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Frost in the freezer can greatly limit the space for the food you want to keep. But that’s not the only reason to defrost the freezer regularly, because it also consumes a lot of electricity. If you want to defrost the freezer, you need to proceed step by step and clean it well. We’ll advise on how to do it in this article. We’ll also reveal tricks for better cleaning and defrosting so you won’t have to worry about it next time.
Defrosting the freezer is not a superhuman task
If you have trouble with the fridge or freezer doors closing properly, pieces of ice can form inside that will not only take up space for the food you want to freeze, but can also lead to a high electricity bill. If you want to get rid of the frost, you’ll need to learn to proceed step by step so you can remove the ice and make the freezer work properly. This will extend the lifespan of the appliances and save you the cost of hiring professionals.
Why actually must it be defrosted? It’s not, of course, an obligation, but if you want to keep food fresh longer, don’t want to pay large amounts for electricity consumption, and want to be sure you won’t have to replace an old appliance with a new one in a few years, it’s good to learn how to defrost not just the refrigerator but also the freezer. A large amount of ice can impair the functionality of the freezer.
You will save energy — not just your own, but especially electricity
If the appliance doesn’t work properly, it will affect not only the products stored in it but also the energy consumed. Therefore it’s necessary to devote time from time to time to cleaning the fridge and freezer, which also involves defrosting. First you must remove all food from the appliance. Some newer models already have a built-in automatic defrosting system in them, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have any work to do.
Put frozen food into suitable bags so they don’t thaw if you don’t intend them to. It’s good to have a spare fridge available that can help for those several dozen minutes. Place a mop under the appliance, because excess water will drain quickly. But before opening the door, don’t forget to unplug the appliance. Use a spatula to loosen all the ice you find inside. Be careful not to make holes in the freezer or otherwise damage it.
You can speed things up with a pot filled with hot water
To speed up the whole process you can place a pot of hot water in the freezer, which will make the ice melt much faster. Then wipe the interior of the appliance with vinegar and baking soda, which will remove even the heaviest dirt, stains, and even odors. Let the freezer dry and then plug it back in. Before returning food into it, let it run for at least an hour.
Place food in the freezer so it isn’t unnecessarily overfilled. Air will then circulate worse and food—even if stored next to ice—can spoil. If you want to keep your refrigerator and freezer in good condition longer, you need to follow certain rules. It’s necessary to defrost at least twice a year. Besides the interior and the door you must also clean the seal, which will extend its effectiveness.
