How To Explain Frost Free Fridge And Freezer To Your Grandparents

How to Maintain a Frost Free Fridge and Freezer

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

Food frozen in the freezer may be damaged when ice crystals develop on the package. These crystals can cause freezer burn or alter the texture of food.

Defrost

The defrosting process for the freezer isn't glamorous nor fun however it is an essential aspect of maintaining your fridge and freezer. Each time you open the freezer door, warm air creeps in, causing condensation and freezing on the inside of the freezer. The frost can affect the freezer's temperature control, causing it to work overtime and consume more energy. It can also affect the flavor and quality of food, and can cause freezer burn.

The best method to defrost the freezer is to let it melt naturally. However, this could take a long time. In the event of a crisis, a hairdryer or a 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 spills of water before you start working.

Before beginning the process, ensure that you have a towel or plastic liner handy to catch any water that may spill during the process of defrosting. It's a good idea also to empty out your freezer completely to allow you to reorganize the food left and get rid of expired or old items. After defrosting is completed, be sure to wipe down and dry the freezer compartment thoroughly before turning it back 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 allow you to get closer to the frozen ice. You can also place extremely absorbent towels or newspaper on the floor to absorb any puddles of melting the ice.

As the ice melts make sure you keep a warm spoon or plastic spatula handy to break up any large chunks that have accumulated on the walls inside. Avoid using sharp objects like knives, forks or ice picks when trying to break through the ice. This could cause damage and leaks in the freezer. Don't forget to clean and rinse removable drawers and shelves once the ice has been removed. After everything is clean then plug into the freezer and let it run overnight until it returns to its normal temperature of freezing.

Clean

Regular cleaning is the most effective method of preventing spores and food odors from building up. Throw away any produce that has gone bad or is over its best. Give a thorough clean-up of all drawers and shelves 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 using a damp cloth dipped in a solution of vinegar and water or baking soda. Scrubbing tough stains with a non-scratch broom may be necessary. I also vacuum the coils in the back of my refrigerator using a spray. This will get rid of all the dirt, pet fur and dust that gets stuck in the hard-to-access areas.

If you have a frost free refrigerator, you will not need to defrost it as often as other models. Frost-free refrigerators have an automatic cooling mechanism that cools food by circulating cold air through the refrigerator which eliminates the requirement to manually defrost the appliance. It is essential to clean your refrigerator at least once per week. Throw out any food that has passed its expiration date and clean out all old bottles, jars, and soy sauce packets.

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

If your fridge has 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 food items during the defrost cycle, you can empty the freezer and place it on a counter. Then, you can restock the freezer with frozen items that have a long shelf-life. You can then use an old towel to collect any water that leaks out of the freezer when it melts.

Maintaining

If the evaporator is covered with frost, it will freeze. This can cause the fridge to work harder and use more power. Regular maintenance is vital. Unplugging the freezer and cleaning the evaporator coil will prevent this from happening in the first instance.

If the defrost system is working correctly there should be a layer of frost that will form on the evaporator in an even pattern. If ice has formed on the evaporator, and it's not a defrost issue this could be a sign of a faulty thermostat or timer.

Some older models can have a blocked supply and return air ducts from and to the freezer. This could be caused by food residue or pet hair. This makes the compressor to work harder and creates an excess heat that can then move to the refrigerator section cabinet, causing warm temperatures there, especially around the freezer doors. Keeping the freezer door gasket free of damage and ensuring that it is in good condition will reduce this problem.

Frydge  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 should be kept tightly shut to limit the chance of ice and frost forming.

Clean the drain trough of the evaporator frequently to ensure that it is not plugged with food residue or ice. A hand-held vacuum hose, or a special refrigerator coil cleaner (typically with brushes that slide into hard to reach places) is a good method to accomplish this.

Clean the freezer space of any obstructions that might hinder air flow or block the condenser fan. Clean the interior walls and shelves of the freezer using hot water and dish soap or baking soda to eliminate any food residues and to eliminate unpleasant odours. Check that the air vents between the refrigerator and freezer compartments are not blocked, because this could hinder air circulation and also increase humidity levels in the appliance.

Repair

There are several reasons why your fridge freezer that is frost-free might not be functioning correctly. Most of them are straightforward and simple to fix, however some require the help of a professional. Most often, the issue is caused by something that blocks air from flowing to and from the freezer section of the unit. This could be caused by food items that are packed too tightly or air gaps that are blocked. It could also be caused by closing the door for too long.

It is crucial to disconnect your refrigerator prior to attempting any maintenance or repairs. This will eliminate the possibility 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 type of fridge and freeze automatically turns on the heater to melt any frost on the evaporator. The melted frost drains through a drain pipe to an unintended pan located at the rear of the refrigerator. It it then evaporates into the air. The defrost timer may be malfunctioning and need to be replaced.

It's possible that a faulty seal is preventing cold air from entering the freezer compartment of your refrigerator. This can be repaired by cleaning the seal with warm water and a little of soap. Make sure there are no objects blocking the freezer vents or resting against back wall of the refrigerator.

You can also try replacing the freezer gasket if it's damaged or worn. A lot of major appliance manufacturers offer spare parts, including freezer gaskets. It is important to know that the replacement of the gasket in a freezer is best performed by a trained professional.

You could also be having issues with the evaporator fan which circulates air in 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 become damaged. This will require an expert to be identified and corrected.