How to Defrost a Freezer

Many new freezers don't need to be defrosted, but if you still have an older model, you may need these tips on how to defrost a freezer. All that ice build-up is making your freezer run less efficiently and taking up room. Generally, the time to defrost a freezer is when ice has built up between 1/4" and 1/2".

Step-By-Step:

First, turn off the freezer, either by unplugging a standalone unit or with controls found in the refrigerator.

Next, take out all the food and store it in a cooler filled with ice.

You have to figure out how to get rid of all that ice. You have a couple of options: one for patient people and one for less patient people. One, you can leave the freezer door open and let the ice melt. Two, use a hairdryer to manually melt the ice. Some people like to put a bowl of steaming water in the freezer to speed up the process.

That's a lot of melting ice, so no matter which method you choose, be sure to soak the puddles up with sponges or dishtowels so you don't have a flooded kitchen.

When the freezer is defrosted, wipe down the inside with a warm cloth and some dish soap or disinfecting cleanser.

Finally, close the door, turn the freezer on and give it about 15 minutes to get cold again. Put the food back in and relax!