Having frost in the freezer can make it difficult to open the drawers and increase your electricity bill. Some freezers like the upright freezer have automatic defrost technology. But in other appliances, manual defrosting is essential to optimize the conservation of food in the freezer and save energy. Defrosting, although dreaded by many people, is a task that can be done in no time when you know the right tips. Learn how to quickly defrost your freezer with this method.
If frost forms in your refrigerator or freezer, this can lead to significant energy consumption. And for good reason, the layer of ice makes your device work intensively and can be one of the factors that inevitably increase the electricity bill. If you have a refrigerator and/or freezer that doesn’t have anti-frost technology, here’s how to quickly remove excess frost.
The consequences of frost on the refrigerator and freezer
Frost formation in a refrigerator or freezer occurs when moisture penetrates these household appliances.
When you open the refrigerator to take or store food, moisture can get to it. In addition, fresh food stored in the appliances may also release humidity. By coming into contact with the cold, this phenomenon causes the formation of frost. However, excess frost can damage your household appliances. In fact, frost leaves an insulating layer appearing on the walls of the freezer or refrigerator. Thus, this can cause a drop in heat transfer between the refrigeration system and the air present inside the device. Result ? The device must operate longer to maintain an optimal temperature (5°C), and results in significant energy consumption. Added to this is a rapid deterioration of the device and an alteration in the preservation of food. This phenomenon can concern both the refrigerator and the freezer.
The method for quickly defrosting a freezer
If your freezer is producing too much frost and your energy bill seems very high, it’s time to defrost. Here are the steps to follow to defrost the device:
- Remove food from the refrigerator and freezer
Start by removing food from the refrigerator and freezer and placing frozen items in another freezer. Fresh produce in the refrigerator can be stored in insulated bags
- Place towels on the floor and a basin in front of the drain channel
Place a basin or deep plate in front of the drain channel to catch the water that flows after defrosting. Also have towels available to avoid making the task more complex
- Turn off the device
Unplug your appliance and use a plastic spatula to remove the ice from the walls
- Remove the refrigerator and freezer drawers
If you have managed to remove some of the frost blocking the opening of the drawers, remove them from your appliance to continue defrosting
- Place containers of hot water inside
To speed up the process, place bowls of hot water in each compartment of your freezer so that the water vapors melt the ice
- Clean your device
Once free of all frost, clean the device. To do this, use a cloth soaked in a cup of water and a tablespoon of baking soda. If your appliance has stubborn stains, add white vinegar and scrub gently for a perfect clean. Leave the doors open until the appliance dries
- Plug your device back in
Reconnect your device and arrange your drawers. Let it run for a good hour before putting away your food
- Store your food
Finally, store foods that need to be in the refrigerator or freezer.
Now you know how to defrost your freezer. For optimal maintenance of the device, it is recommended to defrost every four months.