Defrosting the freezer

maman

How long depends on weather/temp in kitchen but can be speeded up with a hair dryer and/or pulling off lumps of ice as they get loose. Some fridges come with a plastic scraper too but DON'T use sharp knife to hack away as it could pierce skin of fridge.

lyndsey80

I did mine - was left by previous owners and I had it 2 years, it was getting beyond a joke. It took me nearly all day, I was very impatient and put hot, not boiling, water in saucepans on the shelves to speed it up a bit. I needed so many towels as it was that bad!! Worth it after though, looks lovely now!!!

bigmuffins

Quickest and cleanest way I know to defrost freezers is using a steam cleaner - if you have one or know anyone who has one.

The steam cleaner nozzle loosens the ice from freezer and then you just scoop it out and throw in sink (or garden!), clean using steam cleaner, wipe dry and you are ready to go!
Takes me 45 mins from start to finish - that's cleaning inside and outside and my freezer is over 5ft tall!
Don't have to eat the contents as can put them in a cool bag or turn your fridge on highest setting and store in there. Or borrow neighbours freezer space!

HTH
Have fun!
:beer:

kate_pixie

Hey there wise people!

I need to defrost a VERY iced up freezer this weekend, and was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to do this in an Old Style Way?

I'm not keen on using chemical products at all, and of course they cost money. That said, my method of choice until now has been a hair dryer and spatula , so hardly economical on the electric!!

Any suggestions will be gratefully welcomed. xx

Mags_cat

Obviously, the *oldest* style way is time! (If you've got somewhere else to store whatever's left in the freezer - maybe a friend or relative's freezer?)

If not, I've found loose salt really does help to speed up the process. Value works just as well (better, in fact) than Malden!

Just make sure you clean it out well when it is defrosted - the salt can corrode stuff if you leave it in contact with metal.

stevenhp1987

Surely the "old style" way would also be the best way, which is to just turn it off and let the ice melt?

hotcookie101

I always put pyrex bowls of boiling water in there, on the shelves or (carefully) in the drawers, and leave it. Usually defrosted within an hour or so. food stored in cool bags while it defrosts and give it an hour or so to get back to freezing temperature.

kate_pixie

Thanks for the suggestions! I had considered just leaving it to melt, but knowing my luck it will flood the kitchen left unattended!

devil30

bigmuffins wrote: »

Quickest and cleanest way I know to defrost freezers is using a steam cleaner - if you have one or know anyone who has one.

The steam cleaner nozzle loosens the ice from freezer and then you just scoop it out and throw in sink (or garden!), clean using steam cleaner, wipe dry and you are ready to go!
Takes me 45 mins from start to finish - that's cleaning inside and outside and my freezer is over 5ft tall!
Don't have to eat the contents as can put them in a cool bag or turn your fridge on highest setting and store in there. Or borrow neighbours freezer space!

HTH
Have fun!
:beer:

Thanks for the steam cleaner suggestion bigmuffin! I really need to defrost mine (should've did it months ago tbh) but it takes so long that the thought of it puts me off.
I'll try it tomorrow

skintchick

I put bowls of hot water in, then hack at it with a plastic tool that came with it to scrape the ice off. Takes about half an hour or so (I have a small freezer) and is pretty old-style.