What is the best way to defrost your freezer so you dont have water leaking on your floor and food going off?

Answer 1

Most modern freezers don't need to be defrosted, but should be washed out and cleaned periodically. Following are steps for defrosting freezers that need it -generally when ice builds up to a thickness between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch.


Steps:
1. Turn the freezer off. Controls may be inside the refrigerator.

2. Remove all food from the freezer and store in an ice chest while you are defrosting.

3. Remove ice in the freezer compartment. This can be done by: a) letting the freezer door stand open until ice melts; b) putting a pan of hot water in the freezer compartment and closing the door, then checking for melting ice and reheating the water every 10 to 15 minutes; c) using a hair dryer by aiming warm air at ice in freezer until it melts.

4. Pick up ice and water as it melts with a dishcloth or sponge and deposit into sink.

5. Use a sponge or dishcloth and a bowl of warm water to thoroughly wipe out inside of freezer once the freezer is cleared of ice.

6. Turn the freezer back on, close the door and let run for 10 to 15 minutes before returning food to the freezer.

7. Put food back into freezer and close the door.

Tips:
Do not use soapy water to clean the freezer.


Warnings:
Never chip at freezer ice with ice picks or other sharp instruments.

If you use a hair dryer to melt ice, be aware that there is a risk of electrical shock if the dryer comes in direct contact with water or if you are standing in water on the floor.

Tips from eHow Users:
For those freezers you still have to defrost and to make it easier the next time, I came up with this method. After defrosting the mess and washing it down, I spray the surface with Pam. The next time, the frost will just pop off with a slight lift.

Answer 2

Take the food out of your freezer, and put it into an ice chest. Put the ice and any coolbags you have on the top and close the lid tightly. Turn off the freezer. Place a towel (or several) in the bottom of the freezer. Occasionally wipe down the sides and any elements you can get to. If it is an upright freezer, you can put some pans in the bottom to catch drips. Empty them often.

If you defrost often, this will not take very long. Be sure to wash and dry all the shelves and plastic baskets before you replace them.

~When everything is dry, turn the freezer back on and put the food back in.

I wouldn't bother with vaccuum cleaners or hair dryers - you can damage the freezing elements.

Answer 3

There should be a drip tray. Put lots of towels around the bottom of the freezer just in case, and if it is very bad gently chip off as much ice as you can without damaging the fabric of the freezer. It is best not to just leave it, but to use a hairdryer to speed things up as then your food is out of the freezer for the the shortest time possible. Best way is to plan to do it and try and use up what is in there by that date.

Answer 4

Your fridge should have a drip pan to catch the water.

Do it in the winter so you can put your food outside in a cooler. Use a hairdryer to melt the ice faster and keep wiping with towels so it doesn't overflow.

Answer 5

You can get some spray to defrost it, erm I cant remember what its called though (helpful eh!) or you could get a hairdryer on it

Answer 6

you have food that explodes?! SWEET! LOL...anyway, maybe you could take the racks out and set them outside to defrost...

Answer 7

use a defrost tray and be careful when you take one out when it is full of ice-water. simple, i gather.