Just a few years ago, any housewife should have known how to defrost a refrigerator in order to properly clean it from thick ice deposits. Modern devices are no longer so susceptible to icing, but they also require specific care. They don’t need to be defrosted as often as before, and you don’t have to worry about unpleasant consequences in the form of huge puddles on the floor. But certain rules you will still have to adhere to it if you do not want to reduce the functionality of the device or increase the amount of energy it consumes.
Why do you need to defrost your refrigerator?
Holders of modern refrigeration units, also equipped with a no frost system, are perplexed why they need to be defrosted. Sellers offering this product, they are a little disingenuous, claiming that ice does not form in its chambers. It is simply unknown how long it will take for it to form. Sometimes it takes years, but it’s better not to let it get to that point. If you don’t know how to properly defrost a refrigerator, or even abandon this manipulation, after some time you will have to send the device in for repair or look for a replacement.
It is worth considering that the installation will have to be defrosted with enviable regularity if it is exposed to the influence of the following factors:
- The door will open frequently or remain open for a long time. Risks can be reduced if you initially purchase a model with a door that closes on its own.
- The door is deformed or the rubber inserts are damaged. Because of this, warm air will penetrate into the chamber not only after it is opened, but constantly.
Tip: Before you start defrosting your refrigerator, you should read the instructions that came with it. Usually it contains all the information necessary to carry out the manipulation. Only if there is none, should one resort to using a universal approach.
- The thermostat has failed and a constant temperature inside the chamber is not maintained.
To eliminate the influence of the last two factors, professional intervention will be required. If the problem is not addressed in time, the food will begin to deteriorate, and the device itself will one day stop working.
How to prepare a refrigerator for defrosting?
To defrost the refrigerator correctly and without any negative consequences, it is necessary to prepare in advance for the manipulation. Otherwise, you will have to get rid of spontaneously occurring emergency situations. And their probability is quite high if the device is old.
- If the model includes a temperature controller, it must be set to 0ºC and disconnected from the power supply.
- Immediately after this, you need to remove all the contents of the chambers, choosing suitable containers and places for the products. If you leave the components in the chamber, this will speed up the defrosting of the device, but may negatively affect the condition of the workpieces.
- You need to evaluate how much ice has accumulated in the freezer and the refrigerator itself. If there is a lot, then you won’t be able to get by with a pallet. You can run a hose from it into a basin so that water does not accumulate and spill on the floor.
It is strictly forbidden to try to defrost the refrigerator compartment by leaving it unattended for several hours. Most often, this approach leads to flooded floors, swollen linoleum or rotten parquet.
How long does it take to defrost a refrigerator and how to shorten the process?
If there is no goal to quickly defrost the refrigerator, then you should refrain from plugging the device into the network for 24 hours. In this case, the first part of the process should occur at a time when someone can monitor the device. When you want to significantly speed up the manipulation, you can use the following process catalysts:
- Mechanical cleaning. Once a significant portion of the ice has been chipped away, the process of thawing will proceed much faster. When choosing a tool for removing ice, you need to take into account the thickness of the layer. In some cases, spatulas or spatulas will help, in others you will have to use an awl or screwdriver.
- Impact hot water. Everyone knows that containers with warm contents cannot be placed in a working refrigerator, but in the case of a switched-off device, this rule can be neglected. Place a saucepan with warm water directly into the chamber, this will speed up the ice thawing process. To get quick results, you will have to change the dishes often.
- Using cold or warm air. Helps deal with massive ice washing vacuum cleaner. Remove the floor nozzle from the tube. Now you need to turn on the device and direct the pipe to problem areas. First, the blowing function is applied to help melt the ice. As puddles form, a suction mode is used to collect excess liquid.
To quickly defrost a refrigerator, the above methods should be combined. The main thing is not to use spatulas, hot water or air directly on the walls of the apparatus. This may damage them and reduce the functionality of the refrigerator.
Is it possible to defrost a refrigerator using a hair dryer?
Many housewives have a logical question: is it possible to defrost the refrigerator with a hairdryer? Of course, it is better to refrain from such experiments, or at least not to use them too often. But, if you need to solve the problem quickly, a hair dryer is perfect. The main thing is not to keep it too close to the surface. This can not only negatively affect the condition of the material, but also lead to a short circuit and damage the device.
