20 Trailblazers Leading The Way In Frost Free Fridge And Freezer

How to Maintain a Frost Free Fridge and Freezer A frost-free refrigerator and freezer will eliminate the need to manually defrost. This can save you time, effort and electricity when compared to a traditional refrigerator/freezer. Food that has been frozen could be damaged when ice crystals develop on the packaging. These crystals could cause freezer burn or alter the texture of food. Defrost The process of defrosting the freezer isn't glamorous or fun however it's an essential component of fridge and freezer maintenance. Warm air is dragged into the freezer every time you open it, which causes condensation and the formation of ice on interior surfaces. This frost interferes the freezer's ability to regulate temperature, making it work overtime and consume more energy. It can also affect the flavor and quality of food, and may cause freezer burn. The best way to defrost a freezer is to let it melt naturally, however this could take a long time. In the event of a crisis using a hairdryer or handheld steam cleaner can help speed up the process. Make sure to switch off and unplug the freezer, remove all frozen foods and clean up any spilled water prior to beginning work. Make sure to have an extra towel or a plastic liner, prepared prior to starting the process of defrosting. This will absorb any water that may spill. It's also a good idea to empty out your freezer completely to make it easier to organize the food left and dispose of expired or old items. After defrosting is completed make sure you clean and dry the freezer compartment thoroughly before turning it back on. Open and close the freezer's door several times to increase the temperature. Remove all shelves and drawers to make it easier to reach the ice. You can also place some old newspapers or towels that are extremely absorbent on the floor to soak any puddles that form from melting ice. As the ice melts make sure you keep an ice-cold spoon or plastic spatula handy to break up any large chunks that build up on interior walls. Avoid using sharp objects like forks, knives or Ice picks when trying to break through the ice. This can cause damage and leaks to the freezer. Also, don't forget to clean and wash the drawers and shelves you can remove after the ice has gone. After everything is clean then plug in the freezer and let it run for the night to get back to its normal temperature of freezing. Clean Regular cleaning is the best method to stop spores, food and odors from building up. Discard any produce that is damaged or beyond its prime. Give a thorough clean-up of all the shelves and drawers and wipe them clean with soapy water (I use Seventh Generation natural dish liquid using a damp cloth) then drying them. I also wipe down the freezer with a cloth dipped into a solution of vinegar and water or baking soda. Stains that are stubborn may require scrubbing with a nonscratch scrub brush. I also vacuum the coils in the back of my refrigerator using a spray. This removes all pet fur, dirt and dust that gets stuck in difficult to reach places. When you have fridges that are frost-free it is not necessary to defrost it as frequently as other models. Frost-free fridges are equipped with an engine that circulates cold air to cool the food, thereby making it unnecessary to do manual defrosting. It is nevertheless important to clean the refrigerator every week, removing any food that is past its expiration date, and cleaning out all the old bottles, jars and soy sauce packets. To make the process of defrosting your freezer easier take all food items from the freezer and place it in a different freezer or cooler that has frozen ice or an enclosed box with blankets. During this process, you should protect the floor of the freezer by using an old cloth. Once the freezer has been defrosted, you are able to remove any remaining ice with a plastic scraper. If your refrigerator is equipped with an automatic defrost feature, you will see an indicator light that will inform you when it's time to defrost. To ensure that you don't lose any frozen items during the defrost cycle, you can empty the freezer and put it on a counter. Then, you can replenish the freezer with frozen food items with a long shelf-life. Then, you can put the old towel at the bottom of the freezer to capture any dripping water as it melts. Maintaining If frost covers the evaporator, it will freeze. This can cause the refrigerator to work harder and consume more power. Regular maintenance is essential. This can be prevented by disconnecting the fridge and cleaning the evaporator. If the defrost system is functioning properly, a layer of ice should appear on the evaporator in an even pattern. If ice is forming on the evaporator, and it is not a defrost issue, it could be an indication of a faulty thermostat or timer. In older models, a return air duct and supply to and from the freezer can get clogged with dirt, pet hair or food residue. This causes the compressor to have to work harder and creates an excess heat that can then move to the refrigerator's section cabinet, causing warm temperatures there, particularly around the doors of the freezer. This problem can be reduced by ensuring that the freezer door gasket isn't damaged and is properly sealed. Frequent openings of the freezer could let humid air from the room to enter the appliance. Frydge creates an environment in which ice and frost form more quickly. The freezer should be kept tightly shut to limit the chance of ice and frost forming. Clean the drain trough of the evaporator regularly to ensure that it is not plugged with food residue or ice. This can be done with a hand-held vacuum or a special coil cleaner for refrigerators (usually using a brush that is able to get into hard to reach areas). Keep the freezer free of obstructions that could block air flow or the condenser. To remove food residues and to prevent odours from forming, clean the interior walls and shelves using a mixture of hot water, dish soap or baking powder. Air vents between the freezer and refrigerator compartments must not be blocked as this could result in an insufficient circulation of air, which could increase the humidity inside the appliance. Repair There are several reasons why your freezer with frost free may not be working properly. Most of them are straightforward and simple to fix, however some require the help of a specialist. The problem is typically caused by something that blocks air from moving to and from the freezer section. This can be caused either by food items that are packed too tightly or air gaps that are blocked, or by opening the door too long. Unplug your fridge prior to completing any maintenance or repairs. This reduces the chance of electric shock and allows any accumulated frost to melt naturally. If the refrigerator still isn't cooling, it could be due to a problem with the defrost. This type of fridge and freezer automatically activates a heater to melt any frost on the evaporator. The melted frost drains down a drain pipe into a pan at the back of the refrigerator and then it evaporates into air. The defrost-timer may need to be replaced if it is malfunctioning. A damaged seal could be preventing cold air to be able to enter the freezer area of your refrigerator. This can be fixed by cleaning the seal with warm water and a small amount of soap. Also, make sure that there are no items that are sat against the wall of the freezer, or blocking any freezer vents. You can also try replacing the freezer gasket if it's damaged or worn out. A lot of major appliance manufacturers offer replacement parts, including freezer gaskets. It is important to note that the replacement of a freezer gasket should only be done by a qualified professional. You may also be experiencing a problem in the evaporator which circulates air in the freezer area of your refrigerator. You will hear a click sound when the fan is switched on. This is because the ice that covers the evaporator coils is too thick and is pressing upon the fan blades. This is a problem that will need to be spotted by a qualified technician.