10 Facts About Frost Free Fridge And Freezer That Will Instantly Put You In The Best Mood

How to Maintain a Frost Free Fridge and Freezer

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

Frozen food can be damaged when 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 your freezer isn't the most exciting or enjoyable however it's an essential part of fridge and freezer maintenance. Each time you open the door of your freezer warm air infiltrates which causes condensation and freezing on the interior surfaces. This causes a disruption to the freezer's temperature control, causing it to work overtime and consume more energy. It can also compromise food flavor and quality, and cause freezer burn.

The natural method of defrosting a freezer is the best choice however, it can take a long time. In the event of an emergency, a hairdryer or handheld steam cleaner can accelerate the process. Just be sure to turn off and unplug the freezer and remove all frozen food items and clean up any water that spills prior to beginning work.

Make sure to have a towel or a plastic liner, ready prior to beginning the defrosting procedure. This will absorb any water that may spill. It's also an excellent idea to empty your freezer completely so that you can organize any food leftovers and clear out items that are no longer in use. Once the defrosting process is complete, make sure to thoroughly clean and dry your freezer prior to turning it on.

To accelerate the natural defrost process open and close the door to your freezer a few times in order to help the temperature rise. Take out all drawers and shelves to make it easier to reach the frozen ice. You can also place very absorbent towels or newspapers on the floor to soak up any puddles that may form from melting ice.

As the ice melts ensure you have an ice-cold spoon or plastic spatula in your kitchen to break off any thick chunks that accumulate on walls inside. Avoid using sharp objects such as knives, forks, or ice picks to smash through ice, since this can puncture the inside walls of the freezer, causing leaks and damage. Don't forget to wash and clean the shelves and drawers that are removable after the ice has been removed. After everything is clean then plug in the freezer and let it run for a night until it returns to its normal freezing temperature.

Clean

Regular cleaning is the most effective method to prevent spores and food odors from building up. Get rid of any food item that has gone bad or is over its best. Wipe down all shelves and drawers with soapy water using a damp cloth (I use Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid). Dry them. I also clean the freezer with a cloth dipped into a solution of water and vinegar or baking soda. Scrubbing hard-to-clean stains using a non-scratch brush might be required. I also clean the coils in the back of my refrigerator by using a nozzle. This removes all pet fur, dirt and dust that has accumulated in the hard-to-access areas.

You won't have to defrost your frost-free refrigerator as often as you would with other models. Frost free fridges have an automatic cooling mechanism that cools the food by circulating cold air throughout the fridge which eliminates the necessity of manually defrosting the appliance. However, it is essential to clean your refrigerator at least every week, throwing out any food that is past the expiration date and getting rid of all the old bottles, jars and packets of soy sauce.

To make the process of defrosting your freezer simpler remove all food items from the freezer and put it in a freezer that is not used, a cooler with ice packs or in a box that is lined with blankets. During this process, protect the floor of the freezer with an old cloth. After the freezer is defrosted, you can scrape off any remaining ice using an ice scraper made of plastic.

If your fridge has an automatic defrost system built-in It will probably have an indicator light to let you know when it's time to run a defrost cycle. Empty the freezer and set it on the counter to avoid losing frozen food during defrost. You can then restock it with frozen food that has longevity. You can then make use of an old towel to catch any water that leaks out of the freezer when it melts.

Keep

If the evaporator is covered with frost the evaporator will freeze. This can cause the fridge to work harder and use more energy. Regular maintenance is essential. Unplugging the freezer and cleaning the evaporator coil can prevent this from occurring in the first place.

When the defrost is working properly, a layer should appear on the evaporator in an even pattern. If ice has formed on the evaporator, and it is not a defrost issue, it could be an indication of a malfunctioning thermostat or timer.

Some older models can have a blocked supply and return air duct from the freezer and back to it. This could be caused by food residues or pet hair. This makes the compressor to work harder and generates lots of heat that will migrate to the refrigerator's section cabinet and create warm temperatures there, especially around the freezer doors. Keeping the freezer door gasket free of damage and ensuring that it is sealed will lessen the chance of this happening.

The frequent openings of the freezer could allow humid air from the room to enter the appliance. This creates a situation where frost and ice can form more quickly. The freezer should be kept tightly shut to limit the chance of ice and frost forming.

Clean regularly the evaporator drainage 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 that can be inserted into difficult to reach areas).

Make sure the freezer is free of any obstructions which can block airflow or the condenser. Clean the interior walls and shelves of the freezer with hot dish soap and hot water. You can also use baking soda to remove any food remnants and avoid smells. Check that the air vents in the refrigerator and freezer compartments are not blocked, because this could hinder air circulation and also increase the humidity levels inside the appliance.

Repair

There are a variety of reasons your frost free fridge freezer may not be working properly. Most of them are straightforward and simple to fix, however a few require the help of a specialist. Most often, the issue is caused by something that blocks air from flowing into and from the freezer section of the unit. It could be caused by over-packed food packages or air gaps that are blocked. It could also be caused by leaving the door open too long.

It is important to unplug your refrigerator prior to attempting any maintenance or repairs. This will prevent the risk of an electric shock and also allow any frost to melt on its own.

If the refrigerator is still not cooling, it could be because of an issue with the defrost system. This kind of refrigerator and freezer automatically activates the heater to melt any frost on the evaporator. The melted frost flows down a drain tube into a pan in the back of the freezer and eventually evaporates into the surrounding air. The defrost timer could need be replaced if it's malfunctioning.

A damaged seal could hinder cold air from be able to enter the freezer area of your refrigerator. It is easy to solve this issue by cleaning the seal with warm water and soap. It is also important to ensure that there are no items resting against the rear wall of the freezer or blocking any freezer vents.

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.  best frost free fridge freezer  is important to keep in mind that only a professional with a license should replace the gasket in a freezer.

There could be problems with the evaporator that circulates air in the freezer section of your refrigerator. You will hear a clicking noise when the fan is switched on. The ice on the evaporator has grown too thick and causes the fan blades to become damaged. This requires a professional to be diagnosed and corrected.