Quickest Way to Defrost a Freezer (According to an Expert)

Over time, a thick layer of ice can build up on the inside of your freezer if you have one without an automatic defrosting system. Frost in your freezer reduces the efficiency of the appliance, adds to your electricity bill, and makes it tricky to get things in and out. Defrosting is fairly simple, but it will take you at least a couple of hours to do it. Read on for an easy guide to defrosting your freezer, plus learn how long defrosting might take, how frequently you should defrost it, and how to prevent frost buildup. We'll also share freezer defrosting and cleaning tips from appliance technicians and a house cleaning professional.

How to Defrost a Chest Freezer or a Standing Freezer

Appliance technician Aaron Beth says to unplug your freezer. Place towels around the freezer to catch any water that drips out. If you have a chest freezer, open the drain plug in the bottom. If you have a standing freezer, remove the front bottom grille, find the drain hose, and put the end of it in a bucket.

Section 1 of 4:

How to Defrost a Freezer

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1
Move the food in the freezer to a cool location. Stick it in a cooler surrounded by ice or frozen cooling packs. You can also ask a neighbor if you can use their freezer for a few hours.^{[1]
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- If you have a freezer/refrigerator combination, the food in the refrigerator should be fine for 1-2 hours as long as you leave the door closed.^{[2]
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Meet the wikiHow Experts

Aaron Beth is an appliance technician and the founder of Aaron's Refrigeration Company. He specializes in the service and maintenance of built-in refrigerators, wine coolers, and ice machines.

Chris Willatt is a house cleaning professional and the owner of a cleaning agency called Alpine Maids. His mission is to elevate what it means to be a cleaning professional.

Gevorg Grigorian is an appliance repair technician with over 15 years of experience. He owns G and R Appliance Repair and specializes in residential and commercial appliance repairs.
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Unplug the freezer and put old towels around the bottom. Put several layers of towels on the floor, gathered around the base of the freezer. Put baking trays on top of the towels but under the edge of the freezer to catch extra water.^{[3]
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- Can you defrost a freezer without turning it off? Some freezers have a switch you can use to turn off the freezer. Beth recommends unplugging it regardless, though.^{[4]
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  Aaron Beth
  Appliance Technician
  
  Expert Interview} You don't want to be standing in water while working around an appliance that's connected to an electric current!
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Put the drainage hose in a bucket or open the drain plug. Some standing freezers have a drainage hose on the bottom of the freezer that carries the water from melting ice away. If yours has one, put the end of it in a low basin or bucket so the excess water can drain out into it.^{[5]
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Research source} If you have a chest freezer, it probably has a drain plug in the bottom. Open it so the water can flow out onto the towels and pans you laid down in the previous step.^{[6]
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- If you have a standing freezer, you may need to remove the front grille at the bottom of the appliance to access the drainage hose.
- Consider placing shims under the front feet of the freezer to help encourage the water to flow toward the drain.
4
Take out the shelves and leave the door or lid to the freezer open. Warm air is your best tool for defrosting the ice layer. Prop the door or lid open if you need to, as some freezers have doors that automatically close. Now is also a good time to take out shelves, drawers, and any other removable parts if your freezer has them, says house cleaning professional Chris Willatt.^{[7]
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Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview}
- If some shelves won't come out, leave them in until the ice melts some more.
- Melt the ice faster with a bowl of hot water or a blow dryer. Place a bowl of steaming hot water in the bottom of the freezer. Alternatively, set a blow dryer on medium heat and hold it about 6 inches (15 cm) away from the ice.
  - Beth says to be careful using the blow dryer method, however, "because most refrigerators today have styrofoam insulation, and a hairdryer will melt it" if it's too hot.^{[8]
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    Aaron Beth
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Scrape out the ice with a silicone spatula as it melts. The pieces of ice will start to slide down the walls as they melt. Use the spatula to pull them out into a bucket or basin so the freezer can melt faster.
- Avoid using a sharp object, like a knife, an ice pick, or an ice scraper, to remove ice, says Beth. You might scratch the coating on the inside of the freezer.^{[9]
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- Mop up any water from the melting ice off the floor with a dry towel.
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Wash the shelves and drawers and wipe out the inside of the freezer. Once the shelves and drawers come to room temperature, Willatt recommends washing them in warm, soapy water with a sponge. Afterward, rinse them with clean water and dry them with a dish towel. To clean the inside of your freezer after it's defrosted, Willatt suggests spraying it with all-purpose cleaner or just water. Then, using a microfiber towel, clean all the sides out, as well as the bottom of the freezer, the doors, and any shelves that aren't removable.^{[10]
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Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview}
- Let the inside of the freezer air dry or wipe it down with a dry microfiber towel to ensure it's completely moisture-free.
- If the inside of your freezer still smells after cleaning it, mix 1 tbsp (18 g) of baking soda with 4 cups (0.95 L) of water. Dip a rag in the water, then wipe down the inside of the freezer. The baking soda will help clean and deodorize it.^{[11]
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- You should wait for glass shelves to come to room temperature because glass shelves could crack if you move them from a freezing environment to a warm one too quickly.
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Put everything back in the freezer and turn it back on. Slide the shelves and drawers back into place if you have them. Turn the freezer back on or plug it back in if you need to. Place any food you saved on the shelves and in the drawers.
- Throw out any food that you think might have thawed and reached an unsafe temperature, particularly meat.

