Defrosting freezer

[Hercy]

We have one of those person height fridge freezers, top half is fridge, bottom half freezer. The freezer desperately needs to be defrosted - I think one of the drawers wasn't shut proper and as a consequence it's iced up.

Unfortunately you can't leave the fridge switched on and the freezer off - not ideal in this weather. My OH suggested leaving the freezer door open to defrost it, leaving it switched on. But I'm not sure how effective it would be. I think if I were to put some bowls of warm water in it it would speed things up. But I don't know if I could potentially damage it if I do this when its left on.

Any ideas?! Thank you :)

Why can't you switch the fridge off? If you keep the door closed it will keep the food inside cool until the freezer defrosts.

I wouldn't suggest just leaving it switched on and the door open as it will use loads of electricity!!!

use your hairdryer to speed up defrosting the freezer - not too close but I used to be able to do my chest freezer in about 20 mins maximum. As long as you keep your fridge door shut (& put some of the stuff from the freezer in there if room) you'll be fine.

Don't envy you - it's a vile job but you'll feel v. virtuous when it's done!

We had a problem with our freezer last week. We left the door open and it defrosted quickly. We have done the bowl of warm water too and it never caused a problem but I completely understand you not wanting to risk that.

Before you defrost the freezer place tupperware nearly full of water in it. Once frozen place these in fridge and defrost freezer. In this weather it will melt very quickly. I have a FF like yours and once the ice starts melting I help it along with a wooden spatula, the ice chunks knock off easily. It doesn't take longer than 45-1hr mins so your fridge will be fine.

I should have said I'd use more than one frozen ice block in fridge or a very large one.

I have just defrosted mine with te hair dryer, not pretending it was a wise decision though.

How about really hot water in a spray bottle a use that on the ice?

We use the wooden spatula too to remove the blocks of ice

As others have said turn off and leave fridge shut.

I put a bowl of hot water in the freezer to speed up defrosting.

Bowls of hot water to speed up absolutely fine.
Hair dryer is an electrocution risk but often ignored in this house.

Wait until day before shopping day so contents are at a minimum.
Empty freezer, packing all food close in a cool place (as cool as possible).
Use thw hottest tap water to get the process started. As many trays/bowls with large surface area as possible.
This will defrost the shelf it is sitting on pretty effectively and help the shelves above.
whilst the boilibg water is melting the shelves use a hairdryer on the ceiling of the freezer
As it melts pull of large lumps and remove from freezer so it doesn't cool the hot water down. A wooden or spatula can be used to help the process along.

Depending on severitt should only take 30-60 mins, durng that time thw fridge will be ok.

I also use a hair dryer to defrost the freezer.
I turn it off and put some stuff in a cool box with ice packs and some stuff in the fridge to keep it cool.

I also scatter salt on the ice to help melt it and then blast away with the hair dryer.
I put a Tupperware container at the bottom to catch drips and also use a sponge to mop up the melted ice.
I did this on Friday and it took me (start to finish) 45 minutes.
The freezer hadn't been defrosted since we moved in (18months ago).

Wow, thanks for all the advice and tips. I'll be tackling this tomorrow and will definitely be using salt, a hairdryer, bowl for drips and a ice box in the fridge. That should definitely speed the process up - thank you!

Just wanted to add that you should be careful if you're hacking the ice off - ice splinters can be dangerous, my BIL got an ice splinter in his eye while being over-enthusiastic hacking away at freezer ice and lost some eyesight.

Blimey, how awful for your BIL - I'll make sure to be very careful. I'd much rather take my time and risk food spoiling than get an ice splinter in my eye. That sounds horrendous.

It was awful. Oddly enough he's always had to wear safety glasses for work so you'd think he'd have been more careful. IIRC, he was slashing at the ice with a knife trying to hurry it up, rather than scraping gently at slush with a wooden spatula but I thought it was worth the reminder. I'm defrosting my freezer tonight as it happens but fortunately mine has separate on/off buttons for the fridge and freezer.

Also just a note you should never use a knife to hack at the ice - if it slips and slices through the wall of the freezer (which is often actually really soft!) then it usually can't be fixed, and you have to buy a new freezer.

If you're defrosting anything for tea put it in the fridge still frozen before you turn it off, or use ice packs and put them in the fridge. It'll help keep it cool.

With stuff out the freezer put under towels or a blanket to insulate and it'll all be fine.

Hairdryer to defrost, bowl in the bottom, towels on the floor. You'll be done in 20 mins.
Careful with the hairdryer though. Ours gets v hot and cuts out after a while.