For your freezer to function properly, it's important to defrost it regularly. This not only keeps food in good condition but also helps the appliance operate more efficiently.
Although it is a fairly simple task, you have to dedicate some time to do it following certain steps.
The importance of defrosting the freezer
It is necessary to defrost the freezer to prevent frost from forming, as well as to free up storage space, eliminate unpleasant odors, and help it function properly.
Failure to do so properly or within the recommended timeframe can cause problems if frost covers the interior ventilation grilles and temperature sensors, which can cause the freezer to work harder to function correctly.
That volume of frost is taking up space where you could place food or peak summer seasonal products and keep them stored there for when you need them.
Another important factor is that if too much ice accumulates, it can prevent the door from closing properly, which will affect the temperatures inside and also increase the electricity bill.
If you have excess ice, it will increase the operating costs of the freezer, generally the motor has to work harder.
Therefore, To reduce your energy bill, it is important to get into the habit of defrosting it, keeping it clean and in good condition.
In addition, it is important that you can reorganize the contents and remove everything that has been frozen for more than three or six months, depending on the type of food.
In this article, we will discuss the proper way to defrost your freezer to make your job easier and keep it in good working order.
Recommended frequency for defrosting the freezer
Although defrosting a freezer isn't a particularly quick process, it's essential to pay close attention to each step. It also doesn't need to be done very often; the recommended frequency is at least once a year.
Another way to find out is when frost accumulates to a thickness of approximately less than one centimeter, in which case you have to do it every 6 months.
High humidity in the kitchen can affect that schedule; in addition, upright freezers need to be defrosted more frequently than horizontal ones because they accumulate more dirt inside.
Steps to follow to defrost a freezer
1 – Unplug the freezer and gather supplies
Before you start defrosting the freezer, make absolutely sure it is completely unplugged . This will help prevent electric shocks and make the process much safer.
After unplugging your freezer, you should gather all the necessary supplies. You will need some dry rags or towels to place over the freezer to help keep the inside cold.
Also, a scraper or plastic spatula to help you remove ice from inside the freezer. Something important to have on hand is a garbage bag or a container for unwanted food.
2 – Remove food
The next step is to remove all food from the freezer. It is important to start with perishable items and work your way to less perishable items.
This will help prevent spoilage while you defrost the freezer. If you can, storing the food in a cooler or a container with ice would be ideal while the defrosting process is complete, especially in summer.
3 – Let the ice melt or help speed up the process
After removing all the food you have to leave the freezer door open to let the ice melt on its own.
To speed up the process, you can place a fan because it will increase air circulation, which will help melt the ice; or place some pans of hot water at the bottom of the freezer, removing the larger pieces of frost as they come off.
You can also use a spatula or a plastic scraper to help and speed up the process; you should take your time and do it slowly so as not to scratch the inside.
4 – Clean and dry
Once the ice is removed, you need to dry off all the excess water. You should also clean the inside of the freezer with a mild cleaner, or use a natural product.
To do this, you can mix a tablespoon of baking soda with four cups of hot water; it's an ideal solution for cleaning the inside of the freezer. After cleaning thoroughly, dry with a damp cloth.
This will help to eliminate any odors and germs that may be lingering. Lastly, you need to check that it is completely dry before plugging it back in to avoid electric shocks.
5 – Plug in the freezer and put the food back in
Now that the freezer is clean and dry, you can start putting the food back in. It's important to put the most perishable items in first and then move on to the less perishable ones.
An important detail is to rinse each item and dry it with a towel before putting the food back in to prevent frost from accumulating in the future.
Try to keep your freezer organized so you know where everything is and can find it quickly.
Allow the freezer to run for 24 hours before checking the temperature to ensure it is operating at the proper settings.
Additionally, it is important to check that the airtight seal of the door is still in good condition and properly closed, to avoid unnecessary energy use.
Freezers with automatic defrost
If your freezer has an automatic defrost function, you generally shouldn't worry about defrosting it, but there may be exceptions.
While it's not necessary to defrost it manually because it already has the built-in capacity, you may sometimes need to defrost it manually when you notice a lot of frost buildup or if you have to move to another house, for example.
Now that you know how to properly defrost your freezer, you can rest assured that your food will remain in good condition and your appliance will operate more efficiently. Remember to defrost your freezer at least once a year to ensure it remains in perfect working order.