Though it may not be fun, defrosting the freezer is part of running a home, just like cleaning the oven. Maybe you’re an organised type who wants to keep your freezer at its best. Or are you so tired of waiting for ice to melt that you’re ready to attack it with a spatula? Not so fast — we’re here to tell you how to defrost a freezer safely and with minimum effort.
How to manually defrost a freezer
The steps we’ll outline here give basic advice on how to defrost the majority of freezers. At the same time, we recommend you check the manufacturer’s guidance for any specific steps for your particular freezer.
1. Switch off the freezer
First, switch the freezer off and leave its door open. If the room is warm, that will help speed up the thawing. You might try turning up the heating a bit in that room as well.
2. Put down towels
Prepare for melting ice by laying towels at the bottom of the freezer and along the floor in front of it. Even a thin layer of ice around the inside of the freezer can create more water than you’d expect.
3. Add bowls of hot water
Get some bowls of hot water and place them on the freezer shelves, being careful to handle the water safely. The heat will raise the temperature in the freezer faster than the air in the room would alone, which helps to thaw the ice.
4. Scrape the ice (softly)
It’s tempting to hack at the ice with something sharp, but you don’t want to damage your freezer. You might crack a shelf or puncture the freezer coils, which would need a repair or even a whole new freezer. If you do want to help the ice out, you can use something soft like a silicon spatula.
5. Dry things out
When the ice has all melted, it’s time to give the freezer a thorough wipe down inside with towels or cloths. This is important because any water left over will turn into ice when you switch the freezer back on.
Have questions?
We hope this has helped to answer your questions about how to defrost a freezer. Don’t forget, we have lots more helpful advice for your appliances and around the home — take a look at our latest articles.
Our blog is loaded with more related articles
FRIDGE FREEZER TIPS
Save energy and the planet with your fridge freezer
| 4 MIN READ
Fancy putting a freeze on your electricity bill? Then knowing how you can save energy and the environment using just your fridge freezer may come in handy for you.
FRIDGE FREEZER TIPS
Common fridge freezer faults and how to fix them
| 9 MIN READ
If your fridge isn't working properly, there are some things you can do to check for faults. Read our guide on common fridge faults and how to fix them.
FRIDGE FREEZER TIPS
Second-hand fridge buying guide
| 2 MIN READ
Thinking of getting a used fridge? With freecycled white goods growing in popularity, here’s what to think about before getting a second-hand fridge.