How best to defrost and clean your freezer?

Defrosting and cleaning your freezer is probably not your most favourite chore, but it is really necessary to keep your freezer working efficiently. An ice-free freezer not only saves energy and therefore money, but also ensures that your food will keep longer. In this blog, you will read practical tips and ways to clean your freezer quickly and thoroughly.

Go directly to:

• Defrosting the freezer

• Advantages of a No Frost freezer

• Cleaning the freezer rubber

• Keeping the condenser dust-free

• Bonus tips

Defrosting the freezer

When there is a layer of ice in the freezer, it is time to defrost it. Because ice reduces the cooling capacity, so your freezer has to work harder and uses more energy. Plus, all that ice takes up space so you can put less in the freezer.

Here's how to defrost your freezer quickly and safely:

1. Turn off the freezer and unplug it. Or switch it off in the distribution board. That way you can be sure that there is no power left on it.

2. Empty the freezer. Put all the food in a container, cooler bag or supermarket shopper and store it in a cool place. Do you have an ice bag? Put that on top. This will prevent the food from thawing.

3. Put two pans of hot (not boiling!) water on trivets or a thick towel in the freezer for a while. This will speed up the thawing process.

4. Then carefully loosen the ice remains with a plastic spatula or scraper. Never use sharp objects, such as a knife, as this will damage the freezer.

5. Collect pieces of ice and thawing water in a container and throw it away. Remove any remaining thaw water with a sponge.

6. Wipe the freezer dry with a clean cloth and turn it on. Your clean freezer is ready to use again.

Does your freezer have a water drain? Then place a container under the drain to catch the water from the freezer. Now open the water drain and once everything has been collected, close the water drain again.

Defrosting the freezer with a hairdryer?

We advise against it. It sounds attractive, because it makes defrosting quick. But water and electricity are not a good combination. Moreover, the heat of the hair dryer damages the plastic of the freezer. This reduces the appliance's ability to do its job.

Advantages of a No Frost freezer

Freezers with No Frost have a clever circulation system. This system removes moisture from the refrigerator and freezer compartments.

The result:

• No ice formation: You never have to defrost the freezer again.

• Better air circulation: This keeps food fresh for longer and prevents odour spread.

• Energy savings: An ice-free freezer works more efficiently which leads to lower energy consumption.

How do you clean the freezer rubber?

The rubber around the door of your freezer ensures that it closes properly. If the rubber is dirty or damaged, heat can get inside. This makes the freezer work less well and increases energy consumption.

1. Check the rubber for cracks
   Do you see cracks in the door rubber? If so, it's time to replace it.

2. Clean the door rubber
   Use a mixture of warm water and mild detergent or this specially designed cleaner for refrigerators and freezers to clean the rubber. Take a soft cloth or toothbrush to gently remove dirt. Make sure to clean all corners thoroughly.

Keep the condenser dust-free

The condenser (usually at the back of the freezer) can collect dust. This increases energy consumption. Dust it regularly with a soft cloth to keep airflow optimal and energy consumption as low as possible.

Bonus tips

Regular maintenance keeps the freezer working properly. But these factors also have an impact:

Place

Put your freezer in a cool and dry place. Away from heat sources such as ovens or direct sunlight. A warm environment means the freezer has to work harder to stay cold. This costs more energy.

Temperature

The right freezer temperature is essential for proper operation. Therefore, make sure it is set properly. We recommend setting the temperature to -18°C.

Contents

A full freezer holds temperature better, but don't overfill it. Make sure air can circulate freely between the different trays and containers. This keeps everything nice and cold.