11 Strategies To Refresh Your Frost Free Fridge And Freezer

How to Maintain a Frost Free Fridge and Freezer

A frost-free refrigerator and freezer will eliminate the need to defrost manually. This can save you time, effort and electricity when compared to a traditional refrigerator/freezer.

Frozen food can be damaged if ice crystals form on the packaging. These crystals could cause damage to your food and alter the texture of your food.

Defrost

The process of defrosting the freezer isn't fun or glamorous however it's an essential component of maintaining your fridge and freezer. Every time you open the freezer door, warm air creeps in and causes moisture to condense and freeze on the inside of the freezer. This causes a disruption to the freezer's temperature control, causing it to work more frequently and use more energy. It can also affect the taste and quality of food, and cause freezer burn.

The best way to defrost a freezer is to let it melt naturally, but it can take a while. In the event of an emergency using a hairdryer or handheld steam cleaner can accelerate the process. Be sure to unplug and shut off the freezer before you begin. Get rid of any frozen food items and clean up any water spilled.

Before beginning, make sure you have a towel or plastic liner in hand to collect any water that spills during the defrosting process. It's a good idea to empty your entire freezer to make it easier to organize the food items that remain and dispose of expired or old items. After the defrosting process is completed, you must thoroughly clean and dry your freezer prior to turning it on.

Open and close the door of your freezer several times to increase the temperature. Remove all drawers and shelves to give yourself easier access to the ice. You can also lay old newspapers or towels that are extremely absorbent on the floor to soak any puddles that form from melting the ice.

While the ice is melting ensure you have a warmed spoon or plastic spatula handy to cut off any large chunks that build up on walls inside. Avoid using sharp objects such as knives, forks or ice picks to smash through ice, since they can damage the interior walls of the freezer, causing leaks and damage. Make sure to wash and clean the shelves and drawers after the ice has been removed. After cleaning the freezer connect it to the power source and allow it to run for a few hours to get back to normal temperatures.

Clean

Regular cleaning is the best way of preventing spores and food odors from building up. Remove any produce that is rotten or past its prime and dispose of it. Wipe down the drawers and shelves with soapy water using a damp cloth (I use Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid). Then, dry them. I also wipe down the freezer using a cloth that is dipped in a solution of baking soda and vinegar or water. Scrubbing hard-to-clean stains using a non-scratch brush may be required. I like to clean the coils at the back of my fridge as well using a nozzle attachment. This removes all pet fur, dirt and dust that gets stuck in hard to reach areas.

When you have a frost free refrigerator, you will not need to defrost it as frequently as other models.  freestanding fridge freezer frost free -free refrigerators have an automatic cooling mechanism that cools food by circulating cold air throughout the fridge which eliminates the necessity of manually defrosting the appliance. It is crucial to clean your refrigerator at least once a week. Get rid of any food items that have passed the expiration date, and remove all old jars, bottles, and soy sauce packets.

To make the task of defrosting your freezer simpler take all food items from the freezer and put it in a different freezer, a cooler with Ice packs or an enclosed box with blankets. During this process, make sure to cover the floor of your freezer with an old towel placed on the bottom. You can remove any remaining ice after the freezer has been defrosted with a plastic scraper.

If your fridge is equipped with a built-in automatic defrost system It will probably have an indicator light to let you know it's time to defrost. To ensure that you do not lose any frozen food items during the defrost process you can empty the freezer and set it on the counter. Then, you can replenish it with frozen food that has a long shelf life. You can then make use of an old towel to collect any water that leaks from the freezer as it melts.

Maintaining

If the evaporator is covered with frost, it will freeze. This causes the fridge to work harder and consume more energy. Regular maintenance is vital. Unplugging the freezer and cleaning the evaporator coil can prevent this from happening in the first instance.

If the defrost is operating properly, a layer of ice should appear on the evaporator in an even pattern. If there is ice build-up on the evaporator and is not due to an issue with defrost, it may be an indication of a defective timer or defrost termination thermostat.

Certain older models may have a clogged supply and return air duct from and to the freezer. This can be caused by food residues or pet hair. This makes the compressor work harder, and creates excess heat. The heat then be transferred to the refrigerator cabinet, causing temperatures to rise there. This problem can be reduced by ensuring that the gasket for the freezer door isn't damaged and that it is properly sealed.

The frequent openings of the freezer could allow moist air from the room to enter the appliance. This creates a situation in which ice and frost form more easily. The freezer should be tightly shut to limit the possibility of ice and frost forming.

Clean regularly the evaporator drainage trough regularly to make sure it is not blocked with food debris or ice. A hand-held vacuum hose or a special refrigerator coil cleaner (typically with brush that can be slipped into difficult-to-access places) is a great way to do this.

Clean the freezer space of any obstructions that might hinder airflow or block the condenser fan. To get rid of food residues and eliminate odours, wash the shelves and walls using a mix of hot dish soap, hot water or baking powder. Vents for air between refrigerator and freezer compartments must not be blocked since this can cause poor circulation of air, which could increase humidity in the appliance.

Repair

There are a variety of reasons your freezer with frost free may not be working correctly. Most of these issues are simple to fix however some require expert assistance. The issue is usually caused by something that blocks air from moving to and from freezer section. This could be caused by the over-packaging of food items or clogged ventilation gaps, and opening the door for too long.

Unplug your fridge prior to completing any maintenance or repairs. This will reduce the risk of electric shock and allows any frozen frost to melt naturally.

If the refrigerator still isn't cooling it could be due to an issue with the defrost. In this type of fridge and freezer a heater is automatically turned on periodically to melt any frost that has formed on the coils of the evaporator. The melted frost drains through a drain pipe to a pan at the back of the refrigerator, and it then evaporates into the air. The defrost timer could need be replaced if it's malfunctioning.

A bad seal could also hinder cold air from be able to enter the freezer area of your fridge. You can easily fix this by cleaning the seal with soap and warm water. Check to see if there are any items blocking the freezer vents or resting against the back wall of the refrigerator.

You could also try replacing the freezer gasket if it is damaged or worn. A lot of major appliance manufacturers offer replacement parts, which includes freezer gaskets. It is important to note that the replacement of gaskets for freezers should only be done by a qualified professional.

Alternatively, you may have a problem with the fan that circulates air in the freezer section of your fridge. In this case you'll probably hear a clicking sound whenever the fan is turned on. This is because the ice on the evaporator coils is too thick and is pressing on the fan blades. This will require an expert to diagnose and corrected.