Defrosting the freezer

[MrsSantaChemist]

Any tips on how to speed it up? Two bags of ice semi defrosted and refroze into a big nasty lump of ice that has iced up two out of the four drawers. It could take all night and I can't wait that long. Would rubbing salt on it work?

i put bowls of hot hot water on a tea towel inside and close the door. think salt may damage the seal?

i don't defrost my current freezer tho as it doesn't seem to need it.

oh, i also used to hack at the ice with something like a fish slice, tho that can't be good for the freezer either!

I've been hacking at the outer edges of the huge block of ice, but as you say, I fear damage to the freezer. Shall try the bowl of water, thanks

You can use one of those old fashioned electric plug-in heaters to blow hot air into it!

Put bowls of hot water in it then stand well back and blow hair dryer into it - works for me !

De-frosted ours on Saturday so could get lots of crap healthy food in ready for crimbo hammer and chisel worked a treat

last time i just hit the ice with a hammer. we did had a LOT of ice. will have to do it again soon as can hardly opn the draws now.

Thanks for the tip. It took about 10 hours in the end, but my freezer is now nice and ice free

My mum, who does this kind of thing for a living recommends placing pans of hot water in then closing the door. If you're going to scrape the ice, use a plastic spatula.

The best thing I found was a wallpaper steamer - i'd done the whole thing in less than an hour.