To be in my 30s and still need freezer defrosting advice!

[Toomuchbooty]

I have a combination fridge freezer and I'm really hoping someone can tell me it's possible to defrost freezer without having to turn my fridge off!

The freezer door was left open and it now literally full of ice and desperately needs defrosting but my fridge is full so I can't resort turn it off for a long period of time

I've tried the hot water technique before which wasn't very successful

Any advice would be gratefully received!

Also in this day and age I can't believe there isn't some way of turning the freezer off with out the fridge!

[NannyR]

I would put the fridge on the highest possible setting for a couple of hours, so it's really cold. If you keep the door shut the temp in there should be fine for a few hours whilst you switch off the whole unit to defrost the freezer.

I use baking trays full of hot water to defrost mine and also use the hair dryer (but obviously you need to be really careful not to get it wet!) It's only a small freezer but I can get it de-iced and switched back on in 90 mins.

[PhantomPringles]

I use a hairdryer and hot water, which is a pain because you have to keep changing the water. Would be also interested in any tips!

[BorpBorpBorp]

You don't need to turn it off for a long period of time, only a couple of hours.

I use very hot water on a cloth to scrub the ice off and a scraper for chunks. Dry it all out with towels.

[Toomuchbooty]

That's another thing I am still to learn at 30, which the hell way do you turn a fridge to make it colder? Towards 0 or towards 9?

I'm hopeless!

I've emptied it and am going to attempt the hairdryer method as I think that might be quicker!

Wish me luck!

[BorpBorpBorp]

Usually it's the higher the number the colder the fridge, and 0 switches the fridge off. Godspeed, Booty, may the fates of frozen foodstuffs look favourably upon you etc. etc.

[Toomuchbooty]

For anyone that's interested here are my results, And the method I used

1, start with a baking tray hot water
2, get annoyed that this isn't working quick enough so get a sharp knife and start hacking at it
3, accidentally stab the freezer making a hole, panic, ring your mum to check it won't be giving out any toxic gas
4, realise the knife is a danger to myself and appliance so instead go with the safer option of a hammer
5, wack the ice and shelves every which way to Sunday until a) one of them breaks and b) the ice falls off
6, masking tape up the 3 holes and slip on the sodden ice filled floor and nigh on break your neck
7, replace the draws and vow never to use the freezer ever again!!

[happystory]

I don't like to worry you but dh made a hole in ours like that (getting impatient!) and it never worked again.

[LittleWingSoul]

OP I have got a sad amount of pleasure from these pics, well done you!

I normally use a hairdryer FYI but have often thought it's probably a bit dangerous!

[EtTuTuttiFrutti]

If you've got a steam mop which also has a hand unit, use that.
It's really quick and easy and there's no faffing with bowls of water.
Just blast it.

[Toomuchbooty]

Happystory yes I feared it might break it a bit, but my main concern was if it was going to blow up or gas us all in our sleep, my mum has reassured me this is not likely! To be honest by the point of putting hole in it I had lost the will to ever feel the cold again!

[Toomuchbooty]

Littlewingsoul God to of provided some satisfaction :) I couldn't be arsed to go and get the hair drier also I was listening to a podcast so couldn't do with the noise! :)

Ettututtifrutti I'm going to pretend I didn't see that advice as the whole time I was smacking away at it I had a steam mop right next to me!!

[EtTuTuttiFrutti]

When I was a young thing and put a hole in mine, the firemen came and ate all my sausages

[steff13]

I'd use a hairdryer.

I'm in my 30s and I've never seen a freezer that had to be manually defrosted. How often do you have to do it?

[Toomuchbooty]

Steph13 this is the first time I've done it in the whole time I've had the freezer, and I've had it a good many years, I'm pretty sure it's not meant to look like it did before though so I would imagine it should be done more regularly than 'once'! I'm in my 30s and never seen one you don't have to defrost! What sorcery is this?!

[PhantomPringles]

I find a pallet knife is the only thing I am allowed to use that gets the chunks off without damaging the freezer. But it's a ballache and I only ever do it when the ice is so bad that I can't close the door or I can't get anything in/out.

[PhantomPringles]

Steff13 had the fridge freezer 15 years ago. It's been defrosted maybe 5 times? I think it should be more frequent than that though.

[legotits]

I used to use hairdryer but now use a steam mop.

Also if you punctured and seals or warped your freezer body with the enthusiastic defrost tis likely fucked

[Toomuchbooty]

Legotits ever with the makeshift plasters?! (Duct tape?) also, how fucked? Slow fucked or immediately fucked?

[legotits]

Well if the fridge is still cold (not just the light on)
I would ride it out and try the freezer.

I would be looking on Gumtree for a replacement victim frost free jobby though.

I used my outdoor one with a wonky side for years and didn't die!
Didn't know about ozone layer then.

[chowchowchow]

Steam mop? What are these steam mops ye talk of?

[Toomuchbooty]

Chowchowchow you haven't got a steam mop? what for art thou clean your hard floor with then?!

[EtTuTuttiFrutti]

Google the H2o mop. Tis wondrous for really lazy uber efficient MNers.

It blasts things in a most satisfactory manner. I loves mine

[Toomuchbooty]

I've just been admiring my mums vibrating carpet/floor shampooer it jiggles and it even has headlights!! Amazing!!

[EtTuTuttiFrutti]

Do they have a Ride On version ?

[HereIAm20]

Lakeland do a defrosting spray too (for next time).