Although some appliances have frost-free technology, not all refrigeration does and other methods may need to be carried out to defrost. You may find that your freezer needs to be defrosted periodically if ice is building up. This will be specified in your user manual. Generally, if any layers of ice reach between 5-10mm, it is usually a sign it is time to defrost. In this article we highlight our tips for defrosting chest freezers.
Step 1: Unplugging from the socket.
To defrost a freezer, you will need to firstly unplug from the mains socket so the power is off completely.
Step 2: Removing items from the appliance.
Once unplugged, or before unplugging, remove all frozen food from the freezer. The food can then be put into a container and kept in a cool place whilst the appliance is defrosted.
Step 3: Scrape away excess ice.
You can use a scraper to remove any layers of ice and, if necessary, you can place a pot of warm water inside the freezer to help defrost. When scraping, be sure not to scrape too hard to avoid causing any damage to the freezer itself.
Step 4: Drain away water residue.
The water residue from defrosting can be drained out of the drainage hole to remove. Whilst doing this, you can also wipe around the drainage hole to remove any debris that may have become stuck inside.
Step 5: Clean the freezer.
Once all the ice and water has been removed, you can follow general cleaning instructions to thoroughly clean your appliance before switching back on. We recommend washing the walls with a soft cloth or sponge with gentle cleaners to remove any dirt.
Step 6: Switch back on and allow it to freeze.
When the appliance has been fully defrosted and cleaned, you can switch it back on. It should be put on the maximum temperature to allow it to freeze again, and the frozen food can be put back in.
This advice can be applied to different types of freezers, such as chest and under counter freezers, but you should always consult your user manual to check if your appliance has specific cleaning instructions. You can view all refrigeration here.