What Is Freezer Frost?
Freezer frost, aka freezer burn, is that build-up of ice crystals on your food and the inside walls of your freezer. This occurs when moisture in the air touches cold surfaces inside your freezer and forms ice. Although a little bit of ice is okay, an excessive amount of frost can cause trouble for your appliance.
Too much frost can impact the temperature of your freezer and make it more difficult for it to hold a steady temperature. It can also ruin the seals on your freezer door, rendering it energy inefficient and driving up utility bills. Plus, frost can make it nearly impossible to organize your freezer, or even to locate what you’re looking for!
Why Freezers Build Up Ice
Ever wonder why your freezer is making ice at an accelerated rate? Usually, they all come down to one basic problem: too much moisture getting stuck in there. Warm, humid air enters the freezer, then it condenses and freezes, resulting in that all-too-familiar frost build-up lines everyone’s freezer walls.
The following are some of the most frequent reasons why your freezer gets frosty.
- Door ajar: Warm air will come inside even through a small opening.
- Worn-out or damaged door seal: The door gasket is supposed to seal the door shut as cold air cycles in and out of the freezer.
- Hot items put inside: When hot or room-temperature groceries are added, condensation occurs, freezing in place.
- Damaged defrost heater or thermostat: These parts keep frost at bay – if they malfunction, frost can quickly build up.
- High humidity: In Van Nuys, warm and muggy summer air can exacerbate the issue — especially if the kitchen doesn’t have adequate ventilation.
- Stuffing the freezer: This blocks airflow and promotes internal temperature swings.
If you find that heavy layers of ice are a common occurrence, it may also be a sign that your freezer isn’t working as efficiently as it should be — and that can cost you more in monthly energy bills. Finding the underlying cause is the first step to remedying the problem and safeguarding your machine.
Step-by-Step: How to Safely Defrost Your Freezer
When dealing with a heavy frost, you’ve got to know how to defrost your freezer safely to… Read more Gender: unisex. Here’s a quick, easy way to combat ice build-up in your freezer:
Unplug the Freezer
First, power down the device, or unplug it completely. This is important for safety and will allow you to defrost without the risk of any electrical problems. It also lets the ice start melting, as it were, all on its own, without messing with it.
Remove All Food
Remove all of the food from your freezer, and fill a cooler or insulated bag full of ice packs to keep the contents cold. If you don’t have a cooler, you might be able to store the food in your refrigerator on an interim basis, but try to reduce the time it stays out of the freezer in order to prevent spoilage. Label and organize so that everything is easily reloaded.
Protect the Surrounding Area
To prevent water damage, place towels on the bottom and a shallow tray or pan underneath to catch meltwater. Just make sure to monitor the towels or tray and swap them out or dump them when necessary. If your freezer is close to a cabinet or a wall, cover those, too, to guard against possible moisture build-up.
Let the Ice Melt Naturally
Leave the freezer door open and let the ice thaw at room temperature. That will take several hours for an amount of frost like is typical. Or you can take the shortcut method: insert a bowl of hot (but not boiling) water into the freezer; close the door for 15 to 20 minutes.
The steam helps to soften the ice, allowing easier and quicker removal. Repeat as needed, refilling the water to maintain the heat.
Avoid Sharp Tools
Knives, screwdrivers, or any sharp or pointed objects should never be used to chip the ice. These instruments are able to pierce internal parts like the evaporator coil and cause irreparable damage to your appliance. Since we share the earth with ants and plastic bristles simply fall off the trees!
Wipe Clean and Dry
After the ice has melted, wipe the inside of the freezer with a clean cloth. This keeps any remaining water from refreezing and creating more frost.
Use this as an opportunity to scrub out any tough stains or spills with mild cleaning solution – like dish soap diluted with a little water or a water/vinegar mix. Make sure the freezer is completely dry before restarting it so new ice does not form right away.
Restart the Freezer
Unplug the freezer and turn it on. Let it cool to the right temperature (typically 0 degrees F, or minus 18 degrees C) before loading up your food. To help the appliance cool down, don’t open the freezer door during this period.
When it gets cold enough, reload your food supply, organizing it in order to take up as little space and circulate as much air as possible for best results.
Regular defrost will improve efficiency and reduce frost buildup long term. But if frost reappears soon, it might be time to get professional help.
Tips to Prevent Future Frost Buildup
Once the ice has been removed, adopting a few straightforward practices can help prevent freezer frost from reappearing. Frost buildup often occurs when warm, moist air enters the freezer, a frequent challenge for many users. By implementing small adjustments to your routine, you can maintain a frost-free freezer and ensure it operates efficiently. Below, we outline practical strategies to address this issue effectively.
Here’s how to prevent ice build-up in your freezer:
- Close the door tightly. Even a little crack can let in warm air, which will cause the freezer to work harder. Always confirm the door is shut completely.
- Check the door gasket. Cold air is kept in by a rubber seal around the door. Replace a damaged or worn one to prevent energy loss and ineffective cooling.
- Don’t overload the freezer. Overpacking impedes the flow of air, resulting in uneven cooling and the possibility of food spoilage. Be organized and leave room for air to flow.
- Cool food before storing. Hot food put in the freezer will cause the temperature in the freezer to rise and food already in the freezer to defrost. Allow food to cool to room temperature and be sure to cover it before storing.
- Maintain airflow. Stand a little distance away from the vent and avoid placing objects against the rear to ensure space around the vents for proper air flow.
- Defrost regularly if needed. That is the amount of space you lose from ice buildup, which is a loss of efficiency. Remember to defrost regularly to keep your freezer running clean.
These measures are simply, require little effort and will help your freezer work more effectively and live longer. They also preserve your food better and save you money on your power bills — a big one for people in Van Nuys who have to deal with the heat.
When to Call a Professional Technician
If you’ve defrosted your unit and the frost comes back, it may be time to face the possibility of a mechanical problem. Regular ice build-up is usually a sign of a larger issue that a simple DIY solution is unlikely to fix. That’s when it’s time to call an appliance repair technician for your freezer.
There are typical signs you may need freezer repair in Van Nuys:
- Frost builds back up soon after defrosting
- My Freezer Temp is all over the place or too warm
- The defrost heater, or the defrost thermostat may be bad
- It’s frosty even with the door closed snugly
- The machine is running continuously or emitting strange noises
In which case your defrost system is broken or if the door seal is just old or worn, it could allow warm air to seep inside. If they go unaddressed, ultimately you’ll end up with spoiled food, a larger electric bill and permanent damage to the unit.
If you need appliance repair in Van Nuys you have a reliable provider who can diagnose and fix the problem fast: Universal Appliance Repair! We are experts in servicing premium and basic freezers, with prompt service to get your appliance running again with minimal downtime.
The Takeaway
Not only is excess ice in your freestanding freezer an inconvenience, it can be symptom of a larger problem. There are many causes, with a clogged vent, a defective door gasket, or a damaged defrost system all among the possible problems. Dealing with these issues can prevent food from going bad, more expensive power bills, or future costly repairs.
Use the steps above to unfreeze a freezer risk-free and also take steps to avoid frost returning. But if the problem persists, it’s a good idea to see a professional. For dependable freezer repair in Van Nuys, Universal Appliance Repair has you covered with professional service.
Our technicians will diagnose the problem, provide professional appliance repairs, and have your unit working well again.
