10 Tell-Tale Signs You Need To Get A New Frost Free Fridge And Freezer

How to Maintain a Frost Free Fridge and Freezer

A frost-free refrigerator and freezer eliminates the need to manually defrost. This can save you time, effort and electricity when compared to a traditional refrigerator/freezer.

Frozen food could be damaged if ice crystals form on the packaging. These crystals could cause freezer burn and alter the texture of your food.

Defrost

The process of defrosting your freezer isn't glamorous nor fun but it's an essential component of maintaining your fridge and freezer. Warm air is dragged into the freezer each when you open it, causing condensation and ice to form on interior surfaces. The frost can hinder the freezer's ability to regulate temperature, causing it to work harder and use more energy. It can also compromise the taste and quality of food and cause freezer burn.

The best method of defrosting a freezer is to let it melt naturally. However, it can take a while. In the event of a crisis using a hairdryer or handheld steam cleaner can help speed up the process. Just be sure to switch off the freezer and unplug it and remove all frozen food items and clean up any water that spills before you begin working.

Before beginning the process, ensure that you have a towel or plastic liner handy to catch any water that may spill during the process of defrosting. It's also a good idea to empty your freezer completely, so you can reorganize the food items that remain and take out old or expired items. Once  small frost free fridge freezers  is complete, be sure to wipe down and dry the freezer section thoroughly before turning it off.

Open and close the door to the freezer several times to increase the temperature. Then, take out all shelves and drawer compartments to give yourself easier access to the frozen ice. You can also lay old newspapers or towels which are very absorbent on the floor to soak up any puddles created by melting ice.

While the ice melts, keep a heated spoon or plastic spatula nearby to break off any large chunks that may be accumulating on the interior walls. Avoid sharp objects such as forks, knives, or ice picks when you are trying to break through the ice. This could cause damage and leaks in the freezer. Don't forget to clean and wash the drawers and shelves you can remove once the ice is gone. After cleaning the freezer, plug it in and allow it to run for a few hours to get back to its normal freezing temperatures.

Clean

A regular cleaning is the best method to avoid a build up of spores and food odors. Get rid of any food item that is damaged or over its best. Wipe down all shelves and drawers with soapy water using a damp cloth (I use Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid). Then, dry them. I also wipe down the freezer using a damp cloth dipped in a solution of water and vinegar or baking soda. Stubborn stains may require scrubbing using a non-scratch scrub brush. I also clean the coils at the back of my refrigerator by using a blower. This will remove all the pet fur, dirt and dust that gets stuck in the hard-to-access areas.

You will not have to defrost your frost-free refrigerator as frequently as you do with other models. Frost free fridges have an automatic cooling mechanism that cools the food by circulating cold air through the fridge and eliminates the requirement to manually defrost the appliance. However, it is important to clean your refrigerator at least every week, throwing out any food items that are past its expiration date and cleaning out all the old bottles, jars and packets of soy sauce.

To make defrosting simpler take the contents out of your freezer and put them in a different freezer, a cooler that contains ice packs, or a container lined with blankets. During this process, cover the floor of your freezer with an old cloth. You can get rid of any remaining ice once the freezer has been cleared of ice using the help of a plastic scraper.

If your fridge is equipped with an automatic defrost system built-in it is likely to have an indicator light to let you know that it is time to defrost. Clean out the freezer and place it on the counter to avoid losing frozen food during the defrost. 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 on the bottom of the freezer to catch any drips of water as it melts.

Maintain

If frost covers the evaporator the evaporator will freeze. This can cause the fridge to work more and use more power. This is why regular maintenance is essential. This can be avoided by unplugging the fridge and cleaning the evaporator.

When the defrost is working correctly, a layer will form on the evaporator with an uniform pattern. If there is an accumulation of ice on the evaporator that is not due to a defrost problem it could be an indication of a faulty timer or defrost termination thermostat.

In older models, the supply and return air duct to and from the freezer could become blocked by dirt, pet hair or food remnants. This causes the compressor to have to work harder and generates a lot of excess heat that can then move to the refrigerator section cabinet and cause warm temperatures there, particularly around the freezer doors. This issue can be cured by ensuring that the freezer door gasket isn't damaged and is sealed tightly.

The frequent openings of the freezer could also let humid air from the room to get into the appliance. This creates a situation where ice and frost can form more easily. Keeping the freezer tightly closed may help, but it's not the answer to eliminating all problems with frost and ice.

Clean the evaporator drain trough regularly to ensure that it is not plugged with food residue or ice. This can be done using the use of a hand-held vacuum cleaner or a coil cleaner designed specifically for refrigerators (usually using a brush that can be inserted into difficult to reach areas).

Clean the freezer space of any obstructions that could hinder air flow or block the condenser fan. To remove food particles and eliminate odours, wash the shelves and walls using a mixture of hot dish soap, water or baking powder. Make sure that the air vents in the freezer and refrigerator compartments are not blocked, because this could hinder air circulation and raise 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 simple to fix, however some require the help of a specialist. Generally the problem is caused by something that blocks air from moving to and from the freezer section of the unit. It could be caused by over-packed food packages, clogged air gaps or opening the door too long.

It is important to unplug your refrigerator before performing any repairs or maintenance. This reduces the chance 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. In this type of fridge and freezer, a heater automatically turned on periodically to melt any frozen frost that has accumulated on the coils of the evaporator. The melted snow drains down a drain pipe into a pan in the rear of the refrigerator. It it then evaporates into the air. The timer for defrost could be defective and should be replaced.

It's also possible that a damaged seal is blocking cold air from entering the freezer compartment of your refrigerator. This can be repaired by cleaning the seal with warm water and a small amount of soap. It is also important to ensure 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 damaged or worn out. Many major appliance manufacturers provide replacement parts, which includes freezer gaskets. It is important to remember that only a professional with a license can replace the gasket in a freezer.

There could be problems with the evaporator that circulates air in the freezer area of your refrigerator. You'll hear an audible click when the fan is switched on. This is because the ice on the evaporator coils is too thick and is impinging on the fan's blades. This requires a professional to be diagnosed and corrected.