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Defrosting the freezer is no one’s favourite chore, but it must be done. If the ice gets out of hand, it will impact the freezer’s performance and energy consumption. Not to mention, it’s a hindrance whenever you try to slide out the drawers!
When the time comes to defrost your freezer, don’t despair. Here, we cover when, why and how to defrost your freezer, so you can get it looking and working like new. Just follow these seven steps.
Why do I need to defrost my freezer?
While it’s all too tempting to put off this chore, you need to take action when you notice the ice getting particularly thick in your freezer; around 3cm thick to be precise. After this, the ice will begin to take its toll on the appliance.
For starters, thick ice in your freezer takes up free space, space which impairs how much you can store while also impacting the air circulation within. If the ice builds up badly enough, it can prevent the door from closing properly, which again affects the temperatures within, and adds more to your energy bill.
Excess ice will increase the running costs for your freezer in general. According to Sarah Heaps, AO’s Freezer expert; "When your fridge freezer doesn't have to fight with frost, the motor doesn’t need to work as hard. This means it runs more efficiently and is better for the environment, saving you money on your energy bills."
So to keep energy bills to a minimum, you will need get into the habit of defrosting your freezer. Use it as a chance to reorganise the contents and throw away anything older than three to six months (depending on what it is).
How to defrost a freezer
1. Remove the freezer contents, wrapping frozen food in thick layers of newspaper and storing them in a cool-bag or a neighbour's freezer.
GHI Tip: Cleaning the freezer on a cold day is easier, as the food that you've taken out will stay cold for longer.
2. Make sure you prepare the area around the freezer as there will be excess water. Push towels around the bottom of the appliance and use baking trays to catch the melting ice.
3. Switch off and unplug the freezer. Leave the door open until the solid ice starts to melt away from the walls and the top of your freezer. Sit a bowl of hot water on a tea towel in the freezer to speed up the process. Replace this as and when it cools.
GHI Tip: Use a plastic spatula to loosen the ice, take care not to damage the elements or internal surfaces. Speeding up the process by blasting the ice with a hairdryer isn't recommended for safety reasons!
4. Take out all of the freezer compartments and allow them to come to room temperature before washing, so that they don't crack. Wash them thoroughly and then allow them to dry before you put them back in the freezer.
GHI Tip: Prise away large chunks of ice with a plastic kitchen tool (which could also be warmed in hot water) — never a knife.
5. Wipe out the fridge or freezer and the shelves and compartments with diluted bicarbonate of soda (15ml/1 tbsp to 1 litre/1 3/4 pints water), applied with a clean cloth, and dry thoroughly. For stubborn stains and grime, a little white vinegar or anti-bacterial spray should do the trick.
GHI Tip: Tackle stubborn areas that are hard to reach with an old toothbrush and a dash of bicarb.
6. Switch on or, if applicable, use the fast-freeze setting. Allow your freezer to run for at least an hour, and the shelves/drawers to air-dry, before filling it. Take note: The Food Standards Agency recommends keeping your freezer at -18°C to keep all items thoroughly frozen.
7. When you put your items back in the freezer, it might be a great opportunity to get everything organised! Be careful not to jam pack it, as air must be able to circulate easily in order to maintain the temperature.
GHI Tip: If you use the top of freezer for storing books, chopping boards or general clobber, it will have to work harder and use more electricity.
Do you need to defrost a frost-free freezer?
Investing in a frost-free freezer can help prevent ice from forming, meaning you don't need to go through this process. However, you should still clean your freezer every six months.
The GHI’s Best Fridge Freezers
Pros
Compact, affordable and great for small kitchens and households - Impressively stable temperature regulation on test
- Energy efficient
Cons
- Simple design inside – the fridge has just two shelves and one salad crisper
- No door alarm
Score: 93/100
Pros
- Ample helpful features including a non-plumbed water dispenser, two vegetable drawers with humidity controls, and an easy-to-read temperature display
- Stable temperature regulation on test
- Spacious family-friendly design
Cons
- Freezer took a while to return to its set temperature during our open-door test
- Door storage isn’t adjustable
Score: 87/100
Pros
- Huge capacity fridge with four shelves and humidity drawers for veg, fruit and meat
- Has a child lock and an open-door warning alarm
- Reliable and accurate temperature regulation
Cons
- It’s tall so top shelves may be difficult to reach for some
- Expensive
Score: 87/100
Pros
- Very energy efficient, costing less than 10p a day to run based on electricity prices during testing
- Has a bottle rack, adjustable shelves, two fridge drawers with humidity controls and easy-to-grip freezer drawers
- Stable temperature regulation
Cons
- Freezer took a while to recover from our open-door test
- Surface shows fingerprints easily
Score: 85/100
Katie Mortram
Household Advice Editor
As the Household Advice Editor, Katie looks after all things cleaning and decluttering. She started out as a Junior Tester in the Good Housekeeping Institute 10 years ago, so she’s tested plenty of appliances in her time too, including dishwashers and washing machines. Nowadays, she focuses on keeping our cleaning content up to date and accurate, testing relevant products and learning about the latest methods and trends along the way.
