Freezer defrost

I use my steamer on the worst bits, it comes off in minutes.

I use a hairdryer at a distance but a few minutes really gets it going

Did my mind last week . At 5am it was already 24° packed everything into my cool box with blocks by 7am it was completely defrosted. And washed and everything back in by 20 past.

A friend users her steamer and takes no time to defrost.

I put big bowls of hot water in and change them a lot.
It's pretty quick.

Never used a de-icer.

Same as NS nowadays.
Did mine all in 1 hour from start to finish.
I use a scraper once the ice has started melting after 20 mins or so. it comes off in blocks. Much easier that way, in my opinion.

I use a nylon fish slice or a stiff spatula once it's loose.

It’s all done now thanks. I think thats enough housewifery for today!

I switch it off, empty it and use the hairdryer, brilliant, does the job in minutes.

Mine is a large chest freezer so luckily only needs doing annually. I always choose one of the coldest days in winter, preferably with snow on the ground, and put all the food in bags, in crates outside the back door. Then set to with scraper and hair dyer.

I never defrost my freezer. I have a defrost freezer mat (available from Amazon) which I have placed in the bottom of the bottom drawer. It completely prevents any ice from forming.

My mum bought me an infra red lamp years ago, when I had a chunkily iced-up freezer to get rid of I put it on a chair in front of the freezer, and pointed it at the worst bits.

Betterware used to do a great defrosting spray - not sure they are still around.

I always used to put bowls of hot water in and close the door for half an hour then repeat etc. It’s in the garage so I used to put newspaper and use old towels to soak up the water etc.
I’d almost forgotten that procedure - and trying to pack its contents into my fridge while doing it - as bought a new frost-free one, from Bejam I think, years ago which is still working well.

Oh gosh! I have never done mine!!

Matelda

I never defrost my freezer. I have a defrost freezer mat (available from Amazon) which I have placed in the bottom of the bottom drawer. It completely prevents any ice from forming.

Are these effective - I’ve had a look and there are mixed reviews ? 🤔

I used to have that problem. all day to defrost a freeze !! Nightmare. So i bought a frost free freezer. Well worth saving up for. No more ice. By the way , i bought it on e bay from AO OUTLET. It was £100 cheaper than the same model at Currys. Only difference is that mine has a small dent in the door but you wouldn't notice it if you didn't know it was there.

Same problem as I can’t face defrosting at present,huge freezer.
I usually put pans of water in but I read you could spray the sides with Pam,but never had the courage to try it———-our freezer is always packed with home grown fruit & veg so it’s a huge job to move all the stuff,going to try the mid Winter trick,so have 6 months to go !

Current freezer is frost free, a real treat.

It wasn’t hard to defrost the previous upright freezer, just not the most fun job. We didn’t let ice build too much. On a cool day the baskets of food were removed, stacked and covered in blankets. Our Dyson heater was positioned in front to blow in hot air. Any stubborn bits were scraped with a plastic blade, a wipe and dry next then the food back, all in less than an hour. The hardest bit was remembering what it was that fitted under the spout to catch the water.

Years ago we had a chest freezer and I’m pretty sure it was never defrosted. Oops.

My freezer mat has worked perfectly for years, and it was inexpensive. It’s definitely worth a try.

Bowl of hot water and shut the door/lid. Might also be time to start looking around for a replacement.

If your fridge is a fairly new model and your freezer is making copious amounts of ice that requires lots of defrosting - that means that your seal around the door is causing leakage of cold air.

Either get it repaired OR replace fridge altogether if it’s an older model for an energy efficient model.

Then watch your energy bill go down!

Definitely recommend getting a frost free freezer wish I'd bought one years ago.

Saucepans of boiling water and close the chest freezer lid. Repeat.
Once loose use a scraper and the ice just falls off. Food back in within the hour.
I put the food on the floor with ice blocks and wrapped in bath towels.