Wildfire ash clogs the parts of appliances that move air, like condenser coils, dryer vents and range hood filters, and smoke odor can settle inside a fridge. Most of it is cleanup you can do once the air is safe; a few situations need a professional.
In this post:
- •Ash coats outdoor kitchen appliances
- •Fridge condenser coils pull in fine particles
- •The dryer vent hood is packed with debris
- •Range hood filters are loaded
- •Smoke odor settles inside the fridge
- •Appliances in an evacuated home need checking
1. Ash coats outdoor kitchen appliances
Outdoor fridges, ice makers and grills sit directly in the fallout. Wet ash can be caustic, so treat it with care.
How to tell: A gray film on grilles, doors and vents.
What to do: Wear an N95 mask and gloves. Wipe with a damp cloth instead of dry brushing or using a leaf blower, which puts ash back in the air.
2. Fridge condenser coils pull in fine particles
Indoor fridges draw room air across their coils, and smoky days put fine particles in that air.
How to tell: The coils look darker or fuzzier than usual, and the fridge runs longer.
What to do: After the smoke clears, unplug the fridge and vacuum the coils with a soft brush attachment. Check them again a few weeks later, since fine particles keep settling indoors.
3. The dryer vent hood is packed with debris
The outside vent flap catches ash, leaves and windblown debris.
How to tell: Loads take longer, or the flap doesn't open when the dryer runs.
What to do: Wearing gloves and a mask, clear the hood by hand from outside and confirm the flap opens and closes freely.
4. Range hood filters are loaded
If you ran the hood to clear smoky indoor air, the filters caught more than grease.
How to tell: Filters look gray, or the fan sounds strained.
What to do: Wash metal mesh filters in hot soapy water; replace charcoal filters.
5. Smoke odor settles inside the fridge
Refrigerator door seals aren't airtight, so smoke and fumes can work their way inside a home that sat in heavy smoke.
How to tell: A campfire smell when you open the door, or food that smells or tastes smoky.
What to do: Follow USDA and local public health guidance: throw out food with a smoky odor or taste, and anything exposed to heat, flames or firefighting water. Then wash the shelves and bins and wipe the interior with a baking soda and water solution.
6. Appliances in an evacuated home need checking
Homes can lose power or gas while you're away.
How to tell: Clocks are blinking, the fridge is warm, or the gas meter is off.
What to do: Don't relight gas appliances; the gas utility restores service. Don't run anything that smells burnt or got wet from firefighting water until it's inspected.
When a technician is the better call
Call a pro for any appliance exposed to heat, water or heavy smoke, a fridge that won't cool after cleanup, or anything with a burnt smell. Our refrigerator repair team can check a fridge that sat through an outage or smoke event.
Southern California note
Fire season here often overlaps with Santa Ana winds, which can carry ash and smoke well beyond the fire itself, so homes far from the flames still get coated. See our post on what Santa Ana winds do to your appliances for the windblown-dust side of the same problem.
Marco's advice: Don't rush cleanup while ash is still falling. Wait for clean air, mask up, and go slow and damp. Your lungs matter more than your grill.
Appliances acting up after a fire nearby? Call ProFix LA at (818) 334-4526.