Overtime, frost builds up in your refrigerator. This built-up frost impacts the refrigerator’s efficiency. That is where refrigerator defrosting comes into picture.
Refrigerator defrost: Preparation
Before starting the process of defrosting, take these necessary measures
Remove food items
The first step is to remove the food items. Make sure you remove all the food from every compartment before starting the defrosting method. Keep the food in a cool place while the refrigerator is getting defrosted.
Unplug the refrigerator
For safety purposes, it is best to unplug the refrigerator. You should not risk getting an electric shock while cleaning, so it’s important to cut the electricity off for some time.
Open the doors
Leave the refrigerator doors unlocked for some time. This allows the built-up ice to melt naturally as much as it can. You can keep a towel that soaks up all the melted ice.
Refrigerator defrost: Manual defrosting method
Manual defrosting is one of the easiest and most straightforward ways of defrosting your refrigerator. Although this method is a slow approach, it is effective and efficient.
Use a hair dryer
A hair dryer can be used to melt excess ice. Make sure the dryer is set at low heat and is not kept too close to the refrigerator surface to avoid heating up the electrical appliance.
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Scrape off frost
Now that the frost has softened, use a spoon or any similar object ( which is not too sharp) to scrape off the ice. Avoid using a knife as it may damage the surface of the refrigerator.
Clean interior
Once all the frost melts, you can collect the excess water in a bucket or soak it with the help of a towel. After this, you can clean the surface with a solution of water and soap. Clean the surface again with water.
Refrigerator defrost: Natural defrosting method
The natural defrosting method requires a bit more time but is less hands-on. Here’s how to do it:
Allow the frost to melt
Allow the frost to melt by opening the refrigerator door for a few hours. You can place towels below the refrigerator to prevent water from pooling everywhere.
Clean interior
The last step would be cleaning the insides of the refrigerator with a solution of mild soap and water. Make sure to clean thoroughly, and then you can place all the food items back inside.
Refrigerator defrost: Speeding up defrosting
Besides slower methods, there are several quick and efficient methods that can help in defrosting your refrigerator in no time:
Use bowls of hot water
Take bowls of hot water and put them inside the freezer for a while. The heat will help in quickly melting the ice. Make sure that the bowl isn’t too hot, or else it will end up damaging the inner surface of the refrigerator. As efficient as this method may sound, it is also equally risky.
Safe use of heat sources
Use heating pads to melt the ice gradually. Besides this, you can also use water bottles filled with warm water to achieve similar results. Again, make sure these hot objects do not directly touch the refrigerator surface.
Refrigerator defrost: Prevent frost buildup for future
Check door seals
Make sure that the refrigerator door seal is in good condition and shows no signs of damage. Warm air from the outside shouldn’t get inside the refrigerator.
Organise food items
It is important to properly organise food items so there is no frost buildup due to increase in humidity or inadequate airflow inside the refrigerator.
Keep food covered
Moisture from foods also increases humidity which in turn causes frost buildup. It is important to keep food items covered in order to prevent frost buildup.
Avoid overloading
Overloading the fridge restricts the air flow, which is a major cause of frost buildup. Make sure there is adequate spacing.
Regularly clean condenser coils
It is important to regularly clean the condenser coils to ensure there’s optimum cooling.
Check defrost drain
Ensure the defrost drain is clear of dirt and extra ice, allowing water to flow easily during the automatic defrosting cycle of the refrigerator.
FAQs
Is it necessary to defrost my refrigerator?
The frost buildup can affect the performance of your refrigerator, making it less efficient. So, it is important to defrost it.
How often should I defrost my refrigerator?
You should defrost your refrigerator whenever you start seeing buildup, which is generally every 3-6 months.
Can I use sharp tools to remove frost from the freezer?
Sharp tools might seem like an easy way to remove frost, but they can damage the refrigerator.
Is the hair dryer method safe for defrosting the ice?
Yes, but make sure it is on low heat settings.
Is it necessary to remove food items while defrosting?
Yes, it is important to remove the food items from every compartment and not just the freezer while defrosting.
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