It’s definitely not the most glamorous of chores, but defrosting and cleaning your freezer at least once a year is essential – particularly if you have an older model refrigerator and/or one without a frost-free function.
First off, I’m not going to lie to you: Getting your freezer spic and span will not be as quick as cleaning out your fridge, but THANKFULLY there are a few tricks to get the ice to melt a bit faster.
Defrosting...
• Unplug the refrigerator.
• Remove the contents inside (pop them in an ice-filled cooler bag/box in the meantime).
• Take out the shelves and/or drawers.
... Using hot water: Fill a flat pan or bowl with boiling water (be careful not to burn yourself) and place it in the freezer, close the door and leave it there for about 5 minutes before taking it out, emptying it and refilling it again with ‘fresh’ boiling water. Repeat until the ice has melted.
... Using a spatula: Or similar. The idea behind this method is to scrape the ice off. Always use a blunt object, because...
A) You don’t want to get injured, and
B) You don’t want to pierce and puncture a wall in the freezer - this would break it.
...Using a hairdryer: Warm air to thaw the ice. Clever. But definitely not safe. I don’t recommend it.
Cleaning the freezer
What you’ll need:
Sponge
Cloth
Warm water
Baking soda
• Mix about 3 tablespoons of baking soda into the water, making a solution.
• Using the solution, wipe or sponge the inside until you’re satisfied.
• Wipe the freezer until dry, but use a clean, solution-free cloth.
• Turn the freezer back on.
• Set the temperature.
• Return the food.
First off, I’m not going to lie to you: Getting your freezer spic and span will not be as quick as cleaning out your fridge, but THANKFULLY there are a few tricks to get the ice to melt a bit faster.
Defrosting...
• Unplug the refrigerator.
• Remove the contents inside (pop them in an ice-filled cooler bag/box in the meantime).
• Take out the shelves and/or drawers.
... Using hot water: Fill a flat pan or bowl with boiling water (be careful not to burn yourself) and place it in the freezer, close the door and leave it there for about 5 minutes before taking it out, emptying it and refilling it again with ‘fresh’ boiling water. Repeat until the ice has melted.
... Using a spatula: Or similar. The idea behind this method is to scrape the ice off. Always use a blunt object, because...
A) You don’t want to get injured, and
B) You don’t want to pierce and puncture a wall in the freezer - this would break it.
...Using a hairdryer: Warm air to thaw the ice. Clever. But definitely not safe. I don’t recommend it.
Cleaning the freezer
What you’ll need:
Sponge
Cloth
Warm water
Baking soda
• Mix about 3 tablespoons of baking soda into the water, making a solution.
• Using the solution, wipe or sponge the inside until you’re satisfied.
• Wipe the freezer until dry, but use a clean, solution-free cloth.
• Turn the freezer back on.
• Set the temperature.
• Return the food.