Why do you need to wash
Food stored in the refrigerator can overflow and crumble, which contributes to the appearance of an unpleasant aroma in the refrigerator. The appearance of a layer of ice and frost on the walls of the unit, which forms as a result of warm air entering a closed space, can increase the load on the compressor. This will force kitchen appliances to consume more energy and exhaust their resources faster. These factors are the reason for regular defrosting.
Why does ice form?
How does frost form on the walls of the device? The formation of condensation and its freezing is a natural process associated with the entry of warm air into the unit when the door is opened.
If a “fur coat” forms too quickly, this is a reason to pay attention to:
- Thermostat serviceability;
- door tightness - it must fit tightly to the body;
- selected cooling mode – in super freezing mode, frost forms faster;
- the time you spend in front of the refrigerator with the door open.
Causes of Ice Formation
The ice layer is formed due to the evaporation of moisture and the penetration of warm air from outside. This also happens if you keep the door open for a long time.
IMPORTANT! If ice is not removed in a timely manner, the load on the compressor increases. As a result, it may fail.
The resulting layer makes it inconvenient to put in and take out food, increases energy consumption and reduces efficiency. The cause is damaged or worn rubber seals that refuse to fit correctly when the door is closed. When placing dishes and foods in the refrigerator whose temperature is higher than normal room temperature, this will also lead to the formation of ice.
Less common causes include:
- compressor overload;
- clogged capillary pipeline;
- faulty defrost sensor or cooling valve.
How long
This largely depends on the thickness of the ice layer formed and the defrosting method. It must be borne in mind that it will take time for the subsequent restoration of work. It can take a whole day to remove a thick layer of ice. Only then will all surfaces be completely clear of plaque.
IMPORTANT! How long it takes to defrost the refrigerator is indicated in the attached instructions, which must be read carefully. If you follow all the recommendations and properly care for the refrigeration unit, it will last for a long time without breakdowns.
The principle of defrosting models of all brands without exception remains constant. The duration of the procedure may vary, depending on the defrosting system, as well as the frequency, which is influenced by the year of manufacture of the refrigerator.
Read simple tips on how to defrost a Stinol two-chamber refrigerator in this article.
Defrosting Features
The nuances of the process depend on the defrosting system (No Frost, drip technology), the design of the refrigerator (number of chambers and compressors) and the type of installation of the device (free-standing or built-in).
Built-in
When defrosting a built-in refrigerator, you need to pay special attention to ensure that water does not get on the furniture.
This causes swelling and deterioration of the chipboards from which kitchen units are made.
Penetration of moisture onto metal surfaces leads to corrosion and rust. The rest of the procedure depends on the defrosting system installed in this model.
No Frost System
Devices using this technology provide automatic defrosting of the freezer and refrigerator compartment. The evaporator is located behind the back wall or above the freezer. Air circulation inside the chamber is ensured by an integrated fan. Ice and frost do not appear on the walls, but only on the evaporator. The fan stops periodically to defrost the freezer. The heater turns on, and the melt water flows through the grooves into a special container, where it evaporates from the heat of the compressor.
Still, such refrigerators need to be defrosted at least once every six months. Water accumulating in the lower pan rots and becomes moldy, causing an unpleasant odor in the chamber. To clean and wash the internal surfaces, you need to disconnect the device from the power supply and defrost it. Models labeled No Frost are made by leading manufacturers of electrical appliances: Electrolux, Virpul, Stinol, Samsung, Bosch.
Double chamber
Let's analyze the process using the example of defrosting an Atlant refrigerator with a two-chamber design.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Before defrosting, the Atlant refrigerator is disconnected from the network. Products are removed from the chamber. All removable equipment (containers, boxes, grilles) must also be removed.
- Cleaning the internal surfaces is done with a hard sponge moistened with hot water. Unmelted ice shards are removed manually. The main attention should be paid to the upper chamber. In the lower compartment the ice falls off on its own. To speed up the process, you can lightly tap the camera body.
- When there is no ice and frost left, dry the surfaces using a hairdryer. Hot air is directed evenly onto the inner walls. Hard-to-reach places can be wiped with a cotton napkin.
- The thermostat is set to zero position. The device connects to the network. When the air cools to the required temperature, products are loaded into the chamber.
It is most convenient to defrost two-compressor, two-chamber refrigerators. They are 2 separate closed loop devices combined in one housing. You can turn off only the freezer while leaving the refrigerator compartment running, and vice versa. This solves the problem of food preservation. When defrosting one compartment, supplies are transferred to another. Thus, for example, you can defrost a two-chamber Indesit refrigerator with 2 compressors.
