Why is it important to defrost the freezer?
As frost builds up on the walls of the freezer, it forms an insulating layer that results in less heat transfer between the air inside the freezer and the refrigeration system.
In order for your household appliance to maintain the internal temperature at the same level, it must use more energy.
The accumulation of frost not only causes increased energy consumption, but also leads to poor food shelf life and shortens the life of the freezer.
Also note that a layer of ice as small as 3 millimeters increases the freezer’s power consumption by 30 to 40%. Apart from that, it is advisable to defrost the freezer as soon as the layer of frost has reached 2 to 3 millimeters.
Continued on next page
How to defrost the freezer quickly?
Before defrosting the freezer, you should first unplug it or put it in standby mode to avoid any incidents.
Also remember to empty your freezer and store your food in coolers or cooler bags so that it stays frozen until you can defrost your appliance.
However, be careful not to use a hammer or other sharp objects to loosen the ice. This could puncture or perforate the walls of the freezer.
Use a wooden or plastic spatula instead. Also, place a wiping rag under the freezer to wipe up any water that leaks.
If the ice layer is not thick, you can simply keep the freezer door open after unplugging it for 24 hours. The lack of electricity and rising temperatures will cause the ice to melt.
It’s quicker if you soak a sponge in warm water and rub the walls of the freezer to soften the ice.
You can also fill a spray bottle with hot water and spray the walls to melt the ice. Using a wooden spatula, allow the ice cream to fall off as it slowly softens.
