How to Defrost the Freezer

Most modern freezers don't need to be defrosted, but should be washed out and cleaned periodically. Following are steps for defrosting freezers that need it -generally when ice builds up to a thickness between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sponges
• Blow Dryers
• Dishtowels
• Mixing Bowls
• Ice Chests
• Sponges
• Mixing bowls

1. Turn the freezer off. Controls may be inside the refrigerator.

2. Remove all food from the freezer and store in an ice chest while you are defrosting.

3. Remove ice in the freezer compartment. This can be done by: a) letting the freezer door stand open until ice melts; b) putting a pan of hot water in the freezer compartment and closing the door, then checking for melting ice and reheating the water every 10 to 15 minutes; c) using a hair dryer by aiming warm air at ice in freezer until it melts.

4. Pick up ice and water as it melts with a dishcloth or sponge and deposit into sink.

5. Use a sponge or dishcloth and a bowl of warm water to thoroughly wipe out inside of freezer once the freezer is cleared of ice.

6. Turn the freezer back on, close the door and let run for 10 to 15 minutes before returning food to the freezer.

7. Put food back into freezer and close the door.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use soapy water to clean the freezer.
• Never chip at freezer ice with ice picks or other sharp instruments.
• If you use a hair dryer to melt ice, be aware that there is a risk of electrical shock if the dryer comes in direct contact with water or if you are standing in water on the floor.

[zenster]

on 10/15/2008 http://www.ehow.com/how_4547080_way-deice-old-freezer-refridgerator.html
This is the easiest way..prevention....goes a long way and is easier and safer
zenster

on 8/8/2006 Isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle, combined with a box fan, will do miraculous things to that glacier that has formed in your freezer. I finished my last ice age removal in under 30 minutes.

on 8/8/2006 Place an electric kettle in the freezer, close the door and plug in the kettle. Or, place a cube heater inside the freezer, place a pan over the top of the heater (so melting water does not touch it). For an upright freezer, make certain that the fan faces one of the freezer sides and not toward the door (door is plastic and overheating will melt plastic).

on 8/8/2006 If you take a wet dry Vacuum that has the ability to put the hose on the exhaust, do so, and use the car adapter that funnels the air into a jet of slightly warm air that literally goes over 125 MPH for most modern wet/dry vacuums (they list how fast on the box). Blow the ice with this air, it will literally melt in seconds what takes a blow dryer minutes. This will save you hours!

Come to think of it, an air compressor may work as well, but not as fast as the above method.

on 3/28/2006 If you have heavy buildup and have not previously used Maria's tip about the Pam (thanks Maria), follow other tips about the fans, etc., but instead of waiting for the buildup to melt and using towels to soak it up (I realize the following may be a no brainer for some of you but there may be first timers that will find this useful ), after the freezer has been open a while (could be anywhere from an hour + ), use a sturdy spatula to pry large pieces loose and dispose of in the sink. You will have to check periodically to see if the buildup has loosened sufficiently but once you have been able to pry some loose, the rest will come right off. I don't unplug the refrigerator and the back panel takes longer to clear. I think this is because the freezing elements are probably on the back panel. This whole process might be much quicker if the fridge is unplugged but I prefer not to do that.

Once you have finished, you might want to try Maria's tip about the use of Pam. Bob Villa also suggests wiping the entire freezer compartment with glycerin which is supposed to have the same effect but I imagine more people have Pam around the house.