How to Maintain a Frost Free Fridge and Freezer
Defrosting isn't necessary with a frost-free fridge or freezer. This can save you time, effort and electricity when compared to a traditional refrigerator/freezer.
Food that has been frozen can be damaged when ice crystals develop on the package. 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, but it's an essential component of fridge and freezer maintenance. Every when you open the door of your freezer warm air infiltrates which causes moisture to condense and freeze on the inside of the freezer. Web Site causes the freezer to lose its ability to regulate temperature, causing it to work more frequently and consume more energy. It can also affect the taste and quality of food and may cause freezer burn.
Defrosting a freezer on your own is the best choice however it can take a long time. In the event of a crisis, a hairdryer or a handheld steam cleaner can accelerate the process. Be sure to switch off and unplug the freezer and take out all frozen food items, and clean up any spills of water prior to beginning work.
Before beginning making your preparations, ensure you have a towel or plastic liner handy to catch any water that may spill during the defrosting process. It's also a good idea to empty your freezer completely so that you can organize the food items that remain and take out old or expired items. When the defrosting process has been completed, you must thoroughly clean and dry your freezer before turning it on.
Open and close the door of your freezer repeatedly to increase the temperature. Remove all shelves and drawers to enable you to access the frozen ice. You can also place some old towels or newspapers that are highly absorbent on the floor to soak any puddles that form from melting ice.
While the ice melts, keep a heated spoon or spatula on hand to break up any large chunks that could be accumulating on the interior walls. Avoid using sharp objects like forks, knives, or ice picks to punch through ice, as this can puncture the inside walls of the freezer, causing leaks and damage. Don't forget to clean and wash the drawers and shelves that are removable once the ice is gone. After you've cleaned everything then plug into the freezer and let it run for a night to return to its normal temperature of freezing.
Clean
A regular cleaning is the best way to prevent the build-up of food odors and spores. Take out any food that has gone bad or is past its prime and dispose of it. Wipe down all 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 coated in a solution comprising baking soda and vinegar or water. Scrubbing tough stains with a non-scratch brush may be required. I like to clean the coils at the back of my fridge too using the nozzle attachment. This removes all dirt, pet fur and dust that is stuck in hard to reach areas.
When you have an appliance that is frost-free it is not necessary to defrost it as often as other models. Frost-free refrigerators have an engine that circulates cold air to cool food, thereby making it unnecessary to do manual defrosting. It is important to clean your refrigerator at least once per week. Get rid of any food items that have passed its expiration date, and clean out all old jars, bottles, and soy sauce packets.
To make defrosting easier, remove the contents of your freezer and temporarily put them in a different freezer, a cooler containing ice packs, or in a box covered with blankets. During this process, protect the floor of the freezer by using an old cloth. Once the freezer has been defrosted, you can remove any remaining ice using an ice scraper made of plastic.
If your refrigerator is equipped with an automatic defrost feature you will see an indicator light that will let you know when it's time to defrost. Empty the freezer and set it on the counter so that you don't risk losing frozen food during the defrost. Then, you can restock the freezer with frozen items that have a long shelf-life. You can then use an old towel to catch any water that leaks from the freezer as it melts.
Maintaining
If frost covers the evaporator, it will freeze. This will cause the fridge to work more and use more energy. This is why maintaining it regularly is so important. This can be avoided by unplugging the refrigerator and cleaning the evaporator.
If the defrost is operating properly, a layer should form on the evaporator with an uniform pattern. If there is ice build-up on the evaporator, and it's not caused by an issue with defrost, it may be an indication of a malfunctioning timer or defrost termination thermostat.
In some older models, a return air duct and supply to and from the freezer can be blocked by dirt, pet hair, or food remnants. This causes the compressor to work harder and generates lots of heat that will migrate to the refrigerator's section cabinet, causing warm temperatures there, particularly around the freezer doors. Keeping the freezer door gasket free of damage and making sure that it is tight will reduce this problem.
Frequent openings of the freezer could also allow humid air from the room to enter the appliance. This creates a situation in which ice and frost form more easily. The freezer must be kept shut tightly to minimize the chance of frost and ice.
Clean the drain trough for the evaporator regularly to ensure that it isn't blocked by food debris or ice. A hand-held vacuum hose or specially designed refrigerator coil cleaner (typically with a brush that slips into hard to reach places) is a good method to accomplish this.
Keep the freezer space clear of any obstructions that could hinder air flow or block the condenser fan. To remove food particles and eliminate odours, wash the interior walls and shelves using a mix of hot dish soap, water or baking powder. Check that the air vents in the freezer and refrigerator compartments are not blocked, as this can reduce proper air circulation and also increase humidity levels in the appliance.
Repair
There are a variety of reasons your freezer's frost-free refrigerator might not be functioning properly. Most of them are simple and easy to fix but some require the assistance of a specialist. Most often, the issue is caused by something that blocks air from moving to and from the freezer section of the unit. This could be caused by over-packed packages of food, clogged air gaps or opening the door too long.
Unplug your refrigerator prior to performing any repairs or maintenance. This prevents the risk of electric shock and allows accumulated frost to melt naturally.
If the refrigerator is unable to cool it could be due to an issue with the defrost system. In this kind of fridge and freezer, a heater constantly turned on to melt any frost that has formed on the evaporator coils. The melted frost flows through a drain tube to a pan located in the back of the freezer and eventually evaporates into the surrounding air. The timer for defrost could be defective and should be replaced.
It's also possible that a bad seal is preventing cold air from entering the freezer section of your refrigerator. It is easy to solve this issue by cleaning the seal using warm water and soap. Also, make sure that there are no items resting against the rear wall of the freezer, or blocking any freezer vents.
If the gasket is worn or damaged You can try to replace it. Many major appliance manufacturers provide spare parts, including freezer gaskets. It is crucial to remember that only a professional with a license can replace the gasket in a freezer.
Alternatively, you may be experiencing a problem with the fan that circulates air in the freezer area of your fridge. You will hear a clicking noise when the fan is switched on. This is because the ice on the evaporator coils has become too thick and is pressing on the fan blades. This is an issue that requires to be diagnosed by a professional.