A Proficient Rant Concerning Frost Free Fridge And Freezer

How to Maintain a Frost Free Fridge and Freezer

A frost-free fridge and freezer removes the need to defrost manually. 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 form on the package. These crystals can cause freezing burns or alter the texture of food.

Defrost

The process of defrosting the freezer isn't glamorous nor fun but it's an essential aspect of maintaining your fridge and freezer. Warm air is drawn into the freezer every when you open it, which causes condensation and frozen surfaces. This frost interferes with the freezer's temperature control, which causes it to work harder and consume more energy. It can also affect the taste and quality of food, and can cause freezer burn.

The best method to defrost a freezer is to let it melt naturally, but this could take a long time. In the event of a crisis using a hairdryer or handheld steam cleaner can accelerate the process. Make sure you unplug and turn off the freezer before you begin. Get  built in frost free fridge freezer  of any frozen food items and clean up any water spilled.

Make sure to have a towel, or a plastic liner ready prior to beginning the process of defrosting. This will absorb any water that might spill. It's also a good idea to empty out your freezer completely to make it easier to organize the food left and get rid of expired or old items. Once the defrosting process is complete, make sure to thoroughly clean and dry the freezer before turning it on.

To speed up the natural process of defrosting, open and close the door to your freezer a few times to help the temperature to rise. Then, remove all drawers and shelves to give yourself easier access to the ice. You can also lay old towels or newspapers that are highly absorbent on the floor to soak up any puddles created by melting ice.

When the ice melts keep a heated spoon or plastic spatula in the vicinity to break off any large chunks that could build up on the walls. Avoid using sharp objects such as forks, knives or ice picks to punch through ice, as this could puncture the interior walls of the freezer and cause leaks and damage. Be sure to clean and rinse the shelves and drawers after the ice has been removed. After cleaning the freezer, plug it in and let it run for a few hours to return to its normal freezing temperatures.

Clean

A regular cleaning is the best way to avoid the accumulation of spores and odors from food. Throw away any produce that is spoiled or over its best. Do a once-over of all the shelves and drawers cleaning them with soapy water (I use Seventh Generation natural dish liquid with a damp cloth) and drying them. I also clean the freezer with a cloth dipped in a solution of baking soda and vinegar or water and water. The stubborn stains can be removed using a non-scratch scrub brush. I also vacuum the coils in the back of my refrigerator with a blower. This pulls out all the dirt, pet hair, and dust that accumulates in difficult-to-access places.

You won't have to defrost your frost-free refrigerator as frequently as you do with other models. Frost-free refrigerators have a mechanism which circulates cold air to cool food items, thus eliminating the need for manual defrosting. However, it is important to clean the refrigerator every week, throwing out all food items that have passed the expiration date and cleaning out all the old jars, bottles and soy sauce packets.

To make defrosting simpler, remove the contents of your freezer and temporarily move them into a different freezer, a cooler with frozen ice packs, or a box lined with blankets. During this process, cover the floor of the freezer by using an old cloth. You can remove any remaining ice once the freezer has been defrosted with a plastic scraper.

If your fridge has an automatic defrost system built-in It will probably have an indicator light to let you know it's time to run a defrost cycle. To ensure that you do not lose any frozen foods during the defrost cycle, you can empty the freezer and place it on a counter. Then, you are able to replenish the freezer with frozen items that have a long shelf life. Then, you can use the old towel at the bottom of the freezer to collect any drips of water as it melts.

Maintaining

If frost gets on the evaporator coil it will freeze and cause the fridge to work harder and consume more energy. This is why maintaining it regularly is so important. This can be prevented by unplugging the fridge and cleaning the evaporator.

If the defrost mechanism is functioning properly there should be a layer of frost that will form on the evaporator in an even pattern. If ice is building up on the evaporator, but it's not a defrost issue it could be an indication of a defective thermostat or timer.

Certain older models may have a blocked supply and return air ducts from and to the freezer. This can be caused by food residues or pet hair. This causes the compressor to work harder and generates lots of heat that is transferred to the refrigerator's section cabinet, causing warm temperatures there, particularly around the doors of the freezer. This issue can be cured by ensuring the freezer door gasket is not damaged and is tightly sealed.

The frequent openings of the freezer may allow moist air from the room to get into the appliance. This creates an environment in which ice and frost form more easily. The freezer should be kept tightly closed to reduce the possibility of frost and ice.

Clean the drain trough of the evaporator frequently to ensure that it isn't clogged with food debris or ice. This can be done with handheld vacuum cleaners or a coil cleaner designed specifically for refrigerators (usually with a brush that slips into the hard to reach areas).

Clean the freezer space of any obstructions that could hinder air flow or obstruct the condenser fan. Clean the interior shelves and walls of the freezer with a mixture of hot dish soap and hot water. You can also use baking soda to get rid of any food residues and to eliminate unpleasant odours. Air vents between the refrigerator and freezer compartments must not be blocked as this could cause an insufficient circulation of air, which can increase humidity in the appliance.

Repair

There are many reasons why your frost free fridge freezer may not be working correctly. Most of these issues can be fixed easily however some require expert assistance. The issue is usually caused by something that prevents air from moving to and from the freezer section. This could be due to over-packed food items, clogged ventilation gaps and/or the door being left open for too long.

Unplug your fridge prior to completing any repairs or maintenance. This will prevent the risk of electric shock and let any frost melt by itself.

If the refrigerator still isn't cooling, it could be due to an issue with the defrost. In this type of refrigerator and freezer a heater is constantly turned on to melt any frost that has formed on the evaporator coils. The melted frost drains through a drain pipe to a pan at the back of the refrigerator, and then evaporates into ambient air. The timer for defrost may be inoperable and needs to be replaced.

It's also possible that a damaged seal is preventing cold air from entering the freezer compartment of your refrigerator. You can solve this issue by cleaning the seal using warm water and soap. It is also important to ensure that there are no items sitting on the back wall of the freezer, or blocking any vents for the freezer.

You could also try replacing the freezer gasket if it is worn or damaged. The majority of major appliance manufacturers offer replacement parts in-person including freezer gaskets. It is important to know that replacing a freezer gasket should only be done by a certified professional.

Alternatively, you may be having issues with the evaporator fan that circulates air through the freezer area of your fridge. In this instance you'll likely hear a sound of clicking when the fan turns on. The evaporator's ice has become too thick, and is causing the fan blades to become damaged. This is a problem that will need to be spotted by a professional.