigerators are and how they fit into your kitchen

Frigidaire is a major appliance brand owned by Electrolux that makes refrigerators, freezers, and other kitchen equipment. If you own a Frigidaire refrigerator, you have access to a range of models—from basic top-freezer units to French-door and side-by-side configurations—each with its own control panel, shelf layout, and storage features. Understanding your specific model helps you store food safely, keep it fresh longer, and troubleshoot problems before they become expensive repairs.

Frigidaire refrigerators sold in North America typically come with an owner's manual that covers your exact model number. That manual is your most reliable resource because it shows you where your specific controls are, what temperature settings mean, and how to use features unique to your model. You can find your model number on a sticker inside the fridge (usually on the back wall or side wall) or on the back of the unit itself.

Key Takeaways

• Your Frigidaire model number appears on a sticker inside the refrigerator or on the back of the unit, and you can use it to find your exact owner's manual online.
• Most Frigidaire refrigerators keep the fridge section at 35–38°F and the freezer at 0°F or below, and you adjust these with dials or digital controls depending on your model.
• The crisper drawers in Frigidaire models have humidity controls that you can slide to keep produce fresh longer—high humidity for leafy greens, lower humidity for fruits.
• Cleaning the condenser coils every six months and replacing the water filter every six months (if your model has one) prevents ice buildup, odors, and water quality problems.
• If your Frigidaire stops cooling or makes unusual noises, check that the vents are not blocked by food, the door seals properly, and the thermostat is set correctly before calling for service.

Finding and using your Frigidaire model's owner's manual

The fastest way to get your manual is to visit the Electrolux support website, enter your model number, and download the PDF. The model number is a combination of letters and numbers (for example, FFTR1814TS or FRSS2623AS) and appears on a white or silver sticker inside your refrigerator. Look on the back wall, the side wall, or the ceiling of the fridge compartment. If you cannot find it inside, check the back of the unit or the side panel.

Once you have the manual, keep it in a kitchen drawer or take a photo of key pages on your phone. The manual shows you the exact location of your temperature controls, explains what each setting does, and tells you which features your model has. Some Frigidaire models have digital touch screens; others have simple dials. Some have ice makers and water dispensers; others do not. Your manual is the only document that matches your actual refrigerator.

Setting and adjusting temperature in your Frigidaire

Frigidaire refrigerators typically keep the main compartment between 35°F and 38°F and the freezer at 0°F or below. The exact controls depend on your model. Older Frigidaire models use numbered dials (often labeled 1 to 9, where higher numbers mean colder); newer models use digital displays or slider controls. Start with the middle setting and wait 24 hours for the temperature to stabilize before adjusting further.

If your refrigerator has a separate freezer compartment dial, adjust it independently. If it has a single master control, moving it colder affects both sections. Use an inexpensive refrigerator thermometer (placed in a glass of water in the fridge, not touching the walls) to check the actual temperature. If the fridge is too warm or too cold, move the dial or use the digital buttons in small increments—one step at a time—and wait a full day between changes.

Some Frigidaire models have a "vacation" or "power saver" mode that reduces cooling when you are away. Check your manual to see if your model has this feature and whether it is currently on. Accidentally leaving this mode active is a common reason a refrigerator feels warmer than expected.

Using crisper drawers and humidity controls

Most Frigidaire refrigerators have one or two crisper drawers at the bottom of the fridge section. These drawers trap moisture and keep produce fresher longer than open shelves. Each drawer usually has a humidity slider or button on the front or side. Sliding it to the high-humidity position (often marked with a closed or water droplet symbol) keeps leafy greens, herbs, and broccoli crisp. Sliding it to low humidity (often marked with an open or dry symbol) is better for fruits like apples, berries, and citrus, which release ethylene gas and rot faster in high moisture.

Store vegetables and fruits separately if you can—ethylene-producing fruits like apples and avocados speed up ripening in nearby greens. Keep the crisper drawers clean by wiping them out every two weeks and removing any rotting pieces immediately. A single moldy item can spread mold spores to everything around it, so check the drawers regularly.