In general, in order to speed up the melting process ice will do and a regular fan that will drive cold air into the chamber. As with a hair dryer, do not place the device too close to the refrigerator.
How to properly turn on the refrigerator after defrosting it?
After all procedures are completed, you need to turn on the device correctly. Regardless of how long it has been defrosted, several manipulations must be performed sequentially. First, we collect all the water from the shelves and floor. If you don't do this, it might happen short circuit. When all surfaces are dry, you can plug in the refrigerator. Only after it has stood for a while and the temperature in it has dropped to the desired level should food be loaded into the chamber. By doing this earlier, you can provoke their damage.
Defrosting the refrigerator is a mandatory procedure, but it should not be abused. Too frequent temperature changes can cause even more problems than failure to turn off the device. One application per year is usually sufficient to keep the installation in optimal condition.
According to many experienced housewives, a refrigerator of any category requires periodic manual defrosting. Let's try to figure out whether the manufacturers' promises are true, guaranteeing a long, carefree life of a home freezer without defrosting, and how to properly clean the refrigerator from frost so as not to harm household appliances. If you need, you can contact our company.
Preliminary preparation - clean the refrigerator!
It is worth preparing for the fact that the refrigerator will be unavailable for 3 to 24 hours, depending on the model and the size of the snow layer on the surface of the refrigerator compartment.
Therefore, you will have to get rid of perishable products immediately before the defrosting procedure, especially if you are going to clean household appliances from the “snow coat” in the warm season.
Also prepare the necessary towels or rags for the procedure, basins or bowls that will be needed to collect moisture in refrigeration chamber.
The main stages of the refrigerator defrosting procedure
1. We disconnect household appliances from the network. Make sure that the power cord is located at a safe distance so as not to damage or wet it during the defrosting process.
2. Remove food from the refrigerator. If you still have perishable foods, it is better to take a large bowl or other container and put sausage, fruits, vegetables, cheese, etc. in it. Place the container in cold water and add ice. If you defrost the refrigerator in winter, then the food can be placed on the balcony.
3. The next step is to directly defrost the refrigerator compartment. If the housewife has time, it is preferable to wait until the ice melts on its own. If there is no time to wait, then there are ways to speed up the defrosting of "".
However, not all “quick defrost” options are good. We list the main options and indicate which ones can be used to defrost the unit, and which should be discarded.
Perhaps the most common method. The “snow coat” can be easily defrosted using a stream of warm air. The process itself will be reduced in time to one and a half to two hours. Direct a stream of warm air at the ice crust. Remember that the hair dryer should not be placed inside the refrigerator to avoid dripping water. Once the ice has melted a little, you can easily remove it with a rag.
This method is the most reliable and safe. However, you should not set the hair dryer to maximum. Adjust the temperature of the air stream according to your sensations.
Type into a heating pad warm water and lean it one by one against the icy walls, carefully removing the thawed ice. It is difficult to use this method for hard to reach places in the freezer.
It would seem that there is nothing easier than removing the “ice coat” with a knife. However, this is a very unsafe method. You may injure yourself and damage the walls of the refrigerator. Therefore, it is better not to use this method, but to wait for the natural thawing of the “overgrown crust”.
Under no circumstances should you use boiling water to defrost your refrigerator. Thus, you will only harm your household appliances. If you want to speed up the process, place a bowl or pan of warm water in the refrigerator (make sure the water temperature is not too high).
- natural thawing
The safest of all the methods presented. Wait until the ice crust melts naturally.
4. To avoid corrosion, water in the freezer should be collected with a cloth. Some models of household appliances are equipped with a special container for collecting liquid formed from defrosting.
5. In order for the refrigerator to last as long as possible without an “ice coat”, treat the back wall of the chamber with glycerin.
6. After the refrigerator is completely freed from its “ice shackles,” it must be treated with a soap solution.
7. Clean the condensate drainage hole. The hole, as a rule, is located in the refrigerator compartment (a plastic stick is stuck into it).
