How To Defrost A Freezer

Approximately when was the last time you defrosted your freezer? Even though some modern kinds of refrigerators and freezers offer auto-defrost options, it's still a good idea to keep your freezer free of frost. This is particularly crucial for older models. Regular upkeep will not only keep your freezer operating at top efficiency, but it can also free up space for you to store your favorite items.

Why is the frosting on my freezer?

When you open your freezer, fresh air from outside comes in, letting heat and moisture within. Inside your device, this moisture condenses into frost, which can accumulate over time. If your freezer doesn't have an auto-defrost setting, the frost could turn into ice and cover the temperature sensors and interior air vents.

How frequently should my freezer be defrosted?

If your freezer is prone to ice buildup, you should strive to defrost it more frequently than once a year. If the accumulation of ice in your freezer is greater than 14 inches thick, you should also defrost it. For detailed information on how to defrost your freezer, consult your owner's manual.

Step 1: Deactivate and empty the freezer.

First, switch off or unplug your freezer. To make cleanup simpler, you might transfer your tiny, more mobile freezer to your garage or outside. Next, take everything out of the freezer and put it in coolers to prevent it from thawing.

Step 2: Determine where the water will go.

In front of your freezer, spread out towels or plastic liners on the ground. To absorb more moisture, you can also cram the lowest shelves with rags or used beach towels. A drainage hose is included in some refrigerators to help with water removal. Put the end of the freezer in a low container or bucket if it has one. You can carefully position shims under your freezer's front legs to tilt it back toward the drainage hose to help with drainage.

3. Allow the ice to melt.

Letting the ice melt naturally is the simplest technique to defrost a freezer. Keep the door open after unplugging your appliance and wait for the ice to melt naturally. You can place a fan close to your freezer to aid in the defrosting process to hasten the melting process. Position the fan so that air flows into the freezer while you open the freezer door. The ice will melt a little bit more quickly because of the room-temperature air.

Step 4: Wipe down and clean the freezer interior.

Use rags or old towels to mop up the melted ice from your freezer. Beach towels can be useful for this because of how much water they can absorb due to their enormous size. When all of the ice has melted and been removed, you may begin cleaning the freezer's interior. Clean the racks, inside walls, and door of your freezer with a rag after adding one tablespoon of baking soda to four cups of hot water. After that, everything should be dried with a moist cloth.

Step 5: Restart it and refuel

Turn the power back on and wait for the freezer to reach the right temperature after defrosting, cleaning, and drying it. This often takes several hours, though it can vary from appliance to appliance depending on the ambient temperature and food loads. You can remove your food from the cooler and re-insert it in your appliance once the freezer is ready.