Defrosting my freezer for the first time - any tips?

[WhatWouldCaitlinDo]

Just that, really. I won't do it until next week as I want to eat up as much as possible of the food in it. I have never defrosted it before and the drawers are covered in icy stuff so it needs to be done!

[Lweji]

If you still have stuff in it, keep it all together and in an isolating bag, if it's not too much, in the fridge.

Then, use hot water and/or a hair dryer (or a fan heater) to melt the ice more quickly. Aim at the area between the ice and the walls, so that you separate them, rather than melt it all.
Use an ice plastic spatula to scrape off bits of ice from the walls.
It helps to have a large (but not necessarily deep) container at the bottom (inside or outside) to collect all the larger bits of ice, and the dripping water.
Wipe dry before restarting it.

[PigletJohn]

some freezers have a spout or pipe you can fold out at the bottom to direct the melt water into a bowl. If you can't see one, check the instructions.

[IlPorcupinoNilSodomyEst]

Steam cleaners are brilliant for defrosting quickly - very satisfying blasting lumps of ice off the surfaces!