8. After treatment, leave the refrigerator doors open until the surface is completely dry.
9. After 1-2 hours, check if the refrigerator is dry. If this does not happen, leave the doors open until the freezer is completely dry. Under no circumstances should you load food if the unit is not completely dry.
10. If everything is OK, close the doors and plug in the power cord.
11. Wait until the temperature in the refrigerator is optimal before loading food.
Defrosting a refrigerator equipped with the “No Frost”, “Frost Free” and “Full no Frost” systems
Modern manufacturers equip refrigerators with “No Frost”, “Frost Free”, and “Full no Frost” systems, meaning that household appliances operate without frost formation. However, it is worth noting that the concept of a “frost-free refrigerator” does not exist. The evaporator surface has negative temperature, A atmospheric air always wet, therefore moisture will settle on the surface of the evaporator and freeze. “No Frost” systems do not speak about the absence of frost as such, but about the method of defrosting the evaporator.
Frost forms in any refrigerator, but in household appliances equipped with a “No Frost” system a heating element promotes thawing of ice, water flows into a special tray, from where it subsequently evaporates. Therefore, such a refrigerator should be defrosted only for the purpose of antibacterial treatment of surfaces. Another reason why you shouldn’t defrost modern refrigerator often, is the duration of this process. Having more complex design, such household appliances will defrost for at least a day. The “Full no Frost” system allows you to avoid the formation of frost even in the freezer.
It is important!
A refrigerator that does not require defrosting requires regular cleaning. You should wipe the inside surface of household appliances weekly using special wet wipes or a soda solution.
What is harmful to the refrigerator, or how to reduce the rate of frost formation?
If your refrigerator does not have any of the above systems, then defrosting will be a regular and mandatory procedure for you. How often should you defrost your refrigerator? It all depends on the rate of frost growth, which directly depends on the technical conditions.
The main factors influencing the rate of growth of the “snow coat” in the refrigerator
1. Poor quality packaging and storage of products
Any product (fruits, vegetables, mineral water, etc.) contains water. If you store food in open form or in an incompletely covered cup or pan, then the food is a constant source of moisture, which contributes to the formation of a “snow coat” in the refrigerator compartment.
It is important!
Store food in a vacuum or tightly sealed container. This way you can avoid frequent defrosting of the refrigerator and protect food from bacteria that live on the surfaces of the refrigerator compartment.
2. Frequency of opening and closing the refrigerator door
Moisture can get into the refrigerator not only from food, but also from the air. When the door is opened frequently, moist air gets inside the chamber, due to which new layers of snow form on the walls of the refrigerator.
3. Correct defrosting procedure
The proper operation of the refrigerator directly depends on many factors, including the performance correct technique defrosting. The further uninterrupted operation of household appliances depends on this seemingly elementary procedure.
How often should you defrost your refrigerator?
Household appliances equipped with the NoFrost system should be defrosted no more than once a year to carry out hygienic antibacterial treatment of the surfaces of the refrigerator compartment.
Refrigerators of other models must be defrosted during the cold season - no more than once every 5-6 months. IN summer time The defrosting procedure should be carried out once every 2-3 months. If you decide to defrost the unit in the summer, it is better to do this in the evening or at night. When defrosting a refrigerator in hot weather, it will be much more difficult for household appliances to restore the required temperature level. The compressor may also suffer from this.
Modern refrigerators equipped with the “No Frost”, “Frost Free”, and “Full no Frost” systems should be defrosted no more than once every 1 year to carry out antibacterial treatment of the surface of the refrigeration chamber. Other models should be defrosted as needed. It is better to choose the cold season for defrosting. If the unit had to be defrosted in the summer, it is preferable to do this in the evening or at night, so as not to harm the household appliances. IN hot weather The refrigerator will need more effort to get the freezer to the optimal temperature.
Do not use knives or pots of boiling water to speed up the defrosting process. This may damage your household appliances. To prevent a “coat of ice” from growing in your refrigerator for a long time, treat the back wall with glycerin when defrosting.
Proper defrosting is a guarantee of long and successful work household appliances!
