How to Defrost a Freezer

Frost builds up whenever warm, moist air meets the cold walls of a freezer. Every time the door opens, a little more moisture gets in and freezes onto the surfaces. Over months that thin film becomes a thick crust that eats into storage space, makes drawers stick and forces the appliance to work harder to keep its contents cold. Defrosting clears it away. It is not a glamorous job, but with a little planning it fits into a morning.

Does your freezer need defrosting?

Many newer freezers are frost-free, which means they melt small amounts of ice automatically and drain the water away. If yours carries that label, you should not need to defrost it by hand. Look for the model information inside the door or in the manual if you are unsure.

Older and more basic models, including many chest freezers and the small compartments inside some fridges, do need a manual defrost. Signs it is time include:

• Ice is thick enough to make the door or lid hard to close.
• Drawers or baskets catch on frozen ridges.
• You are losing usable space to ice rather than food.
• The manual's recommended ice thickness has been reached; some manufacturers state one.

Plan the timing

The easiest time to defrost is when the freezer is fairly empty, perhaps before a big shop or after a holiday. Cooler days help too, because frozen food stays cold longer while it waits. Allow a few hours; how long the ice takes to melt depends on how thick it is and how warm the room is.

What you need

• Coolers or insulated bags, plus ice packs
• Old towels and a shallow tray or roasting pan
• Bowls for hot water
• A plastic or wooden scraper
• A sponge, warm water and a little mild dish soap or baking soda

Step by step

1. Empty it. Move the food into coolers or bags, packing items tightly together with ice packs so they keep each other cold. A neighbor's spare freezer space is also worth asking about.
2. Switch it off. Turn the freezer off at the wall and unplug it. Never work on a freezer that is still connected while water is pooling around it.
3. Prepare for water. Lay towels on the floor and around the base. Put a tray under the drain point if your model has one; check the manual to see where it sits.
4. Remove shelves and drawers. Take out anything that comes out easily and wash it separately in warm, not boiling, water.
5. Help the ice along. Leave the door open and place bowls of hot water on a towel inside, closing the door for a short while to trap the steam. Replace the water as it cools.
6. Lift off loose ice. As sheets begin to loosen, ease them away with a plastic or wooden scraper. Do not force them.
7. Mop up as you go. Swap wet towels for dry ones regularly so water does not spread across the floor.

What not to do

Clean and dry before restarting

Once all the ice has gone, wipe the inside with warm water and a little mild dish soap, or a spoonful of baking soda dissolved in water, which also helps with stale smells. Rinse with a clean damp cloth and dry every surface thoroughly. Any water left behind will simply turn into the first layer of new frost. Check the door seal while you are there: wipe it clean and look for splits or gaps that let warm air sneak in.

Switching it back on

Refit the shelves and drawers, close the door and plug the freezer back in. Many manuals recommend letting it run empty for a while so it reaches its normal temperature before food goes back in, so check yours for the advised time. When you restock, inspect each item. Anything still frozen solid can go straight back. Treat food that has softened or thawed according to the advice on its packaging rather than guessing.

Keeping frost away for longer

• Open the door briefly and close it firmly.
• Let hot leftovers cool before freezing them.
• Wrap or box food well, so less moisture escapes into the air inside.
• Keep the seal clean and replace it if it stops gripping.

If the job is part of a bigger kitchen clear-out, such as emptying a relative's home, our step-by-step guide to decluttering an apartment after an inheritance covers how to pace the rest of the work. For more practical upkeep around the house, browse the Household section.