Freezers tend to be overstocked with food and should be regularly checked and edited.
Learn how to safely defrost and clean your stand-alone or refrigerator’s freezer.
How Often Should You Defrost Your Freezer?
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
To stretch the time between episodes of defrosting, venture to minimize the time you have the door open.
If there has been a power outage, follow recommended guidelines for food safety.
If the food has thawed before power was restored, the freezer should be emptied and cleaned before restocking.
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
It’ll save you from having to sop up the water.
If you aren’t inclined to defrost your freezer, consider purchasing a frost-free freezer as your next model.
It’ll keep up with the task on its own.
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
Before You Begin
Before defrosting a freezer, consult the manual provided by your manufacturer.
If you don’t have it readily available, almost all manuals can be found online.
If the freezer is part of your refrigerator, it will also cut off the power to the fridge.
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A fridge can maintain food cold for four hours if the door remains closed.
However, if you have a lot of ice buildup, it may take 12 hours to defrost.
So, plan on moving your food items to another fridge or a spot at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
The Spruce / Michelle Becker
Remove Food
Empty all the food from your freezer.
There are a few options for storing food while the freezer defrosts.
Do you have some things that have been in your freezer for a long time?
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Regularly checking your food is excellent for cleanliness and space issues.
Remove Inserts
Remove all drawers and ice cube trays.
Set up a bunch of old towels on the floor to absorb the water from the melting ice.
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Monitor the process, so you’ve got the option to add and remove towels as needed.
Consult your freezer’s manual if you are inclined to speed up the defrosting process.
Optionally, you’re free to aim a fan into the freezer.
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
You may also have a special scraper that came included with your owner’s manual.
Place absorbent towels in the bottom of the freezer to catch the moisture as the frost melts.
Do not use a metal scraper that can harm the interior finish of the freezer.
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Reconnect Freezer
Plug your freezer back in and set the thermostat to zero.
Published online February 17, 2022.
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
