Refrigerators and freezers are obviously designed to keep our food and drinks cool. Unfortunately, many factors including always opening and shutting the doors or putting hot food in the fridge can eventually lead to the build-up of condensation, which turns to ice.
Defrosting your fridge or freezer will help it work efficiently, keeping the elements safe and temperatures where they should be. It is also very simple to do, yet many of us don’t. We should really give our fridge and freezer a good defrost and deep clean at least once or twice a year. These tips will help you successfully defrost your fridge and freezer and get it looking and working great again.
1. Unplug
Unplug your fridge and leave all the doors open. You’ll need to remove all the food and drawers anyways, and unplugging it now will stop it from trying to work with the door staying open all the time.
2. Remove everything
Remove all of the contents of your fridge and freezer. Always do this before you have to go shopping because you don’t want to have to empty a fridge full of food! Use insulated cool bags from the grocery store, an esky or styrofoam box with a lid to put cold foods in. Throw in some ice cubes or ice packs to help keep it cool. You can even ask a neighbour to borrow some freezer space in the meantime! Also, stick these in a cool area out of direct sunlight. Use this time to throw out some old food that is past its date.
3. Remove all drawers and shelves and give them a clean
Carefully remove all the drawers and shelves. If you find some drawers in your freezer to be stuck due to ice build-up, you may need to wait until it defrosts a little before you can remove it as forcing it out may cause damage.
Use this time to give them a clean and let them dry completely as your fridge/freezer defrosts.
4. Prepare for excess water
All of that ice that is slowly melting will need to go somewhere, and that place is often all over the floor. Just prepare for this ahead of time by placing a towel or two at the bottom of the refrigerator. You may also need to use the mop once of twice.
5. Speed up the process (optional)
If you don’t have the time or patience to wait for your fridge to fully defrost on its own, you can give it a bit of help with some boiling hot water. Simply boil some hot water in a pot and let it cool ever so lightly so you can put it on a thick towel and set it in the fridge or freezer. Never put the hot pot directly onto the surfaces. The steam from the boiling water will help speed up the process.
6. Remove ice
You can also remove large chunks of ice that have had the chance to warm up a bit, making it easier to be removed. Avoid doing this with any metal or sharp objects like a knife. A plastic spatula is a great tool to use as it won’t damage any elements or the surfaces.
7. Clean the fridge/freezer
Give the fridge and freezer a good clean once the ice has melted. Wipe away any water or chunks of ice that may have fallen. Disinfect the surfaces to help kill off any bacteria. Don’t forget to wipe down the doors, including the tops and sides, and on the shelves you weren’t able to remove. After you have done a clean, dry it with a towel.
8. Put everything back and plug back in
If the drawers and shelves you took out earlier are completely dry, then put them back in along with your food and plug the fridge/freezer back in. You should have an appliance working at its best again!
If you find yourself having to defrost often, find your refrigerator is getting loud, or need something new to suit your needs, then it’s time for an upgrade. Brisbane Appliance Sales can help with a top-of-the-line selection of refrigerators that come in various sizes and designs. We’re sure we’ll have something that will work perfectly with your kitchen. Visit our showroom to see our appliances and to speak with us about you and your family’s needs.