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.
Frozen food may be damaged when ice crystals develop on the packaging. These crystals could cause damage to your food and alter the texture of your food.
Defrost
The process of defrosting your freezer isn't exciting or enjoyable but it's an essential part of maintaining your fridge and freezer. Every when you open the freezer door, warm air creeps in which causes condensation and freezing on interior surfaces. This causes a disruption to the freezer's temperature control, which causes it to work more frequently and use more energy. It can also compromise food flavor and quality, and cause freezer burn.
Defrosting a freezer on your own is the best choice however it can take many hours. In the event of a crisis, a hairdryer or a handheld steam cleaner can speed up the process. Just be sure to shut off the freezer and unplug it and remove all frozen food items and wash up any spilled water prior to beginning work.
Be sure to have a towel or a plastic liner ready prior to beginning the defrosting procedure. This will help catch any water that may spill. It's a good idea to empty the entire freezer to allow you to reorganize the food left and eliminate expired or old items. After defrosting has been completed ensure that you clean and dry the freezer compartment thoroughly before turning it off.
To accelerate the natural process of defrosting, open and close the freezer door several times to let the temperature to rise. Remove all shelves and drawers to allow you to get closer to the ice. You can also place highly absorbent towels or newspapers on the floor to soak up any puddles of melting the ice.
When the ice melts keep a heated spoon or plastic spatula nearby to break off any large chunks of ice that might be accumulating on the interior walls. Avoid using sharp objects such as knives, forks, or ice picks to break through ice, as they can damage the interior walls of the freezer, causing leaks and damage. Also, don't forget to clean and wash the drawers and shelves that are removable after the ice has been removed. Once Frydge is clean then plug in the freezer and let it run for a night to get back to its normal temperature of freezing.
Clean
Regular cleaning is the best method to prevent spores and food odors from building up. Throw away any produce that is damaged or over its best. Clean the drawers and shelves with soapy water using a damp cloth (I use Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid). Then, dry them. I also wipe down the freezer with a cloth coated in a solution comprising baking soda and vinegar or water and water. Scrubbing tough stains with a non-scratch brush might be required. I also clean the coils that are located at the back of my refrigerator with a nozzle. This will get rid of all the pet fur, dirt and dust that is stuck in difficult to reach places.
You will not have to defrost your fridge with frost as frequently as you do with other models. Frost-free refrigerators have a mechanism which circulates cold air to cool the food items, thus eliminating the need for manual defrosting. It is nevertheless important to clean the refrigerator every week, throwing out any food that is past its expiration date and cleaning out all the old bottles, jars and packets of soy sauce.
To make defrosting easier remove the contents of your freezer. You can then temporarily move them into a different freezer, a cooler that contains Ice packs, or a box lined with blankets. During this process, you should protect the floor of the freezer with an old cloth. You can get rid of any remaining ice after the freezer has been defrosted using an ice scraper made of plastic.
If your refrigerator is equipped with an automatic defrost feature you'll see a light that will let you know when it's time to defrost. To ensure that you do not lose any frozen foods during the defrost cycle, you can empty the freezer and place it on a counter. You can then replenish it with frozen foods that have a long shelf life. Then, you can put the old towel that is on the bottom of the freezer to collect any water that drips as it melts.
Maintaining
If the evaporator is coated with frost coil, it will freeze, causing the fridge to work harder and use more energy. This is why maintaining it regularly is so important. This can be avoided by disconnecting the fridge and cleaning the evaporator.
If the defrost is operating properly, a layer of ice should form on the evaporator in an uniform pattern. If ice is building up on the evaporator, but it is not a defrost issue this could be a sign of a defective thermostat or timer.
In some older models, the return air duct and supply to and from the freezer can get clogged with dirt, pet hair or food leftovers. This makes the compressor to work harder and generates a lot of excess heat that will migrate to the refrigerator section cabinet and create warm temperatures, particularly around the doors of the freezer. Keeping the freezer door gasket free of damage and ensuring that it is tight will help reduce the risk.
The frequent opening of the freezer can also allow humid room air to enter the appliance, creating a climate 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 evaporator drain trough frequently to ensure that it isn't clogged with food residue or ice. A hand-held vacuum hose, or a special refrigerator coil cleaner (typically with a brush that slips into hard to reach places) is a great way to do this.
Make sure the freezer is free of obstructions that could hinder air flow or obstruct the condenser fan. To remove food residues and prevent odours, clean the interior walls and shelves using a mixture of hot dish soap, hot water or baking powder. Air vents between the refrigerator and freezer compartments must not be blocked since this could result in poor air circulation, which will increase humidity in the appliance.
Repair
There are several reasons why your frost free fridge freezer might not be functioning correctly. Most of them are straightforward and easy to fix but some require the assistance of a professional. The issue is usually caused by something that stops air from moving into and from the freezer. This could be caused by over-packed packages of food, clogged air gaps or opening the door too long.
Unplug your refrigerator prior to performing any maintenance or repairs. This reduces the chance of electric shock and allows accumulation of frost to melt naturally.
If your refrigerator isn't cooling, it could be due to a problem with the defrost. This type of fridge and freeze will automatically turn on the heater to melt any frost on the evaporator. The melted frost drains through a drain pipe to an unintended pan located at the rear of the refrigerator. It it then evaporates into the air. The defrost-timer could need to be replaced if it is malfunctioning.
It's also possible that a bad seal is blocking cold air from getting into the freezer area of your refrigerator. This can be easily fixed by cleaning the seal using warm water and a small amount of soap. Make sure there are no objects blocking the freezer vents or resting against the back wall of the refrigerator.
If the gasket is worn or damaged, you can try to replace it. Many major appliance manufacturers offer spare parts, including freezer gaskets. It is important to remember that only a qualified professional should replace the freezer gasket.
Alternatively, you may be having issues with the evaporator fan that circulates air through the freezer section of your fridge. You'll hear a clicking noise when the fan is turned on. The ice on the evaporator is getting too thick and is causing the fan blades to be damaged. This will require an expert to be identified and fixed.