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Original poster

To ask for freezer defrosting tips? I can't unplug it!

38 replies

StandingOvulation · 15/04/2024 14:55

We've got an under counter freezer that needs defrosting.

It can't be turned off ffs.

I can try blowdrying it, but wondered if anyone had any brighter ideas.

Virtual flowers available. 👍🏻

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Lotsofthings · 16/04/2024 08:56

Boil lots of water put in Pyrex casserole dishes and baking trays.

Switch off electricity at fuse distribution board, you should be able to find a circuit that says kitchen ring but could switch off whole of house if necessary.
Shut fridge door with all the steaming bowls inside.

Check periodically. When some ice softened, prize away from surfaces with blunt eating knife. Remove icebergs by put in sink.
If necessary add more steaming water.

Repeat.

Noseyoldcow · 15/04/2024 19:10

Once you've managed to defrost it, dry it thoroughly and wipe the inside surfaces with glycerine before you turn it back on again. Then the ice is not so hard to get off next time.

BMW6 · 15/04/2024 18:51

Turn the electric to the kitchen off at the fusebox!

RainBow725 · 15/04/2024 18:49

I can't get to my plug either. I just turn it down below zero and it defrosts. Turn it back up again when finished.

awitchoftroubleinelectricblue · 15/04/2024 18:42

Don't use a hammer and chisel. It doesn't end well...

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 15/04/2024 18:38

You really should be able to turn it off without pulling it out - it's not safe from a fire point of view for a start.

Have you checked there's no switches/ access holes inside adjacent cupboards? Does the skirting definitely not pull off?

CheapThrillsMeanNothing · 15/04/2024 18:34

BrieAndChilli · 15/04/2024 15:20

this is probably completely not safe and you do have to be really careful but if there are really really thick ice i give it a whack with a hammer which then makes it all fall off in big chunks (has to be very thick hard ice not that think snowy type ice)

You could try a rubber mallet instead of a hammer. Much less risky. It's what we use to help hurry the process along.

shellyleppard · 15/04/2024 18:28

I turn it off at the plug, sprinkle the ice with normal table salt add bowls of boiling water then shut the door and wait

SingleDoubleWhippedClotted · 15/04/2024 17:15

You need to turn off before defrosting it, don't do it with the motor running chances are you will be shopping for a new one

GasPanic · 15/04/2024 16:35

I second what someone else said about turning it off though.

You have to switch it off before defrosting it, otherwise it will fight against the heat trying to cool itself down and probably knacker itself, in the same way fridges normally break if you leave the door open for a long time.

Sgtmajormummy · 15/04/2024 16:32

If you can cut off power, defrosting an under-counter freezer should take about 30 minutes, working fast. Take out all the drawers and put in a bowl of hot water. The ice (which is usually full of air, so quick to melt) will just slide off.

Have a look at the base board. They often have a horseshoe shaped clip on to cupboard legs and are designed to pull away and clip back on.

FriedSprout · 15/04/2024 16:19

You can get defroster for freezer spray. I've never used it but seen it on Amazon

KarateSchnitzel · 15/04/2024 16:10

I defrosted mine recently by pouring cups of hot water in and then soaking up the melted water. It takes ages! But eventually you can pull away the big blocks of ice

SmallFY · 15/04/2024 16:07

I used to have to turn the kitchen electricity ring off on the fuse box.

Cyclebabble · 15/04/2024 16:06

Perhaps use the isolator switch overnight at the weekend? If you get a lie in as a family on a Sunday you could switch it off at say nine in the evening and then it could be off for 12 hours?

Ambergrease · 15/04/2024 15:54

I put a tea towel and a flat baking tray to catch drips on the floor, a deep baking tray full of hot water at the bottom and then a fan heater on a chair facing the freezer and poke at big chunks of ice with a wooden spatula.

shams05 · 15/04/2024 15:51

My way is really risky so only try if you have a steady and confident hand. I bash all the built up ice with a rolling pin, it comes of in chunks. Lay a couple of towels with a tray on top of them at the bottom on the floor first.
If there's too much ice a hair dryer will take too long.

WhatASmashingBlouseYouHaveOn · 15/04/2024 15:47

Please don't bash at the ice with any sharp implement, like others have said you risk puncturing the cooling pipes then its game over. Use a wooden spoon to break off ice that is melted enough if you need to.

Hankunamatata · 15/04/2024 15:42

Turn off the fuse to the kitchen while your defrosting.

Bowls of hot water inside

Comtesse · 15/04/2024 15:40

My mum killed a big chest freezer by chopping off chunks of ice with I think a chisel of all the daft things. That is definitely not recommended!

GasPanic · 15/04/2024 15:38

How old is your house. I would be very surprised there is not an isolation panel somewhere. Thing is, if there is no panel then where does the fuse go ?

Maybe you can pull it out and the isolation will be behind it. Or maybe you can turn off the supply to the kitchen (normally on a separate fuse because kitchens tend to have high power demands so there is often a separate breaker for the kitchen and another for the oven).

Barleysugar86 · 15/04/2024 15:29

BrieAndChilli · 15/04/2024 15:20

this is probably completely not safe and you do have to be really careful but if there are really really thick ice i give it a whack with a hammer which then makes it all fall off in big chunks (has to be very thick hard ice not that think snowy type ice)

It's so very tempting isn't it? However when I did the same I punctured a cooling element on the roof of the freezer and that was the end of the freezer, so would advise resisting the urge to others 😂

HectorGloop · 15/04/2024 15:26

Are the cupboard kickboards definitely fixed in? In my kitchen they can be eased out which might mean you could reach the plug?