Here’s a step-by-step guide to defrosting your refrigerator

Your refrigerator has to be defrosted regularly to operate at its best and to extend its longevity. Over time, ice buildup in the freezer section can obstruct airflow and decrease the appliance’s effectiveness. Fortunately, defrosting your refrigerator requires just a few easy steps and is simple. You can avoid restoring your refrigerator’s chilling ability by removing the accumulated ice. 

How to defrost your refrigerator

We’ll walk you through defrosting your refrigerator in this step-by-step manual so you can keep your food fresh and your refrigerator in good working condition.

1. Preparation

Ensure to unplug your refrigerator from the power outlet before you start. Doing this can ensure your security and avoid damaging the appliance while it is defrosted. Furthermore, remove all the perishable food from the refrigerator and put it in a cooler with ice packs to keep it fresh.

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2. Empty your freezer

Your refrigerator’s freezer should be emptied first. Remove every frozen food item and put it in a temporary storage location. You can utilise a secondary freezer or a cooler with ice packs if one is available. Reducing the time it spends outside the freezer is essential to prevent food from spoiling.

3. Accelerate defrosting

You can put towels or other absorbent items on the bottom of the freezer box to hasten the defrosting process. These substances help in ice melting and limit the amount of water accumulating. As a substitute, you can create steam by placing a bowl of hot water in the freezer, which helps melt the ice buildup.

4. Open the doors

Keep the freezer and refrigerator doors open while they are defrosting. This enables warm air to move within and speeds up the ice melting. It’s a good idea to place towels or a shallow pan under the refrigerator to catch any water that drips during defrosting.

5. Remove the ice 

You can hasten the process by carefully breaking up any larger ice chunks as the ice begins to melt. Avoid using sharp objects that could harm the freezer’s interior. The remaining ice formation can be carefully removed with a wooden spatula and a plastic scraper.

6. Clean the interior

It’s time to clean the inside of the freezer once all of the ice has melted while it has fully defrosted. The walls, shelves, and refrigerator drawers should be cleaned using warm water and mild detergent. Before plugging it back, please thoroughly clean it using a moist cloth.

7. Replenish and restart

After cleaning, replace the refrigerator with food, and plug it back into the power source. Before making any necessary adjustments to the settings, let the refrigerator reach the desired temperature. Check that the doors are properly sealed to keep the appliance working efficiently.

Defrosting is crucial to maintain your refrigerator’s performance. You can securely and efficiently remove accumulated ice and frost by following a straightforward, step-by-step procedure, avoiding potential damage and energy waste. Gather the required equipment, unplug the refrigerator, and either wait for the ice to melt naturally or use a hairdryer or hot water to speed up the process. 

ALSO READ: What is a frost-free refrigerator?

Connect the refrigerator after carefully drying the interior and cleaning it with a light detergent. Defrosting regularly keeps your food safe, fresh, and efficient. You can increase the lifespan of your refrigerator and ensure its smooth and unhindered operation by investing a small amount of time and energy in this relatively easy maintenance task.