5 Laws That Can Help The Frost Free Fridge And Freezer Industry
How to Maintain a Frost Free Fridge and Freezer
A frost-free fridge and freezer removes the need to defrost manually. This can save you time, effort and electricity when compared to a traditional refrigerator/freezer.
Frozen food can be damaged if ice crystals form on the packaging. These crystals could cause freezer burn or alter the texture of food.
Defrost
The process of defrosting your freezer isn't glamorous or fun, but it is an essential aspect of maintaining your fridge and freezer. Warm air is dragged into the freezer every time you open it, causing condensation and frozen surfaces. This frost interferes with the freezer's temperature control, which causes it to work overtime and use more energy. It can also affect food flavor and quality, and can cause freezer burn.
The natural method of defrosting a freezer is the best option however, it can take a long time. If you want to accelerate the process, a handheld steam cleaner or hairdryer can be used. Be sure to shut off the freezer and unplug it, remove all frozen foods and clean up any water that spills before you begin working.
Before beginning making your preparations, ensure you have a towel or plastic liner to catch any water that spills during the defrosting process. It's also an excellent idea to empty your freezer completely to allow you to reorganize the food items that remain and take out expired or old items. After the defrosting process is completed, you must thoroughly clean and dry your freezer before turning it on.
To accelerate the natural process of defrosting, open and close the door to your freezer a few times to help the temperature rise. Take out all drawers and shelves to enable you to access the frozen ice. You can also put some old newspapers or towels which are very absorbent on the floor to soak any puddles that form from melting the ice.
When the ice is melting, be sure to keep an ice-cold spoon or plastic spatula in your kitchen to break up any large chunks that have accumulated on the interior walls. Avoid using sharp objects such as knives, forks or ice picks when you are trying to break through the ice. This can cause damage and leaks in the freezer. Don't forget to wash and clean the removable drawers and shelves once the ice has been removed. After you've cleaned everything Plug into the freezer and let it run for a night until it returns to its normal temperature of freezing.
Clean
A regular cleaning is the best way to avoid a build up of food odors and spores. Throw away any produce that is damaged or beyond its prime. Give a thorough clean-up of all drawers and shelves, wiping them down with soapy water (I use Seventh Generation natural dish liquid using a damp cloth) then drying them. I also clean the freezer with a clean cloth dipped in a solution of baking soda and water or vinegar and water. Scrubbing stubborn stains with a non-scratch brush might be necessary. I also clean the coils that are located at the back of my refrigerator with a nozzle. This pulls out all the dirt, pet hair, and dust that lingers in hard-to-reach areas.
You will not have to defrost your fridge with frost as frequently as you do with other models. Frost-free refrigerators come with a mechanism that automatically cools the food by moving cold air through the fridge and eliminates the necessity of manually defrosting the appliance. However, it is important to clean your refrigerator at least every week, throwing out any food items that are past the expiration date and getting rid of all the old jars, bottles and packets of soy sauce.
To make defrosting easier, remove the contents of your freezer. You can then temporarily place them in another freezer, a cooler that contains ice packs, or a box covered with blankets. During this process, protect the floor of your freezer with an old cloth. Once the freezer has been defrosted, you are able to remove any remaining ice with the help of a plastic scraper.
If your refrigerator is equipped with an automatic defrost feature you will see an indicator light that will let you know when it's time to defrost. To ensure that you don't lose any frozen food items during the defrost process you can empty the freezer and set it on the counter. You can then replenish it with frozen food that has longevity. You can then make use of an old towel to collect any water that leaks from the freezer as it melts.
Maintaining
If the evaporator is covered with frost and it freezes, it will. This can cause the fridge to work more and consume more power. Regular maintenance is essential. Unplugging the freezer and cleaning the evaporator coil will stop this from happening in the first place.
If the defrost is operating properly, a layer should form on the evaporator with an even pattern. If ice is building up on the evaporator, but it is not a defrost issue, this could be a sign of a faulty thermostat or timer.
Some older models could have a blocked supply and return air ducts from the freezer and back to it. This can be caused by food residue or pet hair. This causes the compressor to have to work harder and creates lots of heat that is transferred into the refrigerator section cabinet, causing warm temperatures there, particularly around the freezer doors. This problem can be reduced by making sure that the freezer door gasket is not damaged and that it is tightly sealed.
Frequent openings of the freezer could allow moist air from the room to get into the appliance. This creates a situation in which ice and frost form more quickly. The freezer must be kept tightly closed to reduce the chance of frost and ice.
Clean regularly the evaporator drainage trough to ensure it is not clogged with food debris or ice. This can be done using handheld vacuum cleaners or a special coil cleaner for refrigerators (usually using a brush that is able to get into hard to reach areas).
Make sure the freezer is free of any obstructions which can block airflow or the condenser. To get rid of food residues and eliminate odours, wash the shelves and walls using a mixture of hot dish soap, water or baking powder. Check that the air vents between the refrigerator and freezer compartments are not blocked because this could hinder air circulation and also increase humidity levels in the appliance.
Repair
There are a variety of reasons your fridge freezer that is frost-free may not be functioning properly. The majority of them are simple and easy to fix. However, a few require the help of a specialist. The problem is usually caused by something that stops air from moving to and from the freezer. This could be due to the over-packaging of food items or clogged ventilation gaps, and opening the door for too long.
Unplug your refrigerator prior to performing any maintenance or repairs. This reduces the chance of electric shock and allows accumulated frost to melt naturally.
If the refrigerator is still unable to cool it could be due to an issue with the defrost system. This type of fridge and freezer automatically activates the heater to melt any frost on the evaporator. The melted frost is drained down a drain pipe into an unintended pan located at the back of the refrigerator, and it then evaporates into the air. The timer for defrost could be inoperable and needs to be replaced.
A bad seal could also hinder cold air from enter the freezer section of your refrigerator. It is easy to repair this by cleaning the seal with soap and warm water. Make sure there aren't any objects blocking the freezer vents or rubbing against the back wall of the refrigerator.
If the gasket is worn or damaged, you can try to replace it. The majority of major appliance manufacturers offer replacement parts in-person including freezer gaskets. It is important to remember that the replacement of the gasket in a freezer is best done by a certified professional.
freestanding fridge freezer frost free may also be experiencing a problem in the evaporator that circulates air in the freezer area of your refrigerator. In this case you'll likely hear a click sound when the fan is turned on. The evaporator's ice has grown too thick and causes the fan blades to become damaged. This is an issue that requires to be identified by a trained professional.