How to Defrost a Freezer

Your freezer is working overtime, preserving your food for months at a time. But eventually, ice will start building up on the walls and shelves. Frost reduces the efficiency of your freezer, uses up precious storage space, and can even cause your energy bill to increase.

Freezer defrosting is an easy task that gets your freezer working better and living longer. Here, we will tell you how to defrost your freezer safely, how frequently to defrost it, and also how to avoid frost from building up again.

Why Defrosting Your Freezer Is Important

A light coating of frost is okay, but an accumulation of ice is a problem. It takes up space, freezes drawers, and forces the freezer to work harder to stay cold.

This increased pressure draws more electricity and can shorten the life of your appliance. It will also not make your food freeze properly. Defrosting your freezer removes this buildup, causing it to work properly and saving you money in the long run.

How Often Should You Defrost a Freezer?

How often you need to defrost depends on your model of freezer and usage.

Manual defrost freezers: Defrost every half year or when the frost builds up more than half a centimetre thick.

Frost-free freezers: Automatically defrost, but it’s still worth giving them a clean once or twice a year.

If you happen to live in a wet area or keep opening your freezer, you may need to defrost more frequently.

What You’ll Need

To start with, gather a few things you use on a daily basis.

You’ll need:

• Old towels or cloths

• A large water tray or bowl

• A plastic spatula or scraper

• A hot-water bowl

• Soft cloth and mild detergent

• A cool bag or insulated box (in which to briefly place your food)

Avoid using knives or sharp objects to scrape against the ice — this will damage the freezer and cause leaks.

Step 1: Turn Off and Drain the Freezer

Start by turning off your freezer at the wall or unplugging it completely. If your freezer is connected to your fridge, you will have to turn both off.

Next, remove all the food. Put it in a cold box or wrap it in towels to cool it down so that you can continue with the defrosting process. Try and prioritise and eat frozen food if possible, before you start.

Once emptied, take out all the shelves, drawers, and baskets that are removable. Clean these separately while the freezer is defrosting.

Step 2: Protect the Floor and Collect Water

As the ice melts, much of the water will be produced. Put old cloths or towels on the bottom of the freezer to soak up the drips. Or, put a tray or shallow pan on the floor under the opening to collect the melt water.

If your freezer has a drainage hose or hole, make sure it’s directed into a bowl or tray to catch the flow.

Step 3: Let the Ice Melt Naturally

The best method to defrost your freezer is by letting the ice melt naturally. Simply open the door and allow warm air to melt it.

Depending on how much ice there is, this may take hours. Keep checking on it and changing out wet towels as needed.

If you want to accelerate things, you can try one of the following steps.

Step 4: Accelerate the Defrost Process

You can reduce waiting time with mild heat or steam — but not with anything sharp enough to damage the freezer, or hot enough to scald it.

Here are some alternatives that are safe to use:

• Use hot water bowls: Place a few bowls of hot water inside the freezer and close the door. The steam will make the ice melt faster. Replace the bowls as they become cold.

• Use a hairdryer (cautiously): Place the hairdryer at a minimum of 30 centimetres from the ice and maintain the air flow constant. Avoid having water drip near the plug or dryer.

• Use a fan: Situate a fan to blow warm air into the freezer. This makes the ice melt quickly and more uniformly.

Do not use knives, hammers, or metal items — they can easily punch holes in walls or wreck internal components.

Step 5: Clean the Inside of the Freezer

Once all the ice has melted, wash the inside with warm soapy water. Water with a small dose of bicarbonate of soda will work well to eliminate stains and smell.

Wash the door seals too, for they can carry dirt and moisture. Wash using a gentle cloth, rinse in clean water, and dry the entire thing well.

First, ensure the freezer is dry before turning it back on. This avoids new frost from building immediately.

Step 6: Turn It Back On and Stock It Up

Turn the freezer back on and plug it in. Let it be chilled for a minimum of 30 minutes before stocking up with food again.

Ensure that the temperature drops to about -18°C, the best to store food frozen safely.

After freezing, return your food to the freezer. Use this opportunity to sort things out — old food towards the front so that you use it up first.

Ways to Prevent Ice Build-Up

It defrosts over time, so it pays to leave your freezer frost-free as long as possible. Here are easy tips:

• Leave the door closed: Every time you open it, warm air enters and is converted into frost.

• Check the door seal: Loose or cracked, and cold air will seep out, and ice will freeze quicker.

• Chill food before freezing: Warm food adds moisture and can cause frost to develop.

• Don’t pack too tightly: Air needs to circulate around the food so it can cool evenly.

• Defrost occasionally: A little cleaning every few months stops frost from re-building.

• These habits keep your freezer in good working condition and save you from having to perform frequent deep defrosts.

When to Get Professional Help

If your freezer is icing up too quickly or won’t hold cold temperatures after defrosting, it may have a problem with the door seal or thermostat.

In the event that you notice water buildup within, banging sounds, or temperature fluctuations, you should call a professional engineer. It can be checked and repaired safely by an expert.

Keep Your Freezer Running Smoothly with Hometree

Defrosting your freezer might feel like a chore, but it makes a big difference. A clean, ice-free freezer runs more efficiently, lasts longer, and helps keep your food fresh and safe.

At Hometree, we’re here to make home care simple. Our appliance cover plans protect you from unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs, giving you peace of mind all year round.

Discover how our appliance cover plans can protect your freezer and other appliances year-round — Get a quote now.