How to defrost a refrigerator: 12 steps

2023 Author: Martin Macey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 06:41

Over time, a thick layer of ice may form in the refrigerator. This reduces its efficiency, increases your electricity bills and makes it harder for you to put in and take out food. Follow this guide to find out how to defrost your refrigerator quickly and painlessly. Just start from the first step!

Steps

Step 1. Unplug the refrigerator

Turning off the refrigerator will avoid using a significant amount of energy during the defrosting process. Stacking all of the cold food in one place should keep it frozen until you get the job done.

Step 2. Empty the refrigerator as much as possible

Take out as much food as possible from it. Some foods are frozen in the freezer. To prevent them from melting, wrap the food in towels and place in a cooler bag or insulated box. Store them in the coldest area of your home and out of direct sunlight.

Step 3. Remove the shelves, trays and drawers

Set them aside for cleaning. If they are covered with ice, do not pull with force. You can break them.

Step 4. Look for the drain hose

Some refrigerators have a drain at the bottom that leads to a hose. It usually comes out under the freezer. Try to find it. If you succeed, pull it forward and connect it to a longer hose or chute to drain the water away from the freezer.

You can also place a stand under the front leg of the refrigerator to help the water run to the drain

Step 5. Prevent puddles from forming

Place old newspapers around the base of the refrigerators - they will take in the water when the ice melts. Old newspapers are ideal for this purpose as they are easy to slip under the refrigerator and absorb water very well. Put technical napkins on them, which will absorb the bulk of the water.

Step 6. Select a defrosting method

There are several ways to defrost a refrigerator, each with its own pros and cons. You can choose one of them:

Wait for the ice to melt. Just allow time for the ice to melt naturally. The process can be slow, especially if you live in a colder climate, but this is the safest option.
Use a hair dryer. Using a hair dryer to defrost your refrigerator is practically safe if you follow some basic precautions. Move away from the puddle of water and keep the hair dryer and its cord away from water and ice. Also, do not put the end of the hair dryer too close to the coils or refrigerator walls, as hot air can damage them. Concentrate on one small area at a time.
Use a fan. Using a conventional fan will help direct the warm air into the refrigerator, but this method only works if your home is relatively warm.
Place bowls or pans of hot water on the shelves of the refrigerator. A common way to speed up the process is to place bowls or pots of boiling water on the refrigerator shelf or shelves and close the door. The steam should loosen the ice, allowing you to remove it after 20 minutes (if you defrost regularly). However, this method can damage the shelves. For maximum insurance against damage, place a thick towel under a bowl of boiling water.
Use a hot spatula. Take a metal spatula and heat it over a fire. You may need to wear an oven mitt. Then, simply press the ice with a spatula to break it off.
Using a hot cloth. You can use a rag dipped in hot water to melt some of the ice. Focus on the small pieces at the edges, grabbing the pieces of ice with a rag to remove them.

Step 7. Remove ice along the way

Speed up the process by removing the ice with your hand, cloth or spatula as soon as it begins to melt. DO NOT use sharp objects (such as a pickaxe or knife) to break off a piece of ice. This could damage the refrigerator or even cause gas leakage.

Step 8. Wipe off all the water

Use a technical wipe to wipe off any remaining water. To prevent water from spreading throughout the kitchen, place wet napkins in a bucket or sink.

Step 9. Wash the refrigerator

Take the opportunity to wash your refrigerator if you haven't done so in a while.

Step 10. Before turning on the refrigerator, dry it

Dry the refrigerator as best as possible with a tissue or hair dryer before turning it on. This will prevent ice formation in the near future.

Step 11. Check the insulation

Take the opportunity to check the insulation of your refrigerator. Poor insulation always leads to intense frost formation. You may need to replace it if you find it is not performing well or is damaged.

Apply oil to the rubber seal on the refrigerator and freezer door to keep all grooves lubricated. This will prevent the rubber seal from drying out over time and provide a strong seal when the door is closed. Immediately after lubrication, drips will appear in those places where the doors touch the refrigerator body, but after wiping them just a few times, you will see that the oil will be absorbed into the rubber seals and the problem with drips will disappear. Use a thicker oil, such as olive oil, to reduce drips

Step 12. Defrost the refrigerator more often

For the future, don't wait too long to defrost the refrigerator. Regular defrosting of the refrigerator with 6 mm of ice will make the process faster and will also prevent food spoilage.

Advice

Place a desk fan on a chair or other suitable support and set it to maximum power so that it blows directly into the refrigerator. In this way, you can completely defrost the refrigerator in 45 minutes. No boiling water or risk of electric shock from a hair dryer. The warm air from the fan displaces the cold air, which makes this process more efficient than if you were hoping for only convection.
Most new refrigerators do not need defrosting at all, or light defrosting is necessary as they are equipped with a defrosting mechanism. If you have an older model that needs defrosting, do it regularly to keep the refrigerator performing well.
A wet / dry industrial vacuum cleaner is ideal for quick removal of water and ice.
If you defrost your refrigerator in winter, when it's cold outside, then you can simply pull the drawers out of the refrigerator and cover them with something to keep them clean and not be touched by animals.
To prevent the rapid formation of ice after cleaning, soak a paper towel in some vegetable oil and apply a thin layer of it to the entire inner surface of the refrigerator. This will slow down or even stop the formation of ice in your refrigerator.
For a fresh and pleasant scent, add a drop of vanilla extract (essence) to a solution of water and baking soda.
Another great cleanser is a mixture of baking soda and water. Baking soda cleans the refrigerator and creates a pleasant scent.