CellarPro How to Clean the Condenser Coils

Good airflow through the condenser coils (shown at right) is essential to the performance of the cooling unit. The coils (like the radiator in your car) have fins, with small gaps between them. If you're not using a filter, the gaps can become clogged with airborne dust and lint over time. This condition will impede heat transfer through the coils, and ultimately will make the cooling unit unable to keep cool temperatures inside the cabinet. It also will force the cooling unit to run at higher temperatures and potentially will cause damage to internal components.

When the cooling unit has restricted airflow, the warm conditions inside the cellar will cause the cooling unit to run nonstop, and if the temperature inside the wine cabinet rises above 70°F, the cooling unit's protection mechanism may become engaged, which will cause the cooling unit to display an HA alarm.

If used in a Le Cache wine cabinet, the filter and coils can be accessed most easily from the top of the wine cabinet, where you will see two openings - the smaller opening is for the Hot Air Exhaust, and the larger opening is for the Fresh Air Intake (see image at right). The condenser coils are located inside the larger opening (see image at right.) If there is a a grill over the opening, you will need to remove the grill before you can clean the coils.

To clean the coils, you may use a vacuum with a brush attachment to brush the coils until all dirt, lint etc are removed. If you prefer, you can purchase our condenser brush to clean the coils. Be careful not to rub your hand against the coils - the fins are sharp and may cut your skin.

If you are using a filter, instead of cleaning the coils, simply pull the filter away from the cooling unit, which is held in place with magnets. If the filter mesh is aluminum, you can wash it in warm soapy water. Otherwise, you will need to replace the filter - click here for more information about CellarPro-compatible air filters.

If your cooling unit continues to have problems after cleaning the coils, please submit our Cooling Unit Troubleshooting Inquiry Form and we'll respond to you by the next business day.

Please call us at 1.877.532.2243 if you continue to have problems.