Over time, it is possible for a thick layer of ice to form in your freezer. This reduces the efficiency of the appliance, as well as increasing the energy bill and also creates discomfort in the insertion and removal of frozen foods. Read on to learn how to defrost a freezer easily and effortlessly.
Steps
Step 1. Turn off the freezer
This way you prevent it from consuming a lot of energy while cleaning it. Gathering all frozen foods in a cold, isolated location should prevent them from thawing, so be careful what you need to do and move quickly.
Step 2. Empty the freezer as much as possible
Remove food that can be removed; some foods may have stuck to the freezer walls during freezing. To prevent them from thawing, use napkins to wrap them and place them in a cooler bag or insulated box. Store this container in the coldest room in the house and away from sunlight.
Step 3. Remove drawers, shelves and trays if possible
Set them aside to clean them. Do not force any object covered with ice, you could break it.
Step 4. Check if there is a drainage pipe
Some models have one on the bottom sticking out from under the freezer. Try to see if your freezer has it too. If so, take it out and connect it to a longer hose to drain the water.
You can also put shims under the front feet of the appliance to encourage water to flow towards the drain hose
Step 5. Avoid puddles
Place old newspapers around the freezer to absorb the water that forms from melting ice. Old newspapers are perfect for this, as they slide easily under the freezer and are extremely absorbent.
Step 6. Choose a defrosting method
There are a couple of techniques to follow, each with their own advantages and disadvantages:
- Wait for the ice to melt. Let the weather do its work according to the traditional method of cleaning the freezer. It is a slow process, especially if you live in cold areas, although it is the safest way to proceed.
- Use a hair dryer. It is a completely safe method, if you are aware of some basic safety rules. Make sure you stay away from puddles of water and keep the hair dryer cord away from water and ice. Also, you shouldn't keep the tip of the hair dryer too close to the coils and edges of the freezer, as the heat could damage them. Focus on one small area at a time.
- Use a fan. This makes the hot air circulate easier, but the technique only works if your home is quite hot.
- Place bowls or pots of hot water on the shelves. This is a very common way to speed up the process: Fill containers with boiling water, put them on the shelves and close the freezer door. The steam should loosen the ice allowing you to remove it after about 20 minutes (if you clean the freezer regularly). However, this could damage the shelves. To reduce the risk, place a folded tea towel between the pot and the shelf.
- Use a hot spatula. Get a metal one and heat it by holding it over the fire. You will probably need to wear oven mitts. Then simply press the spatula on the ice to break it.
- Use a warm washcloth. Dip a rag in boiling water and use it to loosen the ice. Focus on the small bits at the edges, grabbing and rubbing the ice to remove it.
Step 7. Remove the ice as you can
Speed up the process by removing the ice with your hands, a cloth or spatula as it softens. Do not use a sharp or pointed object such as an awl or knife, you could only damage the freezer and cause gas leaks.
Step 8. Dry off the water
Use rags to remove any residual water as it forms. Leave wet clothes in a bucket or sink to prevent water from going everywhere.
Step 9. Clean the freezer
Take the opportunity to clean it if you haven't done so recently.
Step 10. Dry the freezer before turning it back on
You should use a hair dryer or cloths to dry it as best you can, this will prevent ice from forming right away.
Step 11. Check the seals
A leaky seal causes ice to build up in large quantities. You should replace the seals if they are not doing their job properly or if they are damaged.
Apply oil to the rubber seals, both on the door and on the freezer, and also pay attention to the grooves. In this way, you protect them and prevent them from drying out over time and also improve their adherence when you close the door. Immediately after application, the oil will stain the place where the door rests, but with a couple of strokes it will be solved, because it will be absorbed by the rubber. Using a thick oil such as olive oil will allow you to minimize these drippings
Step 12. Defrost it often
Don't wait too long between cleanings; act immediately whenever a layer of ice of about 0.6 cm forms, to make the whole procedure faster and prevent the food from spoiling.
Advice
- Place a fan in front of the freezer and turn it on to maximum power - this way you can defrost a freezer in about 45 minutes, even if it's full of ice, without the need to take any chances handling a hair dryer near water. The fan pushes cold air from inside the freezer to the outside, letting in warmer air faster than normal recirculation.
- Many modern freezers do not need to be defrosted, as they have forced air recirculation that keeps them free from ice. If you have an older model that requires defrosting, try to do it regularly to keep it running smoothly.
- A vacuum cleaner suitable for liquids is a valuable aid in removing ice and water.
- If you do this in winter, you can put the food outside, perhaps covering it with a cloth, so that it is sheltered from animals and insects; once the job is done, you can put it back in the freezer.
- To reduce the formation of ice, pass a thin layer of vegetable oil on the internal walls with the help of kitchen paper after having completely defrosted the freezer; this will slow down the formation of new ice.
- Add a pinch of vanilla to a solution of baking soda and water for a more fragrant result when cleaning the inside.
- Baking soda, combined with water to make a paste, is a great cleaner as it removes dirt and odors from the fridge.
Warnings
- If you use a hair dryer, be careful not to touch electric cables with wet areas; water and electricity don't mix!
- Be careful not to get electrocuted.
