How to quickly and correctly defrost a refrigerator without damaging the appliance

Why and how often do you need to defrost the refrigerator?

Not everyone understands why defrosting a refrigerator, so they use it to its fullest extent. Due to temperature disturbances, some products begin to deteriorate faster, while others freeze.

To maintain the desired temperature in the freezer, the compressor works hard. If it breaks down, the unit stops functioning.

If you don't want your equipment to retire early, you need to defrost it. The frequency of the procedure depends on:

• compressor power;
• the type of system that provides air circulation;
• frequency of compressor activation (room temperature).

If a thick layer of ice has formed on the walls of the freezer, this means it’s time to defrost it.
Old units manufactured before 2000 require regular maintenance. Ice is removed once a month in the cold season and twice a month in the warm season. They do not have an artificial air circulation system, so condensation forms on the evaporator, which quickly freezes. If it becomes icy, the freezer and the back wall of the refrigerator are covered with frost.

Theory

The period of time after which equipment should be defrosted directly depends on the defrosting (thawing) system installed in it. The type of this system is indicated in the technical data sheet of the device.

Standard systems

A manual defrosting system is installed in low-temperature cabinets and freezers. The entire defrosting process here is done manually. In such chambers the process should occur as the ice crust grows. When its thickness reaches 5 mm, then you should begin the thawing process.

No Frost

No Frost, the most modern and advanced technology that protects walls from freezing. “No frost” provides automatic defrosting. A built-in fan distributes cold air flows throughout the unit’s chamber.

Moisture condenses in the hidden evaporator in the form of frost. When the evaporator heats up, the frost thaws and the moisture drains into the pan. From there, the liquid evaporates and, as a result, ice does not remain on the walls of the chambers.

Drip defrosting system

Mainly found in modern and inexpensive devices. Such a system is also called crying. In such devices, the periods of freezing and thawing occur in turn. By turning the compressor on and off. After a certain period of time. Ice accumulates on the evaporator located on the rear wall. On the surface of which, after the compressor is turned off, condensation forms. The water flows into the pan through the drains and evaporates from there.

Features of defrosting refrigerators with different systems

Before defrosting your refrigerator, determine its type. Some need care once a month, while others need care once a year:

• Devices with natural air circulation. Old refrigerators are defrosted often. Due to ice, cold air does not reach the temperature sensor, so the device “forces” the compressor to work with double force. To defrost it, the unit is completely disconnected from the network.
• Equipment with the No Frost system. Such devices are equipped with fans that provide forced air circulation. Therefore, ice does not form on the evaporator and the walls of the freezer. Devices with No Frost need defrosting no more than once a year.
• Unit with drip system. To defrost your freezer, simply turn off the compressor. Then the frozen evaporator will thaw, and the water will flow into the hole located at the level of containers for vegetables and fruits. It is connected to a container above the compressor, from where it quickly evaporates.
• Two-chamber technique. If the cameras operate independently of each other, you can defrost one first and then the other. In this case, the issue of temporary storage of food during the hot season is easily resolved.

If you want to not only defrost the freezer, but also clean the entire refrigerator, then defrost it completely. To do this, set the temperature to 0°C so that the compressor stops working. And only after that remove the plug from the network.

conclusions

It is important to approach defrosting correctly in order not to damage the device. If you follow simple rules and apply a couple of life hacks, this procedure will be easy and quick.

Basically defrosting consists of the following steps:

1. Disconnection from the network.
2. Moving products.
3. Removing shelves, grilles, etc.
4. Waiting, accelerating the defrosting process.
5. Washing containers, egg cups, etc.
6. Wiping the walls.
7. Turn on, wait 30 minutes.
8. Product placement.

Expert opinion

Borodina Galina Valerievna

Trying to speed up the process, it is important not to use knives or other sharp objects to break off ice, and also not to use a hair dryer. Use of these items may result in personal injury and equipment failure.

Defrosting your refrigerator is easy! The secrets to proper defrosting are simple and will help save a lot of time.

How long does it take to defrost?

