To maintain your freezer and prolong its life, it is important to defrost it when necessary. In fact, the frost that accumulates on the walls of your freezer affects the performance of your appliances. Especially since this can lead to excessive energy consumption, which increases your electricity bill. Find out how to defrost your freezer easily and in a short amount of time.
Frost forms every time you open your freezer when moisture enters. So even fresh food stored in our freezer can release moisture. In contact with the cold, this moisture turns into frost, which accumulates on the walls of the freezer. If it is not equipped with an automatic defrosting system, it is essential to defrost it manually.
Why is it important to defrost the freezer?
When frost accumulates on the walls of the freezer, it forms an insulating layer that causes a drop in heat transfer between the air in the freezer and the cooling system. However, in order for your unit to maintain the internal temperature at the same level, it must consume more energy. In addition to excessive energy consumption, the accumulation of frost leads to poor food preservation and shortens the life of the freezer. Also note that a layer of frost of only 3/32 inch increases the freezer’s power consumption by 30 to 40%. However, it is recommended to defrost the freezer as soon as the layer of frost reaches 3/32 inch.
How can I defrost the freezer quickly?
Before defrosting the freezer, first disconnect it from the mains or put it in standby mode to avoid any incidents. Also remember to empty your freezer and store your food in coolers or insulated bags to keep it frozen while your unit defrosts.
Be careful not to use a hammer or sharp object to loosen the ice. It could pierce or puncture the walls of the freezer. Instead, use a wooden or plastic spatula. Also, don’t forget to place a mop at the base of the freezer to mop up the leaking water.
If the layer of frost is not thick, you can simply leave the freezer door open after unplugging it for 24 hours. The lack of electricity and the rise in temperature will cause the ice to melt. To get faster, you can soak a sponge in hot water and rub the walls of the freezer to soften the ice. It is also possible to fill a spray bottle with hot water to spray it on the walls to melt it. Use a wooden spatula to remove the frost that begins to soften.
On the other hand, if the ice layer is thick, it is recommended to use boiling water. To do this, boil water in a pot and place it in your freezer. Make sure to place it on a trivet. Then close it and let it soak for about 10 minutes. Finally, use a wooden spatula to loosen the blocks of ice that need to be melted.
What to do after defrosting the freezer?
After defrosting your freezer, it is important to clean and disinfect it to eliminate bacteria that cause bad odors. To do this, mix in three volumes of water, one volume of lemon juice and one volume of white wine 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 household appliance. Also remember to clean the various accessories of your freezer, such as the compartments. Then, dry your appliance thoroughly with a clean cloth without rinsing it to avoid the appearance of moisture that leads to frosting. Use the cleaning of your freezer to check the condition of the seals to ensure that your freezer is properly sealed. After cleaning your freezer, all you have to do is turn it back on.
Thanks to these tips, you can defrost your freezer in a short time without damaging it to improve its performance. You can also save energy.