Cleaning and maintaining your Frigidaire refrigerator

The most important maintenance task is cleaning the condenser coils every six months. These coils sit on the back or bottom of your refrigerator and release heat. When they collect dust and pet hair, your fridge has to work harder and may not cool properly. Unplug the refrigerator, locate the coils (your manual shows where), and use a soft brush or a vacuum with a brush attachment to gently remove dust. Do not use a wire brush, which can damage the coils.

If your Frigidaire has an ice maker or water dispenser, replace the water filter every six months or when the water flow slows down. A clogged filter reduces water pressure and can allow bacteria to grow. The filter cartridge twists or slides out depending on your model—your manual shows the exact method. Keep the interior clean by wiping shelves and walls with a damp cloth every two weeks. Wipe up spills immediately to prevent odors and mold.

Check the door seals (the rubber gasket around the edge of the door) every few months. Close the door on a dollar bill—if it pulls out easily, the seal may be loose or damaged and should be replaced. A poor seal lets cold air escape and makes your refrigerator work harder.

Troubleshooting common Frigidaire refrigerator problems

If your Frigidaire is not cooling, start with these checks before calling for service. First, make sure the thermostat is set to a cold setting, not to the warmest position. Second, check that nothing is blocking the vents inside the fridge or freezer—food pushed against the back wall can stop air from circulating. Third, make sure the door closes completely and the seal is not damaged. Fourth, unplug the refrigerator for five minutes and plug it back in to reset the control board.

If your Frigidaire is making unusual noises—clicking, buzzing, or grinding sounds—it may be the ice maker, the compressor, or something stuck behind the unit. Check that nothing has fallen behind the refrigerator. If the noise continues, note when it happens (during cooling cycles, when the ice maker runs, or constantly) and tell a service technician, because different sounds point to different problems.

If water is pooling inside the fridge or under it, the drain line may be clogged. Most Frigidaire models have a small drain hole at the back of the fridge compartment or in the crisper area. Use a turkey baster or syringe filled with warm water to flush it out. If water is leaking from under the refrigerator, the drain pan under the unit may be full or cracked—this is usually a service call.

Understanding Frigidaire model types and their features

Frigidaire makes several common refrigerator styles. Top-freezer models have the freezer on top and the fridge below—they are compact and affordable. Bottom-freezer models put the freezer drawer at the bottom, so you reach into the fridge at eye level more often. Side-by-side models have the freezer on one side and the fridge on the other, with narrow shelves that work well for tall items. French-door models have two doors on the fridge section and a freezer drawer below, and they tend to have more storage space and advanced features.

Some Frigidaire models include an ice maker and water dispenser in the door; others do not. Some have adjustable shelves; others have fixed shelves. Some have a separate temperature zone for deli meats or beverages. Your manual lists exactly which features your model has and how to use them. If you are not sure whether your refrigerator has a particular feature, check the manual before looking for controls that may not exist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I find my Frigidaire refrigerator's model number?

Look for a white or silver sticker inside the refrigerator, usually on the back wall, side wall, or ceiling. If you cannot find it inside, check the back of the unit or the side panel. The model number is a combination of letters and numbers, such as FFTR1814TS. Once you have it, you can search for your manual on the Electrolux support website.

What temperature should my Frigidaire refrigerator be set to?

The fridge section should be between 35°F and 38°F, and the freezer should be at 0°F or below. Use a refrigerator thermometer to check the actual temperature. If your model has a numbered dial, start in the middle and adjust one step at a time, waiting 24 hours between changes to let the temperature stabilize.

How often should I replace my Frigidaire water filter?

Replace the water filter every six months or when the water flow slows down. A clogged filter reduces water pressure and can allow bacteria to grow. Your manual shows exactly how to remove and replace the filter cartridge for your specific model.

Why is my Frigidaire refrigerator not cooling?

Check that the thermostat is set to a cold setting, nothing is blocking the vents inside, the door closes completely, and the seal is not damaged. Unplug the refrigerator for five minutes and plug it back in to reset the control board. If it still does not cool, the compressor or refrigerant may need service.

What should I do if water is pooling inside my Frigidaire?

The drain line may be clogged. Use a turkey baster or syringe filled with warm water to flush out the small drain hole at the back of the fridge or in the crisper area. If water continues to pool or leaks from under the unit, the drain pan may be cracked and will need service.