5 Laws That Can Benefit The Frost Free Fridge And Freezer Industry
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. Food that has been frozen may be damaged when ice crystals form on the package. These crystals can cause damage to your food and alter the texture of your food. Defrost The defrosting process for the freezer isn't exciting or enjoyable, but it is an essential part of maintaining your fridge and freezer. Warm air is dragged into the freezer each time you open it, which causes condensation and the formation of ice on interior surfaces. This frost interferes the freezer's ability to regulate temperature, causing it to work more frequently and consume more energy. It can also affect the flavor and quality of food, and cause freezer burn. The best way to defrost the freezer is to let it melt naturally. However, this could take a long time. In the event of an emergency, a hairdryer or a handheld steam cleaner can speed up the process. Make sure to shut off and unplug the freezer and take out all frozen food items and wash up any spilled water before you begin working. Before beginning making your preparations, ensure you have a towel or plastic liner 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 any food leftovers and clear out items that are no longer in use. Once the defrosting is complete, be sure to clean and dry the freezer compartment thoroughly before turning it off. Close and open the door to the freezer repeatedly to increase the temperature. Take out all drawers and shelves to make it easier to reach the ice. You can also put some old towels or newspapers which are very absorbent on the floor to soak any puddles that form from melting the ice. As the ice melts, keep a heated spoon or plastic spatula on hand to break up any large chunks that may be accumulating on the interior walls. Avoid using sharp objects such as knives, forks or ice picks to smash through ice, since they can damage the interior walls of the freezer, causing leaks and damage. Be sure to wash and clean the removable drawers and shelves once the ice has been removed. Once everything is clean then plug into the freezer and let it run for the night until it returns to its normal freezing temperature. Clean Regular cleaning is the most effective method of preventing spores and food smells from accumulating. Throw away any produce that is spoiled or beyond its prime. Clean 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 cloth that has been dipped in a solution of vinegar and water or baking soda. The stubborn stains can be removed with a nonscratch brush. I like to sweep the coils at the back of my fridge too using 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 frost-free refrigerator as frequently as you do with other models. Frost-free refrigerators come with an automatic cooling mechanism that cools food by circulating cold air throughout the fridge and eliminates the necessity of manually defrosting the appliance. It is nevertheless important to clean your refrigerator at least every week, throwing out any food that is past the expiration date and cleaning out all the old jars, bottles and soy sauce packets. To make defrosting simpler remove the contents 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, make sure to shield the floor of your freezer by putting an old towel at the bottom. When the freezer is defrosted, you can remove any remaining ice with an ice scraper made of plastic. If your fridge is equipped with an automatic defrost system built-in it is likely to have an indicator light that lets you know that it is time to run a defrost cycle. Empty the freezer, and place it on the counter to avoid losing frozen food during the defrost. Then, you can restock 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 collect any drips of water as it melts. Maintain If frost covers the evaporator the evaporator will freeze. This causes the fridge to work harder and use more energy. This is why maintaining it regularly is so important. Unplugging the freezer and cleaning the evaporator coil can prevent this from happening in the first place. When the defrost system is working correctly the frost layer will form on the evaporator in an evenly pattern. If ice has formed on the evaporator, but it is not a defrost issue it could be an indication of a defective thermostat or timer. In older models, the return and supply air duct to and from the freezer may become blocked by dirt, pet hair, or food residue. This causes the compressor to work harder and generates heat. The heat then migrate into the refrigerator section cabinet, and cause temperatures to rise. Maintaining the gasket on the freezer's door free of damage and making sure that it is sealed will reduce this problem. Frequent opening of the freezer can allow humid air into the appliance, creating a climate in which frost and ice are more likely to form. Keeping the freezer tightly closed may help, but it's not the only solution to eliminate all problems with frost and ice. Clean regularly the evaporator drainage trough to ensure that it isn't clogged with food residues or ice. This can be done using the use of a hand-held vacuum cleaner or a special coil cleaner for refrigerators (usually with a brush which slips into the hard to reach areas). Keep the freezer free of any obstructions that could obstruct air flow or the condenser. To get rid of food residues and eliminate odours, wash the shelves and walls using a mixture of hot water, dish soap or baking powder. Frydge between the refrigerator and freezer compartments must not be blocked as this can cause poor circulation of air, which could increase the humidity inside the appliance. Repair There are a variety of reasons your frost free fridge freezer might not be functioning properly. The majority of these problems can be fixed easily but some require expert assistance. The problem is typically caused by something that prevents air from moving to and from the freezer section. It could be caused by over-packed packages of food or air gaps that are blocked. It could also be caused by opening the door too long. It is important to unplug your refrigerator prior to performing any repairs or maintenance. This will eliminate the possibility of an electric shock and allow any frost to melt on its own. If the refrigerator is still unable to cool it could be due to an issue with the defrost system. This kind of refrigerator and freezer automatically activates the heater to melt any frost on the evaporator. The melted frost drains down a drain pipe into an unintended pan located at the rear of the refrigerator. It then it evaporates into air. The defrost timer could need be replaced if it's malfunctioning. It's possible that a faulty seal is preventing cold air from getting into the freezer section of your refrigerator. It is easy to solve this issue by cleaning the seal with warm water and soap. Check to see if there are any obstructions to the freezer vents or resting against back wall of the refrigerator. You can also replace the freezer gasket if it's worn or damaged. A lot of major appliance manufacturers offer replacement parts, including freezer gaskets. It is crucial to remember that only a professional with a license can replace a freezer gasket. Alternatively, you may have a problem with the fan that circulates air in the freezer area of your fridge. There is a click sound when the fan is switched on. This is because the ice on the evaporator coils has become too thick and is impinging on the fan's blades. This will require an expert to diagnose and fixed.