How to Defrost a Freezer

These days, many people are lucky enough to have frost-free freezers in their homes. However, there is hope for those who must still battle the small icebergs that grow their freezers. Here are several effective methods for melting those glacial nightmares.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A cooler
• Two pots
• Towels

The Boiling Water Method

1. Empty the freezer of its contents. Put the food in the cooler.

2. If possible, break off the largest protrusions of ice. It will be easier for the freezer to defrost if the frost consists mostly of small pieces.

3. Boil a pot of water and fill a second pot to have at the ready.

4. Put the boiling pot of water in the freezer and close the door. The heat from the water should start defrosting the freezer after a few minutes.

5. Boil the second pot of water.

6. Switch the pot in the freezer with the one on the stove after 10 minutes and place the first pot back on the burner.

7. Continue alternating the pots of water every 10 minutes until your unit defrosts.

The Empty and Unplug Method

8. Empty the food from your freezer and refrigerator. Put the food in the cooler.

9. Turn refrigerator temperature down to zero.

10. Open freezer doors and wait for the freezer to manually defrost.

11. Soak up the melting ice with the towels.

Tips & Warnings

• When loading the cooler, put the food requiring the lowest temperatures in the bottom of the cooler, as cold air goes down.
• Make sure you are diligent about soaking up the water, otherwise you're liable to have a flooded kitchen.