Life hacks to speed up the process
Sometimes it happens that you need to defrost the refrigerator much faster than planned according to the instructions.
In order to significantly speed up the process, you can use these proven life hacks:
- A piece of soft cloth must be moistened in hot water and wiped over the icy surface. As the material cools, it should be moistened again and again.
- Lay out a piece of clean cloth in several folds in the freezer. Fill a rubber heating pad with boiling water and place it on the material. Without closing the kitchen appliance door, wait for the water to cool completely.
- Place a wooden cutting board in the center of the freezer. Place a pan filled with hot water on it. The rising steam will melt the ice layer much faster. Do not use boiling water; it risks damaging the internal parts of the refrigerator.
Do you have a two-chamber refrigerator?
Not really
- Another effective way to speed up the process of melting frost inside the refrigerator is to spray the walls. Fill a spray bottle with warm water and start spraying the ice layer. Periodically collect the melted liquid with a cloth.
- For emergency defrosting, use special store-bought products. They contain components that accelerate the disappearance of ice from the walls and ceiling of the freezer. Such products not only help to quickly defrost the refrigerator, but also eliminate unpleasant odors, bacteria and mold. They are suitable for absolutely all models of kitchen appliances.
- Replace the fan heater with a hairdryer and get the same result. It’s just not safe to place it inside the camera, and holding it in your hands all the time is tiring. Also make sure that the flow of warm air does not blow over the seal.
- Use a vacuum cleaner to speed up the process. To do this, switch it to blowing, after changing the brush to a narrow nozzle. Direct the air flow alternately to different areas.
ADVICE! Open the refrigerator door and place a fan heater or heater opposite it. Do this so that melt water cannot reach them, and the air flow does not hit the rubber seal. This is one of the most effective ways to speed up defrosting.
What not to do during defrosting
Not everyone knows how to defrost a refrigerator correctly: many people, unfortunately, make dangerous mistakes. We have compiled a list of prohibited actions that can shorten the life of equipment. Not recommended:
- Use sharp objects . We are talking about metal scrapers, knives, hard sponges, and other abrasive materials that people use to remove ice from surfaces. Remember that the camera coating on devices is very thin and can be easily damaged. A safe alternative is special shovels, like those used to remove ice from cars. Their surface is covered with rubber. True, such equipment is only suitable for removing melted ice.
- Direct a stream of hot air towards the seal . The fact is that the elastic band may lose its elasticity.
- Apply pure vinegar and salt to surfaces . If you need to remove dirt and grease, this method will not work. Such products can damage the plastic coating. It is better to use special sprays or weak solutions.
- Carry out the defrosting procedure in hot weather . The refrigerator will slowly become cold. The optimal time for defrosting is autumn, spring, winter.
Periodicity
The frequency of defrosting the refrigerator chamber is determined by the rate at which a layer of ice appears. The 7 mm thick “coat” must be immediately removed to ensure proper operation of kitchen appliances. It is also necessary to focus on the characteristics of a specific household appliance:
- Soviet models do not have a built-in auto-defrost system, so the defrosting procedure should be carried out quite often - no less than 2 times a month.
- A unit with a drip system, used in most modern models, develops ice on the rear wall during compressor operation. After turning it off, the melted frost flows in drops into a special container and evaporates from there. The disadvantage of this technology is that auto-defrosting only applies to the common chamber. And the freezer will have to be defrosted manually. The schedule and time of the procedure are usually set automatically and do not require user intervention.
- No Frost technology or dry freezing consists of a fan that distributes cold air. All condensed moisture evaporates directly in the cooling element. With such a system, the owner will not have to regularly defrost the unit, since No Frost applies to the entire refrigerator.
IMPORTANT! There are no devices that do not require defrosting at all. Even refrigerators with No Frost technology must be cleaned at least once a year.
Where to put food from the refrigerator while defrosting?
As we already wrote above, you need to put it in a basin, having previously wrapped it in fabric.
It's best if you put food that doesn't last long next to frozen meat or something that doesn't lose temperature for a long time. Then you don't have to look for the coldest place in the kitchen or
Take it out onto the balcony. Be sure to place foods that have a strong odor away from each other. For example, fish should not be placed in a common container at all, otherwise there is a high risk that all products will have a fishy smell.
