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

[StandingOvulation]

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. 👍🏻

Can you change the temperature setting to the warmest possible? That should help. My old cleaner also gave me a good tip which was to put a large bowl of boiling water in there, the steam helps detach any big chunks of ice from the sides.

Do you not have a plug switch for it on the wall above the counter? It sounds like a very odd set up without one.

You will / should have an isolation switch somewhere ?

Like a light switch with a red light ? That should take the power off to the devices on that wall?

Else you have to turn the whole kitchen off at the main fuse Baird

Turn the temperature up and I put bowls of hot water in mine to move things along.

Never tried it, but... put a bowl full of steaming water inside, shut doors and wait.

I turn mine to the warmest setting, and put metal roasting dishes with boiling water in.

I use a hairdryer

Can you tell us why it cannot be turned of at the plug?

If you cannot unplug it or turn it off can you turn the electric breaker off for the duration of the defrost?

Where is the plug? The plug sockets for our freeze and freezer at the back of our freezer (far side) so luckily I can reach through the cupboards to stitch off. If not, can you and someone else take the unit door off (assuming it's enclosed) and pull freezer forward yourselves?

@StandingOvulation could you turn the thermostat to "0"?

Also check online for the instruction manual

There's no isolation switch for it, and the cupboards have a fixed skirting board so it can't be eased forward.

Why on earth it's not designed with an easy access front off switch is beyond me.

Hadn't thought of isolating power to the kitchen.

I've done boiling water trays plus blowdrying previously.

And tried blasting it with steam but it's just so Blinking onerous 🙄

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)

Don't just turn the temperature up or open the door - you'll blow the motor - it will still be trying (desperately) to cool itself down - its one job in life is to freeze shit and you leaving doors open and trying to defrost it while it still has power is the best way to kill it.

Turn off the power to the kitchen and then put the hot water in it.

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

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 😂

I have a plastic scraper thing that came with my freezer to chip away at the ice.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zanussi-50201504003-Freezer-Ice-Scraper/dp/B00EME9ZLA/ref=ascdff_B00EME9ZLA/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=255628435377&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7167771935475043048&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046923&hvtargid=pla-550072120272&psc=1&mcid=cd901840e7db39c187b8274aaaea160f

If you have a car window scraper that might do a similar job. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Generic-Scraper-Freezers-Removal-Stubborn/dp/B0CDSBVHFC/ref=ascdff_B0CDSBVHFC/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=658930737530&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7167771935475043048&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046923&hvtargid=pla-2197267897116&psc=1&mcid=e3b182c48697375eb1f360202f25914b

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).

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!

Turn off the fuse to the kitchen while your defrosting.

Bowls of hot water inside

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.

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.

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.

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?

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