Defrosting Freezer

[burlyshirley1]

I'll admit I've been very lazy when it comes to defrosting my freezer (please don't ask how long, I'm embarrassed !) and the ice and frost build up is terrific. I turned it off on Thursday morning and today, two days later, there has been very little progress. Very little water has gathered on the bottom and there is still an awful lot of ice. To try and speed things up today, I placed two bowls of hot water in the freezer only to find them both frozen solid when I went back to check some time later ! What's going on - it's definitely turned off ? Anyone had a freezer take so long to defrost?

[THECORBYLOON]

You can also aim the jet between the wall of the freezer and the ice.

[ducksie]

I've just sat down with an iced coffee having defrosted and cleaned my chest freezer - I was looking through it today and thought, oh what a mess it is in, so took everything out, sorted them in bendy buckets and insulated freezer bags, put the freezer on thaw and got my little plastic frost scraper - came with the freezer and start scraping away at the wall of ice, dumped a load of stuff (must have been panic buying at the start of the pandemic ;) ) anyway, it all ony took 1 hour, no dryers, heaters or bowls of hot water, reset the freezer to turbo for half and hour and it's all back to normal - but cleaner :) log in here and see your thread and thanked heavens it wasn't only me with an ice packed freezer. I never had a freezer take long to defrost

[burlyshirley1]

Thanks TCL and ducksie. I'll be rethinking my strategy tomorrow lol. I want it up and working for Monday !

You can bet your life I won't leave the next defrost so long !

[zebo]

Hair dryer and rolling pin, took me half an hour on one of the hottest days, moved ice cream into the garage freezer, the rest was fine.

[ducksie]

I can't understand why yours is taking so long, I would not be comfortable using heating on it to defrost, I'd be afraid of getting electrocuted - best of luck

[pastafreak]

I usually start hacking at the ice...it's satisfying to see large chunks fall out. I too am at the point where I really must do it.
I've never tried the hairdryer/fan...I'm a boiling water girl.

[Tilly2]

Boiling water and towels. It's major surgery. :-)

[calmck]

Are you leaving it open!

[burlyshirley1]

ducksie - It's taking so long because I have left it so long to defrost, just kept putting it off ! Like I said, hairdryer is last resort.

It now seems to be making some headway, at last !

[THECORBYLOON]

If you use the spray, add a few spoons of salt to the water to help it melt.

[jollyroger66]

Do you rub noses when you kiss ?

[ducksie]

I'm glad it's finally making headway for you - I'd try the salt. I don't think I defrosted mine since 2019 - I know, I'm a manky mare haha

[douglas9401]

Simply put one of those spherical maps of the world on the lowest shelf overnight and in the morning it'll all be sorted through global warming

[barry1010]

I always put bowls of hot water on the racks with the door shut then used a hair dryer and scraper.
Am thankful my freezers are now the frost-free sort

[burlyshirley1]

Do you want the latest ? After starting to defrost really well last night, I got up this morning and it has stopped again !! A lot of the ice and frost has melted, but because there was so much of it, it still needs to carry on defrosting. I have placed hot bowls of water inside again, but not shut the door this time as last time, they froze ! Never, ever thought it would be this difficult and yes, it is DEFINITELY switched off ...

[barry1010]

That's pushed your electricity bills up, Shirley. A frosted up freezer costs a lot more to run :(

[burlyshirley1]

I know barry, it's one of the reasons I decided that I simply must get it defrosted lol. You can bet your life, I will never leave it so long again - I've learnt my lesson !

[barry1010]

If it's very old it might be worthwhile investing in a new frost free freezer, especially an A rated one.

[bednobs]

im not sure i have EVER defrosted mine (until a week or so ago) and we have lived here 10 years

[burlyshirley1]

^ How long did it take to defrost ? Mine still hasn't defrosted fully and that's since last Thursday morning !!