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    How to defrost your fridge freezer and when to do it

    Ice build-up in your fridge and freezer isn’t great news. Not only does it cover your food and make it difficult to take things in and out, it also makes the whole appliance less efficient. This guide will help to keep you and your appliance nice and chilled and get everything back to working the way it should.

    How to defrost a fridge freezer

    Here's what you'll need:

    • Towel
    • Bowl of hot water
    • Sponge
    • A cool box big enough to fit in all your food from the fridge and freezer

    First, turn off your appliance at the wall.

    Make sure you take out any food, then prop the door(s) open and put a towel down on the floor.

    Now place a bowl of hot water on the bottom shelf and leave for a couple of hours.

    When all the ice has melted, wipe down the insides with a sponge.

    To stop ice building up in the future, make sure the door seal is in good condition so air can’t creep in and freeze.

    Plug it back in, give it time to get cold, then pop your food back inside when it’s ready.

    Top Tip

    Defrosting can take betwen 6-12 hours depending on the ice build up. This is why we suggest using a bowl of hot water or a hotwater bottle or fan to help speed up the process.

    When should I defrost my fridge freezer?

    To keep your fridge freezer running as it should, you’ll want to defrost it at least once or twice a  year . But if you notice around a quarter of an inch of ice building up on the walls, you’ll definitely  want to make time for a manual defrost.  Depending on the amount of ice, you’ll need to allow a couple of hours for it to melt, but it could  take it up to a full day. Need to speed things up? Pop a bowl of warm water inside the freezer to  get things moving a little faster .

    How often should I defrost my fridge freezer?

    As a rule, we recommend defrosting your fridge freezer once or twice a year to make sure it keeps  running efficiently. Otherwise, if around a quarter of an inch has built up on the walls, you know  it’s time to defrost too.

    What happens if I don't defrost my fridge freezer?

    Not defrosting your fridge freezer can cause ice to build up on the walls. This means your  appliance will work harder to maintain the ideal temperature and, as a result, it’ll use more  energy.  Not just that, food can spoil quicker because of inconsistent conditions and icy buildups could  make it difficult to close the door.

    How to defrost a chest freezer

    Here's what you'll need:

    • Cool bag or cool box – to store your frozen food while the freezer is off
    • Old towels
    • Bucket or washing-up bowl
    • Plastic spatula

    Optional: bowls of hot water or hot water bottles

    Safety first – switch it off and unplug it.

    Pop your frozen food in a cool bag or cool box to keep it cold.

    Lay some old towels around the bottom to catch any melting ice or water.

    Place a bowl of hot (not boiling) water inside or use a fan to help the ice melt faster.

    Use a plastic spatula to ease off any big chunks as they start to loosen. No knives – they can damage the inside.

    Once the ice is gone, give the inside a good wipe with a cloth or sponge.

    A bit of washing-up liquid or white vinegar will help keep it smelling clean.

    Plug it in, let it cool down, and once it’s cold again, your food can go back in.

    Top Tip

    Looking to cut down on defrosting? Frost reduction fridge freezers help minimise ice build-up, meaning less hassle and easier maintenance for you. If you want a fridge freezer that’s simpler to look after, a frost reduction model is worth considering.