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How to Maintain a Frost Free Fridge and Freezer A frost-free refrigerator and freezer will eliminate the need to manually defrost. This can save you time, effort and electricity when compared to a traditional refrigerator/freezer. If ice crystals appear on the package frozen food items can be damaged. These crystals can cause freezing burns and alter the texture of your food. Defrost The process of defrosting the freezer isn't glamorous or fun but it's an essential component of maintaining your fridge and freezer. Each time you open the door of your freezer, warm air creeps in which causes condensation and freezing on the inside of the freezer. This frost interferes with the freezer's temperature control, causing it to work more frequently and use more energy. It can also affect the taste and quality of food, and cause freezer burn. The natural method of defrosting a freezer is the best choice however, it can take many hours. If you want to speed up the process, a handheld steam cleaner or hairdryer can be used. Be sure to unplug and turn off the freezer before beginning. Take out any frozen food items and clean up any spilled water. Make sure to have a towel, or a plastic liner, prepared prior to starting the process of defrosting. This will catch any water that might spill. It's a good idea to empty your entire freezer to make it easier to organize the food items that remain and get rid of expired or old items. After defrosting is completed ensure that you wipe down and dry the freezer section thoroughly before turning it off. To accelerate the natural process of defrosting, open and close the freezer door a few times to help the temperature to rise. Take out all drawers and shelves to make it easier to reach the ice. You can also place some old towels or newspapers that are highly absorbent on the floor to soak any puddles created by melting the ice. While the ice melts, keep a heated spoon or plastic spatula nearby to break off any large chunks that could build up on the walls. Avoid using sharp objects like forks, knives, or Ice picks when trying to break through the ice. This can cause damage and leaks into the freezer. Also, don't forget to clean and wash the drawers and shelves you can remove after the ice has been removed. After everything is clean then plug into the freezer and let it run overnight until it returns to its normal temperature of freezing. Clean Regular cleaning is the most effective method of preventing spores and food smells from accumulating. Remove any produce that is rotten or past its prime and dispose of it. Give a thorough clean-up of all drawers and shelves and wipe them clean with soapy water (I use Seventh Generation natural dish liquid using a damp cloth) then drying them. I also wipe down the freezer with a cloth dipped into a solution of vinegar and water or baking soda. Scrubbing stubborn stains with a non-scratch brush may be required. Frydge that are located at the back of my refrigerator with a spray. This removes all pet hair, and dust that lingers in hard-to-reach areas. When you have an appliance that is frost-free it is not necessary to defrost it as frequently as other models. Frost-free fridges are equipped with an engine that circulates cold air to cool food, thereby making it unnecessary to do manual defrosting. It is important to clean your refrigerator at least once a week. Get rid of any food items that have expired its expiration date, and clean out all old bottles, jars and soy sauce packets. To make the task of defrosting your freezer easier, remove all the food from the freezer and then put it temporarily into another freezer or cooler containing frozen ice or a box lined with blankets. During this process, protect the floor of your freezer with an old cloth. You can remove any ice that remains after the freezer has been defrosted with the help of a plastic scraper. If your refrigerator has a built-in automatic defrost system it is likely to have an indicator light to let you know when it's time to defrost. To ensure that you do not lose any frozen items during the defrost process, you can empty the freezer and put it on the counter. Then, you can restock the freezer with frozen foods with a long shelf-life. You can then make use of an old towel to collect any water that leaks out of the freezer as it melts. Maintaining If frost covers the evaporator and it freezes, it will. This causes the refrigerator to work harder and consume more energy. This is why maintaining it regularly is so important. Unplugging the freezer and cleaning the evaporator coil will prevent this from happening in the first instance. If the defrost is operating properly, a layer should form on the evaporator in an uniform pattern. If ice is building up on the evaporator, but it's not a problem with defrost, this could be a sign of a faulty thermostat or timer. In some older models, the supply and return air duct to and from the freezer could get clogged with pet hair, dirt or food residue. This causes the compressor to work harder, and it generates heat. The heat then be transferred to the refrigerator cabinet, and cause temperatures to rise. Keeping the freezer door gasket free of damage and making sure that it is in good condition will help reduce the risk. The frequent openings of the freezer could also allow humid air from the room to get into the appliance. This creates a situation where ice and frost can form more quickly. Making sure the freezer is tightly shut will help, but it is not the answer to eliminating all problems related to frost and ice. Clean the evaporator drain trough regularly to ensure it isn't blocked by food residue or ice. This can be done with the use of a hand-held vacuum cleaner or a special coil cleaner for refrigerators (usually with a brush that can be inserted into difficult to reach areas). Keep the freezer clear of any obstructions that could obstruct air flow or the condenser. To remove food residues and to prevent odours from forming, clean the interior walls and shelves using a mixture of hot dish soap, hot water or baking powder. Air vents in the freezer and refrigerator compartments must not be blocked since this can cause inadequate circulation of air, which can increase the humidity inside the appliance. Repair There are many reasons why your fridge freezer that is frost-free might not be functioning properly. Most of these issues can be fixed easily, but some require professional assistance. The problem is usually caused by something that blocks air from moving to and from the freezer section. This can be caused by over-packed food items or blocked ventilation gaps. It could also be due to the door being left open for too long. It is essential to unplug your refrigerator before making any repairs or maintenance. This prevents the risk of electric shock and allows any accumulated frost to melt naturally. If the refrigerator still isn't cooling it could be due to a problem with the defrost. This kind of refrigerator and freeze automatically turns on a heater to melt any frost on the evaporator. The melted frost runs through a drain tube to a pan in the back of the freezer, and eventually evaporates into the ambient air. The defrost timer may be defective and should be replaced. It's also possible that a damaged seal is preventing cold air from entering the freezer area of your refrigerator. You can easily solve this issue by cleaning the seal with soap and warm water. Also, make sure that there are no items resting against the rear wall of the freezer or blocking any freezer vents. You can also replace the freezer gasket if it's damaged or worn out. Many major appliance manufacturers provide spare parts, including freezer gaskets. It is important to note that replacing gaskets for freezers should only be performed by a trained professional. There could be an issue with the evaporator which circulates air through the freezer section of your refrigerator. In this scenario, you will likely hear a click sound when the fan is turned on. This is because the ice on the evaporator coils has become too thick and is impinging upon the fan blades. This is an issue that requires to be identified by a professional.