It is not easy to determine the exact duration of the procedure. The defrosting speed depends on various nuances:

• ice localization;
• ice thickness;
• room temperature;
• options to speed up ice melting.

Old appliances with a natural air circulation system defrost from 3 to 10 hours. If the freezer is cleaned at least once a month, everything takes from 2 to 3 hours. To defrost equipment with the No Frost system, 10-15 minutes are enough.

The duration of the procedure increases by 1.5-3 times when caring for devices with a drip defrosting system.

Step-by-step instruction

1. The temperature control knob must be set to “0” and the unit must be disconnected from the power supply by unplugging the plug from the socket. Leave the doors open;
2. It is necessary to remove all stored food products from the freezer and refrigerator compartments. It is not recommended to remove food items together with boxes from the device. Their heaviness can cause the plastic to crack;
3. take out all the drawers, grilles, partitions, shelves (you can take them to the bathroom, as it will be much more convenient to wash there than in the kitchen sink);
4. collect melt water;
5. wait until the equipment is completely defrosted. The best traditional way to defrost a refrigerator is to simply leave it overnight until it defrosts completely naturally. You can remove thawed ice from the walls with a silicone or soft plastic spatula;
6. dry the space inside the device - remove all liquid and remaining ice from the chambers using a dry soft cloth or napkin. And also dry the floors under and next to the equipment;
7. plug the refrigerator into the outlet;
8. fill it with drawers, partitions, shelves, grilles. Set the temperature sensor to the desired value. Close the device;
9. wait 0.5-1.5 hours and put the food in its place. If the red light comes on, don’t panic; we’ll tell you why below.

How to properly defrost a refrigerator

Defrosting the refrigerator is carried out in several stages. The correct operation of household appliances depends on their sequence and quality of execution. Regardless of the type, the device is first disconnected from the network, after which the chambers are emptied of products, and the shelves and walls are washed. At the final stage, the refrigerator is dried to prevent the rapid formation of ice.

Disconnect from the network

Not everyone knows how to defrost a freezer correctly. Improper execution of the procedure causes compressor failure. To prevent malfunctions, you should:

• set the temperature regulator to 0°C;
• Holding the plug, disconnect the cord from the network.

The principle of defrosting a two-compressor refrigerator does not differ from that with a single-compressor unit. The difference is that you can disable them simultaneously or separately.

Emptying the cameras

If you plan to defrost your refrigerator, try not to purchase perishable foods. To prevent melt water from entering, they are removed from the refrigerator.

Where and how to store food while the ice in the freezer is thawing:

• Product sorting. Raw meat is placed in one pan, and sour milk in another. Greens and vegetables are also placed in separate containers.
• Storage during the cold season. To prevent food from spoiling, they are taken out to the balcony or placed on a windowsill on the street side.
• Storage in warm seasons. The pan with food is lowered into a bowl of cold water. If you have a special thermos or thermal bags, it is better to place perishable foods in them.

Since a two-compartment refrigerator can be defrosted in parts, food from one compartment is simply transferred to another. If this is not possible, it is recommended to stock up on ice in advance and line pots or containers with perishable foods with it.

Collecting water

While the icy areas of the equipment are thawing, you need to remove the following from it:

• drawers;
• egg trays;
• gratings;
• containers for fruits and vegetables;
• shelves.

To prevent melt water from flowing onto the floor, place a tray on the lowest shelf. This measure is necessary if you decide to defrost an old refrigerator.

Modern units are equipped with a drip system and a sump, which is located at the rear.

Due to the difference in temperature in the room and the refrigerator, condensation forms on the walls and flows down. To collect water, you need to wipe the doors and inner walls with a cotton cloth or microfiber cloth every 20-30 minutes.

Wash shelves, walls and doors

If you decide to defrost the refrigerator, do not forget to wash the shelves, containers, racks and inner walls from dirt. For these purposes, it is recommended to use professional chemicals:

• EdelWeiss is a pH neutral spray that can be used to clean food containers. It has a deodorizing, antiseptic effect and prevents the formation of fungus.
• TopHouse is a product for removing grease stains and dirt from plastic surfaces. Suitable for washing rubber seals, freezers, doors and walls.
• Refrigerator cleaner is a universal concentrate that can be used to wash both the internal and external parts of household appliances. After cleaning, a pleasant unobtrusive aroma remains that is not absorbed by the products.
• Spray foam from Luxus is an aerosol product that removes dirt from metal and glass surfaces. Fights fish and meat odors and greasy stains.