Gone are the days of small, pot-bellied refrigerators, the sudden noise of which made owners jump at night. However, the problem of how to defrost a refrigerator remains relevant to this day.
These days, kitchens are mostly decorated with tall, multi-chamber beauties, which have a “no frost” system and defrost the refrigerator automatically. A similar system equips many designs of refrigeration appliances famous brands, it is also available in models from such relatively inexpensive companies as Atlant or Biryusa.
But even in modern units Frost periodically forms on the walls and you have to think about the defrosting process.
If you are already puzzled by the question of how to properly defrost a refrigerator, we will give you recommendations so that this process goes quickly and in the right direction.
Reasons for the formation of ice on walls
The formation of frost on the internal parts of the refrigerator is a natural process that occurs as a result of warm air entering the unit when the door is opened. If a snow “coat” often and quickly grows on the walls of the refrigerator, the reasons for its occurrence can be different, from technical to domestic. As a rule, ice forms if:
- The thermostat is faulty;
- the geometry of the refrigerator door is broken and it does not fit tightly;
- Often you spend a long time thinking in front of the open niche of the refrigerator, what is better for you to eat at the moment: sausage or yogurt, and how this food can affect the slimness of your figure.
How to quickly defrost a refrigerator and what is the sequence of actions if technical reasons are excluded? Just prepare the necessary means at hand for trouble-free defrosting of the refrigerator and inspire yourself in the future to decide on the menu for your lunch even before opening the door.
How to prepare a refrigerator for defrosting
When starting the defrosting process, do not forget about the following preliminary points:
- do not start the process if your refrigerator is full of perishable products and you have nowhere to put them, it is better to leave this activity until more favorable times;
- Often the temperature in the room is very high, you should not start the procedure to defrost the device if this is the case at the moment, in this case the refrigerator will take a long time and intensively gain the set parameters, which can shorten the service life of the compressor, engine and other parts;
- turn the temperature control knob to the “0” mark and disconnect the refrigerator from the mains power before you start removing food;
- if you have a system that does not provide a container for draining thawed masses, then before you start defrosting the device, it is better to install a tray or wide flat bowl below to collect water;
- It's good if you have a drain hose that you can directly install into drainage hole to drain melted masses so that water is better removed outside the refrigerator;
- Remove all trays and drawers so that they do not interfere with the defrosting process.
Step-by-step action plan
When you're done preparatory activities, the question immediately arises of how to quickly defrost the refrigerator and how the process itself will go. If you have enough free time, and there are practically no food items removed from the refrigerator, then it is best to simply open the door and wait for the frost to thaw and drain on its own.
If you are in a hurry, then the process of defrosting the refrigerator can be speeded up in the following ways.
- Place a bowl of hot water or a heating pad filled with boiling water on one of the refrigerator shelves. Warm vapors will actively influence the ice masses and quickly defrost them, bringing them into a liquid state.
- Install a heater or fan heater in front of the open door, which will drive heated air into the niche of the refrigerator, facilitating the thawing process.
- Rid the unit of snow build-up using a regular hairdryer. The flow of warm air will create conditions for quickly clearing the walls of ice.
- It is necessary to frequently remove melted pieces of ice with a special plastic spatula, then the defrosting of the refrigerator will proceed faster. Never use sharp metal objects, which can damage the paint and even ruin parts that affect the performance of the refrigerator!
Carefully ensure that draining water does not get inside the unit, this can lead to damage to the working parts through the gradual formation of corrosion in the internal part.
When your refrigerator is completely free of ice frost and the system is cleaned, you must consider that
- you need to wash the inner surface well, as well as trays and drawers, and dry thoroughly; when washing, add flavoring, baking soda or vanilla essence to the solution, this will help eliminate the odor and give pleasant aroma inner surface;
- In order to carry out the drying process quickly, you can use a regular fan, installing it in front of the open door, or a vacuum cleaner that blows air.
- After you have dried the refrigerator, thoroughly dry the floor around and under it so that when you turn it on there is no short circuit or other negative consequences, then wipe the surfaces again with a dry, clean rag, close and connect to the power supply.
- you need to load products when it has passed after switching on required time and you can see what the temperature is inside the unit at this moment; it should already be quite low.
