How to Maintain a Frost Free Fridge and Freezer
Defrosting is not necessary with a frost-free fridge or freezer. This can save you time, effort and electricity when compared to a traditional refrigerator/freezer.
If you notice ice crystals on the packaging, frozen food can be damaged. These crystals may cause freezing burns or alter the texture of food.
Defrost
The freezer defrost process isn't the most exciting or enjoyable, but it's an essential part of maintaining your fridge and freezer. Each when you open the freezer door warm air infiltrates, causing moisture to condense and freeze on the inside of the freezer. fridge freezer black frost free can affect the freezer's temperature control, which causes it to work harder and use more energy. It can also affect the taste and quality of food and can cause freezer burn.
Defrosting a freezer on your own is the best option however, it can take many hours. If you're looking to accelerate the process, a handheld steam cleaner or hairdryer is a good option. Be sure to unplug and shut off the freezer prior to beginning. Get rid of all frozen food and clean up any spilled water.
Make sure to have towels or a plastic liner ready before you begin the process of defrosting. This will help catch any water that may spill. It's also recommended to empty your freezer completely, so you can reorganize any remaining food and weed out items that are no longer in use. When the defrosting process has been completed, you must thoroughly clean and dry the freezer before turning it on.
Open and close the door to the freezer repeatedly to increase the temperature. Take out all drawers and shelves to make it easier to reach the frozen ice. You can also place some old towels or newspapers that are extremely absorbent on the floor to soak any puddles that form from melting the ice.
While the ice melts, keep a heated spoon or plastic spatula nearby to break off any large chunks that could be accumulating on the interior walls. Avoid using sharp objects like knives, forks or ice picks to break through ice, as this can puncture the inside walls of the freezer, causing leaks and damage. Don't forget to wipe down and rinse the removable shelves and drawers after the ice has been removed. 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 the build-up of spores and food odors. Get rid of any food item that has gone bad or is beyond its prime and dispose of it. Clean all drawers and shelves with soapy water using a damp cloth (I use Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid). Dry them. I also wipe the freezer down using a damp cloth dipped in a solution of water and vinegar or baking soda. The stubborn stains can be removed with a nonscratch brush. I like to vacuum the coils at the back of my fridge as well with the nozzle attachment. This will get rid of all the dirt, pet fur and dust that gets stuck in the hard-to-access areas.
You won't have to defrost your refrigerator with frost as frequently as you do with other models. Frost-free refrigerators have a mechanism that automatically cools the food by circulating cold air throughout the fridge and eliminates the requirement to manually defrost the appliance. It is essential to clean your refrigerator at least once a week. Remove any food that has passed its expiration date, and take out any old jars, bottles, and packets of soy sauce.
To make the task of defrosting your freezer simpler take all food items from the freezer and place it in a freezer that is not used, a cooler with Ice packs or an enclosed box with blankets. During this process, cover the floor of your freezer with an old cloth. When the freezer is defrosted, you are able to remove any remaining ice using a plastic scraper.
If your refrigerator has a built-in automatic defrost system It will probably have an indicator light that lets you know that it is time for a defrost cycle. Empty the freezer, and place it on the counter to prevent losing frozen food during the defrost. Then, you can restock the freezer with frozen foods with a long shelf-life. You can then use an old towel to catch any water that drips from the freezer as it melts.
Maintaining
If frost coats the evaporator coil and it freezes, causing the fridge to work harder and consume more energy. Regular maintenance is essential. This can be avoided by disconnecting the fridge and cleaning the evaporator.
If the defrost system is functioning properly, a layer of ice should appear on the evaporator in an even pattern. If there is a build-up of ice on the evaporator that is not caused by an issue with defrost it could be an indication of a faulty timer or defrost termination thermostat.
In some older models, the supply and return air duct to and from the freezer could get clogged with dirt, pet hair, or food remnants. This causes the compressor to have to work harder and generates a lot of excess heat that is transferred to the refrigerator section cabinet and create warm temperatures there, especially around the doors of the freezer. Maintaining the gasket on the freezer's door free of damage and making sure that it is tight will help reduce the risk.
The frequent opening of the freezer can also allow humid room air into the appliance, creating a climate where ice and frost are more likely to form. Keeping the freezer tightly closed will help, but it is not the answer to eliminating all problems related to frost and ice.
Clean regularly the evaporator drainage trough to make sure it is not blocked with food debris or ice. This can be accomplished with handheld vacuum cleaners or a special coil cleaner for refrigerators (usually with a brush which is able to get into hard to reach areas).
Keep the freezer space clear of any obstructions that might hinder air flow or obstruct the condenser fan. To remove food particles and prevent odours, clean the shelves and walls using a mixture of hot dish soap, hot water or baking powder. Check that the air vents between refrigerator and freezer compartments are not blocked, as this can reduce proper air circulation and also increase humidity levels in the appliance.
Repair
There are a variety of reasons your frost free fridge freezer may not be working properly. The majority of them are simple and easy to fix but some require the help of a specialist. The majority of the time, the issue is caused by something that stops air from flowing into and from the freezer section of the unit. This can be caused by the over-packaging of food items or blocked ventilation gaps. It could also be due to keeping the door open for too long.
Unplug your fridge prior to completing any maintenance or repairs. This will prevent the risk of an electric shock and allow any frost to melt on its own.
If the refrigerator still isn't cooling it could be due to an issue with the defrost. This type of fridge and freezer automatically activates an electric heater to melt any frost that is on the evaporator. The melted snow drains down a drain pipe into a pan in the back of the refrigerator, and then evaporates into ambient air. The defrost timer could need be replaced if malfunctioning.
It's also possible that a damaged seal is blocking cold air from getting into the freezer area of your refrigerator. You can easily fix this by cleaning the seal using soap and warm water. Make sure there are no objects blocking the freezer vents or resting against back wall of the refrigerator.
You can also try replacing the freezer gasket in case it is worn or damaged. Many major appliance manufacturers offer replacement parts in-person, including freezer gaskets. It is important to note that replacing a freezer gasket should only be performed by a trained professional.
You may also be experiencing an issue with the evaporator that circulates air in the freezer section of your refrigerator. In this scenario you'll probably hear a click sound when the fan is turned on. The evaporator's ice has grown too thick and is causing the fan blades to become damaged. This is an issue that needs to be identified by a trained professional.