How to Defrost a Freezer
You will need how to defrost a freezer. You will need to do it when about ¼ inch ( ½ cm) of ice has accumulated. This will happen at least once a year but it could be more often.
Whether yours is an upright freezer, chest freezer or part of the fridge freezer and has a manual defrost control, ice will accumulate. The more ice that builds up, the more energy the freezer uses and the higher your energy bills.
Despite the bother of de-frosting the freezer, you have chosen wisely as manual defrost models consume 35 to 40% less energy and are quieter than comparable automatic defrosting ones.
This is how an automatic defrosting freezer works. The freezer has a automatic timer that turns on a heating coil every six hours or so and this heat melts the ice off the freezer coils.
The resulting water drips into a specific tray at the back or under the freezer where it evaporates. When the sensor senses the temperature rising above 32 degrees F (0 degrees C) the heater turns off.
This heating and cooling, cycles the frozen food through temperature changes.
Not only do you save energy and money by defrosting the freezer yourself but the food in the freezer will last longer too.
Due to its large volume and a potential for storing a great amount of food , most larger chest freezers require manual defrosting.
Freezer Defroster
- Do you need to investigate the use of freezer defrosters? Some spray a liquid onto the ice to make it melt and others are small electrical devices that you place into the freezer to raise the temperature.
- Plan in advance the date of the freezer clean out.
- Reduce your stock of frozen food where possible.
- Ask your friends and neighbours if they have room in their freezer. You can offer to return the favour for them when they defrost. If you are are defrosting your fridge-freezer, tightly pack the frozen food in large insulated coolers. The food will remain frozen for several hours. Place the coolers in the coldest part of the house and cover them with old blankets.
- Check the manufacturer's instructions to see how long you must leave the freezer turned off for proper defrosting.
ACTION STAGE 1 FOR HOW TO DEFROST A FREEZER
Defrosting a freezer can be a messy job so protect the floor with old sheets, towels or plastic. Old newspapers are good for this job too as they can slide under the freezer and are extremely absorbent.
- Turn the dial or press the defrost button or switch off and unplug the chest freezer/fridge-freezer from the wall. Open the freezer door or lid to allow the freezer to defrost.
- Remove any drawers, baskets or trays.
- Chest freezers usually have a spout or drain placed slightly above ground level. Find an appropriate sized bowl to catch the melted ice water and open the drain. A fridge freezer usually has a removable tray to catch the water. If your freezer does not have a drain then place old towels on the floor of the freezer to collect the water. Empty the bowls and trays and wring out wet towels at regular intervals!
ACTION STAGE 2 FOR HOW TO DEFROST A FREEZER
You can allow the freezer to defrost in its own time, OR you can help the speed up the process by:
- Placing an appropriate sized container with very hot water on a folded towel inside the freezer and close the door or lid. Remember to check the rate of melt and replenish the hot water frequently. The towel is to protect the freezer liner from heat damage. The steam of the hot water will warm up the frost and cause it to melt.
- At some point the ice will loosen from the walls and then it is possible to encourage the ice fall by using a rubber or plastic spatula to gently ease the ice chunks away from the wall. Do not use any metal or sharp instruments. Use patience and care instead! Wear kitchen gloves to remove any chunks of ice.
- Whilst waiting for the freezer to defrost, wash all the removables. Clean them thoroughly using hot soapy water. Rinse them well in clear hot water and dry them well too.
ACTION STAGE 3 FOR HOW TO DEFROST A FREEZER
- When the freezer is empty of water, clean the spout/drain and drip tray. Close the drain and dry the freezer with a cloth or towel.
- Using a solution of warm water and baking soda, wash and deodorize the inside of the freezer, paying special attention to corners and the inside of the door or underside of the lid.. For stubborn food stains a paste of baking soda and water makes a gentle abrasive cleaner that is safe to use on the liner of your freezer.
- Wash the door seals with a soft cloth dipped in hot water and with great care. Food can get lodged there and any rough treatment may cause irreparable damage to the seal.
- Dry the inside of the freezer with a soft cloth.
- Return the cleaned baskets, trays and drawers.
ACTION STAGE 4 ON HOW TO DEFROST A FREEZER
- Plug in or turn the freezer on.
- Wait until the inside temperature of the freezer has reach the correct level.
- When returning the food packages to the freezer, wipe each one dry as the less moisture you introduce into the freezer the less quickly the frost will form.
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