Quickest way to defrost a freezer?

mummybearx

I have defrosted my freezer once before, took me about 7 hours and it was still only half done. Then my lovely husband tells me that I should have turned the power off :mad: Anyway, I need to do it again after only half doing it last time.

Is there a 'quick' way to do it? Obv I will turn the power off, but how quickly can it be done so my frozen food isn't ruined?

And, Im not sure about this one but I will ask, my mother in law suggested I use a wallpaper steamer, and stick the end bit into the bottom of the freezer? Will that even help??

sillygoose

Please DONT try using a hairdryer.. its intensely dangerous. Mother in law is right! I use a wallpaper steamer, just the hose pipe, of course gets hot so hold with an oven glove. Direct it around and it will quickly melt the ice and put it on exposed bits of shelf and big chunks will fall off as the surface warms. Also as its 'only' 100 deg C it doesn't damage the freezer.

ormus

i use a hairdryer and a plastic scraper. dont put the hairdryer inside the freezer, just direct the heat into it.
job done within an hour.
the food goes into cool bags with some ice blocks. at this time of year you can leave it in the garage.
esp at night. the temps are near enough to zero.

ariba10

Steamer works for us. Quick and safe.

mummybearx

Thanks everyone! I really thought she was making that up, might have to apologise now lol

Will hopefully get that done tonight, really want to get some batch cooking done, need that ice gone!!

:T

phead

A fan pointing towards the open door (assuming its not a chest freezer) works great, keeps the air circulating so there is always warm air next to the ice.

Hintza

Bowls of boiling water will also do the job. Change them a couple of times an then attack with a plastic scraper. Don't rush it allow an hour or so before attacking with a scaper and it wil come off pretty easily.

bloss0m

Thats what I did but I dont keep hair-dryer for long in same place. I also have bowl at bottom to collect water and I filled bowl with hot water which gets cool quickly so need replacing. Put some towels down to collect any water too

I now always buy frost free freezers is so much better and whilst you loose a little space you dont have this issue plus you loose space when ice builds up

ormus wrote: »

i use a hairdryer and a plastic scraper. dont put the hairdryer inside the freezer, just direct the heat into it.
job done within an hour

keystone

Percussive maintenance.

Cheers