10 Frost Free Fridge And Freezer Meetups You Should Attend

How to Maintain a Frost Free Fridge and Freezer

A frost-free fridge and freezer will eliminate the need to manually defrost. This can save you time, effort and electricity when compared to a traditional refrigerator/freezer.

If ice crystals are visible on the package, frozen food can be damaged. These crystals can cause damage to your food and alter the texture of your food.

Defrost

The defrosting process for the freezer isn't glamorous or fun but it's an essential aspect of maintaining your fridge and freezer. Every time you open the freezer's door, warm air creeps in, causing moisture to condense and freeze on interior surfaces. This causes a disruption to the freezer's temperature control, causing it to work more frequently and use more energy. It can also affect the flavor and quality of food and can cause freezer burn.

The best method of defrosting the freezer is to let it melt naturally, but this could take a long time. In the event of a crisis, a hairdryer or handheld steam cleaner can speed up the process. Make sure you unplug and shut off the freezer prior to beginning. Take out all frozen food and clean up any spilled water.

Be sure to have a towel, or a plastic liner prepared prior to starting the defrosting procedure. This will help catch any water that might spill. It's also an excellent idea to empty your freezer completely, so you can reorganize any food leftovers and clear out old or expired items. Once the defrosting process is completed, you must thoroughly clean and dry your freezer before turning it 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 frozen ice. You can also lay old towels or newspapers that are extremely absorbent on the floor to soak up any water puddles caused by melting ice.

When the ice is melting ensure you have a warmed spoon or plastic spatula handy to break up any large chunks that accumulate on interior walls. Avoid using sharp objects such as knives, forks or Ice picks when trying to break through the ice. This can cause damage and leaks in the freezer. Don't forget to clean and wash the removable shelves and drawers after the ice has gone. Once everything is clean, 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 most effective method to stop spores, food and odors from building up. Get rid of any food item that is damaged or beyond its prime. Make sure you clean 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 the freezer down using a damp cloth dipped in a solution of vinegar and water or baking soda. The stubborn stains can be removed using a non-scratch scrub brush. I like to sweep the coils that are in the back of my fridge too with the nozzle attachment. This removes all dirt, pet fur and dust that gets stuck in difficult to reach places.

You won't have to defrost your frost-free refrigerator more often than you do with other models. Frost-free refrigerators come with a mechanism which circulates cold air to cool the food, eliminating the need for manual defrosting. However, it is important to clean your refrigerator at least every week, removing all food items that have passed its expiration date, and clearing out the old bottles, jars and packets of soy sauce.

To make defrosting easier, remove the contents of your freezer and put them in a different freezer, a cooler that contains frozen ice packs, or in a box lined with blankets. During this process, be sure to protect the floor of your freezer by putting an old towel at the bottom. You can get rid of any remaining ice after the freezer has been cleared of ice using the help of a plastic scraper.

If your refrigerator has an automatic defrost function, you'll see an indicator light that will inform you when it's time to defrost. Empty the freezer, and place it on the counter to avoid losing frozen food during the defrost. You can then replenish it with frozen food that has longevity. Then, you can use the old towel that is on the bottom of the freezer to capture any water that drips as it melts.

Maintaining

If the evaporator is coated with frost coil and it freezes and cause the fridge to work harder and consume more energy. Regular maintenance is essential. Unplugging the freezer and cleaning the evaporator coil will stop this from happening in the first instance.

When the defrost system is operating properly, a layer of frost should form on the evaporator, in an even pattern. If ice has formed on the evaporator but it's not a defrost issue it could be an indication of a defective thermostat or timer.

In some older models, a return air duct and supply to and from the freezer can get clogged with dirt, pet hair or food leftovers. This makes the compressor to work harder and generates an excess heat that will migrate to the refrigerator's section cabinet and cause warm temperatures, particularly around the doors of the freezer. Keeping the freezer door gasket free of damage and ensuring that it is sealed will help reduce the risk.

The freezer's frequent opening can also allow humid room air into the appliance, creating a climate in which frost and ice are more likely to form. Keeping the freezer tightly closed can help but it is not the only solution to eliminate all issues with frost and ice.

Clean the drain trough of the evaporator regularly to ensure that it is not plugged with food residue or ice. A hand-held vacuum hose, or a specially designed refrigerator coil cleaner (typically with brush that can be slipped into hard to reach places) is a good method of doing this.

Keep the freezer free of any obstructions which could block air flow or the condenser. To remove food residues and prevent odours, clean the interior walls and shelves with a mixture made of hot dish soap, hot water or baking powder. Air vents in the refrigerator and freezer compartments must not be blocked as this could result in inadequate circulation of air, which can increase the humidity inside the appliance.

Repair

There are a myriad of reasons your fridge freezer that is frost-free may not be working correctly. The majority of these problems are easy to fix, but some require professional assistance. Generally the problem is caused by something that prevents air from moving to and from the freezer section of the unit. It 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.

Unplug your fridge before performing any maintenance or repairs. This prevents the risk of electric shock and allows any accumulated frost to melt naturally.

If your refrigerator isn't cooling it could be due to a problem with the defrost. In this kind of fridge and freezer a heater is constantly turned on to melt any frozen frost that has accumulated on the coils that evaporate.  no frost fridge freezer  melted frost flows down a drain tube into a pan located in the back of the freezer. It eventually evaporates into ambient air. The defrost-timer could need to be replaced if it is malfunctioning.

A damaged seal could prevent cold air from being able to enter the freezer section of your refrigerator. This can be easily fixed by cleaning the seal using warm water and a bit of soap. Make sure there are no objects blocking the freezer vents or rubbing against the back wall of the refrigerator.

You can also replace the freezer gasket if it's worn or damaged. Most major appliance makers offer replacement parts in-person, including freezer gaskets. It is important to keep in mind that only a qualified professional can replace the gasket in a freezer.

Or, you could have a problem with the evaporator fan that circulates air in the freezer section of your refrigerator. In this scenario, you will likely hear a clicking sound whenever the fan is turned on. The evaporator's ice is getting too thick and causes the fan blades to become damaged. This will require an expert to be identified and fixed.