Defrost Freezer Quickly & Safely: Our Step-by-step Instructions

All kinds of foods, including fruits and vegetables, release moisture. This moisture, when subjected to cooling, deposits on the fridge walls as ice. The ice layer then acts as an insulator on the inner walls of the freezer. This not only increases the energy consumption but also occupies space as it thickens further.

Freezer Icing Costs You Dearly

Iced-up cooling compartments use up an unnecessary amount of energy since the cold first has to get through the layers of ice into the interior. Calculations show that every 1 cm thick ice results in up to a staggering 50% more energy consumption.

Therefore, it is important that you defrost your fridge when the ice layer becomes thick enough to intervene with either the energy consumption or available fridge space.

How Often Should You Defrost?

How Often Should You Defrost freezer

Defrosting is only needed, as I mentioned earlier if there is a thick layer of ice on the walls. A very thin layer on the other hand always forms and it shouldn’t bother you.

Also, note that quick ice buildup is a direct consequence of running the device at very low temperatures. The optimum temperature for the freezing compartment is -18 degrees Celsius or 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

If your freezer builds up ice too often, check the temperature you have set it on. If you think your device has a technical problem, don’t hesitate to reach out for help and fix it as quickly as possible. Else, you will be paying a bulky electricity bill that you don’t deserve.

Where to Put The Groceries?

There are a couple of simple ways to keep your food items safe as you defrost. Here are some of the easier ways to keep the refrigerated content safe:

  1. The simplest way is to place the refrigerated goods outside on the balcony or terrace if it’s winter and the outside temperature is cold enough. Else, a comparatively cooler cellar may help.
  2. You can also pack your items in sealable plastic bags, put them in a box with cold packs.
  3. Additionally, if you have no access to any of these, wrap the items with newspapers and cover them with a thick blanket for added cover.
  4. Last but not least, you can reach out for assistance from your neighbor if they have extra fridge space.

Defrost Freezer Quickly and Safely

There are two simple ways you can defrost your fridge fairly quickly. However, if you are not in hurry, simply keeping the door open will melt the ice. Else, check the below two methods for a quick defrost:

The best way to quickly defrost the freezer compartment is to follow these step-by-step instructions:

  1. Place a pan filled with hot water and close the door. The heat from the hot water will accumulate inside and melt the ice. This method is effective for small fridges in particular.
  2. Take a hairdryer and start blowing it directly onto the ice. Don’t forget to run the dryer on maximum heat for faster defrosting.

Cleaning After Defrosting

Once the ice is gone, catch the opportunity and clean the fridge right away. You do not need powerful and dangerous chemical detergents for this. Warm water, a fresh cloth, and a mild all-purpose cleaner like vinegar, washing-up, or a dishwasher detergent that doesn’t contain harmful chemicals are enough to remove surface germs, dirt, and grease. Vinegar not only cleans and disinfects, but it can also even eliminate unpleasant odors.

Protect The Fridge From Another Icing

While modern fridges self-regulate and don’t build excess ice, your particular one may need some pre-emptive measures to combat frost. Here are the steps you can take to reduce ice formation:

  1. Spread a thin layer of olive or sunflower oil on the empty freezer compartment or lay out a layer of baking paper.
  2. Every time you pick or place something, close the door as quickly as possible.

Fridge-freezer combinations that can be switched on and off separately are also useful. This is not only helpful during a defrost, but also during a holiday when the fridge may be empty but the freezer is not.

So, these were the simple methods of defrosting a freezer. Do you have any other idea of de-icing on your mind? We would love to know!

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