This Is The Ugly Truth About Frost Free Fridge And Freezer

How to Maintain a Frost Free Fridge and Freezer

Defrosting is not required with a frost-free fridge freezer. This can save you time, effort and electricity when compared to a traditional refrigerator/freezer.

If you notice ice crystals on the packaging food, it could be damaged. These crystals could cause freezing burns or alter the texture of food.

Defrost

The defrosting process for the freezer isn't glamorous nor fun but it's an essential aspect of maintaining your fridge and freezer. Every when you open the freezer's door warm air infiltrates, causing moisture to condense and freeze on interior surfaces. This causes the freezer to lose its ability to regulate temperature, causing it work more frequently and consume more energy. It can also affect the flavor and quality of food, and lead to freezer burn.

Defrosting a freezer on your own is the best option, but it can take many hours. If you need to accelerate the process then a handheld steamer or hairdryer can be used. Just be sure to switch off and unplug the freezer, remove all frozen foods and clean up any spills of water prior to beginning work.

Before you start, make sure you have a towel or a plastic liner in hand to collect any water that may spill during the defrosting process. It's a good idea to empty the entire freezer to make it easier to organize the food that is left and get rid of old or expired items. When the defrosting process has been completed, be sure to thoroughly clean and dry the freezer prior to turning it off.

Close and open the door to the freezer several times to increase the temperature. Take all drawers and shelves off to enable you to access the ice. You can also lay highly absorbent towels or old newspapers on the floor to soak up any puddles of melting ice.

While the ice is melting make sure you keep a warmed spoon or plastic spatula on hand to break up any large chunks that build up on interior walls. Avoid sharp objects like forks, knives or ice picks when you are trying to break through the ice. This can cause damage and leaks to the freezer. Don't forget to clean and wash the drawers and shelves you can remove after the ice has been removed. After cleaning the freezer, plug it in and let it run for a couple of hours to return to its normal freezing temperatures.

Clean

A regular cleaning is the best way to prevent the build-up of food odors and spores. Remove any produce that has gone bad or is past its prime and throw it away. 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 damp cloth dipped in a solution of water and vinegar or baking soda. Stains that are stubborn may require scrubbing using a non-scratch scrub brush. I like to clean the coils at the back of my fridge as well with an attachment for nozzles. This pulls out all dust and pet hair that accumulates in difficult-to-access places.

If you own an appliance that is frost-free it is not necessary to defrost it as often as other models. Frost-free refrigerators come with an engine that circulates cold air to cool the food, thereby eliminating the need for manual defrosting. It is essential to clean your refrigerator at least once per week. Throw out any food items that have expired its expiration date and take out any old bottles, jars, and soy sauce packets.

To make the task of defrosting your freezer simpler take all food items from the freezer and put it temporarily into another freezer, a cooler with ice packs or in a box lined with blankets. During this process, make sure to protect the floor of your freezer using an old towel at the bottom. You can remove any remaining ice once the freezer has been defrosted using the help of a plastic scraper.

If your refrigerator has an automatic defrost feature, you'll see a light that will let you know when it's time to defrost. To ensure that you do not lose any frozen foods during the defrost process, you can empty the freezer and set it on a counter. You can then restock it with frozen food that has an extended shelf life. You can then use an old towel to collect any water that leaks from the freezer as it melts.

Maintaining

If the evaporator is covered in frost, it will freeze. This causes the fridge to work more and use more power. Regular maintenance is essential. This can be prevented by unplugging the refrigerator and cleaning the evaporator.

If the defrost is operating correctly, a layer will form on the evaporator in an uniform pattern. If ice is building up on the evaporator, but it's not a problem with defrost, it could be an indication of a defective thermostat or timer.

Some older models could have a clogged supply as well as return air ducts from the freezer and back to it. This can be caused by pet hair or food residue. This makes the compressor work harder, and it creates excess heat. The heat then migrate into the refrigerator section cabinet, and cause temperatures to rise there. This issue can be cured by ensuring the freezer door gasket isn't damaged and is sealed tightly.

The frequent opening of the freezer can also allow humid room air into the appliance, creating an environment where ice and frost are more likely to form. The freezer must be kept tightly shut to limit the chance of frost and ice.

Clean the evaporator drain trough regularly to ensure that it isn't clogged with food debris or ice. This can be done using handheld vacuum cleaners or a coil cleaner designed specifically for refrigerators (usually with a brush which can be inserted into difficult to reach areas).

Clean the freezer space of obstructions that could hinder air flow or block the condenser fan. Clean the interior shelves and walls of the freezer using a mixture of hot dish soap and hot water. You can also use baking soda to remove any food remnants and avoid odours. Air vents between the freezer and refrigerator compartments should not be blocked as this can cause poor air circulation, which will increase humidity in the appliance.

Repair

There are many reasons why your frost-free fridge freezer might not be working correctly. Most of these issues are easy to fix but some require expert assistance. Most often, the issue is caused by something that stops air from flowing to and from the freezer section of the unit. This could be caused by over-packed food packages or air gaps that are blocked, or by opening the door too long.

Unplug your refrigerator prior to performing any maintenance or repairs. This will reduce the chance of an electric shock, and let any frost melt on its own.

If the refrigerator is still unable to cool it could be because of an issue with the defrost system. This kind of refrigerator and freeze automatically turns on a heater to melt any frost that is on the evaporator. The melted frost runs down a drain tube into a pan located in the back of the freezer and eventually evaporates into the surrounding air. The defrost timer could need be replaced if malfunctioning.

A damaged seal could be preventing cold air to enter the freezer section of your fridge. This can be repaired by cleaning the seal using warm water and a little of soap. Check to see if there are any objects blocking the freezer vents or rubbing against the back wall of the refrigerator.

You can also replace the freezer gasket in case it is damaged or worn out. Many major appliance manufacturers offer replacement parts in-person including freezer gaskets. It is crucial to remember that only a qualified professional can replace the gasket in a freezer.

Or, you could be experiencing a problem with the evaporator fan which circulates air through the freezer section of your refrigerator. You'll hear a clicking noise when the fan is switched on. The ice on the evaporator has become too thick, and is causing the fan blades to be damaged.  small frost free fridge freezers  requires a professional to be diagnosed and fixed.