How to Maintain a Frost Free Fridge and Freezer
Defrosting is not necessary 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 that has been frozen can be damaged if ice crystals form on the packaging. These crystals could cause damage to the freezer or alter the texture of food.
Defrost
The process of defrosting the freezer isn't fun or glamorous however it's an essential aspect of fridge and freezer maintenance. Each time you open the freezer's door warm air infiltrates which causes moisture to condense and freeze on the interior surfaces. This frost interferes the freezer's ability to regulate temperature, causing it work more frequently and consume more energy. It can also affect the flavor and quality of food, and cause freezer burn.
The best method to defrost a freezer is to let it melt naturally. However, it can take a while. If you're looking to speed up the process using a handheld steam cleaner or hairdryer could be used. Make sure you unplug and shut off the freezer prior to beginning. Remove any frozen food items and clean up any spilled water.
Be sure to have an extra towel or a plastic liner ready prior to beginning the process of defrosting. This will absorb any water that may spill. It's a good idea also to empty out your freezer completely so you can reorganize the food that is left and get rid of expired or old items. Once the defrosting process is completed, be sure to thoroughly clean and dry your freezer prior to turning it off.
To speed up the natural defrost process open and close the freezer door a few times to help the temperature to rise. Take all drawers and shelves off to make it easier to reach the frozen ice. You can also place some old towels or newspapers that are extremely absorbent on the floor to soak any water puddles caused by melting the ice.
While the ice is melting ensure you have a warmed spoon or plastic spatula handy to break off any thick chunks that build up on interior walls. Avoid using sharp objects such as knives, forks or ice picks smash through ice, since this can puncture the inside walls of the freezer, causing leaks and damage. Also, don't forget to wipe down and rinse the removable shelves and drawers once the ice is gone. After cleaning the freezer, plug it in and let it run for a couple of hours to get back to normal temperatures.
Clean
A regular cleaning is the best way to prevent the accumulation of food odors and spores. Take out any food that has gone bad or is past 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 using a damp cloth) and drying them. I also wipe down the freezer with a clean cloth dipped in a solution of baking soda and water or vinegar and water. Stains that are stubborn may require scrubbing using a non-scratch scrub brush. I like to vacuum the coils in the back of my fridge, too with a nozzle attachment. This removes all dust and pet hair that collects in the hard-to-access areas.
You will not need to defrost your fridge with frost more often than you do with other models. Frost-free refrigerators come with an automated cooling system that cools the food by moving cold air throughout the fridge, eliminating the necessity of manually defrosting the appliance. It is crucial to clean your refrigerator at least once per week. Remove any food items that have expired its expiration date and remove all old bottles, jars, and soy sauce packets.
To make defrosting simpler remove the contents of your freezer and move them into a different freezer, a cooler that contains ice packs, or a container lined with blankets. During this process, make sure to shield the floor of your freezer with an old towel at the bottom. You can get rid of any ice that remains after the freezer has been defrosted with the help of a plastic scraper.
If your fridge is equipped with an automatic defrost system built-in, it will likely have an indicator light to let you know that it is time to run a defrost cycle. To avoid losing any frozen food items during the defrost process you can empty the freezer and put it on the counter. Then, you are able to replenish the freezer with frozen food items that have a long shelf life. You can then use the old towel that is on the bottom of the freezer to capture any drips of water as it melts.
Maintain
If frost coats the evaporator coil, it will freeze and cause the fridge to work harder and consume more energy. This is why maintaining it regularly is so important. This can be avoided by disconnecting the fridge and cleaning the evaporator.
If the defrost mechanism is functioning properly there should be a layer of frost that will form on the evaporator in an even pattern. If there is a build-up of ice on the evaporator and is not caused by problems with defrost it could be a sign of a faulty timer or defrost termination thermostat.
In older models, the return air duct and supply to and from the freezer could be blocked by dirt, pet hair, or food remnants. This causes the compressor to work harder, and it creates excess heat. This heat will then migrate into the refrigerator section cabinet, causing temperatures to rise. This problem can be reduced by ensuring the gasket for the freezer door isn't damaged and that it is tightly sealed.
Frequent opening of the freezer can let humid air to enter the appliance, resulting in an environment where ice and frost are more likely to form. Making sure the freezer is tightly shut can help but it is not the only solution to eliminate all problems related to frost and ice.
Clean regularly the evaporator drainage tube to ensure that it isn't clogged with food debris or ice. A hand-held vacuum hose or specially designed refrigerator coil cleaner (typically with brushes that slide into places that are difficult to reach) is a great way to do this.
Keep the freezer free of any obstructions which can block airflow or the condenser. Clean the interior shelves and walls of the freezer with hot water and dish soap or baking soda to eliminate any food debris and eliminate smells. Check that the air vents in the freezer and refrigerator compartments are not blocked because this could hinder air circulation and increase humidity levels in the appliance.
Repair
There are a variety of reasons your freezer's frost-free refrigerator might not be functioning properly. Most of them are simple and easy to fix but some require the assistance of a professional. The issue is typically caused by something that blocks air from moving towards and from the freezer. This could be due to the over-packaging of food items, clogged ventilation gaps and/or keeping the door open for too long.
It is important to unplug your refrigerator before attempting any maintenance or repairs. This prevents the risk of electric shock and allows any accumulated frost to melt naturally.
If Frydge is still unable to cool it could be because of an issue with the defrost system. This type of fridge and freeze will automatically turn on a heater to melt any frost on the evaporator. The melted frost is drained down a drain pipe into a pan at the back of the refrigerator, and then it evaporates into air. The timer for defrost may be malfunctioning and need to be replaced.
A bad seal could also prevent cold air from being able to get into the freezer section of your fridge. It is easy to repair this by cleaning the seal with soap and warm water. Also, make sure that there aren't any items sitting on the back wall of the freezer, or blocking any vents for the freezer.
You could also try replacing the freezer gasket if it is worn or damaged. Many major appliance manufacturers offer spare parts, including freezer gaskets. It is crucial to remember that only a qualified professional is able to replace a freezer gasket.
Alternatively, you may have a problem with the evaporator fan which circulates the air in your freezer section of your refrigerator. There is a click sound when the fan is turned on. The evaporator's ice is getting too thick and causes the fan blades to become damaged. This is a problem that will need to be identified by a professional.