The Importance of Defrosting a Freezer
You finally decided to defrost your freezer. You just have one question: How do you defrost a freezer? Defrosting a freezer isn’t difficult, but it does take time. It’s a vital step in the maintenance and continued operation of your freezer. Whenever the freezer door is opened, warm air makes its way inside. The moisture from the warm air condenses when it meets the cold air. That moisture then forms frost and freezes. The more moisture in the freezer, the more ice accumulates, making it harder for your freezer to work efficiently and stay cold. All that hard work means more energy consumption. Frost buildup can also compromise food flavor, quality and cause freezer burn.
Frost-Free Freezers
You’ll need to periodically defrost your freezer. Defrosters or frost-free freezers have automated defrosting systems, making it easy to defrost them. A frost-free freezer takes the guesswork out of defrosting and they’re also a time-saver because the freezer defrosts itself. Many newer freezers models are frost-free. The freezer contains a heater coil, a timer and a temperature sensor that all work together to prevent frost or ice from forming. The freezer defroster feature is designed to produce just enough heat to melt frost. The condensation and melted liquid flow to a drip pan where they’re evaporated. While a manual defrost freezer requires time and labor, a frost-free freezer requires little maintenance.
How Often Should You Defrost a Freezer
You should only need to manually defrost your freezer once every 12 months. There are, however, some exceptions to this. If your freezer is prone to ice build-up, or if you notice that the ice has reached 1/4 inch thick, you’ll need to defrost it more often. If you’re having to defrost every few months, there may be a problem with your freezer. Check to ensure that your door is sealed properly. Also check the thermostat, drain, vent and other parts to ensure that they’re in working order. If you can’t locate the problem, it may be time to get the freezer repaired by a professional. If the freezer is on its last leg, Lowe’s has a huge selection of freezers to choose from. Shop in-store or online.
How to Defrost a Freezer
If your freezer isn't a frost-free model, you'll need to defrost it manually. You should defrost it at least once a year, or when the ice thickness reaches 1/4 inch.
Preparing for Freezer Defrosting
Ways to Quickly Defrost a Freezer
Leaving the freezer door open and waiting for the ice to melt is one method for defrosting a freezer, however, it’s the slowest and most passive. There are alternative and quicker ways to defrost a freezer which include:
- Directing a fan at the open freezer to circulate ambient air and speed up the defrosting.
- Using a blow dryer and constantly moving it back and forth over the ice.
- Placing bowls/pans of hot water on the floor and shelves of the freezer and close the door. The steam will help defrost the ice. Replace hot bowls/pans every 10-15 minutes or as needed as the water cools. Use caution when defrosting this way. A hot pan placed on cold glass shelving can cause the glass to shatter. Also be careful not to place the bowl or pot on any plastic that could melt.
- Using a handheld steamer using the same principle as the steaming method above, except you have more control of the steam.
- Scraping the ice away with a wooden spoon or plastic spatula. As chunks of ice are loosened, put them in a sink to finish defrosting.
When using the fan, blow dryer or handheld steamer method, use extreme caution. Make sure the cords don’t come in contact with water or ice. Also ensure that you stay clear of the standing water. Don’t lay the blow dryer or steam cleaner inside the freezer.
Never use anything metal, like a spatula or an ice pick, to scrape ice from the freezer as it could puncture the freezer compartment.
How to Prevent the Buildup of Ice
- Avoid opening the door too often.
- Make sure the door is closed properly.
- Be sure the freezer is set at the right temperature. The Department of Energy (DOE) suggests that freezers be set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius).
- Only fill the freezer about 75 percent. Overfilling it blocks the air vents and makes the freezer work harder than is necessary.
- Check the door seal and ensure that it’s tight. If the seal isn’t tight, it lets cold air out and warm air in, which contributes to the buildup of ice.
- Allow hot foods to cool off before putting them in the freezer. The heat from the food raises the freezer’s temperature and could lead to defrosting of nearby food, which is unsafe. Hot food takes longer to freeze, which can lead to bacterial growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Defrosting a freezer is easy to do, and there are several different methods that you can use. Below are questions that are frequently asked by our customers.
How Can I Defrost My Freezer Quickly?
To quickly defrost a freezer, use the power of steam. One quick method is to use a handheld steamer. This method lets you direct steam directly at ice, helping to target areas where more ice may have accumulated. Find a few more methods under Ways to Quickly Defrost a Freezer above.
How Long Does It Take a Freezer to Thaw?
Thawing time for a freezer depends on the type of freezer you have and how much ice has built up. Generally, it can take anywhere from 2 hours to 24 hours, depending on what method you use to thaw the ice.
Can You Defrost a Freezer Without Turning It Off?
It is possible to defrost a freezer without turning it off. This can be done for several reasons. It saves time to manually remove ice. It also prevents food from fully thawing, saves on energy and keeps the freezer at a consistent temperature.
How Do You Get Excess Ice Out of a Freezer?
To get excess ice out of a freezer, you’ll have to defrost the freezer. There are several ways to do this, including propping the door open and allowing the ice to melt on its own. For more ways to remove ice, read the section “Ways to Quickly Defrost a Freezer” above.