Step-by-step instruction
The main task when defrosting a refrigerator is to free the internal surfaces from frost while maintaining the freshness of food.
Manual defrosting can cause some difficulties, so it is better to use step-by-step instructions.
If you have a Liebherr refrigerator, we recommend reading detailed defrosting instructions here.
ADVICE! If the kitchen unit consists of two isolated chambers, then defrosting can be done alternately, transferring food from one compartment to another.
Turning off the device
First of all, you need to set the temperature regulator to zero and disconnect the kitchen appliances from the mains by removing the plug from the socket. This is done in order to eliminate the possibility of electric shock while cleaning the “insides” of the unit.
Product extraction
Next, remove food from the chambers and move it to storage so that it is exposed to warm air as little as possible. You can store them during defrosting in different ways:
- if it’s a cold season outside and you have a balcony, then it is recommended to move the food into a basin and take it out into the fresh air;
- purchase thick food foil or a thermal bag in advance and put food there;
- move the food from the refrigerator into a large pan and take it to the bath, placing it in cold water;
- If you live in a private sector, then while defrosting, containers with food can be taken to a cold cellar.
We recommend that you read other articles on our website: How to clean a coffee machine with citric acid - simple recipes
Removing shelves and drawers
After freeing the kitchen appliance from the food, proceed to remove all loose parts of the refrigerator. Carefully remove drawers, trays and shelves and wash them using liquid dish soap. Use only soft cloths or sponges.
Do not use solvents, bleaches, car cleaners, essential oils, or abrasive cleaners. They can damage the surface of the device or even cause a fire.
Flood protection
To avoid flooding the room with melt water, do not forget to check the patency of the built-in liquid drainage tube. It should come out from the back into a special tray. It is recommended to direct it into a basin or bucket. Don’t forget to empty the water from the special defrosting container as it accumulates. Place old towels or wrinkled newspapers near the back of the machine. Also place a thick cloth under the refrigerator to prevent water from damaging the flooring.
Selecting a method
Based on the built-in technology of the household appliance, choose the appropriate defrosting method. If the procedure is carried out at a normal, non-accelerated pace, then simply leave the door open and periodically check the condition of the chambers. On average, defrosting lasts from 2 hours to a day. It all depends on the thickness of the ice on the walls, the volume of the chambers and the air temperature in the room.
Removing ice
Never try to speed up cleaning your refrigerator by physically removing ice. Only natural melting or its artificial acceleration by adding a heat source or special chemicals. Any physical intervention can damage the internal coating of the unit, which will predictably lead to its damage. The maximum permissible action is to easily remove the layer, the removal of which can be determined visually. Take it with your palm and carefully separate it from the ceiling or wall of the chamber.
Read about how to clean the inside of the refrigerator after defrosting here.
Water purification
After the main flows of water have merged into a special receiver, excess liquid should be removed from the body. Dry rags or kitchen towels work great. Try to select absolutely all the water, because otherwise, when you turn on the device, they will become a place for new rapid formation of ice.
Drying and airing
To be more sure that not a drop of liquid will remain in the refrigerator, leave the doors open for another couple of hours. At the same time, create a draft in the kitchen. Let the insides of the unit be additionally blown with air currents. This will eliminate the possibility of rapid condensation after turning on the refrigerator and will completely remove any remaining unpleasant odors.
Leak test
While the last drops of moisture are drying, it is recommended to carry out additional diagnostics of the parts of the kitchen appliance. Carefully inspect the rubber seals on the chamber doors. If dry areas are found, they should be immediately treated with silicone grease. If it is not available, regular sunflower oil will do, but it must be refined. If you find cracks and other damage, then you should think about completely replacing the gasket. After all, it is she who is responsible for the tightness of the refrigerator, keeping warm air from getting inside.
Connecting the device
After completing all these manipulations, you can turn on the equipment to the power supply. Just don’t rush to put shelves, drawers and food items back in their original places. First, give the device time to reach the required temperature. This usually takes up to half an hour. This will help extend the life of your assistant and prevent the rapid development of new ice build-up.
In this article you can find detailed instructions on how to turn on the refrigerator after defrosting.
Questions and answers
How to clean the inside of the refrigerator after defrosting?
Any dishwashing detergent. Dissolve it in water, wipe the inside of the chambers and rinse thoroughly with clean water.
If you do not use household chemicals, mix water and 9% vinegar in equal proportions.
Do not use products with a strong smell! Ammonia will do a great job of removing stains, but your food will smell like ammonia for a long time. Do you need this?