Section 2 of 4:

How long does it take to defrost a freezer?

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The amount of time it takes depends on the size of your freezer and how much ice is built up in it. The thickness of the ice layer is also a factor, as is the temperature in your kitchen (or wherever your freezer is located).^{[12]
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Section 3 of 4:

How often should you defrost your freezer?

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Defrost your freezer every 6 months. Appliance repair expert Gevorg Grigorian says that most freezer/refrigerator combinations are frost-free, "[so] you don't necessarily need to do anything."^{[13]
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Expert Source

Gevorg Grigorian
Appliance Repair Expert

Expert Interview} The defrost cycle runs automatically, so there's never any ice buildup. If your freezer is a standalone chest or standing freezer, however, you may need to manually defrost it every 6 months to prevent the ice from getting too thick.
- You may need to defrost it more often if you live in an area with high humidity.^{[14]
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- If your self-defrosting freezer begins to build up ice, Grigorian says there's probably something wrong with it.^{[15]
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  Gevorg Grigorian
  Appliance Repair Expert
  
  Expert Interview} Contact an appliance repair technician and have them inspect it right away!

Section 4 of 4:

How to Prevent Frost in Your Freezer

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Avoid leaving the freezer open for more than a few seconds, if possible. The longer you leave it open, the more warmth and moisture will get in and add to the ice buildup. Try to get the items you need out of it quickly.^{[16]
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Ensure the humidity in your kitchen stays below 60%. The optimal humidity level for indoor spaces is between 30% and 50%, but experts recommend at least aiming for below 60%.^{[17]
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Go to source} If it's humid in your kitchen, moisture is more likely to seep into your freezer when you open the door. Purchase a humidity meter and put it in your kitchen if you suspect humidity is a problem.^{[18]
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- If the humidity reader in your kitchen is at 60% or above, you may want to hire a contractor to check for water collecting in your ceiling, walls, or floors, or leaking from under your sink.
Over time and after lots of use, the gaskets, or rubber seals, around your freezer door can become damaged or form gaps. Check the gaskets regularly to ensure they're free of food or moisture that would prevent them from sealing.^{[19]
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Research source} If you see tears or holes, or if the gaskets are stretched or loose, it may be time to replace them.

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How often should I defrost my freezer chest?

Gevorg Grigorian
Appliance Repair Expert
Gevorg Grigorian is an Appliance Repair Specialist and the Owner of G and R Appliance Repair in Los Angeles, California. With over 15 years of experience, Gevorg specializes in residential and commercial appliance repairs as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) services. Gevorg holds a BS in Business Administration and Management from California State University-Northridge.

Gevorg Grigorian

Appliance Repair Expert

Expert Answer

Newer models don't need to be defrosted, but if you have an older model, about every 6 months.

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Put a desk fan on a chair or other suitable stand and set it to full power to blow warm air into the freezer.

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To avoid another ice buildup in your freezer, dip a paper towel in some vegetable oil or glycerin (found at most drugstores) and lightly coat the inside of your freezer with it. This will slow the buildup of ice in your freezer, and it won't be as hard to remove.

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