Don't forget that if you have old refrigerator, you need to defrost it without waiting until the door stops closing from the snow coat.
Even if you have new model and it has an automatic “no frost” system or a drip “crying” evaporator, you need to remember how to defrost a refrigerator and that you need to defrost your appliance quite often to bring it to a better quality working condition and extending the service life of the device.
Happy owners of refrigerators with the No Frost system rarely think about defrosting them, but not everyone is so lucky. If the model does not have an anti-frost option, then a thick layer of ice will grow very quickly in the refrigerator and freezer.
Devices with defrosting systems also require special care, but less often. Let's figure out how to defrost a refrigerator with minimal costs time.
All refrigerators have to be defrosted - both with and without auto-defrosting systems. The only difference is the frequency, complexity and duration of the procedure itself. In any case, you can’t do without it.
The biggest mistake a refrigerator owner can make is ignoring the ice problem. This only leads to negative results.
Image gallery
Ice in the freezer is unsightly, inconvenient and, most unpleasantly, expensive. The build-up interferes with the normal operation of the camera. Its volume is significantly reduced, so products have to be placed further from the walls.
If the freezer contains food wrapped in cling film or thin plastic bag, the package may freeze to the ice layer.
You will have to tear it off with force, tearing the shell and sprinkling the floor next to the refrigerator with pieces of ice. A little later, puddles will form and cleaning will be required.
If the refrigerator is not properly cared for, the capacity of the freezer decreases sharply, and food becomes more and more difficult to put in and take out every day. Bags, bags and paper packaging freeze and tear, leaving fragments on the walls of the chamber
The unpleasant appearance and inconvenience of using a frostbitten camera are not the main problems.
A thick layer of ice makes it more difficult to maintain the desired temperature. The refrigerator turns on more often, works longer, worse and consumes additional electricity. Fact: housewives who take care of their freezer in a timely manner pay less for electricity.
A refrigerator compressor with a large amount of ice wears out faster and its service life is reduced. Replacing it is an expensive type of repair, which costs almost half the cost of the device itself.
Timely defrosting of the refrigerator prevents many troubles: from overpayments on electricity bills to the cost of replacing the compressor
The reasons and speed of frost formation are different, so sometimes you have to clean the freezer more often than recommended by household appliance manufacturers.
Reasons for the formation of frost in the refrigerator
When the door is opened, moisture enters the freezer and it also evaporates from the stored food. The steam condenses on the walls of the device, and the resulting water droplets freeze. This is how the freezer and refrigerator become covered with frost.
Gradually its layer grows, becomes thicker and turns into powerful ice that begins to interfere normal operation compressor.
In summer, the process of frost formation in the refrigerator accelerates, because... hot air enters the chamber. The compressor already works in increased mode, and ice creates additional load.
To prevent breakdowns, it is better to reduce the intervals between defrosting the device. But in winter you can relax and take care of the refrigerator a little less often.
Winter is a period when caring for the refrigerator is easier. Firstly, it does not have to be defrosted often. And secondly, the service time of the freezer is not important, because... food can be taken out to the balcony. If the temperature outside is below zero, nothing threatens them
It happens that ice appears too quickly, and this is an alarming signal. The rate of frost formation increases sharply if:
- When it's hot, the refrigerator is turned on to maximum. The desire to preserve the freshness of food in hot weather is understandable, but still you should not run the cooling mode “to the fullest.” The lower the temperature in the chamber, the more moisture settles when hot air rushes in when the door is opened. The degree of cooling of products still depends only on the settings of the device, and not on the environment.
- Super freezing option works. The super freezing function is turned on manually when you urgently need to freeze a large volume of food (for example, if you are making preparations for the winter). There are models where the option works automatically, but in most cases it is controlled by the user himself. If you forget to turn off the super freeze, the refrigerator will work intensively and become very frosty.
If you have to constantly defrost the refrigerator, you should make sure that the cooling mode settings are set correctly, and adjust if necessary.
If the back of your refrigerator or freezer becomes frosty too quickly, it may be due to a breakdown. Most often the cause is a rubber seal or a malfunction of the thermostat.
