How to Maintain a Frost Free Fridge and Freezer

Defrosting is not required when you have a frost-free fridge freezers refrigerator 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 package. These crystals can cause damage to your food and alter the texture of your food.

Defrost

The process of defrosting your freezer isn't glamorous nor fun however it is an essential component of maintaining your fridge and freezer. Every when you open the door of your freezer warm air is pushed in which causes condensation and freezing on the interior surfaces. This causes the freezer to lose its ability to regulate temperature, causing it work harder and use 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 choice however it can take several hours. In the event of an emergency, a hairdryer or a handheld steam cleaner can speed up the process. Be sure to turn off and unplug the freezer and remove all frozen food items and wash up any spilled water before you start working.

Before you start the process, ensure that you have a towel or plastic liner to catch any water that spills during the process of defrosting. It's a good idea also to empty the entire freezer to allow you to reorganize the food left and get rid of old or expired items. After the defrosting process is complete, make sure to thoroughly clean and dry your freezer prior to turning it off.

To accelerate the natural defrost process, open and close the door to your freezer a few times in order to help the temperature rise. Remove all shelves and drawers to enable you to access the ice. You can also put some extremely absorbent towels or old newspapers on the floor to absorb any puddles of melting the ice.

When the ice is melting, be sure to keep a warmed spoon or plastic spatula handy to break up any large chunks that accumulate on interior walls. Avoid using sharp objects like forks, knives or ice picks to punch through ice, as they can damage the interior walls of the freezer and cause leaks and damage. Make sure to wash and clean the removable drawers and shelves once the ice has been removed. After you've cleaned everything then plug in the freezer and let it run for the night to get back to its normal freezing temperature.

Clean

Regular cleaning is the best method to stop spores, food and odors from building up. Throw away any produce that is spoiled or beyond its prime. Give a thorough clean-up of all drawers and shelves, wiping them down with soapy water (I use Seventh Generation natural dish liquid using a damp cloth) then drying them. I also clean the freezer with a clean cloth coated in a solution comprising baking soda and vinegar or water and water. Scrubbing hard-to-clean stains using a non-scratch brush may be required. I like to vacuum the coils that are in the back of my fridge as well with the nozzle attachment. This removes all pet fur, dirt and dust that has accumulated in the hard-to-access areas.

You will not need to defrost your fridge with frost free integrated fridge freezer as frequently as you do with other models. Frost free fridges have an automated cooling system that cools food by circulating cold air throughout the fridge which eliminates the necessity of manually defrosting the appliance. It is crucial to clean your refrigerator at least once per week. Throw out any food items that have passed the expiration date, and clean out all old bottles, jars and soy sauce packets.

To make defrosting simpler, remove the contents of your freezer. You can then temporarily place them in another freezer, a cooler with Ice packs, or in a box covered with blankets. During this process, you should protect the floor of the freezer with an old cloth. You can remove any remaining ice after the freezer has been defrosted with the help of a plastic scraper.

If your fridge is equipped with an automatic defrost system built-in It will probably have an indicator light to let you know it's time to defrost. To avoid losing any frozen foods during the defrost process, you can empty the freezer and put it on a counter. Then, you can restock the freezer with frozen foods with a long shelf-life. Then, you can put the old towel on the bottom of the freezer to catch any water that drips as it melts.

Keep

If the evaporator is coated with frost coil it will freeze which causes the amazon fridge freezers frost free to work harder and consume more energy. This is why regular maintenance is essential. Unplugging the freezer and cleaning the evaporator coil can prevent this from happening in the first place.

If the defrost mechanism is operating properly the frost layer should form on the evaporator in an evenly pattern. If there is an accumulation of ice on the evaporator that is not caused by a defrost problem, it may be an indication of a defective timer or defrost termination thermostat.

Some older models can have a clogged supply as well as return air duct from and to the freezer. This could be caused by pet hair or food residue. This makes the compressor to work harder and generates an excess heat that will migrate into the refrigerator section cabinet and cause warm temperatures, particularly around the doors of the freezer. By keeping the gasket of the freezer door free of damage and making sure that it is in good condition will reduce this problem.

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

Regularly clean the evaporator drainage trough to make sure it is not blocked with food debris or ice. This can be accomplished with handheld vacuum cleaners or a special coil cleaner for refrigerators (usually using a brush that can be inserted into difficult to reach areas).

Clean the freezer space of any obstructions that could hinder airflow or block the condenser fan. To remove food residues and to prevent odours from forming, clean the shelves and walls using a mixture of hot dish soap, water or baking powder. Ensure that the air vents between the refrigerator and freezer compartments are not blocked because this could hinder air circulation and raise the humidity levels inside the appliance.

Repair

There are many reasons why your fridge freezer that is frost-free may not be working correctly. Most of them are straightforward and easy to fix but some require the help of a specialist. Most often, the issue is caused by something that prevents air from flowing to and from the freezer section of the unit. This could be due to the over-packaging of food items or blocked ventilation gaps. It could also be due to the door being left open for too long.

It is important to disconnect your refrigerator prior to performing any repairs or maintenance. This will reduce the risk of electric shocks and allows any frozen frost to melt naturally.

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

A bad seal could also hinder cold air from be able to enter the freezer area of your refrigerator. This can be easily repaired by cleaning the seal using warm water and a small amount of soap. It is also important to ensure that there aren't any objects resting against the rear wall of the freezer or blocking any vents for the freezer.

You can also replace the freezer gasket if it is worn or damaged. The majority of major appliance manufacturers provide replacement parts for their products directly, including freezer gaskets. It is important to keep in mind that only a professional with a license can replace the gasket in a freezer.

You could also be experiencing a problem in the evaporator that circulates air through the freezer section of your refrigerator. In this instance, you will likely hear a sound of clicking when the fan is turned on. This is because the ice on the evaporator coils is too thick and is impinging upon the fan blades. This is a problem that will need to be diagnosed by a professional.