Defrosting a fridge freezer

[Hillsalt]

Is it a good idea to defrost a fridge freezer when we go away for a week?
I was thinking about dumping whatever is in the fridge and freezer when we head off for a week in the sun next month. It seems like a no-brainer unless someone else says otherwise. I propose to unplug the device when we laeve and leave a pile of bath towels on the floor.

I expect a mess when I get home but i can live with it. The freezer is frozen over for a few months now.

Any comments?

 

[liaconn]

Seems like an awful waste of food. It takes about half an hour to defrost a freezer using a hairdryer and a scraper. You can wrap the food in newspapers and it will be fine to put back in when the defrosting is over.

 

[csirl]

Best way to defrost a freezer is to switch it off and put a container of boiling water (warning - dont poor it in water stays in the upright container) in the freezer and close the door. The steam coming out of the container will quickly defrost it.

 

[Sue Ellen]

Is it a good idea to defrost a fridge freezer when we go away for a week?
I was thinking about dumping whatever is in the fridge and freezer when we head off for a week in the sun next month. It seems like a no-brainer unless someone else says otherwise. I propose to unplug the device when we laeve and leave a pile of bath towels on the floor.

I expect a mess when I get home but i can live with it. The freezer is frozen over for a few months now.

Any comments?

Fridges or freezers can go mouldy if the door is left closed. Its a very bad idea to go down this route. Wait until you come home and defrost it properly. I would normally defrost ours about once a year and use it to dump anything out of date.

 

[4th estate]

Hi,

Here's a great tip for defrosting a freezer, I've done it and it is soooo quick.

Use a steam cleaner with a nozzle attachment, and point at the freezer (switch it off first!). Honestly, it is amazing how quickly the frost and ice melt. I think I did the last defrost in 10 minutes.

Now you do have to have the place prepared, because the water comes out pretty darn quick! But I cannot reccommend this method highly enough. It is still a pain, but a relatively quick one now.

To the OP, no, I would never leave the door closed on a fridge that was turned off. Also, the smell of the water coming out of the freezer on your kitchen floor would be awful.

 

[Hillsalt]

Hi,

Here's a great tip for defrosting a freezer, I've done it and it is soooo quick.

Use a steam cleaner with a nozzle attachment, and point at the freezer (switch it off first!). Honestly, it is amazing how quickly the frost and ice melt. I think I did the last defrost in 10 minutes.

Now you do have to have the place prepared, because the water comes out pretty darn quick! But I cannot reccommend this method highly enough. It is still a pain, but a relatively quick one now.

To the OP, no, I would never leave the door closed on a fridge that was turned off. Also, the smell of the water coming out of the freezer on your kitchen floor would be awful.

Thanks.