Intense freezing of the freezer is not always associated with the “human factor”. This is often a sign of a breakdown, especially if after defrosting the cooling function of the device is disrupted.
Freon leakage leads to the formation of uneven local ice, but this is not the most unpleasant moment. Due to a lack of coolant, the engine overheats, which can cause much big problems. If you suspect a leak, contact a service center
If you suspect a malfunction, first check the sealing tape on the refrigerator door. If it is damaged or does not fit tightly, you will have to take time to repair it.
If everything is in order with the seal and the reason for freezing is not due to operating conditions, then there is a high probability of more serious damage.
If the back wall of the refrigerator is frozen, and the temperature in the chamber is higher than expected, this is a classic sign of a worn seal. It should be replaced, and it is better to entrust such work to a service center technician
Signs of malfunctions and their possible causes:
- Ice appears on the back wall of the refrigerator compartment, and the temperature in the chamber itself is too low. This happens when the thermostat breaks. The device stops maintaining the desired temperature, turns on frequently and works for a long time. The wall of the refrigerator compartment does not have time to thaw; a layer of ice accumulates on it.
- The refrigerator works intensively and rarely turns off, and ice appears in the corner. These are signs of a freon leak. One of the most unpleasant breakdowns, because... It is unlikely that you will be able to cope on your own. It is necessary to call a technician to repair the leak and refill the system with freon.
- The refrigerator does not turn off, but the temperature in the compartment is still too high, and ice forms on the back wall. Such signs appear if the normal circulation of the refrigerant through the capillary pipeline is disrupted. Sometimes it becomes clogged due to condensed machine oil, which forms a lump and blocks the gap in the tube.
- Local icing of part of the rear wall of the refrigerator compartment. There is a possibility that this is a manifestation of a violation of the thermal insulation layer of the device. This section should be replaced.
- The temperature in the refrigerator compartment is too low, in the freezer compartment it is too high, and the wall of the appliance is covered with ice. This happens if solenoid valve, which controls the cooling, broke and “frozen” in one position. Normally, it should cool both chambers alternately.
The refrigerator, even if it is equipped with the most the best system automatic defrosting, you need to defrost it in time, monitor its operation and control the degree of icing.
Paying close attention to your household appliances will help prevent many problems.
Step-by-step instructions for proper defrosting
For a working refrigerator with modern system defrosting defrosting is a routine procedure that takes a minimum of time.
It should be carried out twice a year, and more “for show”, because Not a large number of Frost only accumulates in the freezer. Drops of water may appear in the refrigerator compartment, but there is no ice.
Although experts recommend defrosting refrigerators once every six months, many housewives carry out the procedure even less frequently - once a year. There is nothing wrong with this if the model is equipped with the No frost or Frost free option (for two-compressor models this is Full No Frost)
Step #1 - disconnect from the power supply
Regulator temperature conditions switch to number 0, and then simply remove the plug from the socket. Defrosting should be carried out when the device is completely disconnected from the power supply.
The door is opened wide. If one chamber of a two-compressor model is defrosted, the second door must be tightly closed
Step #2 - releasing the unit chambers
It is necessary to remove all food from the freezer and refrigerator compartments. If defrosting is planned, it is better to take care in advance that there is nothing perishable left and the freezer is empty.
In winter, products are transferred to the balcony, and in summer they are put in a basin and placed in a bathtub with cold water. This helps keep them fresh for the coming hours.
If you have to defrost the refrigerator on a hot day, it makes sense to buy an insulated bag from a hardware store especially for such an occasion. Ice packs will help lower your temperature and prevent food from spoiling.
Alternative option– pack frozen food in foil plastic or heat insulating material with a reflective layer.
If you have to defrost a two-compressor refrigerator, the task of preserving food is extremely simplified. The chambers are turned off individually, transferring perishable food into working compartments
When the refrigerator is empty, all that remains is to remove the shelves, racks, trays, egg containers and other removable elements.
They should not be removed together with stored products. Under the influence of the heaviness of the contents and temperature changes, the plastic may burst.
