To maintain your freezer and increase its lifespan, it is important to defrost it when necessary. Indeed, the frost that accumulates on the walls of your freezer affects the performance of your equipment. Especially since this can lead to excessive energy consumption which will increase your electricity bill. That said, find out how to defrost your freezer easily and quickly.

Frost forms every time you open the freezer when moisture gets inside. So even fresh food stored in our freezer can release moisture. Upon contact with the cold, this humidity turns into frost which accumulates on the walls of the freezer. If it is not equipped with an automatic defrosting system, it becomes essential to defrost it manually.

Why is it important to defrost the freezer?

When frost builds up on the walls of the freezer, it forms an insulating layer  that causes a drop in heat transfer  between the air inside the freezer and the refrigeration system. That said, for your appliance to keep its internal temperature at the same level,  it needs to consume more energy. The accumulation of frost, in addition to causing excessive energy consumption, leads to poor food preservation  and shortens the life of the freezer. Also note that a frost layer of just 3 millimeters increases the freezer’s electricity consumption by 30 to 40%. That said, it is recommended to defrost the freezer  as soon as the frost layer reaches 2-3 millimeters.

How to defrost the freezer quickly?

Before defrosting the freezer, you must first unplug it or put it in standby mode,  to avoid accidents. Also remember to empty the freezer and store food in refrigerators  or insulated bags to keep them frozen while the appliance defrosts.

Be sure to avoid using a hammer or sharp objects to remove ice. It may puncture  or puncture the walls of the freezer. Use a wooden or plastic spatula instead. Also, don’t forget to  place a rag at the foot of the freezer  to absorb any water that escapes.

If the layer of frost is not thick, you can simply  keep the freezer door open,  after unplugging it for 24 hours. The lack of electricity and the increase in temperature will cause the ice to melt. To go faster, you can soak a sponge in hot water and scrub the walls of the freezer to soften the ice. You can also fill a spray can with hot water to spray it on the walls to loosen it. With a wooden spatula, remove the frost that is starting to soften.

However, if the ice layer is thick, it is recommended to use boiling water. To do this, boil water in a saucepan and place it in the freezer, taking care  to place it on a trivet. Then close the device and leave it to act for about 10 minutes. Finally, using  a wooden spatula,  loosen the blocks of ice that are starting to melt.

What to do after defrosting the freezer?

After defrosting the freezer, it is important to clean   and disinfect it,  in order to eliminate the bacteria that cause bad odors. For this, mix three volumes of water, one volume of lemon juice and one volume of white vinegar. Dip a microfiber cloth in this solution and pass it over the walls of the freezer to disinfect them and remove dirt, but also  to deodorize your appliance. Also remember to clean the various accessories of your freezer such as the compartments. Then, dry your device well with a clean cloth, without rinsing,  to avoid the appearance of moisture that causes frost to form. Take advantage of cleaning your freezer to check the condition of your seals  to make sure your freezer is sealed properly. After cleaning the freezer, all you have to do is turn it back on.

Thanks to these tips you will be able to defrost your freezer   in a short time, without damaging it to improve its performance. You can also save energy.