How to defrost a freezer

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How to defrost a freezer

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Defrosting a freezer may seem like an odd concept. After all, shouldn't a freezer be frosty? However, if y'all leave a build-up of frost inside, this volition touch the overall performance of your freezer. Information technology can lead to a lack of storage space as well as freezer burn, which tin can ruin the quality of your delicious frozen goods.

Annoyingly, frost build-up can also cause freezer doors to get stuck, which can damage your appliance. What's more, the more frosty your freezer is, the more energy it consumes, causing a spike in your household bills. While defrosting a freezer may seem similar a huge chore, it's actually really quick and easy. Just follow our simple steps on how to defrost (and deep clean!) your freezer.

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• Cheque out 3 reasons why you shouldn't overfill your freezer

How often should you defrost a freezer?

What y'all'll need

- Towels
- Sponge or microfiber fabric
- Dishwashing liquid or multi-purpose cleaner
- Warm water

For manual defrost freezers, it'southward all-time to defrost your freezer once or twice a twelvemonth or equally soon every bit there is a build-upward of quarter of an inch thickness of ice. If you have a frost-costless or automatic defrost freezer, these volition still demand deep cleaning every half dozen months.

How to defrost a freezer

1. Outset things first, empty out the contents of your freezer. Remove the drawers or removable shelves, ready to clean later. If possible, store all your frozen food in a cool identify or better still, an water ice box. If you don't have one, yous can ever invest in one of the best coolers to keep your goods fresh.

This is as well a great time to get rid of old items that you lot're merely not going to eat. For example, those 6-month leftovers you've forgotten most that were hidden in the back of the freezer!

ii. Always unplug and switch off your freezer before you defrost. This will speed up the process. Next up, exit the door open up to let in air.

3. Lay down some old towels or cloths on the floor around the base of your freezer. You'll exist surprised at how much water you lot'll be left to mop up, so the towels volition absorb those messy puddles. If y'all have a drainage outlet, use a container to collect whatever water.

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4. Information technology's best to exit the freezer door open up for a few hours or until the water ice completely melts. Ensure you wring out whatever drenched towels while the freezer defrosts.

5. Next up, information technology'southward time to thoroughly clean the freezer in one case it's thawed out. For this, you can utilise warm, soapy water and a sponge or a multi-purpose cleaning spray. Make clean the within of your freezer and the racks, making sure you go into all those nooks and crannies. These subconscious places are often where germs live from accidental spills or dirt, and don't forget the gasket and handle!

And so clean the outside of your freezer, specially the door where fingerprints or general grime lurks from regular employ. In improver, thoroughly make clean the drawers, or removable bottle holders before putting them back.

6. At present that your freezer is all cleaned upwards and dry (make sure it'south completely dry), you can switch your freezer back on. It's e'er advisable to await a few hours for the freezer to reach the ideal temperature, before y'all put your frozen goods dorsum. Also, remember non to put back whatever raw meat that has started to defrost or else you may gamble food poisoning.

What'due south more, this is a expert time to nicely organize your frozen foods. While it may be tempting to pack your frozen shopping into any drawer cleft, it's appropriate not to overfill your freezer with excess food.

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Tips on how to organize your freezer

• Organize foods from dorsum to front – Place the new stuff at the back and the older foods that demand to be consumed first towards the front end.
• Freeze things in small portions – When you cook up a feast, always dissever foods into smaller, usable portions before freezing them. This will avert whatsoever wastage if you defrost more than you really demand.
• Freeze things flat – You tin can salvage so much space in your freezer when y'all lay things flat. If possible, have things out of big, cumbersome boxes to relieve room. If you do need any of the instructions/dates, only cut them out of the boxes and store in a drawer.
• Characterization and date your leftovers – It's easy to make bootleg foods, throw in a freezer pocketbook or container and forget most them! But, it's always best to characterization and date the day it was frozen, so you'll know when it was made. As a general rule, it's always best to consume leftovers between ane-iii months.
• Grouping things in their categories – Always group like items and so you can hands discover what you're looking for. Things such as meats, seafood or frozen veggies should be kept in their sections.

Cynthia Lawrence specialises in Homes ecommerce, covering all things homes and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, 'must-have' habitation appliances, writing ownership guides and the handy 'how to' features.

Her piece of work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top X Reviews, Ideal Dwelling, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many.

With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she as well has an interior design web log for manner inspiration and savvy storage solutions (become rid of that clutter!). When she's not testing absurd products, she'll exist searching online for more decor ideas to spruce upwardly her family unit home or looking for a swell bargain!

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/how-to/how-to-defrost-a-freezer

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