I have found people saying it's better to leave it on with water inside because then mould will not form. Is there any other downside except for electricity bill? It's a smallish refrigerator which will cost around 60$/year in electricity costs if left on.
Some more details
We are in India in an apartment. So problem with electricity turning off(breaker etc., is not an issue).
However, there can be rat problem. Will they damage an open fridge?
We have two babies at home, so turning it 24 hours before we leave is very difficult.
So I guess, we will put in 10-15 water bottles in the fridge, and 1 open container of water in the freezer, and leave it on?
Is it possible that the fridge gets damaged if the door is not opened for 4-5 months?
Best Answer
This depends a lot on where you live. Here in Florida for example, going away for a long period, you would NOT want to cut power to the fridge and leave it open. It would still grow "samples" all over the place. Instead you would want to add some water bottles (milk jugs with tap water in them) to the fridge, turn the temperature UP as warm as it will go, and then let it run while your away.
The water in the fridge compartment just gives the fridge something to cool. It makes the work cycle more normal. An empty fridge would have more start and stops then one with something in it.
Another example (un-related) is the A/C. In Flordia, specially the humid months, you do not leave the house with no A/C. If you did you would come back and have to replace large amounts of dry wall. Instead you turn it up to about 82 and just let it run. It's the same basic example.
In dryer climates, you would prop the fridge door open enough to move some air around in it and then unplug it.
I do no know the climate in India well enough to tell you which to do, but If you do go the route of leaving it running, make sure you have a friend stop by once a week and make sure it's still running.