Step #3 - collecting melt water
Some models have trays for melt water. If they are, the problem of liquid collection is solved. It is enough to place hygroscopic towels under the container and leave it while defrosting.
If you don't have containers, you can place a tray, wide bowl or pan in the refrigerator. IN freezer put large towels
Step #4 - defrosting procedure
No additional effort is required to defrost. Simply leave the refrigerator door open and take care to collect the water. In a few hours the ice will thaw. Perfect option– leave the refrigerator to defrost overnight.
Hot water works great to speed up the melting process of ice. The only caveat: the bowl cannot be placed on plastic. The liquid should be very hot, and a board should be placed under the container
If the ice layer is thick and the refrigerator needs to be turned on as quickly as possible, the process is accelerated.
There are several simple and safe methods:
- Warmer. If you have a rubber medical heating pad at home, fill it with water and place it on the bottom of the freezer on top of a towel.
- Hot water container. Heated steam will cause accelerated melting. If there is too much ice and the water cools quickly, the procedure can be repeated. Within an hour, pieces of ice will begin to break off.
- Spraying. You can simply spray the walls of the freezer with a special spray or hot water from a spray bottle. An alternative is to wipe the ice with a cloth soaked in hot water. The main thing is not to get burned.
- Fan. If the kitchen is warm, you can install a fan pointing it towards the freezer. You can also use a heater or hair dryer, but be very careful that the hot air does not dry out the seal and that the electrical cable does not come into contact with water.
The most controversial defrosting method is using a hair dryer, heater or fan heater. On the one hand, it works.
But on the other hand, the risks are too high: if warm air gets on the sealing rubber, it will lose elasticity and stop performing its functions.
It is better not to use fan heaters and hair dryers. If the seal loses its tightness, ice will appear many times faster than before. Replacing tires is not a cheap pleasure, so it’s better not to experiment
It is strictly forbidden to chop pieces of ice with a knife. It can penetrate plastic and the thin piping through which the refrigerant circulates. This will lead to a freon leak and costly repairs.
There will be a large amount of water left in the container or pan that has drained during defrosting. It must be collected and the wet surfaces thoroughly wiped.
Step #5 - washing and cleaning the refrigerator
If any shelves or racks have not been removed previously, they need to be removed. All elements are thoroughly washed using store-bought or homemade detergents. Dishwasher safe.
After cleaning, the parts are left to dry and the packaging of products that show signs of contamination is wiped. You can only put them back in the refrigerator if they are clean, otherwise an unpleasant smell will soon appear in the refrigerator.
You can prepare your own cleaning composition based on soda. To do this, dissolve 2 tbsp in 5 liters of water. soda If you need to get rid of the smell, then water with vinegar is more suitable (2 tablespoons of vinegar are poured into a liter of water)
The refrigerator is washed from top to bottom. The same solution can be used for interior and exterior surfaces.
The drain hole located on the back wall of the compartment is not only washed out, but also thoroughly disinfected, because This is where it can smell bad. Pour into hard-to-reach recesses detergent using a syringe.
After defrosting, it is advisable to clean the refrigerator condenser. A vacuum cleaner is suitable as a tool for removing dust bunnies. If the location of the device does not allow you to reach the vacuum cleaner tube, you will have to make do with a narrow brush
Crumbs and residual liquids accumulate in the sealing tape, so its folds should also be cleaned.
Great tool - Toothbrush. It is better to choose a product based on soda, because... Vinegar can cause the rubber to dry out. It is important that no water remains in the seal. After cleaning and washing, wipe it dry.
Step #6 - total drying and filling
All surfaces are thoroughly wiped and left to dry completely. You can use a fan to blow air over an open refrigerator. This will speed up the process.
The shelves and containers are put back in place when the refrigerator is completely dry. The device is connected to the network and left to work for half an hour.
If you do not “start” the refrigerator and monitor its technical condition, the entire procedure of defrosting and cleaning it will take no more than a couple of hours.
To prevent the chambers from becoming covered in ice, store food in airtight packages and special containers. Then the products for a long time will remain fresh, and there will be no difficulties when defrosting the device.
