Glass door flower display fridges with buckets of fresh flowers in front

October 10, 2026

Flower Fridge Care: Cleaning, Checks and Common Problems

A flower fridge has a tough job. It holds wet buckets, gets opened all day and often sits in a warm shop with the sun on the window. A few minutes of care each day and a bit more each month keeps it running well, keeps your flowers fresh and helps it last for years. This guide has a simple care checklist and what to check when something isn't right.

Flower fridge care checklist

Every day

Check the temperature on a separate fridge thermometer, not just the controller, and write it down.
Pick up fallen petals, leaves and stem cuttings.
Wipe up water spills on the floor and shelves.
Make sure the doors close properly and haven't been left ajar.

Every week

Wash and sanitise buckets. Dirty buckets cause most smells and shorten flower life.
Take out the stock and wipe down the shelves, walls and floor with warm water and a mild detergent.
Clean the door seals and check them for tears or flat spots.
Clean the glass inside and out.

Every month

Clean the condenser. It's usually at the bottom of the cabinet, behind a grille. Turn the fridge off at the wall and follow the manual. A soft brush or a vacuum with a brush attachment removes the dust. A dirty condenser is one of the most common reasons a fridge runs warm and costs more to run. NovaChill's warranty asks for a monthly condenser clean to keep the condenser fan motor covered.
Do the paper test on the door seals: close the door on a sheet of paper. If it slides out easily, the seal isn't sealing there.
Check that the air vents inside aren't blocked by stock.

Once a year

Have a licensed refrigeration technician check the refrigeration system and electrical parts, especially before your busiest season.

Common problems and what to check

The fridge is running warm

Check: doors left open or not sealing, an overpacked fridge, vents blocked by buckets, a dirty condenser, direct sun on the cabinet, or no room around it for air to flow. A short rise during the automatic defrost cycle is normal.

Call a technician if: it stays warm after you've checked these things, or the compressor seems to run all the time without the fridge getting cold.

Frost or ice inside

Check: frequent or long door openings, a damaged seal, a door that doesn't close fully, or a very humid shop. Warm, moist air that gets in turns to frost on the coldest surfaces.

Call a technician if: ice keeps building up on the cooling coil behind the panel, or the fan is iced over. Automatic defrost should clear normal frost, so a build-up means something isn't working as it should.

Fog or condensation on the glass

On the outside of the glass: this happens when the shop is humid and the glass is colder than the air around it. It's most common on muggy summer days. Air-conditioning or better airflow in the shop helps, and heated glass doors, like those on the NovaChill flower fridges, are designed to reduce it.

On the inside: usually doors being opened a lot, warm stock or wet buckets going in, or a seal that's letting air in. Our guide to reducing condensation in display fridges goes into more detail.

Water pooling inside or under the fridge

Check: overfilled or leaking buckets, a cabinet that isn't level, or water from cleaning that hasn't drained.

Call a technician if: water keeps appearing from the back of the cabinet. A blocked defrost drain is a common cause, and the drain sits inside the cabinet.

Bad smells

Check: rotting leaves and petals in corners, dirty bucket water, flowers past their best and mould on seals. Clean out the fridge, wash the buckets and wipe the seals. A small open container of bicarb soda helps absorb smells while you keep on top of the cleaning.

Unusual noises

Check: that the cabinet is level and the castors are locked, that nothing is touching the cabinet or rattling on a shelf, and that buckets aren't vibrating against each other.

Call a technician if: you hear grinding, scraping, loud knocking or a fan hitting something. Fans and compressors need a technician.

Lights not working or flickering

Check: that the light switch is on (on some controllers the lights have their own switch) and that the fridge has power.

Call a technician if: the LEDs still don't work. Don't open the electrical panel yourself.

When to call a licensed refrigeration technician

The fridge stays warmer than its setting after you've checked doors, seals, vents and the condenser.
Ice keeps building up on the cooling coil or fan.
Water keeps leaking from inside the cabinet.
You hear grinding, scraping or knocking.
There's a burning smell, or the fridge trips the power.

If your fridge is still under warranty, contact the brand's warranty service first. The warranty for each of our flower fridges is listed on its product page.

How long does a flower fridge last?

A well-looked-after commercial fridge often lasts ten years or more. The habits that make the biggest difference are a clean condenser, good door seals, room for air around the cabinet and keeping it out of direct sun. When it's time to replace yours, compare running costs with our running cost calculator and see our flower fridge buying guide.