How to Maintain a Frost Free Fridge and Freezer
A frost-free fridge and freezer removes the need to manually defrost. This can save you time, effort and electricity when compared to a traditional refrigerator/freezer.
If ice crystals appear on the packaging, frozen food can be damaged. These crystals can cause freezing burns or alter the texture of food.
Defrost
The process of defrosting your freezer isn't the most exciting or enjoyable however it's an essential component of fridge and freezer maintenance. Warm air is dragged into the freezer each 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, making it work more frequently and consume more energy. It can also affect the taste and quality of food and may cause freezer burn.
The best way to defrost 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 speed up the process. Make sure to turn off and unplug the freezer and take out all frozen food items and wash up any spills of water before you begin working.
Before beginning making freestanding frost free fridge freezer , ensure you have a towel or a plastic liner in hand to collect any water that might spill during the process of defrosting. It's also an excellent idea to empty your freezer completely to allow you to reorganize the food items that remain and take out old or expired items. After defrosting has been completed make sure you wipe down and dry the freezer section thoroughly before turning it off.
Close and open the door of your freezer several times to increase the temperature. Remove the drawers and shelves to make it easier to get access to the 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 on hand to break up any large chunks of ice that might build up on the walls. Avoid sharp objects such as forks, knives, or ice picks when trying to break through the ice. This can cause damage and leaks in the freezer. Don't forget to wipe down and rinse the removable shelves and drawers once the ice is gone. After everything is clean Plug in the freezer and let it run overnight to get back to its normal temperature of freezing.
Clean
A regular cleaning is the best way to avoid the build-up of spores and food odors. Remove any produce that has gone bad or is past its prime and dispose of it. Give a thorough clean-up of all drawers and shelves and wipe them clean with soapy water (I use Seventh Generation natural dish liquid with a damp cloth) and drying them. I also clean the freezer using a cloth that has been dipped in a solution of vinegar and water or baking soda. Stubborn stains may require scrubbing with a nonscratch brush. I like to clean the coils that are in the back of my fridge as well with the nozzle attachment. This will get rid of all the dirt, pet fur and dust that has accumulated in difficult to reach places.
You won't have to defrost your refrigerator with frost as often as you would with other models. Frost free fridges have an automated cooling system that cools the food by circulating cold air through the fridge which eliminates the need to manually defrost the appliance. It is nevertheless important to clean the refrigerator once a week, tossing all food items that have passed its expiration date, and getting rid of all the old jars, bottles and packets of soy sauce.
To make defrosting simpler, remove the contents of your freezer. You can then temporarily place them in another freezer, a cooler that contains frozen ice packs, or in a box lined with blankets. During this process, make sure to protect the floor of your freezer using an old towel at the bottom. You can get rid of any remaining ice after the freezer has been defrosted using a plastic scraper.
If your fridge is equipped with an automatic defrost feature built in it is likely to have an indicator light that lets you know that it is time to run a defrost cycle. Clean out the freezer and place it on the counter to avoid losing frozen food during defrost. You can then replenish it with frozen foods that have longevity. Then, you can put the old towel on the bottom of the freezer to collect any dripping water as it melts.
Maintain
If frost covers the evaporator, it will freeze. This can cause the refrigerator to work harder and use more power. This is why regular maintenance is essential. Unplugging the freezer and cleaning the evaporator coil will prevent this from occurring in the first place.
When the defrost system is functioning properly, a layer of frost should form on the evaporator, in an even pattern. If ice has formed on the evaporator, but it's not a defrost issue, it could be an indication of a defective thermostat or timer.
In older models, a return air duct and supply to and from the freezer could get clogged with dirt, pet hair, or food residue. This makes the compressor to work harder and generates a lot of excess heat that can then move to the refrigerator's section cabinet and create warm temperatures there, particularly around the freezer doors. Keeping the freezer door gasket free of any damage and ensuring that it is in good condition will lessen the chance of this happening.
The frequent opening of the freezer can also allow humid room air into the appliance, creating an environment where ice and frost are more likely to form. The freezer should be kept tightly shut can help but it is not the only solution to eliminate all problems related to frost and ice.
Clean the drain trough for the evaporator regularly to ensure that it isn't blocked by food debris 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).
Keep the freezer clear of any obstructions which can block airflow or the condenser. Clean the interior walls and shelves of the freezer using a mixture of hot dish soap and hot water. You can also use baking soda to get rid of any food residues and to eliminate unpleasant odours. Check that the air vents in the freezer and refrigerator compartments aren't blocked, because this could hinder air circulation and also increase the humidity levels inside the appliance.
Repair
There are many reasons why your freezer's frost-free refrigerator might not be operating properly. Most of these issues are simple to fix however some require expert assistance. The majority of the time, the issue is caused by something that stops air from moving to and from the freezer section of the unit. This could be caused by the over-packaging of food items or clogged ventilation gaps, and keeping the door open for too long.
It is essential to unplug your refrigerator before attempting any maintenance or repairs. This will reduce the risk of electric shock and allows frozen frost to melt naturally.
If the refrigerator is still unable to cool it could be because of an issue with the defrost system. In this type of refrigerator and freezer, a heater automatically turned on periodically to melt any frost that has formed on the coils of the evaporator. The melted snow flows down a drain tube into an unfinished pan at the back of the freezer. It eventually evaporates into the surrounding air. The defrost-timer may need to be replaced if it's malfunctioning.
It's possible that a faulty seal is preventing cold air from getting into the freezer compartment of your refrigerator. This can be repaired by cleaning the seal using warm water and a bit of soap. It is also important to ensure that there aren't any items resting against the rear wall of the freezer, or blocking any freezer vents.
If the gasket is damaged or worn, you can try to replace it. A lot of major appliance manufacturers offer spare parts, including freezer gaskets. It is important to note that the replacement of a freezer gasket is best done by a qualified professional.
You may also be experiencing a problem in the evaporator that circulates air through the freezer section of your refrigerator. There is a click sound when the fan is switched on. This is because the ice that covers the evaporator coils has become too thick and is rubbing upon the fan blades. This will require an expert to diagnose and fixed.