The refrigerator is a device you can’t imagine without modern kitchen regardless of its level of equipment. A few decades ago, housewives regularly carried out the procedure of defrosting this unit. New technologies have made possible job refrigerator without the formation of ice, but this does not eliminate the need to regularly clean the appliance. Let's look at how to quickly defrost a refrigerator, and also find out the features of this process for different models.
Why do you need to defrost a refrigerator? During operation of the device, layers of frost and ice form on its walls. The thickness of ice in the refrigerator can vary from 1-3 mm to 2-3 cm. This depends on the model, condition and operating characteristics of the unit.
The main reason for the formation of a “fur coat” is the entry of warm air into the chamber. High temperatures cause the compressor to work harder. Too rapid formation of ice may indicate a violation of operating rules or a technical malfunction of the device.
Possible reasons:
- placing inside containers with hot food;
- overcrowding of cells;
- thermostat damage;
- violation of the integrity of the sealing gum;
- defrost sensor failure;
- refrigerant leak.
Ice will inevitably form inside older refrigerator models. Modern devices are devoid of this drawback, which raises the question: is it necessary to defrost a refrigerator with no frost? This system is designed for automatic ice removal. The principle of its operation is as follows. The device is equipped with an evaporator that provides low temperature rear wall, and fans responsible for air circulation inside the chamber. When the compressor stops, the frost melts and evaporates. In a no frost refrigerator, a “crust” does not form at all or in a minimal amount, however, it should be defrosted periodically.
The main purposes of defrosting:
Important: Periodic defrosting of the refrigerator allows you to stabilize the operation of the system, extend the life of the device and create normal conditions for storing food.
How often should I defrost?
In order to decide how often to defrost the refrigerator, you need to take into account its model and the rate of ice formation. Almost any old refrigerator without an auto-defrost system must be cleaned once every 1-3 months.
“On duty” defrosting of a no frost or full no frost refrigerator may be more rare – once every 6-12 months. The procedure is necessary to wash all surfaces, as well as to completely remove frost.
Besides no frost, there is drip system automatic defrosting frost free (another name is fresh). This is what refrigerators of the Atlant brand are equipped with. With frost free on the walls can form thin layer frost. How many times should I defrost a refrigerator with such a system? It is advisable to clean the device once every 4-6 months.
Using a modern refrigerator, it is worth creating a defrosting schedule in paper or in electronic format. This will help keep the device clean and maintain its quality.
Note: The rules for operating the refrigerator, including the frequency of defrosting, should be clarified in the instructions for the device or with a consultant at a household appliance store.
Stages of defrosting a refrigerator
Let's find out how to defrost a refrigerator correctly and quickly old model without automatic systems. Algorithm of actions for a Biryusa brand device or any other similar model:
You can speed up the procedure a little by picking out the melted ice with a wooden or plastic spatula. It is important to do this carefully so as not to damage the walls and sealing gum. It is strictly forbidden to use sharp or metal objects.
Features of cleaning some models
Let's look at how to defrost a no frost refrigerator. The work must be carried out according to the algorithm described above, but there are some differences. There is no need to place towels under the device and place containers to collect water, since it will not leak out. In addition, defrosting time is reduced to 1.5-2 hours.
When solving the problem of how to defrost a two-chamber Atlant refrigerator, it is worth considering the following nuances:
- If there are two compressors, the chambers can be defrosted alternately or simultaneously. With one compressor, the compartments can be cleared of ice only together.
- An urgent need for defrosting arises if the freezer is “overgrown” with a layer of frost more than 3-5 mm thick.
- The fresh mechanism assumes the presence of a drainage system: drops of moisture flow down the back wall of the refrigerator into a tray, then fall into a tube, and from it into a vessel on the compressor, where they evaporate. If the drain system becomes clogged, water pours out of the tray and gets into the junction of the metal strip and the inner cabinet of the freezer. Over time, this can lead to metal corrosion and thermal insulation failure. During defrosting, it is important to ensure that the opening in the tray and the tube are not clogged. If something interferes with the outflow of water, you should use a brush, which is usually included in the kit.
How to speed up the process?
It is not always possible to wait 3-12 hours for the ice in the refrigerator to melt. There are several ways to speed up this process.