Tips on Defrosting a Refrigerator

Manual Defrost Refrigerators

• The buildup of frost in manually defrosting refrigerators impedes airflow across the coils and reduces energy efficiency, because the motor must work harder to maintain the temperature. A thick layer of frost also reduces the amount of storage space in the refrigerator. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends manually defrosting a refrigerator when the frost becomes one-quarter inch thick. Frost accumulates more quickly when the door is opened frequently or if the kitchen is humid.

Defrost Techniques

• Manually defrosting a refrigerator is a slow process. Defrosting typically takes two hours or more, depending on the size of the refrigerator and the thickness of the frost layer. First, empty the refrigerator and freezer compartment, if the unit has one. Then turn off the refrigerator and open its door(s). Warm air from the room gradually melts the frost. Place towels in the bottom of the refrigerator and freezer, if present, to absorb the water. When defrosting is complete, wash and rinse the interior and allow it to dry. Turn the unit back on only when it is completely dry inside.

Defrost Don'ts

• It may be tempting to speed up the defrosting process by chipping away at the frost, but jabbing with a sharp object damages the interior of the refrigerator. Using a blow dryer to melt frost more quickly is dangerous because of the risk of shock from operating the dryer near water that accumulates as the frost melts. The heat can also damage the interior surfaces of the refrigerator.

Food Safety

• Because defrosting takes a long time, food removed from the refrigerator must remain chilled at the proper temperature to ensure food safety. The USDA states that refrigerated foods should be stored at no more than 40 F. If food remains above 40 degrees for more than two hours, throw it away. Bacteria that cause food-borne illness do not necessarily alter the taste or appearance of food, so contaminated food often looks, smells and tastes fine. Keep foods packed in coolers chilled with ice or cold packs. Covering the coolers with blankets helps to insulate the food and keep cold longer. Do not put the food away until the refrigerator has cooled to 40 degrees.