As long as the temperatures outside are still nice and icy, you should defrost your freezer! Over time, the ice in the freezer gets bigger and bigger and means that there is less and less space for food and the door is difficult to close. Defrosting the freezer compartment is a task that is often put on the back burner. But it’s not even necessary! In this article, we’ll show you how to defrost your freezer quickly and easily.
A completely frozen freezer has other disadvantages: the more ice there is in it, the more energy is needed to cool it. In addition, the minimum temperature required for many foods can sometimes no longer be maintained and the food spoils.
To avoid this, you should remove ice from your freezer once or twice a year. And if you keep a few things in mind, it’s not that difficult. Even if more modern appliances have defrosting technology or so-called no-frost technology, they should also be completely defrosted and cleaned from time to time.
Defrosting the freezer: How to do it quickly and easily
To defrost your freezer quickly, you should follow these tricks:
Make preparations
The first thing to do is to empty the freezer completely. Ideally, there should only be a few items of food left in your freezer at the time of your project. To prevent these from spoiling, you should make sure you have adequate temporary storage, as defrosting takes some time. As not everyone has a second freezer, you have the following options:
- Pick a day when it is particularly cold (temperature below freezing) and store the food in a closed container on the balcony or in the garden.
- Use a cool bag or a cool box for this period and also put some ice packs inside.
- Ask your neighbors if they have any extra space in their freezer.
Switch off the freezer before defrosting
Before you start, the appliance must be switched off. If you have a separate freezer, simply pull out the plug. If you have a combined freezer and fridge, some appliances allow you to switch off the freezer separately using a button or a small wheel.
If this is not possible, the entire appliance must be disconnected from the power supply. As the temperature in the freezer compartment rises during cleaning, the refrigerator motor will otherwise overheat. If you also have to switch off your fridge, you should also store its contents in a cool place.
Melting ice
If you want to defrost your freezer quickly, simply place a bowl and hot water in the freezer. First line the bottom of the freezer with towels and then place a bowl of hot water on top. Close the freezer door and wait a moment for the water vapor to melt the ice. The towels will soak up the condensation, so this trick won’t create a large puddle.
Make sure that the water in the freezer is changed regularly so that it stays warm. The towels should also be changed or at least wrung out from time to time. If you are in a particular hurry, you can also support the defrosting process with an ordinary hairdryer.
Particularly stubborn ice residues
If a particularly thick layer of ice has formed in your freezer, you should proceed very carefully and patiently. Do not use sharp objects to avoid damage and scratches. It is best to use a bucket and larger wooden or plastic spoons for large blocks of ice. Remove the layer step by step with the spoon as soon as the ice has thawed slightly. Collect the lumps of ice that have been broken out in a bucket, which you can then empty into your sink.
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Cleaning the freezer compartment
Once you have completely defrosted your freezer, you are ready for the final step. Grab a cloth or sponge and wipe out the freezer thoroughly. Use warm water with a little washing-up liquid or add a dash of vinegar or lemon to the water. These two household remedies have a disinfectant effect, fight bacteria and also neutralize unpleasant odours.
Finally, wipe the freezer dry with a towel before switching it on again. Depending on the appliance, it can then take 30 to 60 minutes to reach the operating temperature of -18 degrees. Only when the cooling unit has switched off can you start putting the freezer away. Modern appliances with a temperature display and speed cooling sometimes reach the required temperature a little earlier.
It’s actually not that difficult and the more often and thoroughly you defrost your freezer, the less effort it will take next time. With the right tricks, you can also prevent ice in the freezer. When was the last time you cleared your freezer of ice?
Sources: focus, gofeminin