If store-bought products are not at hand, use folk recipes:

• Soap emulsion. A small bar of laundry soap is ground on a grater. Dissolve in ½ liter of hot water. Soak a sponge in the solution and wipe the internal parts of household appliances. Remains of the product are removed with a damp cloth.
• Toothpaste. The stains are treated with whitening toothpaste. After 20-30 minutes, remove it with a clean rag.
• Ammonia. To eliminate mold and yellow marks, apply a small amount of the solution to a cloth. Treat dirty surfaces, and after 20 minutes, remove any remaining alcohol with a clean, damp cloth.

Before defrosting your freezer, prepare a shelf and container cleaner. To clean plastic surfaces, do not use abrasive powders as they leave scratches.

Dry completely

Before turning on the device, dry the removable shelves, doors, freezer and inner walls. To do this you should:

• open the doors wide;
• remove remaining moisture with a dry cloth;
• Leave the refrigerator for half an hour to dry completely.

If moisture remains on the walls of the appliance, the evaporator will quickly freeze, so you will soon have to defrost the refrigerator again.

Turning it on correctly

After switching on, the equipment should work in idle mode without food for 30-40 minutes. Otherwise, the load on the compressor will double, since it will cool both air and food.

How to remove melted ice?

When the ice melts, you need to carefully pry it off and remove it. Use only a plastic or wooden spatula for this. Under no circumstances should you force events and remove the ice with a knife. At best, the knife will leave scratches, at worst – microcracks, which will then be difficult to restore. Therefore, it is better to be patient and wait until the ice begins to melt on its own.

Dish towels, old newspapers or soft rags are usually used to catch the water that forms during defrosting. Don’t forget to remove them from the inside from time to time and squeeze them thoroughly.

How to defrost a refrigerator faster without causing any harm

It sometimes takes at least 5-8 hours to defrost an old refrigerator. Not all products can survive such a long stay in a warm room. Therefore, many housewives have a reasonable question about how to quickly defrost the freezer. There are several effective ways:

• Warmer. A rubber heating pad is filled with hot water and placed in the freezer. To quickly defrost the unit, change the water in it every 10-15 minutes.
• A saucepan with hot water. If you need to defrost the chamber very quickly, use a container of boiling water. Hot steam speeds up the melting of ice in older refrigerators, but sometimes the process is accompanied by large pieces breaking off and making a loud noise, so don't be alarmed.

You can quickly defrost the freezer in other ways - with a hair dryer, a portable heater. But they are associated with risks for equipment, so they are not recommended for use.

What should you do first?

• In order to properly defrost an old model refrigerator, naturally, you should first empty it of food. Even if food supplies are packaged tightly enough, it is better to remove them while defrosting.
• Before you start defrosting, you should turn off the refrigerator. First, this needs to be done because it is likely that the thermostat will respond to a sudden increase in temperature by increasing its cooling capacity. And secondly, if the ice begins to melt, it may happen that the water and electronics come into contact with each other. The result is water damage or even electrical shock.
• In preparation for defrosting, remove everything that can be easily removed, including drawers, shelves, and the egg tray. If the shelves are frozen, to avoid breaking the plastic parts, do not use force to remove them. Simply wet the joints with warm water and dish soap and leave for a while.

Possible errors during defrosting

Many people do not know how to defrost an old refrigerator, so they perform the procedure incorrectly. And after turning on the clean and washed unit, they understand that the compressor has given up its life. If you do not want to shorten the service life of your household appliances, then consider a few tips:

• Do not chip ice with sharp objects. In the hope of quickly defrosting the freezer, many people damage the freon tube. After express cleaning, the equipment can only be thrown into the trash.
• Do not try to defrost the camera using extreme methods - a hairdryer, a heater. Due to intense heating with hot air, the plastic may become deformed and the sealing rubber may soften.

