How to defrost a refrigerator at home?

How often should you defrost?

Depends primarily on the design of the refrigerator.

Most old refrigerators do not have an automatic solution to the ice problem, so the care process is the owner's responsibility. Defrosting is carried out as needed: it's time when the snow layer in the freezer has reached 3-4 mm... It is not recommended to allow outgrowths of more than 0.5 cm.

On average, with the correct operation of the technique, the procedure is repeated every 3-4 months.

Modern models are supplied one of 2 types of systems:

1. Air... The second name is no frost. Defrosting is not required, because the formation of ice is impeded by fans that drive air through the chambers - condensate is collected on the evaporator, turns into steam and is removed. Refrigerators with the No frost system work autonomously, do not require human assistance: however, if the refrigerator is old and worn-out rubber bands have led to depressurization, it should be periodically helped by starting the defrosting process manually.
2. Drip... The system is built on the principle of condensate - it accumulates on the back wall and flows into a special tray through an opening. Defrost such devices manually in order to remove ice from internal parts. Repeat every 6-8 months.

Why does ice form and what will happen if it is not removed?

There are several reasons for the formation of an ice crust, let's consider the main ones:

• Frequent opening of the door, long holding it open.
• Worn seals leading to a lack of tightness.
• Cooling warm or hot food in the refrigerator, freezer.
• Incorrect temperature setting (set too low).
• Technical malfunction (compressor overload, capillary blockage, valve breakage).

In the latter case, defrosting the refrigerator is not enough, it must be repaired, because the formation of ice is only a symptom, not the root of the problem.

What happens if defrosting is not carried out on time?

• High humidity can cause mold, mildew, and unpleasant odors. Eating food stored here is simply dangerous.
• Snow build-ups reduce the volume of the refrigerator and freezer compartments, and prevent the doors from closing tightly.
• Frost can damage the compressor, because due to improper operation of temperature sensors, it can work without interruption - which leads to breakdown. In the opposite case (when the thermoelements report a lower temperature), the compressor will not turn on, and the refrigerator will become warm - the food will simply deteriorate.

Quick defrost methods

To properly defrost the refrigerator, start with preparatory procedures:

1. Disconnect the equipment from the mains, pull it forward a little. The door must be open.
2. Clean the cameras inside from food - the device should remain completely empty.
3. Remove drawers, shelves, trays, and other removable items.
4. Place suitable containers (pots, cups, basins) under the melt water drain holes.You can place a pallet on the floor or place a large, absorbent cloth.

Refrigerator recommended leave for a few hours, better overnight... While the freezer is defrosting, do the cleaning: audit the food, wash all the drawers and shelves with a sponge.

Important! Periodically check the bowls where the water will drain and wring out the rags.

After all the water is glass, wipe off excess moisture with a dry cloth, wash the walls of the cooling compartment and freezer. Now you can put the shelves back in place, load food and plug the refrigerator into a power outlet.

Important! Do not fill the chambers to capacity, if there are a lot of products - first load by 30-40%, after 3-4 hours add another third, after 3-4 hours the leftovers.

To quickly defrost your refrigerator, you can use one of 5 ways to speed up the process:

1. Hair dryer... The supply of warm (not hot!) Air from a distance of 25-35 cm significantly accelerates defrosting.
2. Pot of hot water... It is advisable not to use boiling water, the temperature should be ~ 90C. The container is placed on a board directly inside the chamber, when the water cools down, it is changed. You will have to repeat 3-5 times.
3. Warmer... A warm rubber bulb helps defrost the refrigerator faster. To do this, it is enough to pour water into it and place it in the chamber.
4. Spray... Hot water is poured into a sprayer and sprinkled on the ice: after 10-15 minutes, it can begin to break off in pieces.
5. Special spray... On sale you can find compositions designed for this task: they not only quickly rid the surface of ice, but also eliminate odors, kill bacteria.

You can use in two ways at once: For example, put on a heating pad and blow with a hairdryer.

Defrost step-by-step instructions

The instruction is suitable for refrigerators brands Samsung, Indesit, Bosch, Ariston, LG, Liebherr, Electrolux, Zanussi, Beko, domestic: Atlant, Nord, You can defrost devices without automatic defrosting, with air (no frost, full no frost), drip systems.

1. Disconnect from the network, move away from the wall.
2. Free from products, removable parts.
3. Substitute bowls, put rags.
4. Leave in the open position for 4-12 hours.
5. Wipe off excess moisture, wash.
6. Return the shelves to their place, load the products (up to 50% capacity).
7. Close the door, plug it in.

Important! Twin-chamber models with separate compressors can be pushed back in stages, first shutting off the upper chamber, then the lower chamber.

Partial defrost example:

And in this video, the girl used a spray bottle with boiling water poured into it:

Major mistakes

Tips to help you avoid shortening your life:

• To get rid of the unpleasant smell, it is recommended to wash all parts of the refrigerator with baking soda. You can also pour it into a small open container, dripping a little essential oil: the soda will absorb the stench, and the oil will spread a pleasant aroma.
• When using a hair dryer, do not blow on the seals, they will deteriorate from the hot air flow.
• You should not try to speed up the process with more powerful temperatures (heater, iron, boiler). The conflict between hot and cold will lead to breakage.
• Sharp objects must not be used to break off ice in the freezer - careless actions will damage the coating and channels.

Take care of your refrigerator, remove frost and ice in time - then the unit will serve for more than a dozen years!