Ten Things You Learned In Kindergarden That'll Help You With Frost Free Fridge And Freezer
How to Maintain a Frost Free Fridge and Freezer Defrosting is not required when you have a frost-free refrigerator or freezer. This can save you time, effort and electricity when compared to a traditional refrigerator/freezer. Food frozen in the freezer can be damaged if ice crystals form on the packaging. These crystals can cause freezing burns and alter the texture of your food. Defrost The process of defrosting the freezer isn't glamorous or fun however it's an essential component of maintaining your fridge and freezer. Warm air is dragged into the freezer every when you open it, causing condensation and ice to form on interior surfaces. The frost can hinder the freezer's ability to regulate temperature, causing it work overtime and consume more energy. It can also affect the taste and quality of food and can cause freezer burn. Defrosting a freezer naturally is the best option however it can take several hours. In the event of an emergency using a hairdryer or handheld steam cleaner can accelerate the process. Be sure to turn off and unplug the freezer, remove all frozen foods and clean up any water that spills prior to beginning work. Before you begin the process, ensure that you have a towel or a plastic liner to catch any water that might spill during the process of defrosting. It's a good idea to empty your entire freezer to allow you to reorganize the food that is left and eliminate expired or old items. Once the defrosting is complete, be sure to clean and dry the freezer compartment thoroughly before turning it off. Open and close the door to the freezer repeatedly to increase the temperature. Take out all drawers and shelves to make it easier to reach the frozen ice. You can also put some old towels or newspapers that are extremely absorbent on the floor to soak any water puddles caused by melting the ice. As the ice melts make sure you keep a warmed spoon or plastic spatula in your kitchen to break up any large chunks that have accumulated on the walls inside. Avoid sharp objects such as knives, forks or ice picks when trying to break through the ice. This could cause damage and leaks to the freezer. Be sure to wash and clean the shelves and drawers that are removable after the ice has been removed. After everything is clean Plug into the freezer and let it run overnight to return to its normal temperature of freezing. Clean Regular cleaning is the most effective method to stop spores, food and smells from accumulating. Take out any food that has gone bad or is beyond its prime and throw it away. Do a once-over of all the shelves and drawers, wiping them down with soapy water (I use Seventh Generation natural dish liquid with a damp cloth) and drying them. I also clean the freezer with a clean cloth dipped in a solution of baking soda and water or vinegar and water. Scrubbing stubborn stains with a non-scratch brush may be necessary. I like to clean the coils in the back of my fridge, too with an attachment for nozzles. This will get rid of all the pet fur, dirt and dust that is stuck in the hard-to-access areas. You will not need to defrost your frost-free refrigerator as often as you would with other models. Frost-free refrigerators come with an automated cooling system that cools the food by moving cold air through the refrigerator, eliminating the requirement to manually defrost the appliance. It is essential to clean your refrigerator at least once a week. Throw out any food that has passed its expiration date, and remove all old bottles, jars, and packets of soy sauce. To make the process of defrosting your freezer easier, remove all the food from the freezer and then put it temporarily into another freezer or cooler that has ice packs or in an enclosed box with blankets. During this process, be sure to shield the floor of your freezer with an old towel at the bottom. When the freezer is defrosted, you can remove any remaining ice using an ice scraper made of plastic. If your refrigerator has an automatic defrost function, you'll 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 process you can empty the freezer and put it on the counter. You can then replenish it with frozen food items that have longevity. You can then use an old towel to collect any water that drips out of the freezer as it melts. Maintaining If frost coats the evaporator coil, it will freeze, causing the fridge to work harder and use more energy. This is why maintaining it regularly is so important. Unplugging the freezer and cleaning the evaporator coil can prevent this from occurring in the first place. If the defrost mechanism is functioning properly the frost layer will 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. Some older models can have a clogged supply and return air ducts from the freezer and back to it. This can be caused by food residue or pet hair. This makes the compressor to work harder and generates a lot of excess heat that is transferred to the refrigerator section cabinet and create warm temperatures there, especially around the freezer doors. Keeping the freezer door gasket free of damage and making sure that it is in good condition will reduce this problem. Frequent opening of the freezer can allow humid air into the appliance, creating an environment where ice and frost are more likely to form. Keeping the freezer tightly closed may help, but it's not the answer to eliminating all problems related to frost and ice. Clean the drain trough for the evaporator regularly to ensure that it isn't clogged with food debris or ice. This can be accomplished with handheld vacuum cleaners or a coil cleaner designed specifically for refrigerators (usually with a brush which slips into the hard to reach areas). Keep fridge freezer sale frost free of any obstructions that could hinder air flow or obstruct the condenser fan. Clean the interior walls and shelves of the freezer using a mixture of hot water and dish soap or baking soda to remove any food debris and eliminate unpleasant odours. Make sure that the air vents in the refrigerator and freezer compartments aren't blocked, because this could hinder air circulation and increase humidity levels in the appliance. Repair There are a myriad of reasons your frost-free fridge freezer might not be working correctly. Most of them are simple and simple to fix, however a few require the help of a professional. Most often, the issue is caused by something that prevents air from flowing to and from the freezer section of the unit. This could be due to over-packed food items or blocked ventilation gaps. It could also be due to keeping the door open for too long. It is important to disconnect your refrigerator prior to attempting any maintenance or repairs. This will prevent the risk of electric shock and let any frost melt on its own. If the refrigerator still isn't cooling, it could be due to an issue with the defrost. In this kind of fridge and freezer a heater is continuously turned on to melt any frost that has built up on the coils that evaporate. The melted snow flows through a drain tube and into a pan in the back of the freezer and eventually evaporates into the surrounding air. The defrost-timer could need to be replaced if it's malfunctioning. It's possible that a faulty seal is preventing cold air from getting into the freezer area of your refrigerator. This can be easily fixed by cleaning the seal using warm water and a small amount of soap. Also, make sure 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 in case it is damaged or worn out. Most major appliance makers provide replacement parts for their products directly, including freezer gaskets. It is important to remember that the replacement of a freezer gasket should only be performed by a trained professional. You could also be experiencing a problem in the evaporator that circulates air in the freezer area of your refrigerator. In this scenario, you will likely hear a sound of clicking when the fan starts to turn on. This is because the ice that covers the evaporator coils is too thick and is impinging on the fan blades. This is an issue that requires to be identified by a trained professional.