07.10.2024

Here’s How to Easily Defrost Your Fridge in No Time

By Lesia

Having frost in your freezer can make it difficult to open drawers and increase your electricity bill. Some freezers, such as upright freezers, have automatic defrosting technology. But in other appliances, manual defrosting is essential to optimize food preservation in the freezer and save energy. Defrosting, although dreaded by many people, is a task that can be done in no time when you know the right tips. Learn how to quickly defrost your freezer using this method.

If frost forms in your refrigerator or freezer, it can lead to significant energy consumption. And for good reason, the layer of ice makes your appliance work intensively and can be one of the factors that inevitably increase your electricity bill. If you have a refrigerator and/or freezer that does not have anti-frost technology, here is how to quickly remove excess frost.

The consequences of frost on the refrigerator and freezer
Frost forms in a refrigerator or freezer when moisture penetrates these household appliances.

excess frost

When you open the refrigerator to take out or put away food, moisture can enter it. In addition, fresh food stored in the appliances can also release moisture. When it comes into contact with the cold, this phenomenon causes frost to form. However, excess frost can damage your household appliances. In fact, frost leaves an insulating layer on the walls of the freezer or refrigerator. This can cause a decrease in heat transfer between the refrigeration system and the air inside the appliance. The result? The appliance must operate longer to maintain an optimal temperature (5°C), and results in significant energy consumption. Added to this is a rapid deterioration of the appliance and an alteration of the preservation of food. This phenomenon can concern both the refrigerator and the freezer.


The method to quickly defrost a freezer
If your freezer produces too much frost and your energy bill seems very high, it is time to defrost it. Here are the steps to follow to defrost the appliance:

Remove the food from the refrigerator and freezer
Empty the appliance

Start by removing the food from the refrigerator and freezer and place the frozen products in another freezer. Fresh products that are in the refrigerator can be stored in insulated bags

Place towels on the floor and a basin in front of the drain channel
Place a basin or a deep plate in front of the drain channel to collect the water that flows after defrosting. Also lay out towels to avoid making the task more complicated


Turn off the appliance
frost spatula

Unplug your appliance and use a plastic spatula to remove the ice on the walls

Remove the drawers from the refrigerator and freezer
remove the drawers

If you have managed to remove some of the frost that is blocking the opening of the drawers, remove them from your household appliance to continue defrosting

Place containers of hot water inside
hot water container

To speed up the process, place bowls of hot water in each compartment of your freezer so that the water vapors melt the ice

Clean your appliance
refrigerator cleaning

Once all the frost has been removed, clean the appliance. To do this, use a cloth soaked in a cup of water and a tablespoon of baking soda. If your appliance has stubborn stains, add white vinegar and rub gently for a perfect clean. Leave the doors open until the appliance is dry

Plug your appliance back in
refrigerator tidy

Plug your appliance back in and arrange your drawers. Let it run for a good hour before putting your food away

Put your food away
food storage

Finally, store the food that should be in the refrigerator or freezer.

You now know how to defrost your freezer. For optimal maintenance of the appliance, it is advisable to defrost it every four months.