lingering fishy smell in my fridge

JenLeung

i have an upright Baumatic Retro fridge freezer which is 3 years old. the last time i stored any fish in my fridge was couple months ago. two weeks ago, i noticed a fishy smell everytime i open the fridge. i took everything out and scrubbed all the interiors and shelfs as i thought maybe the fish i had there ages ago might have left some kind of fishy stain. after that, the smell was still there. i took everything out again, scrubbed and bleached EVERYTHING even bottles and jars, i threw anything thta was near its sell by date, rewrapped foods in new cling film and new boxes. two days later the smell is still there. so few days ago, i pulled the fridge out to check behind, cleaned the floor space, walls, checked under the floorboards.. nothing. i bleached and cleaned the drainage tube hole that leads to the back of the fridge ( i have done this 4-5 times now).
Yesterday the smell is still there. i have almost emptied my fridge of food and still cant find the culprit. i turned the power off all day whilst i bleached it again, used vinegar. bicarb, lemon, newspapers..
I was hoping today when i woke up that i would be able to grab the milk without a horrid fish smell. but its STILL there! its not as strong now, but the smell can stink out the whole kitchen when the door is open and it lingers even afetr i close the door.
The power and electrics seem to be still good, I just cant find the source of this smell.
Any suggestions anyone?

elsien

Have you tried putting bicarb in a pot and leaving it in there, as oppsed to just cleaning with it? That did the trick for my smelly fridge.

Myser

Did you check under the drainage hole behind the fridge where the waste liquid is collected in a tray and then evaporated off?

Sometimes, a 'fishy' smell can come from burnt/charred electrical components or connections. This is more common where high currents are involved such as cooker, immersion heater and electric shower switches. If the wire screw terminals are loose, resistance causes heat to be generated at that point. The heat melts the switch plastic and cable sheath giving off a strong 'fishy' smell. Burnt components in electronics such as capacitors can also cause a 'fishy' smell however, it usually fades away after a few days.

JenLeung

@elsien ... I have used two packs of bicarbonate soda and left them open in the fridge overnight, so done this twice. like you, i thought this would have helped rid the smell.

@myser... thats the first ive heard that something dodgy in the electrics can smell of fish but it does seem to make sense. although its been two weeks that the smell has been there and is still quite strong, is this ruled out if you say it should fade after few days?
and yes ive checked the drainage hole and tube that leads to the back of the fridge, ive cleaned and bleached this as well. this was my first suspicion and it certainly cant be now.

Myser

JenLeung wrote: »

and yes ive checked the drainage hole and tube that leads to the back of the fridge, ive cleaned and bleached this as well. this was my first suspicion and it certainly cant be now.

Is there a tray under the drainage hole behind the fridge where the waste liquid is evaporated off?

You can try and check if the smell is coming from burnt components inside the fridge. Smell near the open vents on the back of the fridge.

Do you have any high current appliances or heaters near the fridge - cooker or immersion heater?

Mr_Ted

:)Check the lamp, connections, holder, correct lamp size, or maybe the lamp cover is getting to hot, that can cause a fishy smell from plastic overheating;)

JenLeung

@myser.. i expected a tray to be under where the waste liquid tube but there isnt and this area behind the fridge has warped the floorboards a little. but there is no smell coming from here whatsoever. ive put a small tub there now to catch any water.

there is nothing electrical near the fridge either, the nearest appliance is about 3metres away. although i have just recently turned on a small seperate freezer thats quite close to the fridge

Wig

Cleaned the door seals?

Myser

JenLeung wrote: »

although i have just recently turned on a small seperate freezer thats quite close to the fridge

Did the smell coincide with the freezer being switched on?

JenLeung

@wig... yes i cleaned the door seals thoroughly

@myser... the fishy smell started about 2 weeks ago and yes, I did turn on the freezer next to it about 2 weeks ago. This freezer is brand new but I never used it until this time. thers no smell coming from the freezer or the freezer compartment above the fridge. Do you think I should switch the new freezer off? Its full of food so Im a little reluctant to switch it off but if it will get rid of the fishy smell, I will do.

Myser

If the freezer is brand new and you say the smell is not coming from near it, it's unlikely to be the cause.