Is it possible to defrost the freezer without turning off the refrigerator?
If you have a two-chamber, two-compressor refrigerator, yes. Transfer frozen food to the main area, unplug the freezer, and defrost it.
How to properly turn on the refrigerator after defrosting
Wipe the inside of the cameras thoroughly and let them dry. When the temperature of the internal walls reaches room temperature and the condensation has evaporated, turn on the device and adjust the temperature settings.
How long does it take for a refrigerator to get cold after defrosting?
At room temperature (19-20 °C) an inexpensive Pozis or Stinol model takes about an hour. The more powerful Aristons and LGs can handle it in 30 minutes. Check the specifications in the manufacturer's instructions.
In summer, when it’s hot, the time it takes for the cold to set in increases. Focus on the operation of the compressor. When the appliance stops buzzing, the refrigerator is ready for use.
The refrigerator does not freeze after switching on
You start the unit, hear the sound of the compressor running, but the temperature in the chambers does not drop. If these are the symptoms, the system has run out of refrigerant. Call a specialist. He will seal the leak and refill the system.
The refrigerator does not turn off after defrosting
The first 20-30 minutes is normal. The device gains cold, so the compressor runs at maximum. But if the equipment does not turn off after an hour or two, start looking for the problem.
First, check the doors - are they definitely closed? The constant flow of heat will force the compressor to work without stopping.
If the doors are closed, look at the super freeze button. Is she on fire? Disable the function and the refrigerator will return to normal mode.
If you have ruled out obvious causes, but the compressor still works, you will have to call a technician. There are a lot of possible breakdowns: the thermostat does not work, the control module is broken, leaks in the evaporator tube, problems with the compressor... Only a specialist will discover the real cause of the malfunction.
Refrigerator won't turn on
If the device does not turn on at all - even the lights do not light - there is probably a problem in the cord or connection. Somewhere a contact has become unsoldered.
Another picture is also possible: the lights are on, but the compressor does not start or starts for a few seconds and immediately turns off. In this case, it is most likely the compressor that has broken down.
Unless you're an appliance repair person, don't try to fix your refrigerator yourself. Especially if the equipment is under warranty. Contact a specialist, he will find the problem and fix everything.
Useful tips
In order to remove stains and unpleasant odors from the kitchen unit, prepare a soda solution in advance, which is recommended to rinse the inside of the refrigerator after the ice has disappeared. Its components are simple:
- 1 tbsp. l. soda;
- 1 liter of warm water.
Wash the walls of the chamber with the resulting solution using a soft cloth. Microfiber works great.
If, while unloading the refrigerator, you suddenly find food or kitchen utensils frozen to the inner shell of the refrigerator, do not try to tear them out of the ice. Let this object separate from the wall on its own during the defrosting process. Otherwise, you will face expensive equipment repairs.
In this article you will read about how to defrost the Biryusa refrigerator with your own hands.
IMPORTANT! Use accelerated defrosting methods as little as possible . Despite all the apparent safety of the chemicals used in this situation, such a procedure reduces the service life of the refrigerator by 25%.
It is better to defrost in the cold season. In summer, under no circumstances should the refrigerator be left for a long time without power, otherwise high air temperatures will prevent the device from restarting correctly. During startup, it will take a very long time to reach the required temperature, which will negatively affect its service life.
Under no circumstances use folk advice regarding defrosting, especially if it contradicts common sense. It is prohibited to treat the inside of the refrigerator with salt and vinegar to speed up the procedure. These products may damage the plastic sheathing.
Preparing for the defrosting process
Before you start defrosting your refrigerator, do some preparation:
- Do not start the procedure if the room temperature is too high - the device will take a long time to dial in the selected parameters, which may affect the service life of the compressor and other parts.
- It is better to defrost when there is little food in the refrigerator (especially perishable food). If there is a lot of food and you have nowhere to put it during the procedure, put this idea aside.
- Unplug your refrigerator before you start removing food - this will save time.
- If the refrigerator model does not provide a container for draining thawed ice, install a tray or bowl under the refrigerator to collect water.
- It is better to remove all shelves and drawers in advance so that they do not interfere with cleaning.
Some models, for example, Atlant and Liebherr, are equipped with two compressors at once . Each department in such refrigerators can be turned off independently of the other by setting the chamber switch to zero. This allows you to defrost the freezer separately from the main one. However, experts recommend completely defrosting the device at least once a year, regardless of the model.
