It’s close to impossible fitting in household chores, errands, and work in a day. And one of the most time-consuming activities at home that cannot wait is defrosting. How many times has it happened to you? You get a fresh bag of groceries waiting on the counter because you forgot to defrost your refrigerator, and most of your frozen goods can’t fit. If you say often, we won’t judge.
If you’re here because you want to know how to defrost refrigerator the quickest way possible, you’re in the right place. We’re going to go through some tried-and-tested steps that you can experiment with until you get one that’s just right for you.
Quick Tips On Defrosting A Refrigerator
There’s more than one way on how to defrost refrigerator. And depending on what’s comfortable, convenient, and available to you, one of these should work out well.
When do you defrost your refrigerator?
- When the ice builds up to a quarter of an inch, it’s time to defrost.
How To Manually Defrost A Refrigerator
Before we get to some tips and tricks, these are the steps on how to defrost refrigerator manually:
Step 1. Switch off your refrigerator and unplug it.
Step 2. Remove the contents of your freezer and transfer more sensitive items into a separate container with ice packs and cool bags.
Use this time to remove any unnecessary items in your fridge. Note the food that can’t be refrozen after thawing like chicken and plan your defrosting ahead.
Step 3. Remove all the shelves and drawers to speed up the defrosting process. Wash the shelves and drawers with dishwashing liquid. Wipe the drawers with antibacterial spray.
Step 4. Wait for the ice to melt. Be ready with a mop or towels to wipe dripping water due to defrosting.
Step 5. Clean your freezer and the walls of your refrigerator. Clean the insides of your refrigerator using a clean cloth and wipe them dry. Use an antibacterial spray to clean the other areas of your refrigerator.
Step 6. Put back the shelves and drawers.
Step 7. Put the food back in the refrigerator and turn on the freezer. Thawed raw meat must be consumed immediately.
Step 8. Make sure you set it at the right temperature for optimal performance.
If there’s one thing you could change in this process, what would it be? Most people usually get stuck on step 4, waiting for the ice to melt. For people on the go, the traditional way of leaving the refrigerator door open is a waste of time. But we have a few tips on how to defrost refrigerator fast, so it doesn’t affect your schedule and keeps your frozen goods frozen.
Tips On Faster Refrigerator Defrosting
Use your trusty blow dryer.
Yes, your blow dryer can speed up the defrosting process the same way it speedily dries your hair by blowing warm air.
- Practice safety precautions when using a blow dryer.
- Ensure you stand clean of any water and keep the dryer and cord away from water or ice.
- Use the blower on focused areas at a time.
- Don’t use the dryer too close to the sides of your freezer or the coils behind the refrigerator.
- Ensure you have towels on the freezer’s base to soak up melted ice.
Use rubbing alcohol and a hot cloth.
If you need to remove a layer of frost gathering at a particular spot, this is an excellent way to do it.
- Dip a cloth in boiling water.
- Pour rubbing alcohol on the cloth.
- Wipe around the ice to loosen it.
Use electric fans at full speed.
If you have warm air circulating in your home, this is an excellent way to speed up the defrosting process.
- Position the fan outside the freezer with its door open.
- Set the fan on full speed since the airflow will make it melt faster.
- Depending on the ice’s thickness, this will still take time, but it’s faster than just waiting for the ice to melt.
Use pans and bowls of hot water and place them on the refrigerator shelves.
Note: The heat of the pans and bowls may damage the shelves, so we recommend you place a thick towel underneath for protection.
- Allow the steam from the hot water to loosen the ice.
- Replace the pan or bowl every 10 minutes to ensure the steam is fresh and warm.
- Remove the loosened ice with a plastic scraper or the melted ice with a sponge.
Use a traditional ice scraper.
This traditional method can be dangerous, so proceed with caution.
- Some refrigerators come with a free scraper for defrosting.
- A traditional ice scraper is made of plastic or wood to ensure your safety.
- This method should be used along with other ways to speed up the process.
The key to how to defrost refrigerator effectively is to plan. Conventional models usually need to be defrosted once a week, depending on usage. Take note of your use so you can schedule your defrosting accordingly.
Information On Built-in Defrosting Refrigerators
Some refrigerators have built-in defrosting, and although this is an obvious convenience, this feature consumes a significant amount of energy.
- Depending on the model and type of your refrigerator, the defrost cycle happens every 15 hours.
- There is no noise during the defrost cycle, only water dripping or sizzling.
- Some models have an indicator for defrosting.
- The defrosting cycle takes as long as 45 minutes or short as 25 minutes.
Whether you choose manual or auto defrosting ultimately depends on you. Here’s how to learn more about appliance maintenance.
Conclusion
We may be rushing daily, but there’s always time to plan. Now that you know some tips on how to defrost refrigerator faster, the next thing to master is how to plan effectively. Activities that take a lot of time also need a lot of planning, which ultimately results in efficiency, convenience, and safety for your household.