How to Maintain a Frost Free Fridge and Freezer
A frost-free refrigerator and freezer will eliminate the need to manually defrost. This can save you time, effort and electricity when compared to a traditional refrigerator/freezer.
Food frozen in the freezer can be damaged when ice crystals form on the packaging. These crystals can cause freezer burn and alter the texture of your food.
Defrost
The process of defrosting your freezer isn't exciting or enjoyable, but it is an essential aspect of maintaining your fridge and freezer. Warm air is drawn into the freezer every time you open it, causing condensation and the formation of ice on interior surfaces. This causes the freezer to lose its ability to regulate temperature, causing it to work overtime and consume more energy. It can also reduce the flavor and quality of food, and can cause freezer burn.
The best way to defrost the freezer is to let it melt naturally, but it can take a while. In a pinch, a hairdryer or a handheld steam cleaner can help speed up the process. Be sure to unplug and turn off the freezer before you begin. Remove all frozen food items and clean up any water spilled.
Make sure to have a towel, or a plastic liner ready prior to beginning the defrosting procedure. This will help catch any water that may spill. It's also a good idea to empty the entire freezer so you can reorganize the food items that remain and dispose of expired or old items. After defrosting is completed ensure that you clean and dry the freezer area thoroughly before turning it back on.
To accelerate the natural process of defrosting, open and close the freezer door several times to let the temperature rise. Then, remove all drawers and shelves to make it easier to get access to the frozen ice. You can also place very absorbent towels or newspapers on the floor to soak up any puddles that may form from melting Ice.
As the ice melts ensure you have a warmed spoon or plastic spatula in your kitchen to cut off any large chunks that build up on interior walls. Avoid using sharp objects such as forks, knives, or ice picks to break through ice, as they can damage the interior walls of the freezer, causing leaks and damage. Be fridge frost free freezer to wash and clean the shelves and drawers after the ice has been removed. Once everything is clean Plug in the freezer and let it run for a night to get back to its normal freezing temperature.
Clean
stay with me is the best method to avoid the accumulation of food odors and spores. Get rid of any food item that has spoiled or is past its prime and throw it away. Make sure you clean all the shelves and drawers and wipe them clean 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 cloth dipped in a solution of baking soda and vinegar or water and water. Stubborn stains may require scrubbing with a nonscratch scrub brush. I also clean the coils that are located at the back of my refrigerator by using a nozzle. This will get rid of all the dirt, pet fur and dust that gets stuck in difficult to reach places.
You will not need to defrost your refrigerator with frost as often as you would with other models. Frost-free refrigerators have an engine that circulates cold air to cool food, eliminating the need for manual defrosting. However, it is essential to clean your refrigerator at least every week, removing any food that is past its expiration date, and clearing out the old jars, bottles and packets of soy sauce.
To make defrosting easier, remove the contents of your freezer. You can then temporarily move them into a different freezer, a cooler containing ice packs, or in a box covered with blankets. During this process, make sure to cover the floor of your freezer by putting an old towel placed on the bottom. Once the freezer has been defrosted, you can remove any remaining ice with a plastic scraper.
If your fridge is equipped with an automatic defrost feature, you'll see a light that will inform you when it's time to defrost. To avoid losing any frozen foods during the defrost process you can empty the freezer and set it on the counter. You can then restock it with frozen food that has a long shelf life. You can then make use of an old towel to collect any water that leaks out of the freezer as it melts.
Maintaining
If the evaporator is covered in frost and it freezes, it will. This will cause the fridge to work more and consume more power. Regular maintenance is crucial. This can be prevented by disconnecting the fridge and cleaning the evaporator.
When the defrost system is working correctly there should be a layer of frost that should develop on the evaporator in an even pattern. If ice is forming on the evaporator, and it is not a defrost issue it could be an indication of a faulty thermostat or timer.
In some older models, a return and supply air duct to and from the freezer could become blocked by pet hair, dirt or food remnants. This makes the compressor work harder, and it creates excess heat. The heat will 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 is tightly sealed.
The freezer's frequent opening can let humid air to enter the appliance, creating a climate in which frost and ice are more likely to form. Keeping the freezer tightly closed can help but it is not the only solution to eliminate all issues with frost and ice.
Regularly clean the evaporator drainage tube to ensure it is not clogged with food debris or ice. This can be done with the use of a hand-held vacuum cleaner or a special coil cleaner for refrigerators (usually with a brush which is able to get into hard to reach areas).
Make sure the freezer is free of obstructions that could block air flow or the condenser. Clean the shelves and walls of the freezer with a mixture of hot dish soap and hot water. You can also use baking soda to remove any food debris and eliminate unpleasant odours. Vents for air between refrigerator and freezer compartments must not be blocked as this could cause inadequate circulation of air, which could increase humidity in the appliance.
Repair
There are a myriad of reasons your fridge freezer that is frost-free may not be working correctly. Most of these issues are simple to fix but some require expert assistance. The problem is typically caused by something that blocks air from moving to and from freezer section. This could be caused by over-packed packages of food, clogged air gaps or opening the door too long.
Unplug your fridge prior to completing any maintenance or repairs. This prevents the risk of electric shocks and allows any frozen frost to melt naturally.
If the refrigerator isn't cooling, it could be due to an issue with the defrost. This type of fridge and freeze automatically turns on the heater to melt any frost on the evaporator. The melted snow flows through a drain tube to a pan located in the back of the freezer and eventually evaporates into ambient air. The defrost-timer could need to be replaced if malfunctioning.
It's possible that a faulty seal is blocking cold air from entering the freezer section of your refrigerator. You can easily repair this by cleaning the seal using soap and warm water. You should also make sure that there aren't any objects that are sat against the wall of the freezer or blocking any vents for the freezer.
If the gasket is damaged or worn You can try to replace it. A lot of major appliance manufacturers offer replacement parts, which includes freezer gaskets. It is important to remember that the replacement of the gasket in a freezer should only be done by a qualified professional.
Alternatively, you may have a problem with the evaporator fan that circulates air through the freezer area of your fridge. In this instance you'll likely hear a clicking sound whenever the fan is turned on. The ice on the evaporator has grown too thick and is causing the fan blades to be damaged. This will require a professional to be diagnosed and rectified.