How to Remove a Dent from a Stainless Steel Refrigerator

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Last Updated: August 3, 2024 Fact Checked

You've got a beautiful stainless steel refrigerator. You have just one problem: it's got a dent in it, marring it's lovely surface. Instead of kicking it in frustration (and making more dents in the process), save your energy for trying to fix it. Keep in mind, though, that not all dents are fixable at home. To remove the dent, try using suction or heat and cold, but be ready for the possibility that you may need to call in the big guns (professional help!).

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Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Heat and Cold

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Pick up your hair dryer, or if you have one, a heat gun. Blow hot air directly onto the dent. Give it a good minute or so under the heat. You need to really heat up the metal. This process will cause the metal to expand. Once you let it cool, the metal will contract, and it may pop back smooth.^{[1]
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2
Use dry ice. As you probably know, dry ice is very, very cold. Because it's so cold, you may be able to get the metal to contract with it, fixing the dent. All you do is hold the ice to the dent, though you may want to wrap the ice in a soft cloth to protect your refrigerator from scratches. Keep it in place for a good minute or until you can see the metal is cold.^{[2]
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- Be sure to put on protective gloves. Dry ice will burn your fingers as surely as a hot stove.
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3
Blow cold condensed air on it. Pick up that can of air next to your computer, the one you use to blow off your keyboard. Now, the fun part. Ignore the directions that say don't turn it upside down. Blow the air at the dent with the can upside-down, which will cause a cold condensation to blow out. Give it a few good blasts. It's cold enough that it may cause the dent to contract, fixing itself.^{[3]
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- Keep your hands back. You don't want to get that condensation on your skin. It'll burn as quick as dry ice will.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Suctioning Tools

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1
Clean the area. Some dent kits will come with a solution for cleaning. However, it's usually just isopropyl alcohol. Rub it in to the area to remove any grime. You're going to be using glue for this method, so the glue has to stick. Finishes and grime will let the glue peel right off.^{[4]
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- Cleaning it may remove the finish, so you may want to save this method for a last resort.
You can find these online, at big box stores, or auto parts stores. These tools have small suction cups that you glue on to the dent with a hot glue gun.^{[5]
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Glue on the suction cup from an automotive dent remover. Heat up your hot glue gun. Pick a suction cup that is a bit bigger than the dent. Add a dab of glue to the cup, and place it on the dent.^{[6]
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- You can use any hot glue gun for this step, though a high temp gun may work better.
The suction cup will have a screw coming off the back of it. A bar goes over it, and it has two plates on each side. Once the bar is on, add the knob that screws into the back of the suction cup. Screw it lightly into place. Don't push down too hard right now. Everything's not quite in place.^{[7]
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Most of these tools have a way to adjust the two plates that give you leverage for pulling. Put them as close to the middle suction cup as possible. That will keep it from pulling up the metal too much on the outer edges.^{[8]
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Now that everything's in place, all you have to do is keep screwing in the knob in the center. This process puts pressure on the suction cup, slowly pulling it out. Eventually, the whole piece will pop right off.^{[9]
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This method will eventually lessen the ding. Unfortunately, it's not a quick process. So pull up a chair, and get comfy. You may need to repeat the process as many as ten times to make that ding less noticeable.^{[10]
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Plan suction without glue will sometimes pull the dent out of your refrigerator. A simple suction tool is a toilet plunger. Place a (clean!) toilet plunger over the dent, and plunge away. If you're lucky, it might pop out.^{[11]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How do you get scratches out of a stainless steel refrigerator?

Aaron Beth
Appliance Technician
Aaron Beth is the founder of Aaron’s Refrigeration Company in New York City and a factory certified installer (FCI) for Sub-Zero products. He specializes in the service and maintenance of built-in refrigerators, wine coolers and ice machines. With over 54 years of experience, Aaron is the recipient of numerous Super-Service awards from Angie’s Lists and 2019 Best-of-the City.

Aaron Beth

Appliance Technician

Expert Answer

Use a really fine, 1500- or 1200-grit piece of sandpaper to do this. Just go straight up and down until you scoop out the scratch.

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My refrigerator is black. Will the dry ice method work on it also?

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Yes, the color should not make a difference.

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What if I don't have dry ice?

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Try it with regular ice. If that doesn't work, then go get some dry ice.

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Tips

You can combine methods. For instance, you can try using heat first, then follow it up with a cold method to rapidly cool it down.^{[12]
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