How to Defrost Stand Alone Freezer

Fig.1 Ice covered 
food freezer

By Gary Boutin

Supplies and Tools:
Blow dryers (Be careful around water)
Gloves thick waterproof  
Large tub 
Sponge  
Thermometer for freezer
Towels thick

Mrs. H home is located in Hollywood, California. Today, She called about defrosting her chest freezer. According to the Cooperative Extension Service "... A chest freezer opens from the top. It is more energy efficient and usually costs less to buy than an upright freezer of the same size."

This post shows the six steps to defrosting a chest freezer.

Step 1: Turn the freezer off. The controls are on the side of the freezer case. This will prevent the ice that is being defrosted from turning into more ice and with the door open the freezer will be using a lot of electricity to run. 
Step 2: Remove all the food from the chest freezer. The food was removed and placed in a clean large rubber tub, the food piled on top of each other. This way the food would keep cold while the freezer is being cleaned. 
Step 3: The problem with this freezer defrosting was several bags of ice where stuck to the side and the floor of the chest freezer. A hair dryer was not used because the client wanted the freezer to be defrosted immediately. Fig.1 shows all the food has been removed. Fig.2 shows over four inches of ice on the walls of the chest freezer.

Fig.2 Frost and ice

Step 4: Pick up ice and water as it melts with a thick towel or sponge and deposit into sink. Fig.3 shows a large tub of hot water, the water from the kitchen faucet supplying hot water to the tub. Use the hot water soaked towels in the chest freezer to defrost the ice on the chest walls. Fig.4 shows the ice bag is frozen to the top rack. Fig.5 shows a large ice sheet is being removed from one of the side walls. Thick gloves helps the freezing from icing the hands.

Fig.3 Warm water

Fig.4 Bag of frozen 
ice stuck in freezer

Fig.5 Chuck on ice 
and frost

Step 5: Fig.6 shows the use a large sponge or towel and dry out the bottom and the sides of the freezer.

Fig.6 Sponge off freezer

Step 6. Turn the freezer back on, close the door and put food back into freezer and close the door. Fig.7 shows he dents on the side of the chest freezer, this is the reason why sharp knives or hammers are not used, they could damage the freezer walls. Fig.8 shows the food is back in its normal environment. Now the freezer is clean and smell good for her bulk items. 

Fig.7 Damages to ice box

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