To maintain your freezer and increase its shelf life, it is important to defrost it when necessary. In fact, frost that accumulates on the walls of your freezer affects the performance of your equipment. Especially since this can lead to excessive energy consumption which will increase your electricity bill. That said, find out how to defrost your freezer easily and in no time.

Frost forms every time you open the freezer when moisture penetrates inside. So even fresh food stored in our freezer can release moisture. In contact with the cold, this moisture turns into frost that accumulates on the walls of the freezer. If it is not equipped with an automatic defrosting system, it becomes imperative to defrost it manually.

Why is it important to defrost your freezer?

When frost accumulates on the freezer walls, it forms an insulating layer that causes a drop in heat transfer between the air inside the freezer and the refrigeration system. That said, in order for your appliance to maintain the same internal temperature at the same level, it needs to consume more energy. Frost buildup, in addition to causing excessive energy consumption, leads to poor food storage and shortens the life of the freezer. Also note that a frost layer of only 3 millimeters increases the electricity consumption of the freezer by 30 to 40%. That said, it is recommended to defrost the freezer as soon as the frost layer reaches 2-3 millimeters.

How to defrost the freezer quickly?

Before defrosting the freezer, you must first unplug it or put it into standby mode, to avoid accidents. Also remember to empty your freezer and store food in refrigerators or insulated bags to keep it frozen while the appliance thaws.

Be sure to avoid using a hammer or sharp objects to remove the ice. It may puncture or puncture the walls of the freezer. Use a wooden or plastic spatula instead. Also, don’t forget to put a rag at the foot of the freezer to absorb the water that comes out.

If the frost layer is not thick, you can simply keep the freezer door open, after unplugging it for 24 hours. The lack of electricity and the rise in temperature will cause the ice to melt. To go faster, you can soak a sponge in hot water and scrub the walls of the freezer to soften the ice. You can also fill a spray can with hot water to spray it on the walls so that it melts. With a wooden spatula, remove any frost that begins to soften.

If, on the other hand, the ice layer is thick, it is recommended to use boiling water. To do this, boil water in a saucepan and place it in the freezer, taking care to put it on a trivet. Then close the device and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Finally, with the help of a wooden spatula, loosen the blocks of ice that begin to melt.

What to do after defrosting your freezer?

After thawing your freezer, it’s important to clean and disinfect it to get rid of odor-causing bacteria. For this, mix three volumes of water, one volume of lemon juice, and one volume of white vinegar. Soak a microfiber cloth in this solution and wipe it over the walls of the freezer to disinfect them and remove dirt, but also to deodorize your appliance. Also remember to clean the various accessories of your freezer such as compartments. Then, dry your device thoroughly with a clean cloth, without rinsing, to avoid the appearance of moisture that causes frost to form.Take advantage of cleaning your freezer to check the condition of the seals to make sure your freezer is sealed properly. After cleaning the freezer, all you have to do is turn it back on.

Thanks to these tips you will be able to defrost your freezer in a short time, without damaging it to improve its performance. You can also save energy.