Don't pour vinegar.
Vinegar essence corrodes not only ice, but also rubber coatings. If you want to defrost your freezer safely, do not do this in hot weather. After switching on, the compressor will work at its maximum capacity to normalize the temperature inside the chambers.

The main factors influencing the rate of growth of the “snow coat” in the refrigerator

1. Poor quality packaging and storage of products

Any product (fruits, vegetables, mineral water, etc.) contains water. If you store food open or in a partially covered cup or pan, the food is a constant source of moisture, which contributes to the formation of a “snow coat” in the refrigerator compartment.

It is important!

Store food in a vacuum or tightly sealed container. This way you can avoid frequent defrosting of the refrigerator and protect food from bacteria that live on the surfaces of the refrigerator compartment.

2. Frequency of opening and closing the refrigerator door

Moisture can get into the refrigerator not only from food, but also from the air. When the door is opened frequently, moist air gets inside the chamber, due to which new layers of snow form on the walls of the refrigerator.

3. Correct defrosting procedure

The proper operation of the refrigerator directly depends on many factors, including the implementation of the correct defrosting technique. The further uninterrupted operation of household appliances depends on this seemingly elementary procedure.

What happens if you don’t defrost the unit?

If you don’t want to defrost your refrigerator, be prepared for the fact that sooner or later it will go on strike. Due to ice, the freezer closes partially, so the door does not fit tightly to the magnetic rubber band. As a result, the cold generated by the compressor is evaporated, so it works without ceasing. Then the refrigerator waves its warm door at you and says that it can’t go on like this.

To ensure that your equipment serves you faithfully, provide it with the necessary care. If the freezer is frozen and won't close, it means it needs to be defrosted. If you follow the recommendations, the refrigerator will not let you down and will serve its intended 10-15 years.

Basic Rules

It is enough to disconnect the refrigerator from the network, remove the food and place a container to collect melt water.

How to preserve food?

IMPORTANT!

The best time for defrosting is winter, early spring or late autumn.

Weather conditions allow you to place all perishable products on a cool loggia or balcony. If this option is not possible, you can store products as follows:

• place in a large saucepan with a lid, which is placed in a bowl of cold running water or ice;
• use special thermal bags with cold elements and portable refrigerators for temporary storage;
• wrap the container where the food is stored with foil and cover with a warm blanket on top;
• place in the cellar. This advice is relevant for residents of a private house;
• contact your neighbors or relatives and give them some of the food for storage.

How to clean a refrigerator

After removing the ice, the internal surfaces must be washed. If bacteria remains, the refrigerator will start to smell and food will spoil. Such preventive treatment is necessary 2 times a year. But not everyone knows how to clean the inside of a refrigerator after defrosting.

There are many cleaning products on the market, some made specifically for refrigerators. But you need to choose ones that do not contain fragrances. Otherwise, you will then have to think about how to rid the refrigerator of the smell of detergent. Dishwashing gel or soap solution is suitable. Do not use powders or pastes containing abrasive particles.

There are several simple folk remedies:

• soda solution - 1 tbsp. l. powder per 1 liter of water, for heavily contaminated areas use paste;
• sponge soaped with laundry soap;
• A solution of vinegar or lemon juice not only cleanses dirt and disinfects, but leaves a smell of freshness;
• a solution of ammonia 1:7 removes mold and bacteria.

Remember!

After using any product, be sure to rinse it off with clean water and dry it dry.

Wipe the refrigerator dry

How to properly turn on the appliance after defrosting

It is also important to understand how to properly turn on the refrigerator. The main thing is to remove moisture and dry the internal surfaces well. It is better to let it stand for 2 hours so that it dries naturally. If drops remain, frost will quickly form after switching on.

Important!

Damaged or cracked rubber seals must be replaced. This will cause warm air to get inside and ice to form faster.

Before turning on the refrigerator after defrosting, do not immediately load it. It must run empty for 2-3 hours to reach the desired temperature.